The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 477

Chapter 477: Settling conflict (3)
Teo frowned. “Why wouldn’t you want to help with cases as your father did? He has supported my father over the years, and thanks to his support, they have both kept the kingdom safe. It was expected that you would fill his shoes.”

“I do plan to fill his shoes, and I will be here if you need me, but no one thinks of how often those cases kept him from home when I was little, and I had to worry about him coming home. I don’t want someone to worry about me as I have worried about my father,” Elijah said, thinking of his future.

“I’ve given some time to the court to take away some of the work given to my father. I have given this a lot of thought, and in the end, this is my decision. I will be there if you need me to protect you or go to battle, but any more than that, I cannot,” said Elijah.

Elijah wanted a family in the future. The work of the palace was dangerous, and the Collins family already had many enemies.

“As my father says, what is the point of the court if he must always step in to save the day? My father is wise, so he has kept himself alive, but there were a few close calls he hid from my mother. You must understand,” Elijah said.

Teo wasn’t pleased to hear this, but he understood. “I think of Edgar simply as the duke, but he is your father. It is expected that you worry about the danger he faces, and you don’t want your family to be worried about you.”

“I can accept if you don’t work on the cases that do not involve the duke’s land. As long as you are at my side for matters of the palace, I am grateful. I don’t want to overwork you as my father did with your father. I just need you here when I need someone I can trust,” Teo requested.

“I will be coming to the palace frequently to see that you are not losing your temper as you are now. I must see when you speak to the people who have upset you. A royal child cannot come now unless it is from my sister.”

“Tell that to the people of this kingdom. I am not going to let them pressure my wife as they pressured my mother. It is mostly ladies trying to question her, which makes the matter difficult. I would prefer to imprison them all,” Teo said, taking deep breaths to calm himself.

“You haven’t been married for more than a few days. They might be doing it on purpose to test the queen, and it seems she has not spoken up. Your mother was never one to bite her tongue. Your wife must do the same,” Elijah suggested.

“Juliette is trying to understand the ways of the palace and do what makes her feel comfortable. Should I kill them?” Teo asked, wanting a genuine answer.

“You mustn’t be so rash. Kill those who merely speak of a child, and you will be labelled a tyrant. Some people are excited for the next line of royals. They do not realise they may place weight on her shoulders. Ask them to give you time since you are newlyweds,” Elijah advised Teo.

“Speaking of which, has your father or brother told you how to properly be with a woman so she may enjoy herself? You have always appeared so innocent. Do you know-”

“I know what is to be done!” Teo yelled, his cheeks flushed. “I have been doing it quite well.”

“Have you? Here you are angered that your wife might be feeling pressured, and you need to let off steam, but instead of being with your wife, who would be pleased to see you, you are here with a sword. There is much I have to teach you,” Elijah sighed.

“Juliette is busy preparing for the gatherings she will host. I don’t want to disturb her,” Teo gave his reasoning.

“The moment I saw her, I knew someone had troubled her. A visit from her husband, followed by a kiss, would put a smile back on her face. You grew up in the palace; she did not. You will always be her comfort person, and she is better than a sword,” Elijah said, then waited for Teo to make a good choice.

Elijah thought it was time to leave the palace, though he had just arrived, since Teo would surely run to his wife.

“You bastard. Showing off how easily you could read women. I will go to her now. For your advice, I will have you know that the Callahans will be back in two weeks for the festival my wife is planning. You will be reunited with Rue then,” Teo said, knowing Elijah welcomed the news.

“I already know when she will return. We speak quite often, but thank you. I am waiting to see if she will return that time or if she has changed her mind.”

Teo set his sword down and walked toward Elijah so they could leave the training grounds together. “I hope that in the future, our children can be close to each other, and then their children will be the same way.”

Elijah placed his hands in his pockets and thought about it. “I think somewhere down the line, a Collins is going to get tired of the Castros and break the relationship they have now. I would not be surprised if it is Lily’s side.”

“I cannot shake the memory of Lily laughing in my face when I asked if she wanted to be queen. Sometimes, it echoes in my head when I am trying to sleep,” Teo said, touching his chest.

Teo meant what he asked Lily in secret as a joke, but her laughter made him regret approaching her.

“Is it that she doesn’t want to be queen, or is it me?” Teo wondered.

“Both. Did you not see the man she has her eyes on? You are short in comparison to him, and Rue throws you on your buttocks quite easily. Approaching Lily was a mistake from the start, and her laughter will surely haunt you forever. Enjoy,” Elijah said, patting Teo’s back.

“I will see your parents before I leave, but before I leave you, I advise you not to inform your wife of why we haven’t appeared close as of late. It will cause trouble for the two women. Don’t ever speak of it,” Elijah advised Teo.

“I am not mad. Why would I tell my wife of feelings for another woman? But wait, wouldn’t she be angry if she finds out from someone else? Elijah? Elijah!” Teo called only for Elijah to keep walking.

Elijah waved goodbye and said, “It is your issue to worry about.”