A day later, Penelope and Tyrion arrived at the mansion owned by the Castro family.
Penelope looked out the carriage window, taking in the sight of the unfamiliar land. Though she was close to the Castro family for all her life, she had never visited this home.
"There are others outside of town for all members of our family. It’s used for when the family takes a trip out of the palace, whether it be for fun or for our duties," Tyrion explained.
"So, this is where your family went all the times you were not in the palace. It is quite large," said Penelope.
They had only just arrived, but Penelope was happy to be away from home. All that she saw were guards.
Penelope’s brows were knitted, her eyes narrowing in on a guard they passed. "Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me. Why did that guard look to be one of the men from our home?"
"I’ve replaced the palace guards with ours, so nothing that happens here can be reported back to anyone. My parents aren’t the only ones who would have spies here," Tyrion explained.
"I see. You have thought ahead. I feel more relaxed knowing that they are on our side. We must explore soon," Penelope said, yearning to take her horse and go for a ride. "Is your shoulder well?"
"I have told you plenty of times this morning that I am well," Tyrion replied.
"I saw you groaning when you got out of bed. I will have no other choice but to go on a ride without you," Penelope decided.
"How cruel of you. I went through the trouble of asking my father for this home, and you want to run off without me already. You wound me," Tyrion said, touching his chest.
"I think you will survive if I go for a ride without you unless you want me to drag you along on my horse," Penelope seriously considered. "I almost forgot. Has the future queen been announced?"
"She has. I believe she is in the palace now, which is why my father won’t have time to stumble upon us. She is Juliette of the Valehart family. I hear she is a lovely young woman, but I shall be the judge when I meet her," said Tyrion.
"I have spoken to her in the past, and she appeared to be someone who seeks to care for others. She was kind, and from what I saw, it wasn’t an act. She will make a good queen. Do not be the overprotective brother," Penelope said, tapping Tyrion’s leg.
Penelope continued to say, "You picked your wife, so you must stand to the side and allow Teo to have his pick without judgment. There must be something he saw in her."
"I have to see with my eyes that she will make a good queen. I must speak with her family. It needs to be someone who will care for the kingdom as much as my brother does. What?" Tyrion asked, puzzled by Penelope’s smile.
"Older brothers worry too much. Teo will be well. I’m certain that Teo and Juliette will make good rulers. Their children and those to follow will live up to the Castro name. You must relax," Penelope said.
Tyrion couldn’t relax until he saw the woman his brother picked.
"I am surprised he didn’t push for Rue to be at his side. We both know that he has feelings for her, but there appears to be something growing between Elijah and Rue," said Tyrion.
"I am glad that Teo has moved on, so there wouldn’t be any trouble between him and my brother. It was wise of Teo not to push for Rue to be in the palace. She would make a good queen, but she wouldn’t like the rules," Penelope said, knowing Rue liked to be a free spirit.
"There is still time for them to clash. If you were in my brother’s position, wouldn’t it upset you to see that Rue chose to become the wife of a future duke?" Tyrion asked, certain a show would soon be upon them.
Penelope wished she could say that Teo wouldn’t be upset. "Again, you must speak with your brother when the time comes."
"I will do no such thing. Why should I trouble myself to get involved in his love affairs?" Tyrion asked, not interested in Teo’s secret love.
Penelope couldn’t believe Tyrion. "You were not long speaking of meeting with his future wife. Surely, you have not forgotten already."
"I have not. I want to meet with her to see if she is good for the kingdom. I don’t care to get involved with any more than that. Teo, Elijah, and Rue will sort it out amongst themselves. Stay out of it," Tyrion advised Penelope.
The only marriage or love affairs Tyrion could bother himself with were his.
"It would be wise for you to stay out of it as well. We have a brother on each side, so it is bound to become a mess. They will know what to do," said Tyrion.
"I only trust Rue to be the wise one. I hope they both do not bother her to the point she goes back to the border. Why must they like the same lady?" Penelope wondered, hoping it would go well.
Luckily, should Rue not like Elijah or Teo, she could get rid of them by herself.
The carriage soon stopped before the front doors, and the butler was present, ready to greet them.
Damien opened the carriage door and offered his hand to Penelope.
"Thank you. Was it lovely riding up front with Matilda?" Penelope asked, watching as another guard helped Matilda off the carriage. The rıghtful source is novel•fire.net
"Your maid has scared the coachman because she believes he wasn’t careful," said Damien.
Penelope chuckled, finding this to be just like Matilda. "It would do well to place her in instructing the new guards. Nothing gets by Matilda. I wish for you too to get along well so you work together to notice what I do not."
"Let me help you," Penelope said, going to Tyrion’s side. "We must get you right to bed. The doctor is not far in the other carriage. I should have him look at you. Damien, please help him stand."
Damien stared at Tyrion. The prince did not need anyone’s help since he had been in scarier predicaments and walked off just fine.
Damien waited for Penelope to leave Tyrion’s side, then asked, "Has your plan failed? You wanted to bask in her taking care of you, and now she treats you as though you are glass."
Tyrion glared at Damien. "You speak too much. Be silent before I silence you."
"Forgive me. I won’t speak the truth anymore," Damien promised.