9 CHAPTER 9

While waiting for their order to arrive, Penelope is busy counting the pearls of the necklace in her hand in a singsong way. Lisa is sitting next to Penelope and watching her little miss being happy beside her. As for the mother and daughter pair, they are sitting in front of them and having their own world too. In the eyes of other people present inside the cafe, they don't look like a harmonious family at all.

Amanda decided not to pay attention to Clementine's daughter in the meantime. Instead, she pours her attention on Emilia. She lovingly fixes the ribbons on her daughter's hair. When she finished tying the last ribbon on her braid, Emilia thanked her by kissing her cheeks.

Although Emilia looks exactly like her dead husband, her personality is no doubt similar to Amanda's. She is easy to catch up with and always listens to her mother. Emilia also knows how to observe Amanda's movements and takes the initiative to copy and follow her steps.

Amanda has a lot of plans for her daughter once Penelope disappears from their lives. Even though she is not Clementine's biological daughter, she will be the remaining young lady in their family. Amanda will just have to slowly process changing her daughter's family name while Clementine is distracted in looking for his daughter.

Amanda had told Clementine a lot of times before if they can now change Emilia's family name and add her to the Dresvil's family registry. But her husbands always tell her to wait. It is because Duke Harrison Dresvil, Clementine's father, is not yet giving his opinion about it. As long as that old man is the one leading the family, then they cannot do anything reckless or without asking his permission.

She also cannot keep asking her husband about it. Amanda does not want to look like a pushy person in front of Clementine. Although they are now married for two years, Amanda is still continuing her little play of acting like his dead wife in hopes that it can be a key for Clementine to love her. So even if Amanda wants to keep asking her husband to change Emilia's surname as soon as possible, she is still holding back and acting like an obedient wife in their mansion.

But their waiting days are going to end. In just a few hours, one of the biggest thorns in her throat will soon disappear. Taking a glance in Penelope's direction, a smile appears on her lips seeing the innocent image of that child. The little girl has no clue that she will never see her father again after this trip.

Soon, Emilia is going to be recognized as the only lady in the Dresvil family. She may not be blood-related to the duke and her husband, but Emilia will soon carry their family name. As long as the name Dresvil will be attached to Emilia's name, no one will dare to look down on her in this whole kingdom.

Seeing the smile on Amanda's lips, Penelope can't help but tighten her grip on the necklace she's holding. She must be thinking that her plan will succeed once again. Penelope is not sure what kind of hatred Amanda is holding against her. But it is enough for her to harm a little girl like Penelope.

What an evil woman.

"Little miss?" Lisa called her. "Why did you suddenly stop counting the pearls?"

"Oh. I finished counting it all, nanny!" Penelope happily replied. "There are one hundred pearls in this necklace!"

"Our little miss is so smart!" Lisa praised while clapping her hands.

At the same time, their orders finally arrived. The server politely greets them first before putting their food on the table. After that, they quickly start eating their food. Amanda tried asking if Penelope wants to spoonfeed her. But she refused her saying Lisa's movement is gentler than hers.

Once again, Amanda just swallowed her irritation towards that little girl and instead continue eating her food. Once they finished eating, they left the cafe and stroll around the plaza. Penelope tightly holds Lisa's hand while looking for a good chance to use it in this situation.

Their stroll continued for three hours. Amanda bought several expensive wares and accessories from different foreign merchants. She also bought a few things for Emilia like toys and trinkets that fit her age.

"We should go back now." Amanda announced to all of them. "Clementine said he will try to go back early today. We should not make him wait for us just in case he returned to the mansion early than expected."

Penelope swears she heard a loud thump in her chest when she heard those words. Once they get inside their carriage again, a group of bulky men will soon attack them and they will 'kidnap' the young duke's daughter. They will make a scenario where those people who attacked the carriage have a huge grudge against the young duke and decided to take revenge by hurting his only daughter. In truth, those intruders are the people Amanda paid in advance to kill Penelope.

"Can I still see a few more stores? I want to buy something for daddy!" Penelope said in a loud voice.

"But—"

"Please, madam?"

"Penelope, your daddy must be waiting for us now." Amanda tries to coax her again.

"But I want to give daddy a gift too! I don't want daddy to be sad because we didn't buy him a gift." She added before acting like a girl who is going to cry if Amanda will still say no.

Seeing that Penelope's loud voice attracted a few onlookers around them, Amanda cannot just refuse the little girl's request that easily. They are in a public place. Who knows if there are a few nobles who can see and recognize them. Amanda will not try to ruin her reputation just because of that naughty child.

"Alright. We will buy your father a gift too." Amanda said with a smile.

Since Penelope will be gone in their lives before this day comes to an end, she might as well fulfill her last wishes. Amanda will consider it as her last goodwill to a child who disappears soon. This is going to be the last day where she will see that child's face too.

Right after Amanda gives her approval, Penelope quickly runs in the opposite direction while pulling Lisa's hand with her. Penelope has a plan in mind that can help her in this situation. Looking around, the little girl starts checking the faces of the people around them. She looks so anxious that Lisa cannot help but feel worried for her young lady.

"Little miss, is there's something wrong? Why are you—Little miss!"

Without minding her nanny's loud voice, Penelope runs as fast as she can until she stops in front of a person that wears a black hooded cloak and hugs their thigh.

"Brother! Brother! You are so handsome!" Penelope suddenly said to that person with a smile on her face.

The young man that wears the black hooded cloak looks down and sees a cute, little girl hugging his thigh like a koala bear. He raised a brow thinking how does it happen that a little girl suddenly decided to approach him. When the young man tries to move his leg, he noticed that the little girl tighten her grip on his leg.

"Brother! What's your name? You are so handsome! Like a prince!"