Chapter 332: Guests (4)
Penelope pushed back her chair and stood up to greet Edgar.
"If I knew that you were coming at this time, I would have finished breakfast sooner," Penelope said, greeting her father with a hug.
"Why are there people by your gates?" Edgar asked, directing the question to Tyrion.
"We have a bit of a problem with townspeople who are not pleased that I am no longer in the palace. The guards will send them away," Tyrion replied, more interested in his food.
What bad luck had the day bestowed on him for there to be unwanted guests at the gates when Edgar arrived?
Tyrion wasn’t informed that he had more guests.
"They shouldn’t be there long enough to block the path of your guests. You must move them before they think they can come every day. Go now," Edgar instructed Tyrion.
"Father," Penelope spoke softly. "He sent them away yesterday, and they must have all returned in the morning. It won’t be good for Tyrion as the prince to use too much force to send them away. It would add to what they say about him now."
"Is it about you being a deserter?" Edgar asked.
"So, you have also heard about it," Tyrion said, not surprised.
"I heard of it when I passed through your gates because you did not remove them. You are a prince. They cannot stand before your home as they please. Use whatever force is needed to send them away. Have the town guards move them for you," Edgar suggested.
"I’m surprised. I didn’t take you for the kind of man who would use the town guards," Tyrion said, but he found it to be rather brilliant.
"They have their uses. Let them remove the unwanted guests, and they will take the blame for the force they use. Unless you want to make use of your dungeon. Don’t tell me that you built a dungeon just to look at it," Edgar said, annoyed that Tyrion acted slowly.
Tyrion stood up from his chair and said, "The dungeon is being used, but I can’t place those people there. I will get rid of them personally. Keep my wife safe."
Tyrion kissed Penelope since he was parting from her, and it was longer than needed to purposely bother Edgar.
"He is like his father," Edgar muttered.
"I think the king is wise, so I take your words as a compliment," said Penelope.
"I thought there was something wrong with your eyes to pick Tyrion, but now I know there is something wrong with your head to think Tobias is wise. Why do you have another dog?" Edgar asked, looking down at the tiny, unfortunate creature.
"Snow was a gift from Tyrion. Isn’t he lovely?" Penelope asked, letting go of her father to hold the dog.
"He is another dog. You didn’t need another, but it will be Tyrion’s burden to face. Are you well? Do those people out there trouble you?" Edgar said, turning slightly so he could examine Penelope’s face.
"They don’t bother me, but there was a matter of them colliding with my carriage," Penelope said, looking away from her father.
"And neither one of you thought it was right to inform me of this?" Edgar asked, annoyed.
Edgar was in a good mood before he arrived, and these two were quick to annoy him.
Were these two just in their own little world?
"Tyrion took care of it. I don’t want to inform you of every trouble we face. You are already so busy with the case. I know that you would help us, but still, I don’t want to worry you," Penelope explained.
"It worries me when I have to be last to know what you face. I am not one to worry about my reputation. I should fire a gun and get rid of the pests outside your gates," Edgar considered.
Penelope clung to Edgar’s arm so he wouldn’t be able to leave her. "I didn’t invite you here for you to use your gun. Take a walk with me, father."
Edgar calmed himself for a moment, but he couldn’t promise his gun wouldn’t come out when it was time to leave, and the visitors were still there.
"Matilda, please take Snow for a walk, and if you see my husband, tell him that I am having a private talk with my father," Penelope said, starting to walk away, but something struck her. "Let the maids enjoy the food left behind. Tyrion and I did not eat much."
Penelope then led Edgar away from the table.
"I was not going to speak of this with Tyrion or you until I had proof, but since you are here, I must. How certain are you that Lady Tabitha Castro is out of Lockwood and guarded where she cannot cause trouble?" Penelope asked, certain her father would have an answer.
"I have heard from Tobias that his mother is out of town. She didn’t go willingly, but she isn’t here anymore. As for her not causing trouble, I cannot be certain. Tabitha has the means to trouble you from afar," Edgar answered honestly.
Edgar caught on to what Penelope suspected. "It would be just like her to go this far to get Tyrion to return. Tabitha has always been stubborn."
"I know she likes to follow tradition, but how can she not see that she hurts Teo when she does something like this? I did not think she would go down without a fight, but I didn’t think she would tarnish his name to get what she wanted," said Penelope.
"You need to be careful. She’ll tarnish his name, but only so much that it could be fixed in the future. She’ll do worse to you to paint you as the reason the palace lost a prince. I warned him to deal with her," Edgar said, irritated that Tobias couldn’t control his mother.
"We shouldn’t be angry with anyone other than Tabitha. I am sure the king is doing his best to keep the peace. I have sent Brendon to confirm if Tabitha is where she is meant to be, as well as watch for anything suspicious," Penelope shared.
"You’ll need more than Brendon to find out what she is up to. Tabitha has her followers all over the town, including the palace. She would have come up with a plan before she was forced to leave. Speak with Tyrion," Edgar encouraged Penelope.
"What if I am wrong? What if I stir up something only for her to not be involved? Tabitha would never let my mistake go," Penelope said, afraid of the chance she was wrong.
"If you’re wrong, you’re wrong. Tabitha has been up to no good, so it is perfectly normal for you to suspect her. I think the little prince would be upset if you keep your suspicions to yourself and send Brendon without telling him," Edgar said, bored with talk about Tyrion.
"You are right. I hope it isn’t her. Tyrion and I could have been hurt when the carriages collided. She is not that crazy, right?" Penelope asked, wishful her father would say no.
"Tabitha will go out of her way to get what she wants. Luckily, she will not harm Tyrion."
"No, she would aim for me," Penelope muttered.