Penelope watched as the guards were escorted out by Gerald. She was certain they would come again soon, and though she wanted to be positive they would come with good news, Penelope wasn't confident they would.
"What happened today?" Elijah asked, both confused and angry over the news he had heard. "Someone is setting you up and out for us?"
"They are on the way to the gates," Gerald shared.
"That is what happened. Yes," Penelope replied. "It is just like I told the town guards."
"I believe you. I would bet money that you would shoot someone who troubled you before you push them over a wall. It is unfortunate that Sarah has passed," said Elijah.
"It is," Alessandra agreed.
"I would have liked to question her with any means necessary. What?" Elijah asked, shrugging his shoulders. "It sounds like she has thrown out a lot of stories because she knew she would be dead and no one would question her. She'll get pity."
"I'm sure it has started. It should be clear to anyone who saw us that I was nowhere near her. I did step away once she revealed someone put her up to it. Father," Penelope said, worried about her father's reaction. "I am sorry."
"I still have much left to hear. I can't be angry with you for trying to save someone you thought was going to kill themself, but you must be more cautious. Leave it to someone else to save the day. I don't need you to be a hero," said Edgar.
Edgar was pissed off from the moment he heard the news. He was already looking into what happened at the ball, and now, he had to look into what happened with Penelope.
There was an attack on his family, which he would not allow to go on.
"I should have left sooner, like Reed told me to. I take all the blame for this, so please, don't be upset with Reed," said Penelope.
If she had paid a little more attention to what was said and done before her, they would not be in this position.
"No. I pay Reed and every other guard a good amount of money to look after you. When you didn't want to leave, he should have picked you up and carried you away from there. It is what I have instructed them," said Edgar.
Edgar didn't care if his daughters would dislike the guards abruptly picking them up. What mattered was keeping his family out of danger.
"I am angry, but not with you," Edgar honestly spoke.
Penelope had a kind heart like her mother. They were not suited for a town like Lockwood, which liked to take advantage of their kindness.
"If not this, I am certain she would have found another way to trouble you. I am glad she didn't try to pull you down with her," said Edgar.
Then it would have taken the king's army to stop Edgar from going to where Sarah's family resided.
"We must all be more attentive to our surroundings. I am doubling the number of guards each of you will have. I expect that no one sneaks off alone anymore," Edgar said, looking at Penelope. "Assigning guards to your side is useless if you keep throwing yourself in danger."
"Is someone going to come after us next?" Isabelle asked Lily. She did not want to be accused of harming someone.
"They will try, but this time they will not succeed. Elijah, come with me," Edgar said, needing to plan for the future.
Penelope remained by her sisters and mother's side.
"We will be fine, mother?" Penelope asked.
"For years, I have trusted your father with these kinds of problems, and he has never failed me. I am in the mood to paint. Will anyone join me?" Alessandra asked, leading the way to her private room.
Penelope was still concerned, but she followed her mother as she was in desperate need of a distraction.
***
At night in the palace, Tyrion made his way to the large dining hall to have dinner with his family.
Tyrion stopped after seeing his father speaking with a group of men from the court. This was never a good sign.
Tyrion's first thought was that his father and the court were planning to surprise him with more ladies he did not want to meet.
It was unbearable, and at this rate, Tyrion thought of not speaking to his father.
"Duke Collins has found himself in quite the predicament. Who knew his daughter would behave this way?"
Tyrion looked away from his father to two men he recognised were members of the court walking toward him.
"It might be finally time for us to get rid of him. I thought the opportunity would come from his son, not his daughter Penelope. We need to inform the others and act upon this-"
"Act upon what," Tyrion said, making his presence known. "I am curious what the duke's daughter has done."
Lionel, a man of the court, cleared his throat. He knew of Tyrion's interest in Penelope, so it could end badly to mention what he knew to the prince, but there was also a small chance that it could do some good.
"I've received word that Penelope Collins played a role in the death of another young lady today. She pushed the young woman from a high place. The town guards are looking into it, and by morning, the court will have all of what the guards found," Lionel revealed.
Tyrion reached out to tidy Lionel's shirt, causing Lionel to flinch. "And you would do what is needed to use this to bring down Duke Collins. Even though it isn't the truth? That is the kind of man you wish to be? As a man of the court."
Lionel paid close attention to what Tyrion was doing to his shirt. "Well, no. We cannot act on personal feelings, Prince Tyrion."
"Isn't that what you are doing by getting excited that Duke Collins might have his name dragged through the mud? Isn't your hatred for Duke Collins why you want to gather the others and not let this moment slip from your hands?" Tyrion asked.
Lionel wanted Tyrion to let go of his shirt since he was finished tidying it. "You heard wrong, Prince Tyrion. I will treat this matter fairly. In the meantime, you shouldn't be seen near the Collins."
"Is that so?"
Tyrion grabbed a handful of Lionel's shirt, pulling him close before leaning Lionel over the edge of the small wall beside them. Below them was a garden where the palace guards roamed.
"Penelope wouldn't push anyone, but I would. Tell me what your plans concerning the Collins are again," said Tyrion.