The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 124: A ball without drama (2)

Amelia stopped walking when she reached Tyrion and Penelope. She thought she would be angry to see them together, but she enjoyed seeing what had become of Penelope.

Amelia curtsied alongside her mother, Jade. "Prince Tyrion," she greeted the one who mattered.

Amelia didn’t care for Penelope and certainly didn’t care for the strange woman standing beside Penelope.

"My wife stands beside me. She is now royalty, so be careful with your greetings," Tyrion said, annoyed by the sight of Amelia.

Tyrion would have to disown his brother if he switched his decision and showed some interest in Amelia.

"Lady Castro," Jade acknowledged Penelope, making up for Amelia’s mistake. "Your beauty captivates the crowd. I wish you a lifetime of happiness with the prince."

"Thank you," Penelope replied.

"I intended to send a gift, but I did not know where you stayed. The other ladies and I are looking forward to when we can sit and talk," said Amelia.

Amelia couldn’t believe Penelope was showing her face so soon. Would Penelope be so bold as to sit with the women who envied her and felt Penelope had stolen their future husbands?

"I’m afraid they will have to wait a little longer. After all, we’ve never sat and talked before, so I won’t start now," Penelope said, uninterested in Amelia’s act.

How was it possible for Amelia to have the other ladies convinced that she was kind? That she cared for others?

Amelia had always been the root of all gossip concerning women she was jealous of.

Amelia smiled, her cheeks hurting from how fake it was. "Well, I thought you would love to be celebrated, but there is nothing I can do if you don’t want to meet with your peers. I was hoping to change what is said about you around the town. It is outrageous."

"I agree," Tyrion spoke up. "Did you know there is an unwritten rule to be careful when speaking of the Castros?"

Amelia looked at her mother, seeking help. "I have never heard of it, but it is wise not to speak of your family so casually."

"So, you do have sense," Tyrion said, thinking there was some hope for Amelia. "Therefore, you would understand that anyone who spreads lies about my wife to damage her reputation will be met with some punishment. As her husband, I will be the one to determine the culprit’s fate."

"I do not understand," Amelia replied, inching behind her mother.

"It has slipped from you already. How disappointing," said Tyrion.

Penelope looked to the floor to hide her smile, whilst Rue did not understand the sudden tension she felt.

"Penelope is no longer a Collins. She has become Penelope Castro. Therefore, everyone should be careful when they speak of her. Don’t spread lies, or I will come for you," said Tyrion.

Amelia feared Tyrion knew she had been speaking to the other ladies. She had always been careful, so how did he find out?

Had Seline betrayed them and told Elijah what was said?

Tyrion smiled. "Why do you look as though you are about to faint? If you didn’t speak of her, then you don’t have any reason to be afraid. Right?"

"Right. My daughter knows better than to carelessly speak about your family, Prince Tyrion. She has always respected you, and now, she respects your wife. She has been worried for Lady Penelope’s sake," said Jade.

"Have her worry for herself. Excuse us," Tyrion said, locking arms with Penelope to walk inside.

Tyrion already had a good grasp of how the night would be. A few heads might roll if the guests were not careful.

Amelia sighed in relief when Tyrion walked away. "Did you feel that, mother? I thought I was going to die."

"No wonder you failed to capture his attention. You spoke to him like a fool. I wasted good money by trying to provide you with knowledge to speak to men, but alas, you’re still a woman," Ronan said, regretting what he spent.

Ronan was only giving Amelia a chance because of his wife. "Jade, do something to assure me that she will marry a good man. I cannot wait any longer."

Jade smiled. "I will not fail you, darling. We mustn’t stand here," she said, clinging to her husband’s arm. "The main guests cannot remain outside."

Ronan fixed his shirt. "Come," he said, taking Jade and Amelia inside.

Ronan could not wait to hear the compliments over his time in the palace and the beautiful wife on his arm. He looked forward even more to the offers he would get for Amelia’s hand. Balls were the best opportunity for him to show off his daughter and gain the interest of wealthy gentlemen.

Amelia followed her parents inside with a frown settling on her face. She was not pleased that they had not taken what Tyrion said seriously.

Amelia didn’t think she said anything wrong today or on the other days she spoke with her peers. She had only spoken the truth. It was not her fault if Penelope gave them something to speak on.

’It is not all lies,’ Amelia thought. ’Where is he?’ S he wondered, looking around for Warren.

She had to plead with her father to get Warren an invitation, only for him not to attend the ball. Warren should be grateful that he had the chance to attend such a ball because of her.

’Must the help always be like this?’ Amelia thought, annoyed by his tardiness.

Amelia was unfortunate to walk behind Penelope and Tyrion as she entered the ball. Her attention on Penelope faded as she inspected the young woman who was now dressed up to fit in.

Was the unsightly guest out of the palace, or now that Tyrion was married, was she lingering around Teo in hopes of marrying him?

Amelia didn’t care that Rue was an important guest at the palace. She wouldn’t lose to an uncivilised woman. It didn’t matter how the palace tried to describe the people living at the border; they would always be people who didn’t know how to act properly.

This strange woman was receiving looks from men because they didn’t know who she was or where she came from.

Amelia didn’t like that someone else had all the attention when she was the one her peers envied and tried to mimic so they would succeed.

’They must know who she is,’ Amelia thought, plotting to spread around who the strange woman was.

Then, the men present wouldn’t look at the stranger with such wonder.

Amelia looked around for the crown prince. She needed to be the first one to dance with him and to have a moment to speak with him.

Penelope could keep Tyrion. The real treasure was now Teo.