CHAPTER 212: A GRAND DUKE ARRIVES.

...The moon hung pale above the jagged ridges of Snake Mountain, silver light spilling over the dark valley below. The faint hiss of night creatures echoed through the stones, mingling with the quiet rush of the underground river that ran past the cavern mouth.

Winter had began to ease away, allowing mother nature to slowly reclaim the world.

Outside the entrance, Penny stood on a ledge, her arms crossed, her eyes glistening but defiant. The night wind toyed with her dark hair, brushing it across her face as she stared into the distance, refusing to look behind her.

From within the cave came the soft sound of approaching footsteps—steady, measured, and graceful.

Queen Eli emerged from the shadows, her robes trailing like ripples of liquid silk. She paused a few paces behind Penny, her expression calm yet kind, the faint glow of her golden snake eyes reflecting the moonlight.

"You’re angry with him," Eli said softly. It wasn’t a question—it was simply truth spoken aloud.

Penny didn’t turn. Her jaw tightened. "He lied to us," she said, her voice low. "He lied to me. He kept something like this from all of us—and for what? To protect us? Or to control everything like he always does?"

Eli sighed quietly and stepped closer. "You think he did it to control you?"

Penny’s hands clenched. "You’ve known him for what—a couple of months? I’ve lived with him all my life. I know what kind of man he is. He acts like he’s protecting everyone, but he’s always moving pieces like we’re on some kind of board. Even now, Dan’s gone, and he just sits there acting like it’s all part of... some plan."

Her voice cracked slightly at the end, betraying the grief beneath her anger.

Queen Eli did not reply immediately. Instead, she took another step forward until she was beside Penny. For a long moment, she simply watched the moon with her. Then, quietly, she spoke.

"Penny... I know you think I don’t understand. But I’ve seen the same man you have. I’ve seen the pain behind his eyes when he thinks no one’s watching. I’ve seen him wake in the night and stare into the dark, whispering names I don’t recognize."

Penny turned her head slightly, frowning.

Eli smiled faintly. "He hides what hurts him because he knows what happens when people panic. He doesn’t lie to protect himself, Penny. He lies to protect you."

"I don’t need protecting," Penny muttered.

"Yes, you do," Eli replied softly. Then she reached out and gently pulled the girl into an embrace. Penny resisted at first, stiff in her arms, but Eli’s hold was warm, patient—like a mother who had seen this kind of stubborn pain before.

"I know," Eli whispered. "You’re hurt. And you’re scared. But Eros is not a man who would ever leave those he loves in the hands of his enemies. No matter what the cost."

Her hand stroked Penny’s hair gently as she added, "You should trust that. He’s done far more foolish things for love than you think."

That made Penny pause.

After a quiet beat, Eli smiled a little. "Tell me about Dan," she said softly. "I only met him briefly before the accident. I want to know what he was like."

Penny drew in a shaky breath, her shoulders trembling slightly. "He was... loud," she said finally, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Always asking questions. Always getting into trouble."

Her eyes softened as memory took hold. "I remember when Grandad took us fishing near the White Cliff pond. He said he wanted to teach Dan patience." She gave a small laugh. "Dan got bored in ten minutes. He decided he’d ’catch a fish faster by hand,’ so he jumped into the pond. You can guess what happened next."

Eli’s eyes glimmered with warmth. "He couldn’t swim?"

"yep," Penny said, smiling despite herself. "Grandad panicked. Instead of calling for help, he jumped in after him—even though he couldn’t swim either! They both started flailing around like idiots, shouting at each other underwater."

A genuine laugh escaped her lips, echoing against the mountainside. "If Butler Jimmy hadn’t been there, both of them would’ve drowned. He had to drag them out like a pair of wet cats."

Eli chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That sounds exactly like him."

Penny wiped her eyes, half laughing, half crying. "Yeah... stupidest decision ever. But that’s him. Always jumping in headfirst when it comes to family."

She looked up at the moon again, voice quiet. "Maybe you’re right, Queen Eli. Maybe he really was just... protecting us."

Eli’s smile was gentle. "He always has been, Penny. Even when it hurts him to do so."

Penny leaned into her some more wondering if she should go back and apologise to her Grand father after leaving rudely.

She sighed. The night air was cool, touched by the faint mist that rolled down from the higher ridges of Snake Mountain.

The soft peace that had settled between Queen Eli and Penny was suddenly broken by the sound of frantic movement—stone scraping against scale, the heavy hiss of a serpent rushing through the night.

From the shadows of the lower tunnels, a Naga guard emerged, her massive snake body coiling urgently across the rocky ground. Her golden eyes shone in the dim moonlight, and her tongue flicked nervously as she bowed before them.

"Your Majesties!" she hissed, her voice trembling with strain. "Forgive the intrusion, but—strangers approach. Many of them. Their strength..." she shuddered, "...their strength is beyond anything I have ever felt. Even from afar, their auras press down on the mountain like the sea itself!"

Both Eli and Penny stiffened.

Penny stepped forward sharply, her tone calm but commanding. "What banners do they carry?"

The naga hesitated, her forked tongue flicking again. "A phoenix," she said at last, "but... with six wings of blue flame."

The words struck like thunder. Penny’s eyes widened instantly. "A phoenix with six wings—that’s one of the Grand Duke Families!"

For a heartbeat, the mountain seemed to go quiet, even the insects stilling as if the very earth waited for their response. Penny turned to Queen Eli, both women sharing the same look—an uneasy blend of alarm and understanding.

"I’ll get Granddad," Penny said quickly, already turning toward the cavern mouth.

But Queen Eli reached out and caught her wrist, her grip firm but gentle. "No. You are a noble of the Tate estate, Penny Tate. You should be the one to receive them. Appear calm, proud, and in control—let them see that the Baron’s bloodline is not one to be rattled."

Penny hesitated, wanting to argue—but there was something in Eli’s tone, a quiet authority and maternal warmth that cut through her nerves. She swallowed and gave a sharp nod.

"Understood."

Eli’s expression softened slightly, her thumb brushing the back of Penny’s hand before she released her. "Good. I’ll fetch your grandfather. Do not let fear show, no matter who they are."

Penny nodded once more, turning to follow the waiting naga, who bowed her head low and slithered swiftly down the mountain path. Her scales glistened faintly under the moonlight, leading the way toward the outer terraces where the approaching lights of the visitors flickered in the distance.

Behind her, Queen Eli’s robes whispered softly as she turned and hurried back into the depths of the cavern—toward the throne room.

"Thank mother medusa she did not to back into that room. Knowing that man, is probably plowing those girls. That would have scarred Penny..." She shook her head as she headed in.