In the palace, King Tobias Castro sat in a room filled with men from the court.
"My king. Time narrows down for when the prince must take a wife by his side, yet we do not know which young lady will be our queen. This is why the court must be more involved in choosing his wife," Solomon argued.
"We all know that there is one young woman who stands above her peers with the prince’s attention. You all not liking her doesn’t change that. I am well aware that my son must act fast," said Tobias.
Tobias knew just how important it was that everything be in place and didn’t need the court to tell him.
"The crown prince also knows that time is counting down fast, and I assure you that he is making an effort to pick a bride. News has reached me of him sending extravagant gifts," said Tobias.
"With all due respect, there is much said about Penelope Collins at this time. Perhaps it would not be a good idea for her to marry the prince. I say this with great concern for the town and palace," Solomon said, followed by other men from the court agreeing.
"When it was my time to pick a wife, I had trouble with men from the court like you not liking my choice. Years later, there is no denying that Queen Hazel was a perfect choice. I know what is at play here," Tobias said, uninterested in who they wanted to suggest for Tyrion.
Tobias knew well that the court was more interested in finding a young lady whose father aided the court. Not a young lady with a heart fit to be a queen.
"As you know, many of the women vying to be at his side either only care about the title of queen, or they are forced by their fathers seeking power. The prince shall pick a wife who has a good heart. A woman he can love," Tobias said, ignoring the wishes of the court.
If Penelope didn’t show she had a good heart then Tobias would understand the court.
Tyrion entered the room just as his father finished speaking and joined his brother at their father’s side.
"Prince Tyrion, it is good to see that you can join us," Solomon said, annoyed by Tyrion’s tardiness.
"This meeting was called rather abruptly and disturbed my time speaking with our esteemed guest from the border. Should I have left them to create more tension between us and the Callahans?" Tyrion asked as he took his seat.
"The court was not informed that the Callahans were present here again," Lionel spoke up to help Solomon.
"That isn’t true," Tyrion replied before his father could. "I made sure to send notice to the court of what the Callahans would do during their time here. You simply chose to ignore it. So many years have passed, yet you still say they are savages and avoid them."
Solomon thought he had every right to do so.
A land ruled by women could not be any good.
Solomon didn’t need to visit the border to know that they were uncivilised, uncultured savages.
"I must apologise. Nothing reached the court, but I shall pay more attention to the Callahans. Now, if we could go back to the important matter I brought up just before you arrived. The matter of your wife," Solomon said.
Solomon had a few young ladies he wanted to push to be queen. With one of these women sitting on the throne, Solomon should have some control over Tyrion.
"Who will be your bride? We are all curious," Solomon spoke on behalf of the court.
Tyrion was tired of this conversation. "I don’t need to tell you. There is plenty of time left for me to pick. Why would I inform you for one of you to make another scene before a young woman?"
"Arthur acted of his own accord. He didn’t speak for all of the court, but I must say that with the rumours surrounding Penelope-"
"It sounds like he spoke for you," Tyrion interjected.
Lionel stood up and said, "We are all very concerned about how her rumours will affect the Castros."
Lionel sat back down after Tyrion looked his way. There was no question in his mind that Tyrion did something to Arthur, and if he wasn’t careful, he might be next.
"For the court to be so easily swayed by rumours is foolish. Have we not dealt with this already?" Tyrion asked, bored with the conversation.
His mind was well made up on who he would marry, and with how much the court, as well as other old fools, annoyed him, they might get their wish that he would not be the next king.
"Rumours are capable of ruining anyone, and with what is said about Miss Penelope, I think it is best to stay away from her for now. Just until the rumours have passed," Solomon suggested.
Tyrion saw right through Solomon’s plans. "You mean long enough for me to pick someone else as queen, and then I can welcome Penelope to my side again. I thought the most sensible men were selected to be in the court. Now it seems just anyone can join."
"Not only Penelope, but her siblings as well. What is said about her shows that she is not fit to be queen. It seems she is a young woman who abuses her father’s power. That is against everything we expect of a queen," Solomon argued.
Tyrion didn’t respond since this talk would go in circles. In the end, the pick of his wife was left to him since his father and mother let him take full control.
"The court asks that the king reconsider letting the princess come here. It would greatly benefit us if the two kingdoms were united. You must take control now," Solomon advised Tobias.
"It seems the prince has his heart set on Penelope. She was cleared of the accusations that she pushed anyone, but other rumours have sparked. Still, there is no evidence of what else she was accused of. She might become your queen," Tobias responded. "I suggest you open your mind to it."
"If I might speak freely," Solomon requested.
"You may," Tobias replied.
"Perhaps there is some fear of Duke Collins involved to cloud your judgment. The court has long wondered if it is you who rules without fear, or is it the duke? We are all against Penelope Collins becoming our queen. You must interject," Solomon said, bowing his head to show respect.
The other men present stood to ask Tobias to interject.
Tobias rubbed his forehead, burdened with making a hard decision. He couldn’t have the crown prince and court be at odds for so long.