"How is Penelope fairing? Does she like your home?" Tobias inquired.
"She does. The duchess did well to prepare it for her," Tyrion replied.
"I see. I hear your mother is thinking of sending flowers from her garden so Penelope could have them placed around your home. We must plan a time for all of us to sit together. About your grandmother," Tobias said, addressing the problem Tyrion faced.
"I am sending her out of town for a little while. Some time out of Lockwood would be good for her and you. I heard about her sitting down with Penelope. I am disappointed," Tobias said, thinking of his past.
It felt like Tobias had gone back in time to when he picked Hazel as his bride, but Tabitha wanted Hazel’s sister, Helena.
"Edgar knows what was said about the duchess when she met with your grandmother. He is not pleased as expected. My mother is gathering enemies by the day. Enemies who are my allies. I apologise on her behalf," said Tobias.
Tyrion didn’t need the apology.
"Don’t ever apologise on anyone’s behalf to me. It’s useless when I know she hasn’t regretted anything she has said. She is so stubborn that she would try to humiliate Penelope before other ladies. I will not stand for it," Tyrion warned his father.
There was a limit to how much Tyrion cared for Tabitha.
With the dungeon almost done, there was room for Tabitha and many others.
"And you shouldn’t. I understand feeling this way, though she is your elder. You have a wife to protect, and I will not get in your way of protecting her. In a few days, only Mark and his men will make up the court. You won’t have to worry about anyone questioning your marriage," said Tobias.
"Questions about our marriage will never end," Tyrion said, knowing there was more to come.
"I meant from the court. They were the ones who would bother you the most. Since the court will be over soon, would you be willing to bring Penelope here for dinner? I will invite the Collinses and Callahans," Tobias said, yearning for everyone to be together.
’There is more danger than just the court, but I will consider it. There seems to be trouble," Tyrion said, spotting town guards in the palace.
"I can’t have a moment of peace. Go to your mother," Tobias said, walking ahead to see what trouble there was now.
Tyrion guessed it had to be devastating news based on how many town guards had gathered. It could only be that another body was found, which should push the men present to start taking the matter more seriously.
Tyrion changed course to see his mother and hopefully his sister before he would head to Linda to learn more about Cassius.
Tyrion stopped a maid who led him to where his mother roamed her garden.
Hazel’s face lit up with a smile when she saw Tyrion. She handed a maid the flower she had cut.
"Tyrion!" Hazel called, lifting the sides of her dress as she ran to Tyrion.
Behind Hazel was a group of six maids, panicking as they witnessed the queen running. They ran slowly to keep up with Hazel.
"You’re giving your ladies a fright," Tyrion said, offering his hand to his mother.
Hazel placed her hand on Tyrion’s. "They shouldn’t be afraid since I am more than capable of running."
"How many times have they seen the queen run? There is good cause for concern when they see it happen. Are these the flowers you intend to send to Penelope? She will love them," Tyrion said, looking at the flowers being dug up.
"Was it your father who spoiled my plans? Alessandra has decorated the inside of your home. I thought it only fitting that I help with the garden. How is Penelope?" Hazel asked.
"She is well. She will be meeting with friends while I am away," Tyrion replied.
"That is good. Spending time with friends will take her mind off other things," Hazel said, relieved to hear Penelope wasn’t dwelling on what was said. "I have been told by a little bird that I will need to keep an eye on Priscilla. She is not pleased with what others have said about Penelope."
"I hope you keep these little birdies away from Penelope and me," said Tyrion.
He was not afraid to send one back dead or alive.
"I don’t have any reason to spy on you or Penelope. The maids I wanted to send were my way of offering you a helping hand. I’ve been spied on too many times to turn around and do it to Penelope. I will leave you two alone," Hazel promised.
The women Hazel sent around the town were for gathering her gossip since she spent all her time in the palace. She needed to keep up with what was said around the town. Hazel had learned what was said about herself.
"I do know what was said the day Penelope sat before Tabitha. I heard she carried herself well," Hazel said, proud that Penelope stood up for herself. "It will be amusing to witness Priscilla and Tabitha go head to head. Neither one will allow this to rest."
"I am quite interested in these little birds you have. Were they guests invited to the gathering?"
Hazel smiled. "Long before your troubles with Tabitha, I realised the importance of keeping an eye on her. While I might not plant maids to spy on you, I cannot promise that I haven’t done the same to her. Now that she is troubling you, I keep a close watch on her."
"You impress me, mother. I am more like you than I once realised," said Tyrion.
"Of course you are. I have raised you well. If not for the love your father still bears for his mother, I would have plotted to get rid of her long ago. You can’t change that stubbornness," Hazel said, knowing it was cruel to say, but it was the truth.
Priscilla changed, but Hazel didn’t have the same patience as Alessandra to work with Tabitha as she changed.
"I’m guessing you have kept these feelings from him," said Tyrion.
"It is never easy to tell the person you love that you want their beloved mother to die. She is the only parent he has left, so I leave her be, but I would be lying if I didn’t want her dead. She has caused me enough trouble. Why did she need to turn to you?" Hazel asked.
Hazel knew of Tobias sending Tabitha away, but she was quite close to leaving the palace to give Tabitha an earful.