"So, you hate me, too. I don’t mind because of the position you are in. I have invited Penelope to my home to have dinner. Putting everything to the side, Penelope loves me. You should join her," Edmund suggested.
"She does love you. You haven’t seen our home yet. Why don’t you come to us for dinner?" Tyrion offered, noticing Edmund’s displeasure. "Is there any reason why you might not ?"
"No," Edmund responded with a smile. "I’ve been testing my hand at cooking since I have nothing to do with my time, so I thought I would cook for you both."
"We have a kitchen and servants who can offer you a hand. Is it that you wanted to surprise us with your wife?" Tyrion asked, seeing through Edmund’s lies.
"Not at all, Prince Tyrion. I wouldn’t dare place my granddaughter in an awful position," Edmund replied.
"Hmm. You’re an awful liar. I won’t get involved in whatever tension you have with the duke, but don’t you dare think of using my wife to get closer to her father. Then, you and I will have a problem," Tyrion warned Edmund.
Edmund gave it away too easily that he wanted to set up for Penelope to meet his wife.
Edmund laughed despite knowing that Tyrion was serious.
"Since we are now family, I hope we can get along, Prince Tyrion. I have loved Penelope long before you did. I will not put her in harm’s way," Edmund promised, but his plans had to change.
Edmund looked around for Penelope. "Is she here?"
"Do your work here and leave," Tyrion said as he walked around Edmund. "I urge you to only approach Penelope if you are genuine about spending time with her. Do not have any other motives which would make her feel you have betrayed her."
"The prince has a surprising personality," Edmund said, watching as Tyrion walked away.
"He is right, you know. Don’t try to force that woman upon them. Edgar already let you get away once, but he won’t do it a second time. Cassidy’s meeting with Priscilla already angered Edgar and then she was near Alessandra. What do you think he will do if she gets near Penelope?" Tobias asked, certain Edmund could piece it together.
Tobias started to question if there was something in the water for their parents to be walking around without thinking.
"I know he will kill me. Edgar has said it to my face," Edmund said, keeping his gaze on Tyrion. "I believe every threat that Edgar has ever told me. That boy never says something he doesn’t feel, but you see, life is far too short for me to not be near my grandchildren."
"Grandchildren?" Tobias asked, his right brow raised. "You don’t want to be near Edgar? He was able to make amends with his mother."
"It is different. Priscilla pestered him, but there was no denying that Edgar loved his mother. He has always hated me for what I did. No matter what I do, he will not forgive me. Too many years have gone by," Edmund confessed.
"I would hate my father too if he not only welcomed a woman into the home he shared with my mother, but that woman tried to act as my mother. I would like to finish this talk, but I must help my son find a shirt," Tobias said, remembering what he was meant to do.
"Good luck with the dinner," said Tobias.
Tobias couldn’t think of Edgar’s troubles with Edmund since he had his problems with his mother.
Tobias caught up to where Tyrion walked and said, "I have a shirt nearby."
"I will need to wash up for dinner. I should go to my chamber. Penelope must still be with my mother," Tyrion said, hoping she was there.
"Then whilst you go to your old chambers, I will speak to your mother and Penelope to let them know that you are well. While your time here thus far has been nothing but unpleasant, I hope you won’t allow this to spoil the day," Tobias said, hopeful.
If not for the man who attacked Tyrion being dead already, Tobias would have personally killed him for choosing the worst day to launch an attack.
"Thank you. I admire your strength, father. You have put up with this for quite a long time."
"Put up with what?" Tobias asked, confused about what Tyrion spoke about.
Tyrion walked away without offering his father an explanation. In time, Tobias would realise what Tyrion spoke of.
Tyrion hurried off to his chambers in hopes of not crossing paths with Penelope until he was cleaned up.
Luck wasn’t on Tyrion’s side since he found four guards standing outside his door. It meant that someone worth protecting was inside the room.
The guards made way for Tyrion to enter, and as he expected, Penelope laid on the bed. She was fast asleep since she didn’t notice his arrival.
Tyrion slowly closed the door, trying his best not to make any noise.
"I know that you are there. I grew up with three siblings, Tyrion. I have the unfortunate skill of waking up when a door opens. How else would I know when you leave our bed at night?" Penelope asked, rolling onto her back so she could see him. "Why are you without a shirt?"
Penelope immediately sat up.
Should any of the other ladies be in the palace, then they might have been so lucky as to see Tyrion walking around as he was now.
It was innocent, but the other ladies were skilled at twisting what they witnessed.
"It would be worse if I were to walk around with my bloody shirt. I have come to take a bath here, and then I would have found you. Why are you here?" Tyrion asked, looking at the tray on the table. "Did someone hurt you?"
"No, I was not feeling well and took some medicine your mother offered me. It has worked well, but I needed a moment to rest. Is Damien well?" Penelope asked, her hands gripping the blanket as she awaited an answer.
The uneasiness she felt earlier had not settled.
"He is well. Shouldn’t your concern first be about me?" Tyrion asked, opening the door once more. "Have maids prepare warm water for my bath," he informed the guards outside.
Tyrion closed the door after the order was given.
"You didn’t say the blood was your own, and Damien was the one who chased after the attacker. Is he well?" Penelope asked, ready to get off the bed to see for herself.
"He is well. I am happy to tell you what happened, but after I have washed up. The maids will soon be here to prepare my bath and to help me," Tyrion informed Penelope. He proceeded to undress to be ready for the maid’s arrival.
"Help you?" Penelope repeated.