CHAPTER 178: RIVAL (1)

"What has become of it? There is always something happening in Lockwood. It seems more likely that it is best to move out of town," said Tyrion.

"Move? Isn’t that too drastic? This matter will be solved just like it was solved years before," Hazel said, not ready to see Tyrion leave. "Trust that your father and others will solve it."

"It isn’t only the murders that push me away from this town. Every day, a new lie is brought up to poke at my wife, or there are people with their expectations of what we should do. Penelope and I have always wanted to travel, so it will happen," Tyrion said.

It was inevitable that Penelope and Tyrion would find themselves a home, or perhaps many, outside of Lockwood.

"We will visit when the time comes. Don’t worry yourself about us leaving when we haven’t decided when. We are done speaking, and I assume there is much for you two to discuss concerning the body found. I must find Teo and Hailey," Tyrion said, excusing himself.

Tyrion placed his hands in his pockets as he walked in search of his siblings. It was quite the twist that a man was found.

’Again with the masks,’ Tyrion thought.

Tyrion had had enough of the games played in town. If not for this case tied to the duchess and duke, he would have taken Penelope and left from the moment they wed.

Tyrion found Teo on the training ground with surprising guests.

"You are coming to the palace a lot these days. Your father won’t be pleased," Tyrion said, sitting down beside Elijah.

"My father is never pleased," Elijah replied. "I enjoy making him angry."

"You’re lucky you’re his son or he would have gotten rid of you long ago," said Tyrion.

Tyrion was puzzled by the sight before him. "Why is Teo training with Rue?"

"I don’t know, but since I arrived she has put him flat on his ass," Elijah said, laughing as Rue won again.

Tyrion looked away from Rue and his brother to Elijah, who was smiling like a fool. He thought he had heard wrong, but he didn’t.

"I’m surprised," Tyrion said, waiting for the real show to start.

"By what? Has my sister gotten hold of your tongue?" Elijah asked.

"I’m surprised by your type of woman. Rue is special, but I heard you were close to proposing to Selina," Tyrion said.

Elijah kept watch over Rue. "I never made any promises to wed anyone. You heard wrong."

"I might have heard wrong, but my eyes didn’t deceive me. I have seen you with Selina many times at balls. If you toy with his daughter, Rafael is going to hurt you, and if it reaches her mother’s ears, Annalise is going to kill you," Tyrion warned Elijah.

"You are thinking too much. I am only here enjoying the view," Elijah replied, acting aloof. "Marriage isn’t on my mind."

"Well, some people are convinced you are about to propose to Selina, so if you are now switching your attention to Rue, I suggest you clear that up. Remember that she is your sister’s friend," said Tyrion.

"She is my friend as well. I have not forgotten what she means to our families. Relax, little prince," Elijah said, purposely to annoy Tyrion. "I won’t place you in a difficult position with my sister."

"You wouldn’t. I would be on her side."

Elijah tore his gaze away from Rue to look at Tyrion. "What has become of you? You’ve been grabbed by the balls and made into a fool. I warned you."

"How could you speak of your dear sister in this manner?" Tyrion asked, shaking his head at Elijah’s dramatic behaviour.

"I know how my sisters truly are. I refuse to believe that they truly came from my mother. Those two crawled out of the underworld. Izzy, on the other hand, there is hope for her if she doesn’t repeat all that she hears," said Elijah.

"You should be careful how you speak about my wife. I still have some power to throw you into the dungeon, and this is one time I believe your father would leave you right there. She’s going to break him," Tyrion said, wincing when Teo hit the floor. "We must note to never upset her."

"Why are you in the palace? Shouldn’t you be stuck to my sister’s side?" Elijah asked, curious about Tyrion’s presence in the palace.

"This was my first home. I should be asking you why you are in the palace when your parents don’t want you around the court. Are you trying to help with the case?" Tyrion inquired.

"I am, but I won’t be working with the palace to solve it. I’m here because Rafael is in the palace. He only wants people he trusts around him, which is good for me. I’ve been placed in charge of dealing with those who speak of savages. Some heads will start rolling," said Elijah.

"I don’t think you’ll need to lift a finger. You can get Rue to do it, but it’s good for you to have a reason to speak with her," Tyrion said teasingly.

"I don’t like you one bit. Go bother someone else," Elijah said.

Tyrion chuckled, enjoying Elijah’s current predicament. His laughter soon ceased when he noticed what was in Elijah’s hands.

"You still deny it while you are holding that in your hands. Why is a-"

"Don’t speak of it," Elijah spoke over Tyrion. "It is easier to hold when I don’t think about it."

"Is this how it will be? Rue out to fight while you sit back holding her pets. I kind of like the sound of it," Tyrion said, avoiding Elijah’s gaze.

"Tyrion, I mean it when I say you need to stop talking before I throw it on you," Elijah warned Tyrion.

Tyrion wasn’t concerned about Elijah’s threat. "We both know you aren’t going to throw that spider when its lovely owner knows how to throw a man over her shoulders. There’s never going to be a fight you can win against her, or has it always been that you liked to be thrown around by a woman?"

"You!" Elijah reached for Tyrion’s neck.

"You two," Teo said, getting the attention of the two men who failed to notice he was fighting for his life. "The least you could do is help me. My back is aching."

"I’m sorry," Rue apologised. She offered her hand to Teo. "I shouldn’t be so rough."

’Don’t apologise. I should be able to win against you at least once," said Teo.

"Rue!" Tyrion called to her. "Elijah was just telling me that you wouldn’t be able to beat him. Would you be so kind as to humble him?"