The two talked for the rest of the trip to the Lenz's room. Penelope listened with interest as her father depicted what followed his leave. It became clear to her that he never regretted the decision to leave with her mother despite all that he lost in the process. Finding that information out gave the knight a warm sense of comfort now that she knew for sure Layth's version of the story had been tainted by his own hate rather than her father's. John went on to describe his time in the outer villages, how he struggled at first to adjust and the issue that came with making money out there. He eventually ended the story as it reached Lilliana's death. Though John remained composed, Penelope was able to still detect the sorrow in his expression. He had never fully gotten over her death and Penelope doubted that he ever truly would, but at least her brief visit that night seemed to have helped him.

As they reached the room, John stepped back to part ways and Penelope knocked on the door. The door barely cracked open when another voice from down the hall caught their attention though. "Ah! Miss Vermillion there you are." Penelope turned her head to see Hunter further down the corridor, looking slightly relieved to have caught her. The king's servant scurried over and bowed to the nobles around him before focusing his gaze on Penelope. Her stomach turned with sudden anxiousness as she realized that he must have delivered her message to the king already. 

"I apologize for the interruption. I just came to say that his highness got your request and will meet with you this evening." Hunter explained dipping his head. 

Penelope's eyes widened. While she was hoping to speak with the king soon, she hadn't expected him to see her so soon. The knight thought she would have had at least a day before her audience with him. "O-okay. Um," she cleared her throat and dipped her head to the servant gratefully. "Thank you, Hunter."

"Oh my that doesn't leave you much time to prepare." groaned the voice of Dimia, who had answered the door. 

As Hunter made his exit, Penelope turned to look over at the Lenz's, who both stood at the doorway, and her father, who had stepped back over after overhearing Hunter's announcement. All of them looked concerned to some degree and it made the knight shift uneasily. "I know. I was hoping I would at least have more time to prepare.. Gods I'm going to have to get ready quick." she said shaking her head. 

Dimia pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh. "Well at least you have the signatures. Alright you go get what you need from your room and then come back here so we can get you prepared." she instructed, ushering the female knight off. Penelope nodded her head, agree quickly to the last minute plans before hurrying off to her room to collect the letters she had as well as get appropriately dressed in her armor.