Chapter 316: Visit (3)
Penelope was relieved to return home and get out of the carriage so she could escape Tyrion’s questions about when she looked at him in secret.
"Welcome home, Milady," Winston greeted Penelope as he ran by her. "Welcome home, Your Highness. Is there a fire to be put out?"
Tyrion exited the carriage with the biggest smile Winston had ever seen.
"No. My wife is just lovely," Tyrion replied, looking forward to the chase. "Is her gift near?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Her maid has been taking care of it," Winston replied.
Tyrion followed Penelope inside so he wouldn’t miss her reaction to the gift.
On the way to see the gift, Tyrion enjoyed the chase. No matter where Penelope ran to, he would always catch up to her.
While Tyrion took long strides to close the distance between himself and Penelope, Penelope ran up the stairs.
Penelope looked over her shoulder constantly to see how close Tyrion was to her. She was not going to answer him.
Penelope made plans to lock herself in a room, but the sound of a dog barking caught her attention.
"Matilda!" Penelope gasped, distracted by the sight of Matilda walking with a small dog. "Did you get a dog in my absence?
"No, Milady. I was told to watch the dog until your return. I think he wishes to go for a walk," Matilda said, offering the leash to Penelope.
"My return? Then," Penelope said, looking back at where Tyrion stood. "Is he mine? Is this the gift you spoke of?"
"It is," Tyrion answered, staying back to let Penelope enjoy herself and the dog. "Now you don’t need to ask when you can have another pet. He is only a pup, so I am uncertain if you are ready for the responsibility. That and you have many others."
"They will get along as long as we do our part. I have had dogs around cats for a long time. He is as white as snow," Penelope said, picking up the pup, which jumped on her feet. "Have you named him?"
"No, I have left it to you," Tyrion answered.
"His name will be Snow," Penelope decided. "Now, I cannot wait for winter to see him run around outside. Thank you."
Penelope was genuinely shocked by the gift. She thought Tyrion would be like her father and not want more pets in their home.
"I should go for a walk. Join me, Matilda. I want to know what happened during my time away," Penelope said, her attention captivated by the dog.
Tyrion leaned on the wall with his arms folded. "It appears I have made a grave mistake. Have I been replaced by the dog in your arms?"
"No, but he shall have my time for the moment. You can join us for a walk and get him familiar with you as well," Penelope said, carefully holding the pup out to Tyrion’s face. "He is your pet as well."
"No, he isn’t. You will not trick me into giving him a walk when you are too tired to do it. He belongs to only you," Tyrion said, having no interest in the tiny creature.
"Then, you mustn’t be sad when all of our pets side with me in the future. Are you certain you don’t wish to walk with us?" Penelope asked, setting the pup on the floor.
Penelope took off the collar which decorated the dog’s neck.
"No, there is someone I must speak with, and you must practise running so you stand a chance of getting away from me. Enjoy your time with your new friend. Matilda, see to it that my wife doesn’t wander off our land as she chases the dog," Tyrion ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness," Matilda replied.
"His name is Snow. You cannot just address him as the dog, or he shall warm our bed whilst you find somewhere else to rest tonight," Penelope said, her warning not to be taken lightly.
Tyrion looked at the small dog, which circled Penelope like it just knew it could do as it wanted with her. He was like the other dogs who ran around outside to their heart’s desire. All Penelope’s pets found either a servant or guard to stick beside for extra treats.
Unfortunately, it was too late to take Snow back.
"I will train him myself to behave. Thank you for the gift," Penelope said, carefully walking over to Tyrion.
Penelope took slow steps, trying to avoid stepping on Snow. She kissed Tyrion’s cheek since he had done well to make her happy again.
"I will be near the garden, and when you are done with your talk, you should join me, so I know where the shooting range will be. Come along, Matilda," Penelope said, leaving Tyrion’s side since she now had a busy day ahead of her.
Tyrion was left with his regret of getting Penelope another pet. For now, it was best he did not make mention of the other dog left in the litter.
Tyrion followed behind Penelope at a distance where he wouldn’t interrupt Penelope’s time with Snow and Matilda.
Tyrion lost sight of them once he changed course for the dungeon.
With Mark approaching and asking about Warren, Tyrion felt inclined to visit Warren.
The dungeon doors were opened for Tyrion.
A guard banged on the metal rods to wake Warren.
"Does he sleep all day?" Tyrion asked, sitting down where he could look inside Warren’s cell.
"He is awake during my shift and mutters threats for us to release him. He lies on the floor because he cannot find his way around when he stands."
"You bastard," Warren spoke, his insult directed at Tyrion.
"Well, that’s not a very nice greeting, especially when the prince graces you with his presence. I came here bearing news about your mother, and this is how you treat me? I should leave," Tyrion considered, but he wanted to see Warren suffer a little.
"You, you blinded me," Warren said..
Warren still couldn’t believe Tyrion was so cruel to do this to him.
Though he was treated by someone, Warren’s face still ached, and he could not see. It hurt each time he tried to open his eyes, and without sight, Warren knew his skin had burned away.
Tyrion made him into a hideous monster.
"Don’t speak of my mother when you have done this to me," said Warren.
"I did this to you? Now, your eyes, I will say I have some part in it, but you wouldn’t stop acting up then. You placed yourself here by troubling my wife and her family. Now, your mother worries," said Tyrion.
Tyrion continued to say, "There are rumours your father was seen in a brothel-"
"No!" Warren yelled before Tyrion finished speaking. He thought only of Victor.