Chapter 386: Confessions (3)
"My father had more than just the ladies from debts. He would invite women from brothels to his home to entertain him. Before you think so lowly of only my father, he would have them entertain his guests. Some were foolish to show up later with children," Quinn revealed.
It was long ago, but Quinn couldn’t forget how the other ladies thought they were the same as his mother when she came from the Monroe family.
"My father sent the women off. Maybe he killed them," Quinn shrugged. "But he kept a few of the babies around. Do you think he’s the only one to get rid of children he isn’t fond of?"
"I don’t care what others do. It doesn’t make it right for anyone to get rid of their children. I was under the impression that you might have killed them, or will you try to pass off the blame to your brother?" Tobias asked.
Quinn chuckled, humoured by the king’s silly nature. "How could I blame it on someone who didn’t exist back then? I might have hurt a few of my siblings, but I was only a boy then. I didn’t properly understand jealousy and how to bear it."
"Would you have killed me for what I did then? My own father didn’t punish me," Quinn said, enjoying the look the king showed him. "I am not an awful man. I am rather kind since I offer others advice."
"The worst kind of evil man is those who don’t realise how bad their actions are," said Tobias.
"I know that I am both good and bad. Unlike you, I can admit it. How many times have you dismissed what the duke does? We both know that he has Warren, and the town guards are searching for him. Is the duke not evil?" Quinn asked, wanting the king to be honest.
"I am not here to speak of Edgar-"
"You never want to speak of him. How many of the men in your court knew that he killed my father? He killed my father over a debt that was being settled by the baron and my father. The duke didn’t have any place to intervene," Quinn said, gripping the bars, which started to feel warm.
Quinn released the bars and calmed himself before his emotions ruined his plans. "Let us not speak of what my father did as being evil. Every day, a father picks a husband for his daughter who can place him in a better situation."
"I will not have you place what you and father did with how fathers pick a wife. It is not all innocent," Tobias agreed, but he didn’t condone Quinn’s behaviour. "But it is nowhere near as evil as your father was. Why didn’t your mother take you to her home? Why didn’t she report what the family did?"
"Are you going to blame her for the position her family placed her in? Would you run back to the family who sold you like cattle? My mother would rather provide for herself than go back to them," Quinn answered.
Quinn looked away from Tobias, no longer interested in the king. "Don’t look so sullen. The Monroe family will get what it deserves. I haven’t skipped them. Since I was a witness to the duke’s crime, that means I can put him away."
Quinn smiled, realising he had something the town guards always wanted.
Tobias didn’t fear Quinn speaking out.
Not even with all the power Tobias had as king would he attempt to place Edgar in the palace dungeon. Especially while Rafael was present for the two men to work against him.
"Do you fear the duke?" Quinn asked, though he knew the answer.
"Anyone in their right mind would fear Edgar," Tobias answered.
Tobias was most grateful that Edgar had wed since he wasn’t as reckless as before, now that he had a family.
Had it been the days before Edgar was married to Alessandra and had children, Quinn wouldn’t be alive. Edgar liked to strike first and worry about the consequences later.
Quinn chuckled. "To have even the king fearing him is something out of this world. See, rather than hate him for killing my father, I am intrigued by the duke. I want to speak to him."
"I don’t believe you admire him. Was it some kind of plot by you and your brother to approach his daughters?"
"I never approached his daughters, only his wife, because I wanted her to know who I was. My final days with my father were filled with him speaking of her. Those who lived with him had it bad when the duke stole her and killed Rowan," Quinn said, remembering bits of William’s anger.
"You want me to believe your brother just so happened to have some interest in Penelope? That it wasn’t planned. That is what you want me to believe?" Tobias asked, suspecting Quinn was lying.
"I never told you to believe anything. I did warn my brother to stay away from Penelope, but he wouldn’t listen. Your son could tell you why my brother would find it hard to resist her. When are you going to release me?" Quinn asked, ready to be in the comfort of his home.
Tobias chuckled. "Release you? You killed your brother."
"I killed a man wanted by the king. I should be rewarded. Honestly, you make me want to change my little game, and it is just my luck that I planned for this. I was going to take over the brothels. Punish the owners one by one," Quinn shared his plans.
"When my mother left Lockwood, she had no other choice but to sell her body. When that wasn’t enough, I had to join her. Cassius was one more mouth to feed. It would sound wonderful to have women lining up to sleep with you, if not for the men I attracted-"
"Stop, I will not feel sorry for you after what you have done," Tobias said, putting an end to Quinn’s sad tales.
"Oh, what have I done for you to ignore my past? Kill my brother? I urge you to release me, My King. I just changed my game," Quinn said, deciding to fight to the death.
"You are not going anywhere. Get used to the palace dungeon. He is not to have any visitors," Tobias informed the guards.
"Keep me here and you’ll have blood on your hands. I’ll dedicate the next victim to you," Quinn said, grinning ear to ear as Tobias showed interest in him again. "What? You want to speak again?"
"You, you’re admitting it was you who killed the men and women?" Tobias asked, certain he had heard it wrong.
Why would Quinn easily confess?
"Yes, it’s me," Quinn admitted.