The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 49: Plotting (1)

"Oh, there the prince is. He is right on time from finishing up with the first challenge of the day for the selection."

Tobias walked toward his father first to greet him as he entered the room the maids had led him to. His mother was hiding in her room after giving Hazel the ridiculous punishment so he came here. Not to get his father to do something about the punishment, but to be away before he did something stupid which would ruin his relationship with his mother even more.

There was someone here who could help him take attention off of Hazel. A man who knew everyone’s secrets and how to spread them without being caught. Or didn’t care if he was caught.

"How was this morning’s game?" Jeffrey asked Tobias. He wanted to pass by to see how Tobias’s search for a wife was going, but then after thinking about his talk with Tabitha last night, he decided against it.

When it came to Tabitha and Tobias dealing with the selection, Jeffrey would stay away from them. He didn’t want to get too deep into their problems when he knew his wife and son would be back to getting along soon. At least, he hoped they did so their family would not be divided.

Knowing he had to step in soon, Jeffrey wanted to speak to both when they would attend dinner together, something that had not happened since right before the selection started. It was there that they were always like a normal family, leaving the royal titles at the door.

"It was over an hour of dancing and answering what the women wanted to know," Tobias answered, coming to stand beside his father. "It is good to see you again, Edmund," he greeted his father’s close friend.

"It’s good to see that you came back from war in one piece with my son. Hopefully, there won’t be a need for the two of you to ever go out again. You’ve proven yourself worthy of leading the kingdom as you lead our army. Well done," Edmund Collins praised the prince.

Some of the people in the court had their doubts about Tobias, but his great efforts in the war had them silent for now along with the fact they didn’t want to speak to ruin their daughter’s chances to be with the future king.

"He was doing so well at war that it was hard for us to get him back here. Soon he will settle down and want to stay away from war. I want him to grow old as many of the kings before him. I know that you are impatient to go to your friend so I won’t keep you any longer," said Jeffrey.

Tobias excused himself from his father and Edmund’s conversation and went over to Edgar who was closed off from the others in the room. "I’m surprised to see you standing in the same room as your father. Did the two of you finally put your past behind you?" He asked.

"Don’t be ridiculous. Your father said he had something to give me so I am here, but I am realising that it was a plot to get me near my father. As soon as they become lost in their conversation, I am leaving," Edgar said, refusing to look his father’s way.

The fool was begging for a conversation and if their eyes were to meet, Edmund would try to spark a conversation.

"If only the court knew that you and your father don’t get along. These days I feel like you and your mother. My mother is doing a good job of pushing me away from her. She gave Hazel a punishment for not dancing with me. I should blame you for helping to bring me back and put me in this mess," Tobias said, thinking of a way to punish Edgar.

When he had the chance, he should have Edgar get involved with the court he hated so much.

"There was an order to bring back the prince and I did it. If you wanted to stay away longer, you should have been better at hiding," Edgar replied,

"Sometimes I hate you-"

"Likewise," Edgar interjected.

"It’s unfortunate that I need your help with something. The other women must already be talking about Hazel though they don’t know she is to stay in her room yet. I want a secret to be used as a scandal to give the palace something else to talk about. What do you know about someone here? Someone people will care to speak about," said Tobias.

Edgar had been bored since arriving at the palace, but now Tobias had given him something fun to do. "That comes with a price," Edgar said, not willing to do it for free.

"How much money do you need, Edgar? You are already rich. You have more money than I do to spend right now so do this one for free. Fine," Tobias sighed as Edgar didn’t respond. "I see now how you grew your wealth. I’ll do you one favour when I am king, like saving your ass when the court comes after you for something that you did do."

"I don’t need your help then," Edgar said, lighting a cigar to pass the time. He was used to getting around the meddling men in court and should he ever be caught with whatever he did, his family would swiftly get him out of the court.

"Just think of how fun it would be to let one of your enemies’ secrets be spread around the palace and their name ruined. You wouldn’t have to see their face ever again. The way I see it, this will benefit me more than you," said Tobias.

Edgar wasn’t fooled by Tobias’s words. Instead, he was intrigued by how far Tobias was willing to go to help Hazel. "Are you finally ready to admit that you had feelings for her in the past?" He asked again.

"I didn’t have feelings for her in the past. That’s not what I came to you to speak about. Will you help me or not?" Tobias questioned, wanting an honest answer so he would know to look elsewhere for help.

"Since you look desperate, I will help you. Do you want one of my father’s secrets? He has plenty," Edgar said, willing to ruin his father’s reputation.

Edmund Collins had the reputation of a perfect husband and a talented man in court, helping the king with creating new laws, but to Edgar, Edmund was a pain in the ass.

"I can see how that would be fun for you, but my father wouldn’t allow it. I’ve been hearing that your father is making room for you in the court and speaking of you getting married. Seems like it is not only your mother planning your future. I bet my offer to run away with me sounds good now," Tobias said, looking across the rooms at their fathers.

"You only run when you’re too weak to fight. I am not going to court," Edgar said, repeating the same answer he gave his father weeks ago. "If he asks again, I will kill him. That would make a good scandal for you."