Back at the Castro residence, Penelope slipped out of the chamber she shared with Tyrion to do a little tour of the home by herself.
"Milady," Matilda said, making her presence known as she silently followed along behind Penelope.
"I am getting better at not being startled by you showing up out of nowhere. I said that you may take a break, Matilda. You’ve been working hard long before I wed," Penelope said, fearing Matilda might overwork herself.
"I will sit down for a moment, but I am yet to get used to the presence of the palace maids. Some work with their heads down, while others appear to be watching you and the prince closely. Shall I point them out?" Matilda asked, ready to do so.
"No, I expected to be watched since Castro’s servants surround us. As long as they do nothing suspicious, I will leave them be. We only have a few days here, and I don’t want it to be filled with worrying about spies," Penelope said, now reminded of what happened in the morning.
"As you wish," Matilda replied.
Still, Matilda planned to keep a watchful eye on all the servants.
"Should I prepare a parasol?"
Penelope shook her head. "No, since I am not going far. My husband is resting, but he is not asleep. Why is it that men cannot admit when they are injured? My husband insists that he is well."
Penelope knew the wound was getting better since she spoke daily to the doctor, but she couldn’t shake the thought that Tyrion needed to rest more.
"Would it be wrong of me to hurt him just a little to have him stay in bed longer?" Penelope asked, already knowing it wouldn’t be wise.
"You may do as you feel," Matilda answered. She supported whatever Penelope wanted.
Penelope smiled, for a small moment forgetting who she spoke to. "How silly of me to forget you would support my wishes. Tell me," she said, turning around to face Matilda. "Do you have any plans for your future?"
"To serve you, Milady," Matilda answered.
"We have known each other since we were children. Should there come a time you wish to marry or follow another path, know that I will support you. I would greatly miss you, but still. You stand strong on the hill that you don’t want to marry," said Penelope. Newest update provıded by novelꞁire.net
Penelope remembered all the late-night talks she had with Matilda about marriage. Matilda wasn’t interested since she was focused on working to help her family.
Matilda always thought she could not serve Penelope well and be a wife. She had to pick one, and her choice always remained Penelope.
"I am curious if Lily has found someone who could be her husband. I must write a letter to her tonight. I promised we would have a day today, but I ran off with Tyrion. I must make it up to her. Please remind me," Penelope instructed Matilda.
Penelope looked out the window and saw the setting sun in the distance. It was similar to the view she got at home, but this one seemed better.
"Princess Penelope," Sterling said, rushing toward Penelope. He walked with haste since he had an important letter to share.
"Have you come to inform us about dinner?" Penelope asked, tearing her gaze away from the scenery.
"No, milady. There is a letter from Duke Collins addressed to the prince," Sterling said, handing the letter to Penelope.
Penelope took the envelope from Sterling and started to open it. "When did it arrive?" She asked.
"Not long ago. I came as soon as I sent the messenger away," Sterling replied.
"Thank you. You may go," Penelope sent Sterling off.
Penelope changed course back for Tyrion. Her father was informed that they didn’t want to be disturbed, so it had to be something urgent for a letter to be sent.
Penelope’s eyes widened when she read what was written.
"Matilda, find Damien and tell him to have our things placed on the carriage. We must return to our home right now. Go now!" Penelope yelled, holding the sides of her dress as she started to run.
Penelope had been right when she felt something was wrong earlier, but she pushed it to the side. If only she had trusted her gut, then she would have known what happened sooner.
Now, Penelope had to wait to hear more of what happened to Rue and Julie.
Penelope ran back to the room and pushed the door open, startling Tyrion, who had not long decided to get up to find her.
Penelope’s state alarmed Tyrion.
"Did someone hurt you?" Tyrion asked, quickly making his way to Penelope’s side.
Penelope shook her head, unable to find her voice, so she passed the letter to Tyrion. She waited patiently for Tyrion to read the letter.
Penelope took one deep breath and finally found her voice again. "We must leave now. Her guards were injured, and some have died. What if something bad happens to Rue and Julie? He said they were well, but what if they suffered an injury?"
"If they were not well, your father would have spoken of it, or someone would have sent for us sooner. For now, you must calm yourself and prepare to leave. We need to get back to the safety of our home, and I will need to meet with our fathers," Tyrion said, needing a weapon at hand.
Tyrion looked around the room. There would be far too much for them together, so it would only hold them back.
"It can all be sent to us. We must go to get home before it is too dark," Tyrion said, holding Penelope’s hand to lead her to the carriages. "Do you want to go home or go to the duke’s estate?"
"I want to be where Rue and Julie are," Penelope answered.
"No," Tyrion replied, shaking his head. "Rue and Julie are in the palace. I am not leaving you there when they are sending Quinn there. You will either go home or be with your family. I must leave you where I know you can be safe. I would prefer you to go with your mother."
Tyrion didn’t want to leave Penelope alone at a time . She needed to be around others, so if she faced danger, she would not be alone.
Edgar’s estate was the safest place for Penelope to be while they looked into Quinn. Tyrion couldn’t trust that Quinn wouldn’t have enemies in the palace.
Penelope didn’t dare try to argue with Tyrion about where she would stay since this was a matter of life or death. Penelope followed Tyrion, letting him decide where to take her since he knew best where she would be safe.