The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 73: Offer (2)

Penelope pulled Tyrion away from her mother so they could speak in private before her family arrived.

"Did it go well in the palace?" Penelope asked.

"The court reacted as I expected it would. They spoke of taking away my title and even went so far as to speak of banishing me. They would like me far away so they could get to Teo. I will not allow that," said Tyrion.

Tyrion believed his brother knew who not to trust and who he could depend on, but the men in court sometimes presented themselves as saints. Tyrion had fallen for their act once, and it cost him.

"I hope it isn’t too much for Teo to bear already. How did your parents react to your return? Your father," Penelope said, hoping it went well.

"He was upset and made the offer for us to sit in the palace to talk. Tension is high in the palace, and should those men see you, they will not hold back. You must not go there," said Tyrion.

"I don’t have any reason to. I am just concerned about you. I get to see my family, but there is conflict when you must see your family. The cause of it is the court, but nothing works to make those men settle down," Penelope said, annoyed by it.

"That is why I planned to kill them-"

"Tyrion!" Penelope exclaimed, looking around to see who was near. "You shouldn’t say that out loud. You don’t have much protection from the palace anymore. You must be careful."

Tyrion held Penelope’s hand. "I won’t be caught to have you at home worrying about me. I’ll be careful."

"You did it, didn’t you? The one who troubled me," Penelope said, referring to Arthur.

Tyrion lifted Penelope’s right hand to kiss it. "I will always protect you," he promised.

It didn’t matter if Tyrion needed to take down the entire court or go up against someone he was once close to keep Penelope safe. He would go to any lengths to ensure no one harmed her.

"I hope you keep your promise that I must never hear of you being pulled into the palace dungeon. Is there anything else I must be concerned about?" Penelope asked.

Penelope was not fond of being blindsided by something she should have known.

"No," Tyrion answered.

"Good. Before life becomes more hectic for us, we should take a moment to enjoy our new home," Penelope said, wanting to do a proper tour now that Tyrion was here.

Tyrion looked ahead at the duchess walking back inside before leaning down to whisper, "Shall I tell you my idea of us enjoying our home?"

Penelope covered Tyrion’s mouth. She glanced at her mother, who was staring at the empty walls. "No, you must not. Not while my mother is present."

Penelope moved her hand after feeling his slick tongue against her skin. "You!"

"My plans involve your mother and family leaving us. Tonight will be a proper first night," Tyrion whispered, his smile teasing Penelope. "Duchess!" He called, leaving Penelope’s side to speak with Alessandra.

Penelope stared at Tyrion in wonder at how he could say such things and then go to her mother’s side as though nothing happened.

Had he no shame?

A proper first night wasn’t on her mind before, but now it was. Tyrion’s teasing might be the death of her.

"Lady Castro."

Penelope turned to her left to face the palace maids. She was confused as to who they were speaking to, but then remembered she was now a Castro.

"You may help place Prince- My husband," Penelope corrected herself. "You may place my husband’s things inside, and then a way back to the palace will be arranged for you."

"The queen has tasked me to pass this to you," a maid said, revealing a white envelope to Penelope.

Penelope took the envelope she was certain Tyrion had no idea of. "Carry on with your work," she said, sending the maids off.

Penelope opened the envelope and read the contents. It detailed the maids being a gift of extra helping hands from the palace, just like Tyrion said. She was asked to let the maids be employed to aid her and Tyrion.

"I cannot," Penelope said, folding the letter to place it back inside the envelope. She had already agreed to send the maids back.

"Lady Castro," Damien greeted Penelope.

"You are Tyrion’s close guard. I have seen you many times before. It is a pleasure to finally speak with you," Penelope said, placing the envelope behind her.

"Likewise. The prince has already tasked me with being your guard. From this moment onward, I shall protect you and do what you need. You may ask anything of me," said Damien.

"You are my guard. Reed is," Penelope trialled off, realising her guard would change. Penelope smiled, hiding her sadness since she was so used to Reed. "I look forward to my time with you. Once I have dealt with arranging inside, we shall talk."

It felt strange to have to start over since Penelope had known Reed all her life. Could she have the same conversations with her new guard?

Just as Penelope was about to go inside, she spotted her father’s carriage coming through the gates.

Penelope waited by the steps for her father and siblings. She had seen them during her early return to the estate this morning, but she missed them already.

"I am jealous," Lily said the second she exited the carriage. "Not only are you married, but you have been given a home already. I am happy for you, but still jealous. We brought a gift for you along with what was placed in your room."

Penelope looked at the gates where two carriages were arriving. The one which came from Tyrion, as well as the other gift from Cassius.

"Why would you bring that here?" Penelope asked, glancing back inside to find Tyrion coming toward her.

Tyrion’s gaze narrowed in on the unfamiliar carriage. Judging from Penelope’s expression, it had to be the other carriage gifted to her. "Why wasn’t that carriage set on fire?" He asked, seeking a flame to do it himself.

"I am trying to find where he lives to send it back. I cannot simply burn a carriage," said Penelope.

Tyrion walked down to where the carriages were arriving. "It is quite simple. You start a fire, and you place it on the carriage. I can show you."

"Tyrion," Penelope called to him, believing he would set it ablaze, "It is a carriage, not a small gift. It is best to return it. It must have cost a great deal of money to purchase."

Tyrion didn’t care about the cost. "Well, it was his mistake to buy something he couldn’t afford to lose."