The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 87: Bad intentions (2)

In the Kennedy residence, Warren stormed inside as the news going around plagued his mind. It was terrible news concerning Penelope and the prince.

How had they gotten the chance to run off and marry?

Once again, that side of the family was able to achieve something grand while Warren remained in the same place as he always was. Without money or status.

Luckily, Penelope’s marriage wasn’t met with celebrations, but rather, many questions.

For the daughter of a duke and a man once set on becoming the next king, why did they need to sneak off to have such a private wedding?

"Something is amiss here," Warren said, trying to place what it was.

Warren closed his hand into a ball. He blamed Tyrion.

Tyrion always got in the way of his plans. He was always there to protect Penelope as though she did not have enough guards around her.

"Warren."

Warren stopped, startled by the sweet call of his mother’s voice.

To his right, Kate sat by a window where she could look out at the garden. She wore a smile, something that was rare.

Warren could not think of the last time he saw his mother smile.

Kate had her moments when Warren thought she was out of her mind, relaxed and not caring about what others thought about her.

Since these moments were so rare, Warren had to enjoy them while they lasted.

"Did you just come home from work? Your father is here," Kate said, holding her hand out to Warren.

"I did. I came home just to see you," Warren said, approaching his mother to hold her hand. "You’re smiling. Did something good happen?"

"No," Kate shook her head, facing the window once again. "I heard something wonderful."

Warren looked around to see who his mother could have spoken to or overheard but no one was present. Not even Mary who should be tending to his mother.

Warren frowned, worried that his mother was hearing voices again. Sometimes they told her good things, and most days, they filled her head with bad thoughts. Bad thoughts, which would make her seek out the duchess.

"I should move you from the window," Warren said, bending down to pick her up.

"No," Kate grabbed his hand. "I want to stay here. I’m waiting for your father to return."

Warren looked away from his mother. He couldn’t bear seeing her like this. So helpless and unaware of the true state of her life.

What part of living like this was good when you were sane one moment and hearing voices the other? When his mother wasn’t like this, she complained about how she was no longer the most sought-after lady in the town.

"Where is your father? I’ve been waiting for him to come sit with me. Is he with Mary?" Kate asked.

"I do not know since I’ve only just returned," Warren replied.

"You have to be careful around that one. I knew ladies like her who plotted. My mother used to keep me away from those ladies. Have I told you about your grandmother?" Kate asked, looking at Warren once more.

"You have sometimes, but most times, you don’t like to speak about her," said Warren.

"Your grandmother was a special woman. No one cared for me like she did. I am still waiting for the day the palace will set her free," Kate said, awaiting her mother’s return.

Warren gritted his teeth. It frustrated him to see that his mother wasn’t in the right mind to remember that her mother was long gone, killed after all her evil deeds were exposed.

"Mother, they’ve punished you long enough," Warren said, wanting this attack on his mother to end.

Kate smiled. "What are you talking about? It’s too much," she said, touching her head. There was an ache she hated when everyone spoke too loudly. "Get your father for me. Get him before he goes with that maid."

"He’s not with Mary. I don’t understand it. Do you love him?" Warren asked, seeking his answers now that his father was not present. "You are a lady far above my father. You had this big home to your name and riches left behind. Why did you pick my father?"

Kate didn’t know how to answer Warren since she didn’t know what he spoke of. She needed him to be silent so the ache would go away.

"Kate!" Noah called to his wife as he ran to her side. "Kate. What hurts?"

"You are all being so loud," Kate replied.

Noah regretted leaving Kate’s side. She had been in a good mood where they could sit and speak, but now she was back to speaking of headaches. Kate was going to snap at them once this passed.

Noah lifted Kate to take her from her chair to her bed so she could rest. He passed by Warren without speaking, but there was much he had to return to say to his son.

Warren remained staring at the empty chair where his mother had been seated a moment ago. Why was it that he could never get an answer?

This day was getting worse by the second and the fact he had to meet with Amelia soon would make the day far worse.

Warren walked to the window to see what his mother had been looking at. Normally, she never sat too close to windows for long periods since she had fallen out of one and it had cost her the ability to walk.

’I should leave,’ Warren thought.

He needed to start making good use of the money he had hidden in his room so he could pay it off quickly and have more.

All Warren’s troubles would be solved if his mother would give him the home belonging to her late husband. It would be even better if there were a title for him to hold onto.

Warren understood his mother well because he also wanted finer things in life. This home was never enough for him. His parents’ inability to spoil him was not enough for him.

Warren should have wealth, a grand home, and land to inherit.

He could have had all this if the king hadn’t taken away his mother’s former husband’s title and if his mother had let that home fall into his hands. Warren didn’t care how many women had died there.

’I can’t live like this,’ Warren thought, moving away from the window to go to his room.

When Warren reached the stairs, his path was blocked by his father.

"We need to speak," said Noah.

"I cannot speak now. I have work to do," Warren said, trying to go around his father.

Noah grabbed Warren by his shirt, stopping him from leaving. "I said we are going to talk."

Warren smiled. "Now you show that you aren’t so gentle. Fine, let’s talk."