Chapter 391: The search (2)
"We’ll try our best to find where he is now. I will inform the town guards to keep an eye out for your husband. In the meantime, you should stay away from everyone in the Monroe family," Tyrion advised the pair.
"What? Why must I do such a thing? Did you not hear that Cassius is the man whom I will marry? This must all be a scheme your wife has devised. She never wanted me to be with Cassius. Mother," Harper whined, looking to her mother to help her.
"Harper, if the prince says to stay away from him, then we must listen. I am certain there is a good reason-"
"No!" Harper exclaimed, pushing her mother away. "It is not a good reason. From the moment I spoke of Cassius and me being close, Penelope did not like it. At first, I wanted to believe there was nothing between them, but now her jealousy tells me otherwise."
"I would be careful if I were you," Tyrion said, his patience with Harper slipping away.
Now that Tyrion stood before Harper and heard her speak, he understood even more why Quinn or Cassius would approach her.
Harper wasn’t ready to back down.
"It is time that you wake up to your wife’s jealousy. Is it not enough that she has the prince? Why must she set her eyes on other eligible men? Must she be so selfish?" Harper asked, her gaze unwavering.
Beryl tapped her daughter’s arm. "Harper, you mustn’t."
Beryl sweated out of nervousness.
Her husband was missing, and now Harper was setting herself up to be an enemy of the prince.
"One mustn’t speak of such affairs to anyone without evidence, and it is the prince you stand before," Beryl whispered.
No matter what Harper witnesses Penelope do, she mustn’t speak of it. The prince might continue to love Penelope, and to keep rumours at bay, he would kill Harper for speaking of what she noticed.
"It is only for your mother that I allow you to stand before me. No one bears any jealousy for you getting Cassius’s attention. I came here for your safety and to see that you were well. Palace guards will watch your gate," Tyrion informed Beryl.
Beryl’s hand covered her mouth. Why did the prince need to go so far?
Who had Harper charmed?
"Thank you, Your Highness. May I please know the danger this family faces so I may prepare for it? It is only me here with my daughter, you see. At least let me know what troubles you have found," Beryl pleaded.
Beryl’s knees felt weak, but she remained strong for her daughter and for Robert, who would return home.
"If I tell you, you will not be allowed to leave your home. There will be consequences if you speak of it before the court announces it," said Tyrion.
"You have my word that I shall not speak of it. My daughter will not," Beryl promised.
"Cassius and Quinn Monroe are dangerous men. It has been confirmed by the king himself, after Quinn’s testimony, that he was the one to kill the women and men found around the town," Tyrion revealed.
Tyrion reached for Beryl’s arm to catch her before she fainted. It was awful news, but in the absence of her husband, Beryl needed to settle herself and keep an eye on Harper.
"You are lying. You spew nonsense just like the others. I know nothing of his brother, but Cassius is a good man. He has only ever been kind to me. You do this to hurt me," Harper spoke with great certainty.
Harper stepped away from her mother. She needed to speak to Cassius. She had to hear from him.
"It is not a lie. Quinn Monroe is currently guarded by the king’s men, and the search for his victims has started. I fear he had some interest in you to make your family his next victims. Your husband’s disappearance might not be a mere coincidence," said Tyrion.
Despite what Tyrion said, Harper did not believe him. She was certain this was some plot to stop her from having the attention on her for once.
"I don’t believe you. No," Harper said, shaking her head. "It is not a coincidence. Your wife-"
"Penelope tried to warn you to stay away from Cassius because she suspected there was something wrong with him, but you took it as jealousy. You don’t have to believe me, but I urge you not to let your daughter leave home," Tyrion advised Beryl.
Cassius was dead, but Harper just might run into a trap prepared by Quinn.
Beryl was in shock for the most part, but she knew she had to act fast. "After Cassius’s visit, my husband stumbled upon money, which took us out of a drought. Could it be that was where he got the money? I thought it came from a friend."
Beryl wouldn’t be surprised if Robert were doing business with Cassius in secret. After all, Cassius had impressed them during his visit and after seeing that he was a wealthy man, Robert wouldn’t miss the chance.
"He doesn’t tell me everything," Beryl said, smiling bitterly. "We will not leave nor speak of this. My daughter and I will pray not only for my husband’s safe return, but for you to be well during this time. Thank you for not keeping us in the dark."
"I must leave, but I will return to you soon. You must obey the orders of the guards. I bid you a good day," Tyrion said, turning around to leave.
The guards Tyrion came with followed him to see him off.
Beryl covered her mouth, still disgusted by the thoughts of how they had a murderer in their home. She treated him well and hoped Harper would marry him.
Beryl felt sick.
"We cannot believe them. I speak the truth that Penelope was jealous of my ties with Cassius. I don’t know why my father is taking part in this, but Cassius is not a bad man," Harper said, trying to reason with her mother.
Harper soon experienced what she considered to be the greatest shock of the day. Her mother slapped her.
Harper palmed her cheek where her mother struck her. She could not believe her eyes, though the sting on her cheek was evidence of what had happened.
"Your father is missing, yet here you stand speaking of another woman’s jealousy. Why would the prince bother himself to come here and reveal such awful news over jealousy? You disappoint me, and I am disappointed in myself for how I have raised you," Beryl said, not recognising the young lady standing before her.
"You are forbidden from going outside and speaking of Cassius. Should I hear of his name from your lips, you will face a far greater punishment," Beryl said, her hand still in the air to strike Harper again. "There will be other men, but for now, we pray for your father. Do it, or so help me."
Harper only stared at her mother as she didn’t dare to speak. Seeing how her mother acted, Harper wanted to leave to find the truth about the brothers.