Chapter 345: Dancing with death (3)
Penelope later returned to the room with a palace doctor. She sat on the side waiting for news of Tyrion’s condition and how long he would need to be in bed.
"The wound appears to be tended to well. It was stitched with great precision, and so far, there doesn’t appear to be an infection. As long as we keep treating the wound and the prince is careful with what he lifts, he should heal well."
Penelope sighed in relief.
"Is this not what I said?" Tyrion asked, feeling triumphant.
There wasn’t a need to send for the palace doctor. All it resulted in was his parents being informed of his state.
"But I find comfort in hearing it from a doctor. Thank you for offering to come to our home, Doctor Hester. Your room has already been prepared, and I have selected a maid to tend to you during your time here," said Penelope.
Hester packed away his tools and said, "How kind of you, Princess. It fills me with joy to be the one to bring the prince back to good health."
"I was hoping for my wife to be the one to do it," Tyrion muttered.
Hester laughed at what Tyrion said. "You are the first man I have met to be happy about being shot. You are very lucky, Your Highness."
"When you have a lovely wife and she offers to care for you, then you find joy in being shot. But I won’t get shot again," Tyrion quickly spoke when Penelope glared at him. "She can be lovely, but I fear for my life."
"I understand it since my wife is the same way," said Hester.
"I am glad you can find some light in it. Doctor, are you certain it is too soon to consider my option to tie him to the bed? My husband doesn’t know what it means to sit still," Penelope said, wishing rope were in her hands.
Hester pushed up his spectacles. "I wouldn’t want to take the risk of the rope being too tight and adding pressure to the wound. I do have a little remedy to put someone to sleep."
"Is it the same remedy that others have not woken up from?" Tyrion inquired.
Hester gulped, suddenly feeling small beside the little lady. He didn’t know Penelope could show such a fierce look.
"I wish for my husband to only rest for a few hours, not eternally. If you give my husband something to rest and he does not wake, then you will take your last breath in this residence."
Hester looked at Tyrion, curious if the prince also felt the heat.
"Lovely, isn’t she?" Tyrion asked.
Hester looked away from Tyrion since he wasn’t of much use. The room started to feel smaller with Penelope’s burning gaze on him.
While Hester sweated, Tyrion beamed like a fool in love.
"Time is ticking, doctor. Do you have something to give my husband so he will rest and wake up? Now is not the time to frustrate me. I am already burdened by one careless fool," Penelope said, her gaze on Tyrion.
Tyrion was not yet off the hook.
Hester pulled on the collar of his shirt.
"He will wake. The others who passed took the medicine in its early stages. I believe that I have perfected it," Hester said, but he wasn’t confident under Penelope’s scrutiny.
"Wonderful. I have all the more reason to ensure that you do not leave our home. I hope you find your time here to be lovely, and you will be paid handsomely when you are finished. You may retire to your room," Penelope said, finished with Hester.
Hester was more than happy to gather the last of his things and get out of the room.
"You’ve scared him. You should know that it is hard to scare palace doctors. With all the experiments that they do, it is hard to show them something which terrifies them, yet he ran off," Tyrion said, thoroughly enjoying the show.
"You mustn’t smile since my worrying hasn’t worn off, and I am angry that you got shot. You are to stay in bed until the doctor says you are well enough to roam around. Then you should start light training so you can stay fit," said Penelope.
"Would you not love me anymore if I lose my muscles?"
"No. You always ask me for honesty," Penelope said, being the honest woman that she was. "Part of the reason I fell for you was your beauty. I will not lie, but do not think I would go running for the hills right away."
"It is my shoulder that is injured, not my legs. If you were bold enough to try running away, then I would chase you. What is it that plagues your mind?" Tyrion asked, knowing something hid behind her playfulness.
"In the morning, I want to speak with Warren. I have never had a proper conversation with him. I there is a high chance that my conversation with him might not be pleasant, but I wish to speak with him," Penelope said, hoping Tyrion wouldn’t object.
"I have told Damien to make Warren look presentable. I know you might not like it, but I want to see him just once. Will you try to stop me?" Penelope asked, anxious about his answer.
"I couldn’t stop you if I wanted to," Tyrion replied.
"No, you couldn’t. The men my father sent to protect us outnumber your guards plenty, but I respect your opinion. I just need to see how he is now and find some comfort that he is being punished. Is it wrong to find some joy in it?" Penelope questioned, not feeling guilty.
What Warren wished to have done to her was awful.
Penelope could understand such evil wishes from someone whom she had previously done something cruel to, but she hadn’t done anything to Warren.
Penelope hugged her body. "Why am I being pulled into this?" She wondered, looking away from Tyrion.
Penelope was disgusted by the thought of being anywhere near the man Warren owed debt to.
"No, it isn’t wrong for you to want to see him suffer. I would find it odd if you hold some kindness in your heart for him after this. I won’t stop you from going to him," Tyrion decided.
Warren couldn’t see, and he couldn’t move around enough to break out of his cell to get to Penelope.
Penelope would be safe with all the guards around.
"Thank you. I didn’t want us to fight on this. It is late, so you should get some rest," Penelope said, glancing at the dark sky.
Tyrion offered his hand for Penelope to join him in bed.
"No," Penelope shook her head. "If I join you, then it will only lead to you hurting your shoulder more. You will rest here alone, where you cannot fool around. Good night."
"Penelope," Tyrion said, staring at his wife in disbelief. "You kid me, right?"
"I do not. If I find that you have moved, I will extend the nights I shall sleep in another bed. Rest well, for the reward when you heal will be worth a trip around the town."
Tyrion’s mood soured now that Penelope made mention of her punishment he desired to claim.
It wasn’t fun to be shot.