The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 433

Chapter 433: Claimed (1)
“Don’t touch me. Don’t speak to me,” Damien said, turning down the coachman’s attempt to strike up a conversation.

Had Damien known what Penelope’s plans were when she spoke of them, he would have borrowed a horse from the palace and ridden ahead.

Why was he forced to endure this?

Damien closed his eyes, but it didn’t help.

“Get us home quickly,” Damien ordered the coachman.

Any longer and Damien would jump off the carriage to walk home.

The way back home was a long, painful ride for Damien.

Damien jumped off the carriage the moment it reached the gates and walked ahead to clear his mind.

Damien noticed Winston and Matilda coming out of the front doors. Most likely eager to welcome their masters back home, but little did they know what occurred.

“Why did you leave the lady and prince behind?” Matilda asked, peering down at Damien. “Did something occur in the palace?”

“It is not what occurred in the palace that troubles me. Send all the servants away from the door and prepare to help dress your lady. You should move fast since that possessive man will not want anyone seeing her,” said Damien.

Winston cleared his throat and turned to the few maids he ordered to stand by the front door.

Winston clapped his hands, getting the attention of the maids. “Clear this floor and the second floor. No one is there to see the couple.”

Matilda stood waiting for the carriage door to open. She glanced at Damien and said, “You are too weak.”

“I am weak for not wanting to overhear them? I closely serve them both and have to look them in the eye,” said Damien.

“It is what married couples do. Sometimes, what those who are not wed do,” Matilda said, side-eyeing Damien.

“Listen, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but it is wrong,” Damien replied.

“I heard it personally from you. The lady’s guard shouldn’t trouble the maids when he is meant to be guarding her. Why must others overhear you, but you blush at what the lady does? Don’t repeat what happened to anyone,” Matilda said, walking down to the carriage as the door finally opened.

“Are you a walking corpse?” Damien asked, terrified by Matilda’s monotone voice.

Matilda didn’t respond to Damien since her focus was now on Penelope. Right away, she noticed Penelope’s messy appearance.

“I will help you get dressed, Milady,” Matilda offered.

Matilda finally noticed Tyrion’s presence and stepped aside for him to exit.

Despite her appearance, Penelope got out of the carriage. She would rather not have Matilda set foot there.

“If I run, no one will see me,” Penelope said, lifting her dress slightly to help.

Penelope ran, followed by Matilda.

Damien and Tyrion were left behind as the coachman took the carriage away.

“Stop glaring at me. It gives away that you heard us and makes me want to kill you,” Tyrion said as he walked up to the front doors.

“You missed a button, my prince,” Damien said, pointing out Tyrion’s mistake.

Tyrion looked down at his shirt. There wasn’t a point in fixing it now when the shirt needed to come off.

“And people say you aren’t satisfied with your marriage,” Damien muttered.

It couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I was listening closely to those who spoke of you today. I have a few names if you need.”

“I just had a good time with my wife, and my brother is now king. I will not bother myself with those unhappy people. Rest and then overlook what is being packed for our move,” Tyrion said.

Damien closed the door behind Tyrion and walked in the opposite direction from Tyrion. He had had enough of Tyrion for the day and needed to go on a walk.

Back in the palace, Elijah stood by Lily to be her escort while their parents spoke with the former king and queen.

“Do not look his way. He has a bastard he sent to the countryside, and there are rumours he has another on the way,” Elijah whispered to Lily.

“I don’t have any interest in him. I was about to tell you to scare him away if he comes near. No matter how dashing a man might be, I won’t marry anyone who already has children. It is far too much drama waiting to happen,” said Lily.

“Speaking of drama,” Lily turned to Elijah. “You have caused a bit of drama for our group. It is bad enough listening to other ladies speak of you. Why did it have to include ladies who are my friends?”

“What are you speaking of?” Elijah asked, partially uninterested in what Lily had to say.

“You know what I speak of. I would ask if you truly have feelings for Rue, but for the past hour, you have been glaring at the men who want to approach her. It is no different than you pointing a gun at them. Why don’t you go be by her side?” Lily asked, excited at the thought of slipping away from Elijah.

“So you may find yourself in trouble and have our father angry with me? I can count five ways you may place yourself in danger,” said Elijah.

“Seven,” Lily corrected Elijah. “I have my ways.”

“Now that Teo is speaking so highly of Rue and reminding everyone she is a princess, men are flocking to her. They want her status and to make use of her ties to the king. You must hope that someone else doesn’t catch her eye,” said Lily.

“Whose side are you on?” Elijah questioned, tempted to leave Lily to the sea of bastards who wanted to ask for her hand.

“I am on your side, which is why I say you must act sooner,” Lily replied.

“I have acted,” Elijah said, taking a glass of wine from a passing servant.

Lily was puzzled until she noticed Collins’ guards going through the crowd, speaking to gentlemen. She still didn’t grasp what Elijah had done until she saw men look in their direction with a panicked expression.

“What did you do? You have the men appearing as though they might piss their pants. Did you threaten them?” Lily asked, wanting to hear what others heard.

“I didn’t threaten them. I merely informed them that she is out of reach of them,” Elijah answered.

“I do not believe you. There is something more, and I will find it out. What will you do when Rue returns to the border with her mother? She wants to visit the graves, and what if she misses home so much that she doesn’t want to return?” Lily asked, worried about what was to come.