The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 86: Bad intentions (1)

Teo was ready to go on with his day, but neither Amelia nor Ronan appeared ready to give up and let him leave.

Ronan cleared his throat. "Crown prince, my daughter is an exceptional young lady who has been under the care of a governess all her life and carefully guided by my wife. Among the young women who will try to claim your heart, you won’t find any other like her."

Teo chose to be silent since his response might ruin the day.

"Father," Amelia said, embarrassed. "Please forgive my father. He seeks any opportunity to compliment me far beyond what I am worthy of. He speaks highly of me since I am his daughter, but I hope you would grace me with your time so I can show my worth to you."

Teo looked away from Amelia. It truly was amusing how quickly she moved on from his brother.

Whose idea was it to approach him so soon? Was it Ronan’s or Amelia’s idea?

Were they worried that other young ladies were already flocking to his side, so they had to act fast?

"Miss Amelia, while I would love to grant you the time to take a walk with me, there is an order to how things are done in the palace. I don’t see it to be proper for your father to have you roaming the palace like this," said Teo.

"Crown prince, my daughter enjoys joining me for business trips. I assure you that she is safe by my side and no one dares to trouble a lady here," Ronan said, laughing off the matter.

"This is still the palace. I wish I could say it was safe for a lady, but it is not. She is here with you as her escort now, but I have seen her walking alone before. You must think of her reputation," Teo said, but he knew Ronan wouldn’t.

Ronan smiled like a fool in Teo’s eyes.

Ronan was delighted to hear that Teo had taken notice of Amelia before. He was worried that Amelia and Teo did not have many interactions with each other.

"I take great pride in protecting my daughter’s reputation. I would never put her in harm’s way," Ronan assured Teo.

"Wonderful. It has been a pleasure speaking with you, but I must continue on my way," Teo said, trying to go around Ronan, only to be blocked.

Teo raised his hand when his guards stepped forward to remove Ronan.

"Before you go, if you could speak to my daughter in private. She is one of the candidates who might become the future queen. I have once been told that my daughter carries the look of a queen," Ronan said, his right hand touching Amelia’s face.

Teo found the interaction to be strange, but it was not the first time someone tried to convince the palace that a young lady had the face or the essence of a queen.

"In private? Since you are a man who takes so much pride in protecting her, I must decline the offer. I will help you to protect her reputation. Excuse me," Teo said, succeeding in going around Ronan the second time.

Amelia turned around, watching as the prince walked away, but before he got away from her, he turned around to take one final look at her.

"Did you see that, father? He snuck a glance at me," Amelia pointed out.

Ronan frowned, revealing his displeasure. His cheeks hurt from smiling. "I saw nothing. You didn’t grab his attention."

"You spoke too much, father. Suitors are always uncomfortable in front of fathers. Still, I am happy that I made a proper introduction and he knows of me."

"Of course, he knows of you. How could he not know of the Prescotts?" Ronan replied.

Ronan looked over the dress Amelia wore. "You are all covered. How is he to pick you from among other ladies like this?"

Amelia looked away from Teo. "Father, this isn’t the time to dress scandalously, and my mother agrees with me. I would look no different from the women said to be coming into the palace from the red light district."

Ronan coughed, surprised his daughter would say such a thing. "What do you know of women from there? You shouldn’t speak of such things, especially here in the palace. Where have you been?" He grabbed Amelia’s arm.

Amelia winced, pained by her father’s hold. "I have not been anywhere which is not fitting for a lady. When I sat with the other ladies, they spoke of such rumours. They say women from that place are being welcomed into the palace to warm the prince’s bed. They did it with Tyrion."

Ronan let go of Amelia’s hand. "Nonsense. You mustn’t listen to such rumours. You have been here long enough," he said, deciding it was time for Amelia to leave.

Amelia didn’t believe her father. She had heard rumours of other ladies that they were welcomed to Tyrion’s chambers at odd hours, and she didn’t doubt it would happen with Teo. She had to set herself apart from others whilst still getting Teo to lust after her.

"I must meet with my peers now. Can you walk me out, father?" Amelia asked, holding onto her father’s arm. "You must trust my plans with my mother. It is off to a shaky start, but I promise you, it will go better once my mother is at my side."

"Do you place what happened as my fault? You were the one who failed to captivate him."

"No, no. It is like I said. You are a very wise and powerful businessman. From where I stand on the side, I have noticed that it tends to intimidate other men. Even men from the court," said Amelia.

"Well," Ronan said, his mood better. "I have noticed it as well. It is why they like to keep me close. They have a seat in the court, but I hold more power. It is far grander than I thought since you noticed it as well."

Amelia sighed, relieved that her father had moved on from her failure. She certainly had not failed yet. There was more she needed to learn about Teo before she approached, and next time, Amelia wanted her mother at her side.

Her father spoke too fast, revealing his intentions for her to marry the prince right away. Amelia could not have him ruin this for her, only for him to turn around and blame her, then find an awful husband.

"Father, unless there is a ball or social gathering I must attend in the palace, I think it is time that I stop joining you for your visits in the palace. I must protect my reputation. Look at what happens to those who are not careful. They find themselves ruined," Amelia said, thinking of Penelope.