The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 68: Change (1)

In the morning, the palace was in disarray since the crown prince was missing.

Though the court made pleas for the crown prince to return to the palace, many of the men present were pleased to know Tyrion was no longer of their concern.

Solomon, in particular, wished for Tyrion to never return so Teo could be pushed forward as the future king, and he would have a better chance at controlling the palace. freёnovelkiss.com

"I heard from one of the king’s guards that the prince ran off with Penelope. This is good for us, but a terrible look for the palace. The king must punish Tyrion," Lionel whispered as he tried to keep up with Solomon.

"Oh, he will be punished," Solomon said, certain of it.

When Solomon heard the news that Tyrion was not only missing, but he was away with Penelope, he did what any other reasonable man would do. Solomon sent word to fathers who were counting on their daughters to gain the prince’s affections to let them know the crown prince had run off.

Fathers who invested so much into their daughters getting close to the prince would not stand for what Tyrion has done.

"If we are lucky, he will not return, and we shall force the king to strip him of all the power he had before. He’ll no longer be an issue to us. The only matter which remains now is finding out if he will return to the palace with that woman at his side," said Solomon.

Solomon hoped that Tyrion had given up on becoming king and would not walk back into the palace with Penelope at his side for the awful woman to become their queen. Edgar did not need such power in his family.

"The king," Lionel whispered, falling back behind Solomon.

"Your majesty," Solomon greeted Tobias. "The court and I were just on our way to request a moment to speak with you. It is urgent."

"I am sure it is. You have made great noise from the moment the sun rose concerning my son. I have told you to remain quiet to avoid creating panic. This is a matter which needs to be settled privately before an announcement is made," Tobias said as he approached the men against his son.

"I will not hesitate to cut out the tongues of anyone who acts outside of my command," Tobias warned the group.

"We have no interest in going against the crown. We merely ask that you provide answers to what has become of the crown prince. Will he return?" Solomon asked.

"My son, your prince, will return to the palace, but let it be known that he will not become your future king. My son Teo Castro will be the heir to the throne, and I have already arranged for him to take his place as king. You are to guide the crown prince," said Tobias, noticing their smiles.

Solomon fought his need to smile. He had never thought of himself as a lucky man, but here he was getting all that he wanted.

"The court will happily aid Crown Prince Teo where needed and looks forward to his time as king. However, there is a pressing issue regarding the former crown prince. Should we be referring to him as a prince?" Solomon inquired.

Tobias laughed at the nerve of Solomon to question Tyrion’s title. "Tyrion is a prince by blood."

"But he has turned his back on the palace. When he abandoned the throne, he abandoned his title. Why should he get the luxury of referring to himself as a prince when he abandoned his duties? The court is being merciful by not asking that you banish him," Solomon said, but he wished it would be so.

"Banish him?" Tobias let out a dry laugh.

These men weren’t fooling Tobias. He knew well they would like to send Tyrion far away and were only acting like they had a good heart.

"My son will not be banished. Let that settle in your minds now," Tobias spoke loudly so every man present could hear him.

"We do not want to see the prince banished, but seeing as he has abandoned his duties, there must be a consequence. He can keep his title as prince," Solomon said, since it would mean very little. "But by our laws, he must leave the palace and only return if welcomed."

"It is true, King Tobias. We simply never had a royal so daring to abandon their duties to have us enforce this law. He cannot stay in the palace, but our laws do allow him to keep his title. He will be taken care of outside the palace. It is kind," Lionel said, hoping Tobias acted as a king rather than a father now.

Lionel looked down to hide his smile, but when he glanced to his right after noticing someone coming, he panicked. "The prince is here," he said.

"Nothing has changed. You all still gather to speak about me when I am not around," Tyrion said as he approached the group. "I’ll make it easy for all of you. I won’t live in the palace any longer, but as the law says, I shall keep my title as prince."

"Only your brother’s children will have a claim to the throne in the future. Your children will remain outside the palace with you," said Solomon.

"I am well aware of what will happen. Your mask is slipping, Solomon," Tyrion said as he walked by the men of the court to get to his father. "Teo is now the crown prince. There’s no need for all this noise."

Tobias wasn’t done with the court, but he took a moment to focus on Tyrion. "The palace will prepare a home for you."

"That is kind of you, but I already have a home," Tyrion replied.

A home from the palace meant palace maids and other servants who would act as spies for the very people Tyrion hated.

"I’ve come to speak in private with you. Isn’t there much the court has to do to prepare my brother for the throne? It’s time you give the crown prince the attention he deserves," Tyrion said, looking at the fools behind him.

Tyrion knew well that his battle with these men wasn’t over. They might not be happy until he was dead.

Solomon smiled and bowed his head slightly before leaving with the other men behind him. It was time to see the new crown prince and pledge loyalty.

Tobias waited for Solomon and the others to leave to then asked, "What home do you have? You were raised in a palace, and Penelope has lived her life seeing fine things. You need a proper home."

"I have one thanks to Duke Collins. He provided us with one of his other homes," Tyrion revealed.

"What?" Tobias frowned. "You’ve turned to him before me again."