Sofia stepped away from Tyrion and reached to brush his hair out of his face. "Go quickly so Penelope will stop worrying," she said.
Sofia watched Tyrion part from her and Hazel.
"Excuse me for a moment," Sofia said, and then turned on her heel to find the maid who had approached her earlier.
Regardless of what happened and the pain she felt now, Sofia was not going to lose another person she cared for.
"Ines," Sofia called to get Ines’s attention.
Ines smiled when she saw that it was Princess Sofia. "Milady, how can I serve you?"
"We will tend to my mother from here. You should gather your things and leave quietly. Be silent on your way out," Sofia ordered Ines.
Sofia believed that Tyrion had a hand in her mother’s death, but she knew both Tyrion and Tabitha’s hearts. She couldn’t let any harm come to Tyrion.
After Ines approached Sofia to speak about what she assumed about the prince, Ines expected Sofia to bring it up to the town guards.
"Milady, are you firing me?" Ines asked, shocked.
"It is bound to happen since my mother has now passed. I am most certain some of you will not find work in the palace, so it is best you start looking for work elsewhere. Whilst you do so, keep your stories to yourself," said Sofia.
"Stories? Do you speak of what I told you? Your mother was in good health-"
"I know well how my mother was, and you should think of your life by not accusing a prince of harming his own flesh and blood. Such accusations could have you thrown into the dungeon and later killed. Leave quietly and take your stories with you," Sofia ordered Ines.
Ines couldn’t believe Sofia didn’t want to find the truth about what happened to her mother.
"Milady, it is not a story. I would not wrongfully accuse the prince. The lady was in good health when I left her side, but then she passed when the prince came to see her. Would you not think it is suspicious?" Ines asked, drawing closer to Sofia.
"It is her grandson you accuse. I spoke to the butler, and my nephew wasn’t the only one my mother met with today. You have no proof, and you approached me at a time when I am grieving. My mother is not here to back you anymore, so I suggest you be careful," Sofia spoke softly.
"Let us say that I bring this matter up to my brother, and it is found that your accusations were false, do you think you would bear no punishment for bringing this up in a time of mourning?" Sofia asked.
"I," Ines said, but she didn’t have an answer. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩
It was only now that Ines realised she didn’t have someone powerful to back her. She had always leaned on Tabitha, but now her lady was gone, and the princess wasn’t listening to her.
"Let us say that he did have a role in it. Do you think you would be left alive? I thank you for serving my mother for many years and wish you well with what you do from now on. I can suggest a lady to you if you like, or I can speak to my brother. What do you prefer?" Sofia asked, letting Ines decide her fate.
Ines was wary of the princess. She started to feel that the princess didn’t care for her deceased mother, but it wasn’t a fight Ines could see to the end.
Ines lowered her head and curtsied. "Forgive me. I thought wrong about the prince."
"Your emotions are getting the best of you. Perhaps it would be best if you turn to work for me so that I may keep an eye on you. It would be wonderful to hear of your days with my mother, but I must warn you, the games you played with her shall not be ignored with me. Follow me," Sofia said, leading the way to her mother’s room.
Whatever happened today between Tyrion and Tabitha was going to die here, so it didn’t trouble the family.
Later, Tyrion returned home to find Penelope seated by the front door.
Penelope stood when she noticed Tyrion. "You’re back," she said, rushing to his side. "What happened?"
"Prepare a black dress to wear to a funeral, but you mustn’t speak of whose funeral we are attending. Winston," Tyrion addressed the butler as he reached for Penelope’s hand. "Do what you must to have the packing go faster. My wife and I will be leaving town in two days."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Penelope’s eyes widened. "Two days? Weren’t we staying long enough to attend gatherings and give the workers enough time to make fixes?"
"Come with me," Tyrion said, leading Penelope to a small library.
Tyrion opened the door for Penelope and escorted her in. He closed the door behind himself and immediately checked that no one was present.
"Why does it feel like you were running from something? Are you in trouble?" Penelope asked, worried her feelings had placed Tyrion in danger.
"I am not in trouble. My mother suggested that we leave sooner to get away from the troubles in Lockwood. I dealt with it quietly, and no one will be able to prove it was me. She is gone," Tyrion said in a soft, defeated tone.
"If you hadn’t, this could have gotten even more dangerous. Thank you, and I am sorry," Penelope said, going closer to Tyrion to hug him. "I am forever indebted to you for this sacrifice. I will go wherever you want to."
Penelope couldn’t be more grateful that Tyrion had ended the one-sided battle Tabitha had started. She wasn’t going to celebrate since it was still Tyrion’s grandmother. Instead, Penelope planned to move on quietly.
"Are you certain that you are well? You are well within your right to be angry even with me since I am part of the reason it came to this," Penelope said, willing to be directed with his anger.
Penelope palmed Tyrion’s face. He leaned onto her hand for her comfort.
"I am not ever going to be angry with you for this. I simply want to hold you a little longer," Tyrion said, tightening his hold on Penelope. "If possible, we should leave in the morning."
"Two days is enough time for us to give our goodbyes. We’ll give proper goodbyes and then it will just be the two of us," Penelope said, tiptoeing to peck Tyrion’s lips. "I will oversee that the servants get it done in two days. Until we leave, you may lean on me now."