"I am surprised that you would rid your daughter of this moment, but as you say, what you decide concerning your family is final. Then, we shall stop this here, and I will have more time to prepare for the next lady to visit. Good day," Teo said, bidding goodbye.
While Teo was pleased that he didn’t need to entertain Amelia anymore, Ronan puzzled him.
Was Ronan’s need to speak to the princes so much greater than giving Amelia the chance to speak with the prince?
Teo could tell from Jade’s face that she wanted to scold her husband, but she kept herself calm. There might be some hope for Amelia if she inherited her mother’s sense instead of her father’s.
"No," Amelia said, looking back and forth between Teo and her father. "I have come here to speak."
"I wish we had the chance to speak further, but I cannot go against what your father wants. Perhaps we would be so fortunate to meet another day. You must excuse us," Teo said.
Teo didn’t waste another second and walked off so he could get away from the brewing family drama.
Tyrion was right behind him.
"Why are you following me?" Teo asked, surprised to see Tyrion. "Weren’t you going to mention Penelope’s cousin to Amelia to make her panic?"
"I was, but there is a slight change in plans. She looks like she is about to lose her mind since she cannot be with you. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were to be so bold as to choke her father," said Tyrion.
"That would be quite the sight. I don’t understand him. His daughter gets the rare chance to walk with the prince, and he lets it pass because I wanted to send him away. Perhaps I insulted him more than I realise," Teo said, looking back at the family.
"He seems to think he is quite the prize. He needs to be told that his season has long passed, and it is now his daughter’s time. I will enjoy the show either way," Tyrion said, keeping an eye on the trio as he walked.
"She is quite proud. It will be fun to watch the excuses she comes up with when you pick your true bride. Make your announcement soon," Tyrion advised Teo.
"Why? There are still many weeks left to the season and-"
"Forget about Rue and announce that you have picked your future wife. Give the lady you have picked some time before the coronation to get used to the ways of the palace. Don’t wait too late and throw her into this life," said Tyrion.
It wouldn’t be right to throw any young woman into the fire.
Teo looked away from Tyrion and said, "I know. With the coronation coming, I know I must pick my wife soon."
"The sooner you do it, the sooner you can leave Elijah and Rue alone. I urge you not to pick a lady at random and then waste her time by thinking of who is courting Rue. Pick a lady you can love for the rest of your life and move on," Tyrion said, annoyed that Teo’s mind wandered.
"That is what I am doing. I have picked someone who appears to have the kingdom’s best interests at heart, and it seems we can do well together. It is you who asked me to entertain Amelia," Teo argued.
"And now I am telling you that you can make your announcement. Listen, Teo," Tyrion said, reaching for the back of Teo’s head to pull him closer. "I know that you can be a good king and husband, but should you continue to act , I will lose faith in you and rethink my decisions. Be wise."
Tyrion released Teo and stepped away from him. "You had the chance to propose to her, and she doesn’t want to be queen, so move on. Don’t lose a good friend over jealousy. I will not end my friendship with Elijah."
"I am not expecting you to take sides and end your friendship with him. I am not going to end my friendship with him. I am only concerned about what is best for Rue," Teo said, but deep down, he knew there was more to it.
"If you say so," Tyrion said, giving in to Teo’s delusion. "They are just letting anyone in the palace," he said after noticing a familiar face he despised. "What is he doing here?"
"Who?" Teo asked, looking at a small group of men ahead. "You must be more specific, brother. You have far too many enemies for me to keep track of."
"The fool," Tyrion replied.
Teo frowned. "That could be any one of the men standing there. Give me a name so I can know who you speak of."
"Leroy," Tyrion replied, staring at the man who harassed Penelope. "He followed Penelope to the garden at a ball and grabbed her hand. What business does he have with the palace?"
"Didn’t he speak of wanting to join the court? Perhaps with all the empty chairs, he thinks there is an opening for him. Since you do not like him, he should keep away from the palace court. What a shame, since he might have been a sensible man. Forget that," Teo said, frowning as Leroy walked their way.
’Go, you fool. Go!’ Teo screamed in his head.
What would possess Leroy to walk over to where Tyrion walked?
How could Leroy miss the annoyed look Tyrion had on his face?
"Perhaps we should go find Penelope and the others. I hear that Julie is still in the palace and there is something I must tell her," Teo said, hoping Tyrion would follow, but it was useless. "Don’t you miss Penelope?" He asked, succeeding in getting Tyrion’s attention.
Teo continued to say, "Mother has placed her with those women who ask endless questions. If you were to show up now, you would save Penelope from having to answer all those questions by herself. We can make a quick stop."
Tyrion stopped walking as he recalled the names of the ladies who were in the palace. Each one of them had a habit of questioning him on matters which didn’t concern them, so Teo was right that they would question Penelope.
"Very well," Tyrion agreed.
Penelope woke early in the morning to get dressed to meet with these ladies. He could not wait to return home for her focus to be on him.
Teo sighed in relief. "It feels like I am trying to command a big dog. A pretty dog," he added after Tyrion looked at him.
"Crown Prince," Leroy’s voice was heard.
"Go!" Teo yelled accidentally.