The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 476

Chapter 476: Settling conflict (2)
Elijah arrived at the palace a few hours later and walked in search of Teo. Whilst his family were gone, Elijah still had the Castros to pass the time with.

Elijah was lucky to cross paths with the queen first.

“Elijah Collins, welcome to the palace,” Juliette greeted Elijah.

“Your Majesty,” Elijah greeted Juliette with a bow.

“I wasn’t told you would be inside the palace today. Did you come alone?” Juliette asked, stepping to the right to look behind Elijah.

“I am all alone in Lockwood at the moment. I came to see the king, but it appears I must have a word with you. Is someone troubling you?” Elijah questioned, noticing that Juliette seemed sad.

Juliette touched her face. “Is it that noticeable? It is not that someone has troubled me. Rather, they have not yet gotten used to my command. Many still see Lady Hazel as the queen, and I do not mind it. I only wish I didn’t feel as though my voice wasn’t heard.”

Teo didn’t have any challenges with the servants, and it was expected since he lived here all his life, but Juliette was new and trying to understand this new power she had.

“Have you spoken to Lady Hazel, or is this a matter where you want to deal with this yourself?”

“The latter. I want to show that I do not need to run to anyone. I have not gotten used to being the queen. It is an intimidating title,” said Juliette.

Juliette was used to curtsying to those with power, and now she was in that seat.

“Well, you are the queen. Let your voice be heard now, or they shall think they can walk over you. The palace is a dangerous place to be. If you cannot handle it now, I’m afraid you won’t last. I have something that should cheer you up,” Elijah said, handing the small box to a maid.

Juliette’s maid opened the box and showed the necklace to the queen.

“Oh, it is lovely. Is this the infamous queen’s heart?” Juliette wondered as she picked up the necklace.

“No, it is not. That one my mother keeps close by since it was a gift from my father. I believe she intends to pass it on to me since it would cause a fight amongst my sisters,” Elijah said, but he wasn’t certain.

“Nevertheless, the necklace is beautiful,” Juliette said, sitting back down in the box. “I thank you for the advice and the gift. I won’t keep you long since you must have come for my husband.”

“I have,” Elijah replied.

“I’m happy to hear that you two are close again. I heard that you were at odds for a moment, but my husband wouldn’t tell me why. Can you?” Juliette inquired, needing answers to why her husband was distant concerning Elijah.

“I cannot. You would need to get the answers from him, but since it has been resolved in my eyes, I urge you not to pry. It might open up old wounds,” said Elijah.

“I see. What matters is that you are here to see him. My husband often speaks of his brother, and since Prince Tyrion is not around, I hope you may come around often,” Juliette requested.

Growing up, Juliette heard and witnessed how close the Collinses and Castros were. Now that she was queen, she hoped that closeness would continue so she would stay safe.

“I will come when the king needs me,” Elijah promised.

“Thank you. You are excused,” Juliette said, allowing Elijah to go his way. “You’ll find my husband on the training grounds. Someone might have upset him.”

Elijah got out of the way for Juliette and her maids to pass.

Elijah then headed in the direction of the training grounds and found Teo alone with a sword in his hands.

“So, it is true that you are angry. It cannot be that the court is upsetting you since none of those men remain.”

Teo was startled by the sound of Elijah’s voice. He gave the order that no one aside from his family was to be allowed inside, but Elijah was considered family.

“It isn’t the court that upsets me. I didn’t think it would be so soon that people would be asking about children. I haven’t had the crown on my head or been married long enough for news of a child. They are seeking ways to pressure Juliette,” Teo said, knowing such talk would mess with his wife’s head.

“Then silence them. You are the king. Are you going to let the palace be filled with bad people again?”

“No. I’m releasing my anger on targets before I speak to the people involved, or heads will roll. What are you doing here? Did my father send for you?” Teo asked, suspicious of Elijah’s visit.

“I was bored and thought of seeing you unless you don’t want me here. I thought with your marriage and the queen appearing to be a good woman, there wouldn’t be an issue between us,” said Elijah.

“Hearing this fills me with guilt. I am happy with my wife. We are not yet fully in love with each other, but I know one day it shall happen. I was wrong to let Rue go and still want to control who she is with,” Teo apologised.

“Were you also not wrong for thinking I would hurt her? That I would toy with her as though it were something I had done before? You know me. Were you acting solely out of jealousy, or were those your true feelings?

“I was acting out of pure jealousy. All I could think of was if you married Rue, she would stay here, and I would have to see you two together. I would have preferred she return to the border and marry someone there. It was wrong of me,” Teo confessed.

Had his actions continued to be driven by jealousy, Teo could have lost a friendship he greatly cherished.

“My feelings for Rue have not all passed,” Teo spoke with honesty. “But I do enjoy my time with Juliette and plan to love her for all our marriage. I won’t do anything to make my wife worried about my friendship with Rue or ruin the friendship I have with you.”

“Could we put this behind us and move forward? I could use your company right about now, and it seems you feel the same way. Is being alone in the estate too much for you? You should come to my side as your father did for me,” Teo suggested.

Elijah handed Teo the wine as a peace offering.

“I’m afraid that won’t happen. I will assist you when needed, but please don’t call upon me for minor matters, as your father did with mine. I don’t want to work in the court as my father did,” Elijah said, wanting to avoid the dangers that came with work from the court. “I will keep my focus on my father’s land.”