The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 58: Heartbreak (1)

Damien caught up to Tyrion after hearing there was more conflict in the meeting. At this rate, Damien thought it was fitting for Tyrion to do as he wanted by killing the men in the court and then dealing with the uproar later.

No one understood how tiring it was to put up with men of the court, who thought only of themselves, until they came into the palace.

"Should we move ahead with the plan?" Damien asked.

Tyrion was preparing to get rid of anyone who made the palace a dangerous place to be. He had enough armoured knights to challenge the palace guards.

"No," Tyrion replied, changing his mind as he walked. "I want to be selfish."

Tyrion had been thinking about everyone else for so long, but now, he was going to think about himself.

If Tyrion continued to act like he wanted to be king, then he would quickly lose himself, and another king would have to be named after he passed.

"There will be another ball in a few days. Make preparations to clear a path for me," said Tyrion.

Damien slowed down for a moment. He never thought Tyrion would go through with it, but still, he replied, "I will inform the men. We shall follow you no matter the title you hold."

Damien was here for Tyrion, not the king or any other man who held power in the palace. It was Tyrion who picked from among the men who were turned away from the palace to not become guards and gave them a position here.

"We might have my father’s guards as well as the duke attacking us, so train well to prepare for it if the plan happens," Tyrion said.

Tyrion wasn’t certain how Penelope would answer to his plan, but it was his last time to ask for her hand. If she rejected him once more, then he would have no choice but to do as his father wanted and protect Penelope from afar.

Still, he remained hopeful that Penelope would start admitting her feelings.

As the days went on, Penelope found herself attending another ball her family were invited to each year.

To not ruin Lily and Elijah’s time during the season, Penelope got dressed and joined her family to attend the ball. She knew Tyrion and his family would be attending the ball, which was hosted by Lord Kingsley.

Penelope had not heard from Tyrion either from gifts or from letters since she received the carriage. She convinced herself that she had no reason to receive anything more, but she couldn’t help being curious if he was plotting something else.

It had been on her mind for the last few days that Tyrion would soon need to take a wife and be one step closer to becoming the king. When that happened, it would be all over for them.

This was what Penelope wanted, but she found it hard to get used to.

"Penelope," Alessandra said, noticing Penelope’s sad expression.

It was a time meant for everyone to enjoy themselves, yet Penelope looked like someone had said something terrible.

Penelope smiled to end her mother’s worrying. "I am fine."

Alessandra knew Penelope wasn’t fine. She knew her daughter like the back of her hand to be able to read Penelope’s smile. Even worse, Alessandra once showed that same smile to pretend like she was well.

Alessandra didn’t think it was best for Penelope to attend the ball with all the growing rumours, but Penelope did not want to hide away. She didn’t want to miss any part of Elijah and Lily being courted.

"I shall be by your side all night," Alessandra promised.

No guards besides the ones used by Lord Kingsley were to enter the ball. Since Reed and others were to stay outside, Edgar and Alessandra stayed close to their children.

"Thank you," Penelope replied.

Penelope looked ahead at the entrance to the ball.

Some couples and families were yet to enter, standing outside to see the guests arriving. Upon noticing the Collinses had arrived, Penelope found herself to be the centre of stares and chatter.

Penelope continued to look ahead. Giving in to what they spoke of would only leave her with bad thoughts and her mood dampening even more.

Upon entering the ballroom, Penelope first took notice of the floor, where many couples were already dancing.

It was easy to point out the man who had been on her mind for days, dancing with another young lady.

It was what Tyrion should do as the most eligible man in the kingdom and a man who needed a wife soon. It was also what she told him to do, yet there was a prickly feeling in her chest.

Penelope looked away. She knew this was coming, but she didn’t want to see it.

"Follow me," Edgar said, holding onto Isabelle’s hand.

Elijah walked with Lily, who wouldn’t stop bothering him about how many carriages Penelope had, while Alessandra walked with Penelope.

"It is kind of you to attend to be with your siblings, but you must know that they are more than willing to stay home when you don’t feel well," Alessandra informed Penelope.

"I know, but I am truly tired of staying in. Lily had many gifts sent, so many would want to speak to her, and news of Elijah moving from the estate has more young women wanting to see him. I can’t ruin their time," said Penelope.

The season wasn’t going as Penelope planned, but her siblings were still well sought after. She would be pleased if either Lily or Elijah got married, even though she wouldn’t.

"Still," Penelope continued. "I do not understand why Elijah left when he shall inherit the estate. He will be a duke one day."

"It is natural for him to want a home to himself, and he shall move back when he marries. Your father also moved away from his parents when he came of age. The prince is coming," Alessandra said, standing still as Tyrion walked their way.

Penelope tried to avoid facing Tyrion for as long as she could, so she stared at her father and siblings, who had now stopped.

"Prince Tyrion," Alessandra greeted Tyrion with a curtsy.

Penelope turned to Tyrion, following her mother to curtsy since she could no longer ignore his presence. "Prince Tyrion," she greeted him.

It was only now that he stood before her that Penelope realised the music had stopped and others were preparing to take part in another dance.

Tyrion’s hand was offered to Penelope for her to share the next dance with him. "I have come to ask Miss Penelope for a dance if the duchess would allow it."

Alessandra looked to Penelope for her answer, and after Penelope agreed to it with a nod, she replied, "I will allow it."

Penelope placed her hand on Tyrion’s hand to join him.

By the end of the night, Penelope planned for this to all be over with.