The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 78: First night (3)

After dinner, Tyrion parted ways with Penelope to first go to their chamber to clean up as Penelope welcomed the maids and butler back inside so the table could be tidied.

Matilda was once again at Penelope’s side, as well as Damien, who lingered around during dinner.

"Where are my manners? Damien, this is my maid Matilda. You will find that she is the one most at my side. Should I ever need you for an important matter, I will send her to you. This is my guard," Penelope introduced the two.

She hoped they would get along since the last thing she wanted to hear was them bickering.

Matilda curtsied. She had heard all of the men who came with the prince were knights. It brought her some ease knowing her lady had such talented guards.

"You two may retire for bed. I don’t know how busy tomorrow will be, but with news of our marriage getting out, I am sure there will be something to take up my time. Rest," Penelope instructed the pair.

It was unlikely that either she or Tyrion would leave their bed tonight.

"Goodnight, Milady. Sir Damien," Matilda said, excusing herself from Penelope’s side.

Penelope watched Matilda walk away, then turned to Damien, who was still standing behind her. "I said you may rest. Do you intend to stay by my side until I am inside my chambers?"

"I do," Damien replied. "I have strict orders."

"Strict? Will my husband inflict a terrible punishment if you do not walk me upstairs?" Penelope asked. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"He may, but I also consider it my duty to see that you find your way to your chamber safely. Only then can I see that my duties for the day have ended."

Penelope didn’t mind walking with Damien, but she was curious about the punishments. She hadn’t seen much of that side of Tyrion, where he was strict. She was not naive to think it didn’t exist.

"What kind of punishments would he give you?" Penelope inquired.

Like everyone else, Penelope was surprised to learn that Tyrion had so many knights pledge loyalty to him.

Penelope knew that as the crown prince, he was well involved in matters of the king’s army and dealt with conflict outside the kingdom, but when had he taken so many knights to his side?

There were a few things she had to learn about Tyrion.

Damien looked away from Penelope. He didn’t think it was fitting to describe the punishments to the lady.

"Very well," Penelope said, moving on. "I will not place you in a terrible position. Let us go to my chamber so you may retire."

Damien sighed in relief, happy she wasn’t the kind to pry. He followed Penelope, but before they got more than five steps away, he stopped to look at a maid who immediately turned away.

Damien got a good look at the maid before continuing to follow Penelope.

When Penelope stopped before her door, she looked at Damien since it was time for him to leave her. "I think there will be a cruel punishment from my husband if you go any further than this."

"Goodnight, Lady Castro," Damien replied, taking his leave.

Penelope opened her door, expecting Tyrion to be inside the bathing chamber. It would give her time to get dressed in a nightgown without disturbance.

"Oh!" Penelope gasped, covering her mouth.

Her hand was still on the doorknob, and the door was slightly ajar. Penelope had not set foot inside the room as the sight of Tyrion undressing startled her.

Why wasn’t he already inside the bathing chamber when she had long sent the maids to prepare warm water? She had timed everything so well to avoid his teasing, yet he was not where he needed to be.

Penelope wanted to look away, but her feet wouldn’t move as her gaze lingered on his exposed body.

She had a view of his side frame as he faced the bed. His fingers were on the button of his pants. From where she stood, she saw his muscular arms and got a glimpse of his torso.

It wasn’t more than what she saw the night before, but somehow, this moment felt more intimate.

"Will you come in or will you stand there all night and stare? Why are you peeping at me from the door?" Tyrion asked, revealing he knew she was present.

How couldn’t he when the door opened with an annoying creak?

"I," Penelope said, finally looking away. "I am sorry?"

"Sorry? Do you think I often take so long to get undressed? I wanted a reaction," Tyrion said as he walked toward Penelope.

Tyrion held Penelope’s hand to pull her inside and used his left hand to press against the door to close it.

Tyrion placed his hands on both sides of Penelope to keep her trapped between him and the door. "What a shame I missed your reaction. Enjoying yourself?"

"Penelope," he spoke softly, tilting his head to get a better look at her. "Is my wife afraid of being in the same room as me? How can you stare at me one moment and then avoid my eyes another?"

Penelope looked up at Tyrion. "This is all new to me."

"We’ve been married to each other for the same amount of time. This is all new to me as well," Tyrion replied, not accepting the excuse. "I am now your husband. It is not improper if you want to stare at me."

"You were teasing me. I had it all planned so perfectly for you not to be standing here. When did you become like this?" Penelope asked.

"Since I realised that I enjoy the reactions from my wife. You are so tense," Tyrion said, touching her face with the back of his right hand. "Shouldn’t I be the one who is nervous since you were staring at me while I undressed?"

"Why would you be nervous? You were the one teasing me," Penelope replied, not falling for his trick. He was not embarrassed.

"Well, I am curious what my wife thinks of what she sees. Does she like what she sees, or is it disappointing? To know that, I must set up to get a reaction."

Penelope was confused as to what he meant until she heard something hit the floor. She looked down, only to look back up quickly, her cheeks flushed.

"That is satisfying," Tyrion said, stepping away from Penelope.

Penelope averted her gaze from Tyrion. He was so bold as to finish undressing himself before her, revealing all that he was to her.

"I am not shy, dear wife. So look all you want. I must have my bath before the water turns cold. I will be so kind as to leave the door open if you want to join me," Tyrion said, leaving Penelope’s side to go to the bathing chamber.

Penelope’s cheeks were warm, and she did everything in her power not to look Tyrion’s way while he walked away from her just as naked as he was born.

True to his word, Penelope didn’t hear the sound of a door closing.

Penelope covered her face now that Tyrion was out of sight. ’He is mad,’ she thought.