A Good Child.

"...." the man was too stunned to speak. Then he looked right and left and strode away. Penny smiled! She was going to sit here and only dance when she will find an appropriate partner. 

When she sat down, she realized the maids were staring at her. Penny waved at one of them without caring about the stares she was getting. 

"I want something to eat. The creampies from earlier would do. Thank you." the maid looked at her as if she was possessed before scurrying away.

They have never seen her using her power. Penny had been a good child since her parents died. She knew that her uncle and aunt were greedy but she knew as a woman she could not fight them. 

So, she waited to grow up silently. One day, she would find a good husband and marry him. And then she would be free from this prison. But now.. They wanted to break that dream too.

"Penny!" her aunt who had been absent after leaving her with a group of haughty socialites returned. She had a disapproving look on her face again. 

"Sir Shawn only wanted to make an acquaintance. He would soon be your personal knight. Must you be this cold and rude to your debutante?" she chided with a cold look. "A woman should be like water! Pure, adapting and flexible with a soothing nature." Penny repeated the words in her mind before her aunt could complete them. It was not the first time she had used them. But this would be the first time. Penny would not listen to them anymore.

"Aunt!" She stood up but before she could complain, her uncle walked closer. 

Penny shrunk instinctively, hiding her hands when she noticed the displeased look on his face.

"Honey! There are guests who want to meet you." he warned her, making her shudder. 

It was alright! You do not need to fear them. They would not hurt you in public. Right?

Yet her body was shivering. Her aunt smiled at her knowingly before placing her hand on her uncle's chest. 

"It is alright, she is just too thrilled to be an adult now. It happens!" she smiled sweetly at her husband. 

The man stared at Penny with a hard look before nodding. But he did not leave. He kept watching her like a hawk. 

Penny told herself that she did not need to fear him. He would not hurt her in public. It was about her dreams. But her body refused to move. She stood there frozen until she felt her aunt's hand on her shoulder.

"Penny, if you are not feeling well, you could go and rest in your room." she smiled sweetly. Her aunt leaned closer, "you do not want to create trouble for anyone Penny, including yourself. Your uncle is still watching."

She did not need to be told. She could feel his eyes on her and it broke her into cold sweat. How she had hoped that today, she would gain freedom!

"I… I did not mean to refuse him, aunt. My feet felt sore after dancing." she explained in a low defeated voice.

"Ah! Then you can rest and dance after eating. I am sure they would wait." the woman patted her shoulders, "it is your party, everyone would wait for you." 

Her uncle watched her intently before nodding and left. She looked at him discreetly, how he joined a group of men and smiled over something they said.

A few turned to look at her and laughed at something her uncle said and then continued to drink. Penny felt like a fool. A woman with no backbone! 

But could a backbone save her from starving or getting locked in the room? Or could it give her power to run away?

She shook her head when the maid brought the creampuff she had demanded for. She noticed there were mashed potatoes, cheese, bread and some meat too.

"My lady, you should eat food before having desserts." Penny knew her aunt had sent this. To prove that she was a spoiled brat.

With trembling hands, Penny picked up the fork and started eating. The food tasted like lead yet she ate every bite of it until she could not eat anymore.

Just as she placed the spoon down, she found someone staring at her. When she turned, the man from before was smirking. Looking at her as if she was nothing, meant nothing. Her wishes, her consent was nothing.

Penny dug her nails deeper into her skin. He wanted to dance with her. She must dance with her. She knew her family was looking at her, waiting to create another scene so that they could punish her right there. Or worse! Prove her insane and go on with their plan.

Her heart was clenched and she felt a strange pain in her body but she nodded when he extended his hand again. This time, he didn't call her lady or whisper kind words. He just stared at her with a smirk when she took his hand.

He guided her to the center of that stage and placed his hand on her waist. 

"You should have not refused me earlier, my lady , when I was being kind." he said as soon as they started dancing. 

Penny gave him a smile that confused him.

"Oh, I refused you because I worried about you, my lord." she said, confusing him. 

And before he knew, she placed her heels on his shoes, and used her full force.

A groan escaped his lips making her smile.

"I am not proficient at dancing and sometimes make mistakes." her smile only grew wider with a sly look on them.

He stiffened and wanted to leave but the song had already started. And then they kept dancing. Once the song ended and he bowed, his face was red and his eyes wet.

As he tried hard to walk normally. She smiled! She had made sure he would not dance anymore for the night.