Chapter 358: Respect (3)
"It seems that I misjudged you," Henry admitted.
"You did. You saw a woman before you and tried to dismiss me, but I won’t tolerate the disrespect. I don’t reside in the palace, but I hold the title of princess, and you will respect me. Fail to do so and you will be punished," Penelope warned Henry.
Penelope noticed the subtle smile Henry tried to hide by looking away. He wasn’t taking her seriously.
"You, you aren’t going to last long, and I by no means say this as you will die. I meant to say that you will not hold a place in the town guards for much longer," Penelope said, certain that Henry’s time was coming soon.
It wasn’t because Henry bothered her, but he had rubbed others who had the power to determine his fate the wrong way. Penelope didn’t have to ask for Henry’s name since he was always lingering around.
"I shall keep your words in my heart and be more careful. For someone who didn’t want to beat around the bush, you are doing it. Are you buying time for the prince to make a grand escape? We will find him," Henry said, standing up.
"Damien."
It only took the call of his name for Damien to unsheathe his sword and point at Henry.
Felix followed suit and reached for his gun, which triggered a gun to be pointed at him. Felix took his eyes off Damien to glance at the man holding the gun.
"Slip up, and a bullet is going right through your head," said Aiden.
Aiden was excited to decorate the walls with the town guard’s blood. He smiled, his eagerness showing.
Henry looked down at Penelope, who was only interested in her tea. "You seem quite used to this. I am curious what you have seen so far in your lifetime. I will do what is needed to bring the prince in for questioning. A man is dead."
"And many more shall die if you are not careful. You acted too fast and came here without proof. Don’t let your personal feelings get the best of you. Be wise," Penelope advised Henry.
"Felix, order the men to move forward," Henry gave the order.
Penelope didn’t react. She hoped Henry would be wise enough to do the right thing.
It was best that the guards left, not for Tyrion’s sake, but rather their own.
Penelope stood up since she had to position herself to protect her home and husband.
"I have good knowledge of the laws of this kingdom. When you stand on my land, I am well within my rights to defend to the death. Remember that I gave you a chance to leave," Penelope said, not backing down. "One of us will end up on their knees before the other, and it will not be me."
"Princess, I have asked that the prince be brought there for questioning-"
"You don’t respect me, don’t you?" Penelope asked, close to giving the order to kill Henry, where he stood.
"I respect all members of the royal family," Henry answered.
"But you don’t respect me, and you make the mistake of not hiding it. Whether you like it or not, I am a royal. I shall show you why I am not to be underestimated. Damien," Penelope said, looking over her shoulder. "They are no longer guests. Count to fifty and kill anyone who stands on my land."
"Your land?"
Penelope turned around, facing Henry. "Yes, my land. Did you not know this land and house gifted to us sits on my father’s land, and he has gifted it to me? My, oh my. You come here knowing nothing. You’ll be gone soon."
"Sir," Felix said, finding now the best time to leave. "We can go to the court to speak of what we know so far."
"Silence!" Henry ordered, annoyed that Felix spoke out of turn.
Felix needed to know his place. Henry knew Felix was only speaking up now because he was eyeing his place.
Should Henry leave the town guards, it would be Felix who would fall in line to become the next captain.
"How unfortunate that there is someone wise amongst you, but you ignore him. You may leave if you wish," Penelope said to Felix. "Sometimes it is good to disobey an order you know is wrong."
"Enough! I am tired of the games. It is people like you who disregard the work of the town guards that has led to others not respecting us. I have witnesses who spoke of seeing the prince as well as his guards there. He arrived, and there was a fire," Henry recounted what he was told.
Penelope proceeded to walk out of the room since Henry was too stubborn to listen.
Why should she stick around to speak when she had the means to remove Henry?
"Aiden, go gather the guards and tell them to prepare for a fight," Penelope said loud enough for Henry to hear.
"This is not a game with dolls, princess. Someone will get hurt," said Henry.
Henry was surprised Penelope was not backing down, though he kept pushing on purpose for her to send for the prince.
What happened to Tyrion for Penelope to go this far?
Henry was stumped when Penelope smiled. It was innocent at first, but then he saw the similarities between her and the duke.
"I was never fond of dolls growing up," said Penelope.
"The duchess-"
"It has always bothered me a little when people mention my father or mother when speaking to me. I am my own person. I don’t want to hear of what they would do or hear you speak of your troubles with them," Penelope said.
Henry misjudged Penelope because he looked at her and saw her parents. Perhaps he looked and saw her mother. There was a big difference between them. Alessandra wanted peace, but Penelope liked to use her guns.
"I urge you to make haste and leave since he has started the countdown. I shall not take back my order if you cry and beg for my guards to stop slaughtering you. I bid you a good day," Penelope said, walking away after.
Penelope believed she did her part. She heard what the town guards came for, responded, and now she was sending them on their way.
Henry could not claim that she had attacked them without warning.
Felix was more focused on the man counting than the princess. He gritted his teeth, making a tough decision that would further strain his relationship with Henry.
"We are leaving," Felix informed the other guards present.
Henry looked to his right, still in disbelief at how Felix hadn’t waited for his orders. It puzzled him even more to see the other guards following Felix like he was their captain.