The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 83: Punishment (1)

In the late hours of the night, Penelope was deep in slumber. Her back now turned to Tyrion, who silently sat up.

He had some business to take care of, which could not wait until the morning since Penelope would stop him. Tyrion didn’t want to hear about the carriage gifted to her and see it near their home for another day.

Tyrion picked up his shirt to wear again and headed out of the room to meet with Damien, who would still be awake. He found Damien sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

"Your habit hasn’t changed," Tyrion said, since Damien would guard his door at night in the palace.

Damien stood up. "I felt you would not let another day pass without burning that carriage. I was also keeping watch of a maid who was acting odd. It is the time for the servants to rest, yet some felt the need to wander."

Damien sat on the stairs for a little while so anyone snooping around would be met by his presence.

"Not all of the servants came from Duke Collins, so you must keep an eye on the new ones. I will not tolerate disrespect to my wife. Come with me," Tyrion said, making his way outside.

Damien gladly followed Tyrion, but first, he made one final glance down the hallway. Whoever was being nosey wasn’t sneaky enough. If they weren’t careful, they would find out how much he liked hunting rats and what came after.

Once outside where no one could hear them, Tyrion said, "I want Lionel next."

Tyrion wasn’t done with the court, though he was no longer in the palace. His family remained, and his gift to Teo would be to rid the court of the men who abused their power and fill it with new men.

It would be even better to get rid of the court since it wasn’t needed anymore.

"After Lionel, I want Solomon. He is the one they turn to for orders. Cut off the head, and the body will run around in a panic before collapsing. Have you heard word from the others in the palace?" Tyrion asked.

"Not yet. They are trying to remain low so as not to bring any attention to themselves. Anyone loyal to you will be targeted," Damien replied.

Tyrion needed news faster, but he understood he could reveal the knights he left.

Tyrion knew no good would come from taking all the men loyal to him out of the palace. He left a few to act as palace guards and one who would be at Teo’s side. Tyrion needed one set of eyes on his brother when he was not around.

"It would be easier for the maids to slip news to us," said Damien.

"Have them be careful. Arrange for some men to keep an eye on Lionel and, when he is alone, kill him. I would personally like to kill him. You are stealing all of the fun," Tyrion said, jealous of Damien.

"You are the one who will get to burn a carriage. I have never done this," Damien said to cheer up Tyrion.

"You also said that you wanted to keep your hands clean when you married Lady Penelope-"

Damien was interrupted by Tyrion’s laughter.

"Did I? When did I say such a foolish thing?" Tyrion asked, intrigued by what Damien said.

Damein scratched his head. "Well, it had been nearly two years ago before you started plotting all of this."

"That is why. I can never keep my hands clean when there are so many fools around us. I have a long list left to kill. It would be a good day for me when I no longer have anyone left to kill. I won’t have something to hide from Penelope," said Tyrion.

"Does she know how many you have killed? Or suspect you have killed someone?" Damien wondered.

"She knows of Arthur, but she doesn’t know of the others, and I want to keep it that way," Tyrion replied, watching as the knights opened the gates.

Tyrion stopped before the carriage, which was placed outside his gates. It was better off not coming to their home.

Why did anyone think it was fitting to bring a carriage gifted to his wife by another man?

Unless Edgar wanted to give him the pleasure of destroying it. It was surprising that Edgar had not gotten rid of this carriage and the one Tyrion had sent to Penelope.

Though the sight of this carriage bothered Tyrion, he did enjoy having the pleasure of setting it on fire. It would be even better if the man who sent it were inside, but he wasn’t so lucky.

Damien handed a lantern to Tyrion and then stepped back. He ordered the knights by the gate to gather water so the fire could be dealt with once it started to get out of hand.

Tyrion opened the carriage door and tossed the lantern inside in a way to break it against the side. He watched as the oil spilt and the flame started to spread.

Tyrion closed the door and backed away from the carriage, even though the fire was small.

"This isn’t satisfying enough," Tyrion said, wanting so much more. "I need to ask Linda about him soon. If he ever shows up before Penelope and still tries to court her, though she is married, let me know right away. I’ll kill him myself," Tyrion said.

Tyrion couldn’t have this kill be done by anyone else. He personally had to kill the bastard.

Tyrion knew to expect there would be some bastards who still looked Penelope’s way or would be so bold as to try courting her when he was not around. It was a common sight among men who thought they had so much wealth and power to go after another man’s wife.

Some men would think it funny to go after Penelope since she was now a prince’s wife. They could play these silly games all they wanted, but Tyrion would respond by ending their lives.

"I need something built urgently. This is a beautiful home, but it lacks a dungeon. I need somewhere I can keep anyone I need to hold onto for a moment. I need it built somewhere on the property without Penelope knowing where it is," said Tyrion.

In time, Penelope would know of it, but as of right now, she didn’t need to know such a place would exist on their property.

"I will take care of it," Damien promised. He had someone in mind to pass the task off to.

Tyrion waited around to see the fire grow and make the carriage now pleasing to look at. If he knew where Cassius resided, he would have gathered some ash and sent it to him as Penelope’s response to the gift.

Before Penelope noticed his absence, Tyrion decided it was time to return to bed.