The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 57: Selfish (2)

"The palace will invite other young ladies up until it is time for the prince to pick his wife. The queen will deal with the selections of young women who will enter the palace, and that list will not exclude Penelope Collins," Tobias decided.

Tobias did what was best to keep the peace and to make the selection for the future queen seem fair. Tyrion could not give his attention to only one young lady when others were preparing for this time for most of their lives.

Tyrion remained silent, letting his father and court do as they wanted.

"That is all," Tobias said, dismissing the meeting.

Tobias looked at Tyrion, who would not meet his eyes. "I must be fair," he said.

"Fair?" Tyrion laughed. "All of you act like I have not been giving my time to the women you so sneakily place before me. I have danced with so many women that I can’t keep up with the names."

Tyrion never understood when they said he only gave Penelope his attention. He kept his part and danced with others, but what the court didn’t like was how they couldn’t change his choice.

Had it been anyone other than Penelope, men like Solomon would not push this issue.

Tyrion could not fake being in love with anyone else to hide his affections for Penelope, and he was not going to do it to please anyone.

"Tyrion," Tobias grabbed his son’s hand.

"We shouldn’t argue before the court for them to enjoy it," Tyrion said, moving his father’s hand. "I’m sure they have more they want to say to you, which is why they linger. Let them know they mustn’t be concerned about Penelope becoming queen. They might have their way."

Tobias didn’t know how to take what Tyrion said. Was Tyrion going to stop courting Penelope, or was Tyrion going to leave the palace? freewēbnoveℓ.com

Tobias didn’t see a day when Tyrion would let go of Penelope unless he was planning not to be king?

Tyrion had been hard at work doing something in secret with his armoured knights. Tobias wouldn’t be surprised if Tyrion rejected becoming king, but it was a surprise the palace didn’t need.

"Tyrion!" Tobias called, going after Tyrion.

Solomon took this as a chance to approach Teo, the second prince.

"Greetings, Prince Teo," Solomon said, bowing his head. "I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts during our talk. I admire that you are not a tardy man."

"Say what you approached me for," Teo said, deciding to humour the court. Normally, they were always after Tyrion.

Solomon cleared his throat. "It is quite a shame that you never got to display your talents. The crown prince seems to show some reluctance about ruling this kingdom. It would be wise for you to consider preparing yourself to rule."

"I have thought about becoming king, but as you know, that position rightfully belongs to my brother. I am only the spare you have ignored until now. I have always displayed my skills, but you have only focused on my brother. Good day," Teo said, leaving the men so they could plot.

Teo had to warn Tyrion about the court plotting something.

Teo believed the court would try its best efforts to make him king, but it could only come at the cost of something happening to Tyrion. Teo did not yearn to be king so badly.

"You must tell me if that is what you intend to do."

Teo looked to his right, where he heard his father’s voice. He approached where his brother appeared to be scolded.

"When it comes time for your bride to be picked and you to stand there as the future heir to my throne, can I trust that you will not pull some kind of stunt? If there is something I must be prepared for, let me know now," Tobias pleaded.

Tyrion looked behind his father to Teo before acknowledging his father again. "I have been doing as you asked, which is to be the next king. What more do you need?"

Tobias took his hands from Tyrion’s shoulder. "You have many secrets, and just now, it sounded like you were giving up hope on Penelope coming here. Will you be the king?"

"It’s strange how this is the first time you asked me this. I was your firstborn, so naturally, no one thought to ask what I wanted. Naturally, I should be the next king, and I have been doing as you asked," Tyrion replied.

Tyrion wanted to leave, but he first thought of the burden he would place on Teo, who would have to step up to be king. As well as the complaints his parents would have to listen to from the court and all around the kingdom.

Tyrion had been setting aside his happiness for years and only asked for one thing, but the court was making it quite hard for Penelope to want to come here.

As the days approached for him to take the throne, Tyrion was growing tired of thinking about others.

Tyrion stepped forward so his father could hear what he had to say clearly. "I’ll be your king, but it means that I will kill your court. It is either that or I will be selfish. You will need to prepare Teo to be king if I choose to be selfish. Consider this the warning you seek."

Tyrion stepped back and continued on his way. He had more important things to do.

Tobias stared at Tyrion, wondering if there was some way that the accusations were true.

Could Tyrion be linked to Arthur’s disappearance?

’How?’ Tobias wondered.

Tobias kept a close eye on Tyrion so he couldn’t think of a time Tyrion had a chance to kill anyone.

"He needs some time to himself. The pressure is getting to him," Teo said as he came to his father’s side. "He is already doing his best, and I can speak on his behalf that he has properly spoken to other ladies."

"How many of those armoured knights does your brother keep at his side? Last I counted, there were twenty," said Tobias.

"Twenty? I’ve seen more than twenty walking around the palace. Many of the palace guards are becoming loyal to him. I don’t know if he offers them something or if they are vowing loyalty to the next king," Teo replied, just as puzzled as his father.

Tobias didn’t know what to think at the moment. He was concerned about what Tyrion said about being selfish.

The time for Tyrion to announce his future wife was a little over a week away. That was not enough time for him to be captivated by another young lady, and with Edgar still adamant his daughter would not enter the palace, anything could happen that day.