CHAPTER 263: DISAPPOINTMENT (1)

A few hours later, the queen’s gathering was coming to an end, and many of the ladies were starting to depart so they would return home safely while there was still light out in the sky.

Hazel personally saw the ladies off. She could not miss anyone and have them witness what was being done in the palace.

Hazel was greeted by Selina, who curtsied.

Selina and Rue had long approached Hazel about what happened, and though Hazel was willing to let them off easy this once since they made peace, Hazel wasn’t going to forget about it.

"Be safe on your way back, Miss Selina. I hope you let what occurred today be a lesson for the future," said Hazel.

Selina was still nervous that the queen might speak with her mother.

Selina bowed her head slightly, showing her shame. "It will never happen again. Today wasn’t a moment I was proud of, and I will never act that way again."

"We shall see if you have learned from your mistake, should we be so lucky to sit at a table together again," Hazel replied, hinting that Selina might not have her former seat.

At the moment, Hazel was undecided if she would invite Selina to her table again so soon. Selina needed guidance, but she also needed to be shown that there were consequences to her actions. The same would be done for Rue.

Selina didn’t like what Hazel said. Was she not going to sit with the queen again?

It would be a slap to the face for Selina if her place wasn’t with the queen.

Luckily, while Selina gave the queen the wrong impression, she could still impress the duchess. Alessandra’s liking of Selina was all that mattered.

Selina excused herself from the queen’s presence.

Hazel smiled when she spotted her son walking where the remaining ladies gathered.

Tyrion didn’t seem to notice his mother since his eyes were glued to Penelope as though he thought she would have been harmed in some way.

"Mother," Tyrion said, greeting Hazel. "You look surprised to see me. Didn’t you know I was in the palace?"

"I did," Hazel replied. "You are not rushing to go to Penelope’s side?" She asked, pleased he came to her first.

"She is sending her sister off," Tyrion noticed. "And I must greet you."

Hazel glanced at where Penelope stood with Lily. "I overheard them speaking of Penelope, Julie, Lily, and Rue staying the night at your home."

Tyrion frowned.

Tyrion liked each one of Penelope’s friends and her sister, but he looked forward to peace and alone time with Penelope at the end of the day.

"Do you not want to keep them here with you?" Tyrion asked, hoping she would say yes.

"No," Hazel replied, shaking her head. "I have had a long day with these ladies. All I want to do is be with my family. If they weren’t planning to go to your home, I would invite you both to have dinner here. You have promised to do it at least once."

"Solomon is dead," Tyrion shared. "Now is not the best time for Penelope and me to stay, but we will return for dinner soon."

Hazel was surprised to hear Solomon was already dead. "How unfortunate. I wanted to see him die. Did you kill him?"

"I did," Tyrion answered.

"We are terrible hosts for you to have to be the one to kill him. You are right that today wouldn’t be a good day for us to sit and have dinner. I don’t want it to be spoiled by Solomon’s death. Come tomorrow so we can all sit as a family," Hazel said.

The timing was perfect since Julie and Eleanor would be in the palace.

"Very well," Tyrion agreed.

Tyrion had kept Penelope from his family too long, and since Solomon’s death would have others lying low for a few days, tomorrow would be the best time to bring Penelope back to the palace.

"I will see you soon, mother," Tyrion said, kissing his mother’s cheek.

Hazel hugged Tyrion before he stepped away, despite where she stood. She didn’t care who watched the interaction and didn’t like the love she openly showed to Tyrion.

"Have fun with the ladies," Hazel said, laughing while Tyrion groaned.

Tyrion approached where Penelope stood with her friends.

Penelope’s face lit up upon seeing Tyrion. "My lovely husband," she said, touching his face.

"No," Tyrion responded, ending her wishes for the ladies to join them "We must all go our separate ways before it gets too late."

"It is time for us to leave, but the ladies and I have thought it would be wonderful to continue the day together. Either at our home or at my father so the town cannot think anything of it," Penelope suggested.

"I want to be with only you at home, and we have both learned that I don’t sleep well on the Collins estate," Tyrion replied.

Penelope’s lips were folded into a thin line. She only had herself to blame.

"I know how you all are. Elijah has spoken about the nights you had together where you sneak around to find your father’s drinks. I would rather not have a headache with your father. Perhaps another day," Tyrion offered.

Tyrion held Penelope’s hand. If needed, he would hoist her over his shoulder.

Penelope was turning out to be a little social butterfly.

Penelope smiled. "As my husband said, I will plan another day when we can all be together. Then, I can send proper invitations for Ally to join us. Reed is here for you both," she said, waving to her former guard.

"Do not frown. I can convince your father to let you stay on the estate, and my mother can write to Sir Rafael. How unfortunate for you, Penelope," Lily said, since Penelope would be excluded.

Penelope smiled, not minding that she would be excluded.

While Penelope enjoyed the time she had with Lily and their friends, she knew it was only right that she give Tyrion some of her time.

"Why are you wearing a different shirt?" Penelope asked, her gaze forward on her friends.

It was the first thing that Penelope noticed, but she didn’t want to draw attention to it when the others were present.

"I kill someone," Tyrion explained.

"I see. And did you injure yourself?" Penelope asked, looking at Tyrion.

"No," Tyrion answered.

"That’s a relief. I must say goodbye to the queen," Penelope said, turning to her left where Hazel once stood. "Your mother has left us. I didn’t get to say goodbye."

"I said goodbye on our behalf. Our carriage is here," Tyrion said, ready to go.

Penelope grew suspicious of Tyrion wanting to leave so fast, but she walked with him down to the carriage.

Penelope groaned after taking the first few steps down to the carriage. Now that she wasn’t caught up in a conversation, Penelope realised how pinchy her shoes had become.

Knowing the problem, Tyrion wasted no time lifting Penelope to carry her down to their carriage.

Penelope gasped and covered her face. She was certain others were watching and whispering, but she didn’t put up a fight since her feet ached.