CHAPTER 171: DANGER LURKING (1)

Penelope’s eyes fluttered open, greeted by the morning light peeking through the curtains. She patted the spot beside her where Tyrion should be, but found it empty.

Penelope rubbed her eyes. "Tyrion," she called, hoping he had not departed for the palace without telling her goodbye.

Penelope sat up, letting the drowsiness leave her body.

"I am here," she heard Tyrion’s voice.

Tyrion walked out of the bathing chamber, buttoning up his uniform. He smiled, noticing Penelope’s eyes widening a little.

"I am all yours when I return. I have not forgotten what you asked of me, so rest today to be prepared for your gift," said Tyrion.

Penelope was initially puzzled by what he meant, but it soon dawned on her what she spoke of last night.

"I must speak less sometimes," Penelope replied.

"You mustn’t. I like it when you are vocal. You have made it hard for me to train when I return since you have clawed at my back," Tyrion revealed.

"I didn’t mean to. Is it bad?" Penelope asked, getting off the bed.

Penelope went to Tyrion’s side to lift his shirt to check. It wasn’t too bad, but it was enough to spark conversation amongst his knights.

There were marks from her nails.

Penelope tiptoed to check where she bit Tyrion yesterday. "It is disappearing," she said, running her finger over the bite mark.

Tyrion snaked his hand around Penelope’s waist and pulled her forward. "Are you trying to get me to stay home? If that is your intention, I am quite close to staying."

"It is not what I am doing," Penelope replied, her gaze fixed on his uniform.

Penelope patted her cheek, trying to snap herself out of her thoughts. Why was she so weak when he wore his uniform?

Her mind was filled with thoughts of pulling him back to bed and tearing the uniform as Tyrion wanted. Unfortunately, Penelope didn’t want to keep Tyrion from going to the palace.

Penelope had to look away from Tyrion, but Tyrion wasn’t having it.

Against her will, Penelope was made to look at Tyrion.

"I am all yours tonight. Have your fun with your friends, but don’t tire yourself out. Wait for me," Tyrion said, brushing Penelope’s hair over her shoulder.

Penelope was grateful for his arm around her waist since her feet suddenly felt weak.

Penelope winced, caught off guard by Tyrion biting her neck.

"Now we match," his breath tickled her skin.

Tyrion smiled, knowing he would be in her thoughts all day, just as he wanted.

"You are cruel," Penelope muttered. "Must you leave?"

"It pains me that I must. The start of the court dissolution will be discussed with my family today, and I must meet with my mother. I am all yours tonight and tomorrow," Tyrion promised.

Penelope tiptoed to kiss Tyrion goodbye. "Then you must leave now before I find it hard to let you leave."

"I will lie in bed a little more before I get up to prepare for Julie to arrive. Please don’t fight with anyone while you are away," Penelope said as she dragged her feet back to bed.

"I cannot make such a promise," Tyrion replied.

Tyrion waited for Penelope to reach her bed, to then exit the room.

Upon leaving the room, Tyrion’s smile fell when he saw Damien.

"I am not anything like the lady, but I do think I deserve a smile in the morning," said Damien.

Tyrion tried not to think about the kind of fool he placed to watch his wife.

"You want a compliment?" Tyrion asked.

Damien nodded. "A compliment from a royal is always good."

"You’re good at being a fool. Hold my words dear to your heart," Tyrion said, walking by Damien.

"That wasn’t what I wanted, and you know it. I am starting to enjoy working for the lady since she is far better with compliments. Sometimes, they could stir up feelings in my heart," Damien said, instantly regretting his words when Tyrion stopped.

Damien knew he had made a grave mistake when Tyrion flashed the same smile he showed to people he hated.

"Stir up feelings?" Tyrion repeated, making his way back to Damien’s side.

"Not romantically. I feel like a knight gifted something by the damsel," said Damien.

Damien’s back hit the door.

"Doesn’t the knight typically end up with the damsel? At least, that is how my sister’s little fairytales went. If anything regarding my wife is stirring up feelings inside of you, then I am left with the only choice, which is to dig your heart out of your chest," said Tyrion.

Damien forgot how possessive Tyrion could be. He should be the last one to forget since he had been by Tyrion’s side many times when he pushed men away from Penelope’s side in secret.

"Perhaps it is best that I only greet you in the morning," Damien said.

"It might be best," Tyrion agreed. "My wife will be having guests today. Though she is home, always be at her side. If any more gifts are sent by Cassius, keep them from her."

"I will," Damien replied.

Tyrion continued on his way, heading down the stairs, where he ran into Matilda.

"She is resting for a little more, but have plenty of food prepared for her now since she didn’t eat last night. See to it that she eats more than half of what is prepared. I am counting on you," Tyrion said, certain Matilda could get it done.

"I will do my best, Your Grace," Matilda replied, curtsying as she bid Tyrion goodbye.

’She needs food. All the best to give her strength,’ she thought as she made her way to the kitchen.

Matilda tried to think about what food would be best for Penelope after she hadn’t eaten last night, and she was tired. She had become well acquainted with the cook to learn what would help Penelope.

Matilda was quick on her feet to get to the kitchen. Tyrion gave her an important task, and she was not going to fail. She beamed with joy since the couple was back on good terms. She wanted it to continue.

"Are you certain she bled?"

Matilda slowed down when she heard the whispers of none other than the maids. She stayed silent to hear the rest.

"I am not the one who washed the covers, but I am told she did," Matilda heard another voice.

"But they say she had been with the prince before they wed. She was not expected to bleed. Do you think they set it up to fool us?"

Matilda walked over to a room with the door slightly ajar and found two maids tidying the small library "Are you speaking about my lady?"