Chapter 304: Helping hand (4)
Penelope entered the chamber just as the maids started to pour the warm water.
Tyrion stood off to the side with his pants still on and wore the smile from earlier as if he anticipated her return.
"You may leave as soon as you are finished pouring my husband’s water," Penelope instructed the maids.
Perhaps another day, they would be so lucky to get a glimpse of Tyrion’s naked body.
Penelope stared right back at Tyrion, a frown decorating her face. She was puzzled as to why he didn’t use the help of maids in their home, but he welcomed it here.
Did Tyrion not trust the maids in their home?
The maids did as they were told and kept their heads bowed as they hurried out of the room.
Penelope waited with her arms folded for Tyrion to explain himself.
"You are far sweeter than you realise," Tyrion said, preparing to be entertained. "I am quite accustomed to the maids helping me with my bath, but there was an incident two years back which part of the reason I stopped it. It doesn’t have anything to do with you."
Tyrion got tired of a few of the maids doing more than trying to wash him.
"A lady of your upbringing isn’t the only one who can find themselves as my mistress. Even a palace maid might be so fortunate as to become an official mistress should I take her to bed. I have been courted by many," said Tyrion, the list too long for him to name every lady.
"And you never once took the bait?" Penelope asked.
"I will admit there were times when I almost gave in. Some were brilliant to dress themselves as you and come to me, but I snapped out of it in time. You were a hard one to chase. I didn’t have time to indulge myself in others," Tyrion promised.
The temptation was there, but holding off brought Tyrion a good reward. In the end, Tyrion married Penelope, and she was his first.
Tyrion touched his bare chest with his right hand. "I have been tortured by many ladies seeking a seat beside the future king. Have you no pity for me?"
Penelope got rid of her anger and approached Tyrion. She pitied him.
"Do you fear that the maids we have in our home would try to seduce you?" Penelope asked, her fingers touching the button of his pants. "You may use them, and should anyone be so daring as to try seducing you, I will get rid of them."
"I don’t need anyone to aid me in cleaning my body. All it takes is washing my body with water. It would only be special should it were your hands helping me. Do you feel sorry for me?" Tyrion asked, taking hold of Penelope’s hand.
"I already said that I pitied you. How hard it must have been for you to seduce many ladies while in love with you. It must have taken quite a lot of your strength to resist it. I will help you just this once," Penelope offered.
Penelope thought of how men would think Tyrion silly for being angry with women trying to get to his bed. It was the dream for many other men.
The shock was evident in Tyrion’s eyes. He didn’t think he could convince her now, and Penelope shared the same feeling.
"How cruel of you to decide now when you cannot join me in the water," Tyrion said, disappointed, but he would take this chance.
"We mustn’t be late to meet with your mother. I have already told you that Julie is here, along with her mother. I have never been late meeting with the queen, and I will not start now," Penelope said, her patience running thin.
Before he could be scolded, Tyrion unbuttoned his pants, though he wished Penelope would do it since her hands were already there.
"Were you angry that the maids would see what you think is only for your eyes?" Tyrion asked, his gaze on Penelope.
Penelope looked everywhere, but down at his pants, which hit the floor.
"I know how ladies are. They have come here to work, but they will speak of what they see here. I don’t want to overhear how fortunate I am."
"Fortunate?" Tyrion feigned innocence. "How would you be fortunate?"
Penelope didn’t feel the need to explain herself since the reason why she would be considered fortunate stood between them.
"I am quite close to walking out of here and leaving you alone to fend for yourself. Sit so that I can start to wash you," Penelope said, pointing to the water turning cold.
"Would you pity me again if I told you of the story when a maid tasked to wash me pointed a dagger at my throat? It was a brilliant effort to kill me and have Teo take the throne. It was also years before."
Penelope stared at Tyrion. His warm hand touched her cheek, but she only paid attention to what he said.
"The failed attempts to seduce me were amusing, but what led to the decision of the maids not to wash or dress me was the attack on my life. We do not let every story about someone trying to kill me or Teo get out of the palace," Tyrion said, recalling that it would cause too much panicking.
"The man who attacked us today had deserter written on his body. It was no doubt aimed at me. They are unaware of the battles we face in the palace. I am-"
Tyrion ceased talking when Penelope hugged him.
"You have suffered quite a lot. Why is it that a prince cannot be protected in the palace? No matter what they say, you are most lovely to me," Penelope said, looking up at Tyrion.
Penelope couldn’t place how their talk got to this point, but she knew it had to be bothering Tyrion that he was called a deserter.
Too many people thought life in the palace was wonderful, but they didn’t know the battles Tyrion faced. What Teo would face, as well as Hailey.
"Whoever tries to hurt you, point them to me," Penelope said, willing to be his guard.
Tyrion’s hands settled on Penelope’s waist to pull her closer.
"You’ll protect me?" Tyrion asked, amused.
"If it is a lady trying to harm you, then I can help. They are wrong to attack us because you have left the palace. If only they knew what you faced," Penelope said, wishing the town would understand.
Penelope wished to see who spoke of Tyrion being a deserter.
"It doesn’t matter if they knew. All they will think of is that I turned my back on the kingdom. Now you know you don’t need to worry about the maids washing me. Not here or at our home," Tyrion said, brushing Penelope’s hair out of her face.
"You should feel comfortable in our home. I’ll make it more comfortable for you, but first, you should get in the water before it gets too cold. Let me bathe you," Penelope said, wanting to treat him well now.