Chapter 418: Mother dearest (1)
The days after Quinn was caught went by quickly, and soon, the town looked forward to the coronation of the new king.
Penelope entered the palace at Tyrion’s side. She held his hand, trying to offer him some comfort from all the stares.
It was easy to guess what everyone around them was thinking. This was meant to be Tyrion’s day to be crowned king, so many didn’t expect him to show up.
There was the assumption that Tyrion had regretted what he had given up.
When Tyrion squeezed her hand, Penelope looked up at him.
"I am not bothered by it," Tyrion said, knowing what plagued Penelope’s mind. "They want something to speak of, so leave them be."
"Why don’t they speak of how you and my father uncovered what Quinn did? So many of the men present were not long ago trying to get close to Cassius, but now they want to gossip about you coming to support Teo. They shouldn’t be able to speak," said Penelope.
Tyrion chuckled. "Would you cut their tongues out?"
"I would not go so far, but I do something to silence them. Had you not shown up, they would claim you are jealous. When you show up, they speak of you having regret. Should I start speaking of the troubles in their lives?" Penelope wondered, staring at the gossiping groups.
"We are not to spoil Teo and Juliette’s day, but I wouldn’t mind seeing you defend me. I’ll save the town by taking you away. You have the pleasure of seeing Teo before the coronation," Tyrion said, trying to distract Penelope.
Penelope walked with Tyrion to where only royals and special guests were allowed to roam. Penelope’s family were already present, as well as friends of the queen and king.
"Teo, you look dashing in your uniform. The portrait of you and Juliette will be beautiful," Penelope said, letting go of Tyrion’s hand to greet Teo.
Teo fidgeted with his uniform, an action not missed by Tyrion.
"You’ve stood before the town many times. This is not different from any other time. Just don’t fall," said Tyrion.
Penelope elbowed Tyrion in his side. "Don’t speak of falling now. This is different because it is a day he will remember for the rest of his life. I’m sure that you are going to do well, Teo. Think of how this is the first day of many years of your rule. Your people are excited to see you."
Teo glared at Tyrion, knowing his brother wanted him to fall. "I should have had Penelope as an older sibling instead of you."
"That’s cruel of you to say. I gave you a throne. No one can ever give you a better gift. Stand proud when you get to the throne. You will do well," Tyrion said, patting Teo’s back.
Teo stared at his brother in disbelief. "You’re awful at encouraging someone. Penelope, why did you marry him when he’s so bad?"
"Sometimes I wonder. Tyrion, this is my first coronation, so I have a lot to learn, but is it normal for the guards to be running around in such a panic?" Penelope asked, watching the guards run around as though they didn’t know what to do.
"No, they shouldn’t be like this," Tyrion replied, guiding Penelope to stand behind him. "Father, there is trouble! Is Quinn still held in the dungeon?"
Tobias looked around, puzzled by how the guards acted. Now wasn’t the time for anything to go wrong.
"He’s still restrained and guarded. Watch over them," Tobias ordered Edgar and Rafael.
Tobias hastily walked to where the guards were headed, but he didn’t get far before a guard came and informed him of the cause of their behaviour.
Tobias’s face went pale. He turned around to face the two people who could stop the threat the palace currently faced.
"Rafael," Tobias said, his hands clasped. "Could you settle down with your wife before she destroys my palace?"
Rue’s eyes widened, happiness springing through her body. "My mother is here?" She responded.
Rue didn’t wait for her father and ran off in search of her mother. She had been patiently waiting for her mother’s response to her letters, but they never came. She was starting to think that her mother wouldn’t come to Lockwood.
Rafael followed Rue to keep her safe and to speak with his wife. It was expected that with the bodies of the fallen guards, Rafael had been sent back to the border and news of what happened, Annalise would not sit still.
Rue ignored the stares she received as she ran in search of her mother. It was easy to spot her mother amongst the crowd when she wore her special armour.
"Mother!" Rue yelled, getting her mother’s attention.
Annalise Callahan, leader of the border and Rafael’s wife, took off her helmet. She brushed past the Castro guard who stood in her way and opened her arms wide to embrace her daughter.
Rue jumped into her mother’s arms. "I have missed you," she said, feeling safe once more.
Annalise gave Rue a little squeeze. "And I have missed you. You have been gone far too long. Now, tell me. Who was the bastard who tried to take you? Is he alive?"
Annalise grabbed her armour, weapons, a horse, and guards when she read Rue’s letter. She didn’t trust the townspeople to treat her daughter well, even though Rue carried the Callahan name.
Annalise glared at the guards who got in her way. They were one sentence away from meeting her sword.
"These useless guards wouldn’t tell me anything. I should kill them," Annalise said, her hold on her sword tighter. "Where is the king? Rafael," Annalise said, her gaze softening when she finally noticed her husband.
Rafael came to stand before his wife. His right hand settled on his waist while his left hand took her sword from her.
"Sir Rafael, we must escort the lady away from the guests."
Rafael side-eyed the fool who spoke up.
Not only did what the guard said disrespect Annalise, but even though Rafael had taken his wife’s sword, it didn’t mean Annalise didn’t have more weapons on her.
"I let you two out of my sight for a few weeks, and I have to read in Rue’s letters that someone attacked her as well as killed her guards. Either you point to the ones who did it, or I’ll slaughter everyone in my way until I get answers," Annalise warned Rafael.
"You," Annalise’s eyes narrowed in one Tobias when he came into view. "I’ll start with you."