10 Life with the Collins (10)

"Remember to stay close to me or your father tonight. There will be a lot of young men you might want to avoid dancing with tonight, and who better to scare them away than your father? Is there something wrong, Penelope?" Alessandra asked, watching Penelope play with her fingers. 

This was the twin's first ball since they were old enough to marry, and while Lily was somewhat excited about the ball, Penelope was awfully quiet. It was unlike her when she enjoyed being in the palace. 

"She wanted to stay home as I suggested," said Edgar. He kept his hands near his gun. 

Now that Tobias allowed the kingdom to use guns, Edgar rarely left home without his. He wanted to bring two since tonight his daughters would be swarmed by young men looking to court them, but Alessandra stopped him.