The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 91: Duties (3)

Tyrion found his father and brother on the private training grounds only used by royals.

"I wasn’t expecting you to grace us with your presence. Did Penelope grow bored of you already?" Teo asked, placing his sword down to greet his brother. "She might have liked the chase and now realised that you are a bore."

"She sent me here to keep watch of you, but now that I recall how annoying you can be, I want to return home to be with my wife. What caused this interest in sparring against father? Did something happen?" Tyrion asked.

"Nothing bad happened that I know of. There is something you would be pleased to know. Father warned the court he would punish them and take away their homes if they spoke ill of you or went against our family. You should have seen it," said Teo.

"He must have been entertaining," Tyrion said, looking ahead at his father. "That should keep them quiet for some time. If that is all that happened, why is he angry?"

"Angry?" Teo replied, puzzled as to why Tyrion thought their father was angry. "He doesn’t look angry."

"The poor target is about to break. Do you mind giving me a moment alone with him? I will join you when I am done," said Tyrion.

"I needed to meet with Hailey, so this is perfect timing. Try not to argue with him and brother, if you love me as you say, please get rid of Amelia. She has turned her attention to me, and I don’t enjoy it," Teo said, clasping his hands as he pleaded.

"Good luck with that on your own," Tyrion replied as he walked toward his father.

Tyrion was careful not to get too close to Tobias for the sword to connect with him. "Why are you angry?"

"I am not angry," Tobias replied.

"That target post is not real, yet you attack it like it carries the face of someone you want to kill. I am here to listen if you have something troubling you," Tyrion offered.

Tobias looked at Tyrion. "I am not angry. I was merely letting out some of my stress on the post. You sent your brother away, or did he sense trouble and run?"

"I asked him to give me a moment alone with you. Our last talk ended on a good note, but it didn’t start that way. I’ve had time to go over our talk and realise that my tone might not have been proper toward my father. I am sorry," Tyrion apologised.

Tobias chuckled. "I am getting a good dose of how I stressed out my father concerning your mother. Don’t ever apologise for being overprotective of your wife. It is what you must do, and I can admit that I was being unreasonable."

Tobias was too caught up in a competition with Edgar, which didn’t exist. Edgar was only trying to help Penelope and Tyrion as quickly as he could. He should never doubt Edgar’s intentions.

"Still, I don’t want you to think I favour Edgar over you. I truly did mean to leave with her and then inform all of you in the morning," said Tyrion.

"I have had time to think as well. I probably would have tried to stop you from running off without a guard at your side. You are still a prince, and there are many dangers around the town. I am not angry with you," Tobias said honestly.

"For his loyalty to me and because he doesn’t bend to the will of the court, Edgar has gained many enemies here in the palace. Since they cannot get to him, they will target Penelope. She should remain out of the palace," Tobias agreed with Tyrion.

"When the palace is in order, I will speak to her about attending a dinner here, but you are always welcome to our home for dinner. Our doors are not closed to family," said Tyrion.

"Of course not. As the king, I will open any door I wish to enter. I am merely joking," Tobias quickly added after Tyrion glared at him.

"For your sake, I hope you do not show up unannounced. We are still a married couple," Tyrion reminded his father.

"I don’t plan to disturb the two of you," Tobias promised, since he was eagerly waiting for something to blossom. "We are well. I did not dwell on your words and felt sad, but I am glad you came to speak with me. I must talk with Edgar."

"Speak of the devil," Tobias said, his gaze fixed on the man walking through the door. "Do not tell him that I called him the devil."

"You are the king. What do you have to fear about Edgar?" Tyrion asked.

"Do not play the role of a fool, Tyrion. It does not suit you. Edgar!" Tobias called, leaving Tyrion’s side to greet his friend. "And you have brought Rafael along. Wait! Were you two having fun without me?"

Edgar regretted searching for Tobias since he was so loud. "I told you that we should have stuffed him."

"Stuff? You wanted to sew his lips shut," Rafael said, remembering their talk being different.

"Is there much difference? We wouldn’t have to hear him blabber," said Edgar.

Edgar stared at Tyrion, thinking it was odd that he was in the palace already. Who was Penelope spending her time with?

Tyrion noticed Edgar’s gaze and said, "She is safe at home. Do you wish for me to return to her side?"

"No, she will need a break at times," Edgar replied.

"You speak as though you think Penelope will get annoyed with my son," Tobias playfully accused Edgar.

"If he’s anything like you, then he will annoy her at some point. Our wives speak," Edgar said, unfortunate to hear things he did not wish to know.

"It is all lies. Hazel adores me."

Edgar chose silence on that matter so he wouldn’t break Tobias’s little heart. Well, he wouldn’t break it today. He couldn’t make promises about tomorrow.

"Your mother is lingering in the palace," Edgar informed Tobias. "She did not look pleased."

Tobias guessed the reason for his mother’s sudden appearance in the palace. It could only be due to Tyrion’s quick marriage.

"I anticipated she would show up once news of your marriage got out. You should avoid her for now," Tobias suggested to Tyrion. They didn’t need conflict now.

"It is too late for that. She met with me before I came to you. You can expect to hear of how I was rude and failed my duties," said Tyrion.

"And the troubles persist," Tobias said, wanting to disappear.