"I don’t," Rue said, at a loss for words. "I don’t think I should do that. I must return to my father."
"He is joking, Rue. I never spoke about fighting against you. You must remember that the princes can sometimes be a pain to be around. I am starting to reconsider my friendship with both of them," Elijah said, kicking Tyrion’s leg just before he stood up.
"I see. It is still time for me to find my way back to my father’s side. You are getting better," Rue complimented Teo. "But you lose your balance quickly. You are lucky your kingdom now relies on guns."
"That doesn’t sound good. We can’t put a gun in the hands of the future king when he isn’t good at balancing himself. He’ll need to stick to a sword," Tyrion said as he stood up.
"I can use both a sword and a gun perfectly fine. Why are you two in the palace? It is my time with Rue," Teo said, annoyed.
"I thought you needed to be saved from Rue throwing you on the floor. You may leave, Rue. The palace maids will help you to a room to get dressed," said Elijah.
"She is my guest, so I will have my maids and guards escort her to a room. Why are you smiling so much?" Teo asked, suspicious of Tyrion’s smile. His brother was up to something bad.
"I am enjoying myself," Tyrion replied.
Rue thought the men were acting strangely, so she took her spider from Elijah and decided it was time to leave by herself.
"I have guards waiting for me nearby who can escort me. Excuse me," Rue said, leaving the men to speak amongst themselves.
Once Rue was a good distance away from them, she looked back to find Teo confused, Elijah watching her was an expression she couldn’t read, and Tyrion smiling.
’Men are strange,’ Rue thought.
Teo became suspicious of both Tyrion and Elijah. "What are you two doing? You should be too busy to bother me."
"Teo, is Rue the woman you plan to pick as your bride?" Tyrion asked.
"No. Rue and I have both agreed that we do not view each other in that manner. Though I must admit that I enjoy my time with her," Teo answered, watching where Rue left them. "It is still a no. I will pick someone I can fall in love with over the years."
"It would have benefited the truce if you two were to wed. Don’t you agree, Elijah?" Tyrion asked, basking in Elijah’s annoyance.
"I am going to hurt you," Elijah warned Tyrion.
"I would like to see you try," Tyrion replied.
"You two need to stop with your secret conversations and tell me what you speak of? Why does any of this concern Rue?" Teo questioned, frustrated that they were leaving him in the dark.
"Ask Elijah. I have to see Hailey and then visit our sweet aunt Linda. Also, another body has been found, and this one was a man, so be careful where you walk. Have fun speaking about Rue," Tyrion said, leaving the two behind.
"I’m starting to realise that he is a brute," said Teo.
"You’ve waited too long to realise," Elijah replied.
"What is the matter with Rue? Why are you two so curious if I would pick her?" Teo asked, sensing that it was something concerning Elijah.
"I wasn’t the one who was curious," Elijah said, starting to walk away.
"Do you care for her?" Teo asked, causing Elijah to stop in his tracks. "She isn’t the kind of woman you would normally go after. I hope your intentions aren’t to toy with her feelings. Rue doesn’t need this."
"You should focus on your balance instead of my personal affairs. Just like your nosey brother, you have jumped quite far with your assumptions. I would mind my life if I were you," Elijah advised Teo.
"And she is mine," said Elijah.
Elijah smiled. "Are your concerns as a friend or something else? It feels like the latter. You already said that you won’t marry her, so keep out of it."
Teo clenched his fist. "So, you will be the one to marry her?"
"You must stop assuming that I have feelings for Rue. That was your first mistake," said Elijah.
"Then, why did my brother tease you about it?" Teo asked.
"Your brother teases everyone. Why are you so worried about it? Are you a good friend?" Elijah asked, approaching Teo. "Or, are you worried she might marry sooner than you think? You can’t fool me. Had Rue said yes to a marriage between you two, you would have jumped at the chance."
"I wouldn’t," Teo denied the assumption.
"Oh, yes, you would have. I’ve grown to notice when men are smitten by women thanks to having three little sisters. I hoped your brother would have grown out of his feelings for Penelope, but they have gotten married. The same won’t happen for you," said Elijah.
"Rue doesn’t like you," Teo said, so he wasn’t concerned. "Try all you want, but just like she doesn’t want to marry the future king, she wouldn’t want to marry the future duke. You should give up. I am only trying to help you."
"Hmm, if I lacked sense, then I would have believed you. Giving up is the difference between us, Teo. Fortunately for you, there is nothing to worry about between me and Rue. Get back to training," Elijah said, patting Teo’s shoulder.
Elijah laughed, as it was amusing that Teo thought the warning would work. Part of it did bother Elijah that Teo thought he would hurt Rue.
Teo didn’t believe anything Elijah said. Tyrion wouldn’t have teased Elijah if he didn’t suspect something.
"I need to warn her," Teo muttered.
Elijah was a good friend, but Teo wasn’t convinced that he would make a good husband for Rue. She needed someone who would understand her and not force her to become like the women in Lockwood.