"Why must we speak of this now?" Tobias asked, seeing that this was the worst time. "We should go to where the young woman fell to see if there were any clues we missed. Edgar, follow me."
Tyrion ignored what his father said, as did Duke Collins.
To Tyrion's surprise, Edgar replied, "You will be the future king. You shouldn't fear anyone. It will simply be a mistake to underestimate what I could do to you. Be careful."
Edgar went easier on Tyrion as opposed to how he treated the other bastards sending flowers to the estate for Penelope since he had been around Tyrion from the moment he was born. He was also the one tasked to look after the crown prince should anything happen to the king.
Unfortunately for Tyrion, that special treatment was slipping away quickly.
"I am always careful. It is why I disposed of the men who tried to hurt her," Tyrion shared.
"Are you expecting a thank you from me?" Edgar asked.
"No. I know that wouldn't come from you, and I don't want it. I want you to remember that I protected her once, and I can do it again," Tyrion promised.
Egdar liked Tyrion's confidence, but he was not convinced, and his mind was not changed. 'Penelope will not enter the palace," he repeated.
This was a decision Edgar made before the arrival of his children, and he was sticking with it until the end. Thanks to having a father who worked in the court, being lifelong friends with Tobias, and his title as duke, Edgar had seen enough to know Penelope wouldn't be safe.
Tobias touched Edgar's back. "Oh, come on. You can trust her to be safe here."
Edgar glared at Tobias and moved his hand. "You don't get to tell me that she will be safe here. Have you forgotten how I had to help you?"
"I am not my father," Tyrion spoke up.
Tyrion was told the story of how his mother failed to get pregnant and how the duchess almost ended up in the same position.
The palace was a dangerous place, but Tyrion was hellbent on not making the same mistakes as his father.
"I know you aren't your father. You're more like your mother. Thank goodness," Edgar said, meaning every word.
Tobias frowned, despite this not being the first time he had heard Edgar say this. It was true that Tyrion took after his mother a little bit more, and that wasn't so bad.
"I wish to speak to you alone," Tyrion requested.
Edgar turned to continue on his way. "I am not a shooting star. I do not grant wishes."
"Then, shall I create an order for you to make time for me?" Tyrion questioned, walking closer to Edgar.
Tyrion knew well he would not get far courting Penelope if her father kept this up.
Tyrion meant it when he said he wasn't afraid of Edgar. Quite frankly, Tyrion enjoyed that Edgar was so hard to get close to, so the other men eyeing Penelope's hand would not have it easy.
Edgar was like a personal guard placed around Penelope for when Tyrion couldn't be at her side.
"Are you going to send out a royal order for my daughter when you can't get your way?" Edgar asked.
It didn't matter if Tyrion would try it, since it would take far more than a little order from the crown prince to make Edgar hand over his daughter.
Edgar was willing to play a game with Tyrion to see who had more power.
Tyrion smiled. "Of course not. I will never order her, but if I were foolish enough to, someone taught Penelope how to use a gun."
"And she has excellent aim," Edgar replied. "I've had enough of this conversation. Elijah, stay with the prince while I speak to the king."
Tyrion bit his tongue. He did want to speak to Edgar about what happened last night, but he knew not to push it.
"I'm a little impressed by you. The others eyeing Penelope's hand have been trying to kiss my father's behind with their words or gifts. They cower the moment he opens his mouth, yet you looked him in the eye and said you weren't afraid. I almost believed it," said Elijah.
"I meant it," Tyrion replied, turning his attention to Elijah.
'I'm his son, and there have been plenty of moments when I have been afraid of him. His anger wasn't directed at me then. Saying that you are not afraid of him won't make him like you more," Elijah advised Tyrion.
"I see why you upset your father sometimes. I meant it when I said I wasn't afraid. Call me foolish if you wish, but this is how I feel. I won't ever make the mistake of underestimating him. He's the one I expect would try to kill a prince," Tyrion said, watching Edgar from afar.
'Try to? You certainly are cocky," ELijah said, no longer impressed. "You might end up dead if you keep this up. You think it is only my father you need to watch out for, but I am also not fond of me courting my sister."
Elijah continued, "You don't see me trying to court your sister."
'Well, there is the fact that my sister is not of age to marry. I would have a reason to kill you," Tyrion replied.
'Try to," Elijah corrected Tyrion. He laughed as Tyrion might be losing his mind. "You are funny today. I should get you to tell these jokes at my next birthday. That is, if you are invited. Make Penelope dislike you, and things change between these two families."
"Who else would you confide in if you didn't have me?" Tyrion replied, not the least bit worried.
"It is time you realised that I have other friends, and Tyron, if you play around with my sister, it will be me who is bold enough to kill a prince. Do not toy with her feelings," Elijah warned Tyrion.
Elijah had written off Tyrion's interests in Penelope as a joke, but now he saw it was serious.
"Sure. Play your big brother role. It has become clear to me today that you and your father underestimate me. I quite like it," Tyrion said, looking forward to proving them wrong.
This season might be fun.