"It sounds like I should be wary because you will do something bad, Prince Tyrion. I hate to think that a royal would take part in what drives fear into the people of this town. You should be a protector," Henry advised Tyrion.
"When did I say that I would do something bad? You must stop jumping to terrible conclusions, Hector," said Tyrion.
"It is Henry," Henry corrected Tyrion. "I have been in your presence more than once."
"Yet, I failed to keep track of your name. You must not have done or said something to make yourself memorable. It is time that we look over who calls themselves captains of the town guards," Tyrion said, finding Henry to not be suited.
"I am most suited for this position," Henry said, defending his work.
"The victims were dressed up like the duchess. How can you hold such anger for the duke and help solve this case? Were you one of the guards who thought it was right not to inform the duke of this fact?" Tyrion asked, recalling the incident.
"It is a matter not to be spoken-"
"I am your prince," Tyrion spoke over Henry. "As long as you stand in this kingdom as a guard, there is nothing you can keep from me. Did you decide it was best not to inform the duke?"
"The duke’s ways of catching the men we are after do not align with the guards. By now, you must have heard the tales that he has killed those who trouble him. He is the father of your wife, but you mustn’t overlook what he has done," said Henry.
"We have much to be thankful to the duke for," Tyrion said, amused when Henry laughed. "You do not think so?"
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I do not feel the same way," Henry replied.
"You do not think we should be grateful he aided the king, my father, against Grant? He is a loyal companion who protects the royal family. He saved many women from being killed by acting faster than the town guards to realise Simon was the killer. Are you not grateful?" Tyrion asked, closing the distance between him and Henry.
Tyrion could go on with more cases Edgar helped with.
Henry licked his lips. "These moments are from the past."
"Yet, they would have all gravely affected the kingdom right now. The duke’s name is placed in history books in the palace. Let us say it is true that he has killed someone, is it not men who the town is better off without?" Tyrion asked.
"There is a way for things to be done. An order. That is why the court, royals, and town guards exist," Henry ordered.
"The old order isn’t useful in the new days. Holding onto the old order from men who are long dead is why you are useless in finding out the person behind the murders. That, and you are too concerned about men like the duke. Prepare yourself," Tyrion advised Henry.
By the end of the day, Henry wouldn’t be the captain.
Henry held back, keeping in all the emotions he faced in the moment.
Tyrion was only on Edgar’s side because he was married to Penelope.
"The title of prince doesn’t mean you are too free to do as you please, and there are no consequences. Your name won’t always be able to save, and I fear this will get out," Henry said, referring to the headless body.
"It will," Tyrion agreed, stopping to look at the body. "Well, since it will get out and many will be angry, I don’t have any reason to be kind. Damien, take the rest of it."
Henry’s eyes widened. "Your highness."
"You wouldn’t be grateful when I was being kind, so I will follow the law and ensure his body won’t be given a proper burial. If any town guards try to interfere with a matter of the palace, kill them," Tyrion ordered the palace guards.
"Your highness!" Henry pleaded. "You mustn’t do this."
"No one dies if they listen. I am following the orders of the kings long before us that no one is to interfere with matters concerning a royal unless you are a royal yourself. Unfortunately for you, I am the only man here with the Castro name," Tyrion said, taking pity on Henry.
Tyrion mounted his horse. His talk with Henry would end here, or he would end up killing Henry.
Henry was helpless. He could only watch as the body was gathered, leaving him with only the carriage to inspect.
Damien approached Henry and said, "You should never forget this moment. Never forget that your need to speak rid this man about a proper burial."
Damien believed that Tyrion was going to send back the head so that a proper burial could be done. He would have done it despite the court and king being likely to have the body tossed somewhere.
Henry stood still, his guards waiting for an order to inspect the carriage.
Henry’s nails dug into the palm of his hand. He couldn’t speak anymore, or he would ruin something else for himself.
Felix looked around at the other guards. There was nothing to do other than to search the carriage. They couldn’t go against the prince’s orders, and surely, Henry didn’t think he could.
’I was right,’ Felix thought.
It was a terrible idea for Henry to keep what they knew from the duke.
Felix waited patiently as Tyrion departed and the palace guards took the body.
"Check the carriage," Henry’s order finally came. "We will need to make a report of this. I don’t believe that man killed himself. Did you get a good look at his face, Felix?"
"No, I did not, sir," Felix replied.
Henry turned around, angry that he had nothing to go on. "Why didn’t you?"
Felix frowned. He was standing behind Henry, so he couldn’t see well, and when the head was cut off, it was handed to a guard right away.
"I will do better next time. Should I send for someone to take down the carriage and send it to the palace? It is likely the prince will need it in the future," said Felix.
"No. The prince didn’t speak of needing the carriage. If he needs it in the future, he will come to us. Have it taken where we can guard it until we find out who that man was. We will need to keep an eye on the prince," Henry said, watching Tyrion ride off. "He might abuse his power."
Henry didn’t like it more than ever now that Tyrion was married to Edgar’s daughter. This gave Edgar more reason to do as he pleased, and now the prince was acting like he was untouchable.
"Even the prince can be punished," said Henry.
Felix disagreed with Henry. He was certain the king wouldn’t let any harm or punishment fall upon his son.
’He needs to be careful,’ Felix thought, thinking of Henry.