The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 69: Change (2)

Tyrion followed his father to a room where they could speak in private.

It was silent at first as Tobias was still lingering on the fact that Edgar had prepared a home for his son.

"He prepared a home for you-"

"He prepared a home for his daughter," Tyrion spoke over his father. "Penelope remains his daughter."

"There are homes under the palace. Homes taken back from nobles who lost their right to have them. I could have found you a fitting home, yet you did not come to me. Just as you did not come to me regarding leaving with Penelope," Tobias said, frustrated.

Why was he always the last to know?

"I took Penelope home to her family this morning, and it was there that the duke mentioned he was having a home prepared for us. The duke and duchess are preparing all that we need. Servants as well," Tyrion shared.

"Wonderful," Tobias said, still annoyed. "Everything is well set up for you. Tell me, what have I done for you to make me the last to know? For your mother to be the last to know? You do not trust that I wouldn’t find you a good home?"

Tyrion remained calm as his father raised his voice. He didn’t come to fight with his family.

"You’ve misunderstood me. I planned to run away with Penelope and tell everyone in the morning, but the duchess was there and she asked that I inform the duke. I do not regret how I left," Tyrion said.

Tobias laughed. "After all I’ve done for you. After all I told you, you still think what you did was right. I understand what it feels like to be in your position. I’ve been there wanting to run away. I would have helped you if you had come to me."

"Respectfully, you’re no longer the prince who wanted to run away, father. You’re the king, and you would have told me to wait to marry her in the palace. To wait for you to get the court to agree. I already told you that our ways are different," Tyrion said, still certain he made the right choice.

Tyrion continued, "I was not going to wait. I knew what I wanted, so I went for it, and I have no regrets. Penelope is now my wife. She is safe outside of the palace, and that is where she will remain."

"You could have turned to me for help," Tobias said, still stuck on Tyrion going to Edgar.

"I am turning to you now," Tyrion replied, hoping to move forward. "I will need you to keep your court in order so they won’t harass my wife and to protect Teo. They will try to get in his head to rule through him."

"Enough with your jealousy over how much Edgar has helped me. There are more important things that require your attention, or will you dwell on what has already taken place?" Tyrion asked, annoyed by his father worrying over small things.

"You don’t have any idea how you hurt me and your mother," Tobias said, walking up to Tyrion.

"I apologise for how you found out, but my mother cannot be too upset. She has always told me to run if I wanted to and never look back. Our goodbyes were said long ago," Tyrion revealed.

"Ha! So everyone has their little secrets that I am learning about last. I thought we had a good relationship where you could turn to me. I am not angry that you married the woman you loved, but it would have been wonderful to inform me," Tobias said, turning away to calm himself.

Toias didn’t want to ruin what they needed to celebrate, but he hated to think he could not help his son.

"You are a good father, but you are still the king. You have not denied that you would have suggested we not run off and get married in the palace. As king, you make decisions I don’t agree with," said Tyrion.

"It is only right that a prince would have his wedding here in the palace, and then you could move to whatever home you had planned. I will make an order that you and Penelope are free to enter the palace-"

"Penelope will not come here," Tyrion spoke over his father. "I am not so certain I would like her to attend more balls the palace holds, let alone come here to sit for dinner."

Tobias could not believe his ears. "You plan to stay away from the palace?"

"No," Tyrion shook his head. "I will come here if needed, but Penelope will not. End your interest in seeing us together, and don’t call upon her here. She will not come."

"You are starting to sound like Edgar," Tobias noticed.

"Well, he is a reasonable man. He knows what it takes to protect his family, and never forget that you were the one who placed me under his wing in the past. Perhaps I learned a few things," Tyrion said.

"I am your king and your father. I would like to see my son and his new wife. Don’t make me have to use an order to see you," Tobias warned Tyrion.

Tobias was not ready to let go of his son. He could not leave the palace so freely while he was still king to see the couple, so he at least hoped they would come to him. This was all so sudden.

"I love you, father, but should you go against my wishes and send for Penelope to come here, I will return to cut you down where you stand. I was not safe here as the crown prince. My wife will not be safe, even as my wife and the daughter of a duke. Don’t toy with my family," Tyrion warned his father.

It was a fight Tyrion didn’t want to happen, but he had informed his father enough times not to invite Penelope.

It was never easy to ignore the orders of a king, and while Penelope had the right connections to consider not going, the lady she was raised to be would not turn down the invitation.

Tobias stepped away from Tyrion. It was the first time he ever received a threat from any of his children, and for a small moment, it reminded him of his past with his wife, Hazel. Tobias was once at odds with his father. It was a cycle he didn’t want to continue.

"Very well," Tobias agreed. "I won’t send for Penelope to enter the palace. I only ask that you come here to be at your brother’s side. After all, you placed such a big responsibility on his shoulders."

"I never planned to leave Teo’s side. I don’t want your court poisoning him. I’ve come for my belongings, and my knights will join me. I will return to the palace, and to please your court, you should send me invitations," Tyrion suggested.

Tobias nodded his head. "I will do that. Regardless of how you did it in secret, I am not upset that you went after what made you happy. You had more courage than I did. I wish you well," he said, walking to Tyrion to hug him.

It was not an easy decision to make to leave everything behind. Many would not understand why Tyrion threw his future away, but Tobias would always understand it.

"Thank you. I must gather my things quickly and speak to my mother. Hailey must be waiting to see me as well," Tyrion said, thinking of his little sister. "Excuse me," he said, parting ways from his father. "I will come to see you again once Penelope and I have settled in," he promised.

Tyrion didn’t want to waste too much more of his time in the palace.

If he could, Tyrion would love to take his sister from the palace before the court thought of someone to marry her off to in the future, just like they did with his aunt.