Penelope found a quiet corner in the estate to spend her time as she awaited her father's return. She could not get what happened out of her head and tried to think of who was after her family.
Given the two events happening so close to each other, this was not something they could just all ignore.
Despite the mountain of attention Penelope had on her for as long as she could remember, she had not faced anything like this before.
"You need to stop dwelling on it," Lily said as she sat down before Penelope. "I hope you aren't feeling sorry for someone who tried to set you up. It is awful she fell, but still, I will not feel sorry for anyone who tries to place this family in a bad position."
"That is not what I am thinking about. I am thinking about this family. Mother truly doesn't seem to know what is happening. If this is how our time here will be, shouldn't we just go home?" Penelope wondered.
"We cannot keep on running. A big part of our lives is here," Lily replied.
"I know. I simply prefer to go where it is peaceful. If possible, I do not want to be living in Lockwood years from now. I do not know where I would go, but anywhere is better than here. There is too much drama everywhere we turn," said Penelope.
Lockwood was a wonderful place to be when Penelope was younger, but now that she was older, she realised how awful it could be.
"I also think I would do as mother did for us. I would not raise my children here. It is only good for a visit. If you go far away, then we can start living as a pair," Lily said, a little thrilled.
"Do not look so happy yet. I do not know if I would go far away from everyone. It is a difficult decision to make," said Penelope.
Lily nodded her head, agreeing with Penelope. "You would miss me, Isabelle, mother, Tyrion-"
"Why must you mention his name?" Penelope asked, using her foot to push Lily away. "I am tired of the questions and mentions of Tyrion. I have given my answer already."
"Yet your expression doesn't convince me. It is fine to have second thoughts. I think there is a part of you that likes him, but then you fear life in the palace. You would be a good queen, but life there doesn't suit you. You would always be there," said Lily.
Lily knew someone as adventurous as Penelope would lose her mind in the palace.
It was unfortunate that the man most suited for Penelope was the crown prince.
Penelope looked down at her hand. "Do you think he would be so crazy to give up his title of crown prince and leave the palace? He would never be so crazy, right?"
"I do not know. Is that what you want of him, or what he said he would do for you?" Lily asked, pitying the pair even more.
"I am only asking what you think. You would agree with me that it would be crazy if he didn't become king for me. I wish he would find someone else to give his time to. Tyrion shall make a wonderful king," Penelope said, confident he would make his parents proud.
"Enough about me," Penelope said, realising she had failed to ask Lily about her life. "Is it going far better for you?"
"I haven't danced with anyone or accepted any of the flowers sent, but I think I am in a far better position than you. I am lucky," Lily said, dramatically wiping her forehead and letting out a sigh of relief.
Penelope laughed. "I am tired of you. Isabelle!" She called out to her younger sister. "How was your visit with grandmother?"
"It was wonderful. She wishes the two of you were there and for mother to visit. Grandmother wants the family to be together. She has asked that I speak to mother about it," Isabelle said, taking a seat between her sisters.
Penelope and Lily shared a look.
"You should stay out of it," Lily suggested. "It is not your place to mend this."
"Why not?" Isabelle replied, confused. "Grandmother said she is ready to move on, but it is mother who holds onto the past. Strangely, mother will not speak to grandmother. I could not think of hating my mother."
"Isabelle, no matter what, you should be on mother's side. There are many things from mother's side that you do not know about, and I think you shouldn't know for a little longer. Mother is not the one stopping that relationship from forming," said Penelope.
Isabelle wished her sisters would just tell her the full story. She was not a child anymore.
"Tell us of your time with grandmother. We are waiting for father to return,' Lily said.
"Father is home already. He is at the door speaking with the town guards. What is it?" Isabelle asked, following her sisters who stood up and ran off without a word. "You mustn't keep secrets from me."
Penelope could only think of one reason the town guards would be at their doors now. On any other day, Penelope would think they were here for her father or brother.
"You only need to tell them what you heard, like mother told you. Nothing more," Lily said to Penelope.
Lily doubted Penelope heard anything said to her as she hurried to the front door.
When Penelope reached the stairs, she looked down at the front door to see that her father was not alone with the guards. Her mother and brother were present.
Alessandra left the group to speak with Penelope. The news needed to be told better than the way the guards were sharing it.
"Penelope," Alessandra said, going up the stairs to hold her daughter's hand. "You must listen to me first."
"You need me to tell them what happened, right?" Penelope replied. "I can speak now."
Alessandra wished the day would end better than this. "It is not so simple. I thought she was fine, but we are told that the young lady has died. I do not understand it, but you must prepare yourself for their questions."