The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 119: Important talk (2)

Penelope rested in bed for more than an hour before deciding it was time to start her day.

Tyrion was kind enough to send for Matilda and other maids to draw a warm bath for Penelope. Before leaving, Tyrion ripped the covers from the bed to discard them himself so the blood present wouldn’t give away that they had only now consummated their marriage.

The warm water helped to relieve Penelope of the soreness she felt. She enjoyed it so much that she almost drifted to sleep.

After getting dressed for the day, Penelope led the way to look around the mansion with Matilda right behind her and Damien soon following.

"Lady Castro, I have something to bring to your attention concerning the maids," said Damien.

"Speak," Penelope replied.

"A maid was sneaking around, lingering close to where you walked. I have captured her and placed her away to be dealt with in due time by Prince Tyrion. A check of the maids present needs to be done," Damien advised Penelope.

"I will speak to the butler and gather all the servants. I cannot have spies running around among us. You did well to notice it," Penelope complimented Damien. "Why are you surprised? Does my husband not compliment you?" freeweɓnøvel.com

"He did compliment me very often," Damien replied.

"Then," Penelope looked over her shoulder. "Were you surprised that I complimented you? You’ve been by Tyrion’s side so long, but we never got the chance to talk. What do you think of me?"

Penelope was curious about what Damien saw before he got close to her. Did he think that she was spoiled because of her father’s title?

"You are just as I imagined you. We did not get the chance to speak, but I did watch your interactions with the prince. I was simply pleased to hear you compliment me since I thought it would take some time for you to warm up to my presence," said Damien.

"Not at all. I have been enjoying your company just as I have been enjoying Matilda’s company. I will compliment you when you’ve done well and perhaps reward you at times if you do not dislike it," Penelope said.

Penelope didn’t see any reason not to have a relationship with the ones who served her closely. Her peers sometimes made the mistake of treating their servants poorly, and then were surprised that there wasn’t loyalty shown in the end.

Penelope was raised to be kind to the servants in her home, and many of them turned out to be her friends, as well as a few she considered to be family.

"If you see anyone else searching for gossip to share, keep them here and take me to them. I must know who they intended to run back to. You should also pay attention to the maids," Penelope told Matilda. "You must both work together."

Damien glanced at Matilda. She didn’t show any reaction to Penelope’s order. He wouldn’t be surprised if she went to personally warn the maids not to fish for gossip.

"Penelope."

Penelope smiled, holding the sides of her dress when she spotted her mother and younger sister Isabelle. "Mother!" She called, running to her mother.

"I am also here," Isabelle spoke up.

"Yes, but mother is more important. I am joking," Penelope said, hugging her mother and sister.

"Why did you run so oddly? Are you injured?" Isabelle asked, stepping back to find the cause.

"No, I am not. What brings you here? I was thinking of visiting the estate," Penelope said, shifting the conversation to a better topic.

Alessandra caressed Penelope’s face. "I missed you dearly, and Isabelle wanted to see you. Lilly had a slight fever, so I made her stay in bed before it got any worse. Once she has rested, she will visit you."

"I am glad that she didn’t show since she would only pry about my marriage, but I hope she feels well soon. We tend to feel ill around this time," said Penelope.

It was a scary time since there were many whose sickness grew worse, and they never recovered from it. Having the best doctor wasn’t enough to save you.

"I would like to have a word with you in private," Alessandra requested.

After her talk with Tabitha, Alessandra needed to speak with Penelope to prepare her for any of Tabitha’s meddling and to check that Penelope was enjoying the early days of her marriage.

"We can go for a walk. Isabelle, Tyrion is outside, so you can join him. Since he is away from his sister, he would enjoy your company. Please escort her to my husband," Penelope ordered Matilda and Damien.

Alessandra smiled after hearing Penelope refer to Tyrion as her husband. She said it so naturally.

Alessandra waited for Isabelle to leave with the others to say, "You have changed a little. It is a good change. How did you go from the daughter I worried about sneaking out to the one who has grown so much overnight?"

"I had to grow. I am married now, so I cannot do the things I did before. Tyrion remains a prince, so I don’t want to create trouble for him. I know I have to be better," Penelope said. "I want to be like you."

Alessandra didn’t want Penelope to become like her.

"I made many mistakes during the first year of my marriage. It took your father pointing them out or me looking back to realise those mistakes and learn from them. I truly think we must fail to learn sometimes. I don’t want you to be like me," said Alessandra.

Alessandra didn’t want any of her daughters to think they had to measure up to who she was. She didn’t understand why she was said to be perfect when she had made many mistakes.

"The mother and wife that I am now is the result of learning from my mistakes. No one should expect you not to make at least one mistake. No one is perfect. Always remember that you are Penelope, and I think Penelope is wonderful," Alessandra said, hoping her daughter thought it too.

"It would be wise for you to think of how your father or I would react to some issues, but I do expect you to become like us. Don’t ever let anyone push you to become like me. You must be your person," Alessandra advised Penelope.

Too many children failed and lost themselves by trying to measure up to their parents. Alessandra had not allowed her children to be themselves for many years, only to turn them into mimics of her and Edgar.

"Thank you, mother," Penelope said, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. "I needed to hear this."