The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 451

Chapter 451: Grief (3)
A few hours later, Hazel left Tobias’s side to find Tyrion. She thought he would have left, but found him standing outside in the garden.

“If you want to go home to be with Penelope, you may. Neither your father nor I will stop you,” said Hazel.

“I have already sent word to Penelope that I will be home late. I’m sure she’ll want to come here to be with the family. I will return before she worries,” Tyrion answered.

A moment of silence fell on the pair.

“Your father truly isn’t angry with you. This was a long time coming. If you hadn’t done it, I would have. I should have done it long ago to save you from her ways. I can’t find it in my heart to feel bad that she is gone. I am only here to stand by your father,” Hazel said, yet to feel sadness.

“Tabitha was no doubt a good queen to the kingdom, but she was awful with her family. The only good thing she did for me was giving birth to your father and aunt. She was looking for me to fail from the moment I was crowned. What did she do to make you break?” Hazel asked, knowing there was a reason.

Hazel knew it couldn’t have been something small to lead to Tyrion killing Tabitha.

“She was trying to make Faye my mistress, and today she sent Cassidy to a gathering both Priscilla and Penelope were attending. It was never going to end. One day it is you, tomorrow it is Penelope, and the next, another lady. She had to go,” Tyrion said.

Hazel nodded her head. “And I will stand by your decision. Had your father asked to send her away, I would have killed her. I’ve almost done it once before.”

Hazel never spoke of the incident with Tobias.

“You were my first precious baby. I was overly worried the first year because I couldn’t bear to lose you when you were in my arms. To lose a child I got to hold would have made me lose the last bit of sanity I had.”

“Tabitha questioned my motherhood. That sealed that I would never like her,” Hazel said, remembering how much she wished to hurt Tabitha in that moment. “There were other instances that made me dislike her, but that sealed it.”

Hazel continued to say, “There was a knife near and I just wanted to stab her with it. I held myself back then and never told your father. I’m glad you don’t hesitate to protect your wife.”

“Does it ever upset you that my father allowed this to go on so long?”

Hazel smiled. “It did once in the past, but not anymore. Most don’t see it, but your father was always overwhelmed with his duties. He was in a place he didn’t wish to be, but tried to do his best. Your father is a man who cherishes family. He could hurt anyone, but not his family.”

“I wish Tabitha didn’t do this to him. She broke his heart with the way she acted. She didn’t see that he was trying to hold on to the one parent he had left alive. I know it must be eating him away inside that he didn’t do more to stop her,” Hazel said, knowing this was going to haunt Tobias for a while.

“What of my aunt?” Tyrion asked, curious to see how Sofia reacted.

Tyrion exited the room long before his aunt arrived.

“Sofia hasn’t spoken to me as yet. She is letting it settle in her mind, so I am giving her the privacy she needs. Your aunt has had her fair share of troubles with her mother, but it is still her mother. Your involvement in Tabitha’s death won’t be told to your aunt or brother,” Hazel decided.

To protect Tyrion, Hazel was going to do all that she could to let this matter not be looked into too much.

“You were wise not to wound her for anyone to see it. That would have placed you in an awful position. You’ve had to face a lot since you left the palace. Once the funeral is over, take Penelope and go,” Hazel advised Tyrion. “Find that moment of peace you spoke of, or this town will wear you down.”

“We were already in the middle of moving. It takes time to move, and there are a few gatherings we are forced to attend.”

“I think the death of your grandmother gives you a good excuse to leave sooner. I will be here to watch over the others. Go enjoy yourself with Penelope. For now, I want you to think only of Penelope. Everyone else will be fine,” Hazel promised.

“Very well. I should be on my way to be with Penelope,” Tyrion decided, preferring to be at home. “I’ll say goodbye to the others before I leave. Will you join me?” Tyrion asked, offering his hand to his mother.

Hazel placed her hand on Tyrion’s. “I will. While you and Penelope are out of my sight, you best behave. One letter from her and I will come to wherever you are to scold her.”

“That won’t happen,” Tyrion replied, but he would like to see it.

The pair returned inside to find Sofia speaking with Ines.

Sofia sent Ines away when she saw Hazel and Tyrion.

“I was asking about my mother’s dresses. She will need to be made presentable for her funeral. I am told that she was having the maids pack her things so she could go home. I want to pick what she should wear if you don’t mind,” Sofia requested.

“You may,” Hazel agreed.

Sofia touched the necklace she wore and twirled the jewel in the middle with her fingers. She stared at Tyrion and thought of the maid’s accusations. Tears started to fill her eyes.

“Sofia,” Hazel said, leaving Tyrion’s side to comfort Sofia.

“Silly me. I thought I was all out of tears,” Sofia said, wiping her eyes. “I think we should send her maids to her home, and once the funeral is done, let them leave to find other work. I have already thanked them for staying loyal to her and serving her for years. I will also pay what they were to receive for their work leading up to today.”

“I shall leave it all to you. Tyrion has come to say goodbye. He needs to be with his wife,” Hazel said, urging Tyrion to come forward.

“I see. Then,” Sofia said, walking toward Tyrion. She wrapped her hands around him for a hug. “Have a safe journey back. We will speak when we gather again for the funeral. Give my greetings to Penelope.”

Tyrion embraced Sofia. For a moment, it had appeared that she was judging him. “I will see you soon,” he replied.