Chapter 353: Like the old days (1)
Rue approached Elijah with what she considered to be a brilliant plan. She kept sneaking glances at her guard, waiting for the moment when she could start her plan.
Rue hoisted herself up on her horse and waited for Elijah to do the same.
"Do you like to have fun, Elijah? Do you take risks?" Rue asked, hoping he would share her interest.
Elijah picked up on the trouble looming in the air. "What are you up to now?"
"Well, it seems that our guards have been sticking a little too close to us. Would it interest you to test how fast our horses are?" Rue asked, smiling ear to ear.
Elijah looked back at where the guards were now seated on their horses. It was going to bring trouble from both sides once it was shared that they ran off from their guards.
"I’d hate to leave you in my dust," Elijah said, accepting the challenge.
"Your dust? Oh, little duke, you mustn’t underestimate the power of a horse from the border," Rue replied.
Gideon looked around the land for anyone who might be lingering around. He knew they were on part of the duke’s land, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t going to be danger.
Until they spotted the duke’s guards roaming close by, they were not safe.
"Take the carriage so it will be out of sight. The flag gives away- No," Gideon panicked, caught off guard by Rue and Elijah speeding off. "Get those two."
Gideon was the first one to command his horse to move. No matter what it took, he was not going to leave Rue alone with Elijah.
Running off and leaving the guards behind was a foolish plan, but Gideon couldn’t get upset with Elijah since he was certain that this was Rue’s doing.
Gideon should have known Rue was plotting to run off because of the glint in her eyes when she spoke of Elijah.
Rafael was going to kill them if they lost sight of his daughter, and since the young pair was getting far away thanks to their head start, Gideon could already feel the punishment.
Meanwhile, Elijah smiled as he rode alongside Rue, who was doing her best to beat him.
Rue’s laughter filled the air around them and was infectious, making Elijah smile.
When Elijah looked to his right at Rue, he found a scene worth being painted. Her hair was let loose, blowing free in the wind. Rue thoroughly enjoyed herself, and by doing so, everyone else around her couldn’t help enjoying the moment.
"Where are we racing to?" Elijah yelled, hoping Rue could hear him.
If they didn’t have a destination to stop at, they would end up at the back of the estate.
Elijah’s eyes widened, fear settling in when Rue let go of the reins and placed her hands in the air.
"Rue!" Elijah called out to her, but he wasn’t heard.
Elijah positioned his horse closer so he would be ready to catch her should she fall. To his relief, Rue took hold of the reins and slowed down.
Elijah followed suit.
Rue’s laughter died down for a moment, but started once more when she saw Elijah’s face.
"Did you have your fun?" Elijah asked, hoping it was worth it.
Rue nodded her head. "Didn’t that feel good to you? There’s nothing like the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair."
Rue raked her fingers through her hair, trying to make herself look presentable.
"It is the most fun I have had since I arrived, but you mustn’t tell your sisters. I had fun with them as well, but I am not fond of all the balls and other gatherings they must attend. I wish we could have fun like in our younger days," Rue said, wishing time would turn back.
Rue missed the times when she could get up to no good with the twins. Now that Penelope was married to the prince, she was more careful with what she did.
"Those two still manage to place themselves in danger. I hear Lily will soon spend the day with Penelope, so you should join them. If they attempt to sneak off, they need someone like you who can defend them," Elijah said, trying to give Rue something to look forward to.
"Your sisters know how to use guns. They do not need my protection, but it would please them to see that you worry for him. Lily enjoys teasing you," said Rue.
"She does. I shall soon find amusement in watching her pick a husband and tease her about it. Your guards do not look happy," Elijah said, keeping an eye on Gideon, who seemed to be targeting him.
"When do they ever look happy? I will take the blame for what happened here, but I do not regret it. Now you see the lady that I am. You must make up your mind if you still want to court me," Rue said, turning her horse so she would calm the guards.
Elijah watched Rue ride off. He smiled since Rue tended to forget that he had known her for a long time. He was already well aware of the woman she was, and it wasn’t going to scare him off.
***
In the palace, Tobias looked at the two men who came to see him, but they were both bored.
Tobias looked at Edgar, who made himself comfortable by lying down on a chair, and Rafael, who was busy gazing out the window at the guards training.
"You two have gotten old. With Edgar being the oldest, he should be most concerned," Tobias said, purposely poking at Edgar.
"We are one week apart, you fool. Need I remind you how tired you were when running up the steps? It is good the kingdom won’t let you be king until you die," said Edgar.
"With how out of breath he gets so fast, Teo would still sit on the throne soon," Rafael added.
"I hate when you two do this. You like to jump on me with attacks. You’ve always done it since we were young, and I won’t stand for it anymore," Tobias said, taking a stand.
"You are always welcome to do something about it," Edgar challenged Tobias.
"I am not a fool. I know that you have a gun, but I cannot see it. Rafael, if he tries to harm me, you must protect me as my knight. You swore to it," Tobias reminded Rafael.
Edgar chuckled. "Rafael forgot about what he swore to when he married Annalise. The only royal he serves is his wife, but I welcome him trying to stop me."
"I will not be in the midst of your childish games," Rafael said, going back to look at the guards.
Rafael couldn’t return home if he had any part in Tobias being wounded.