Page 44 of The Ruler
“Then let me ask you this,” I said, forcing myself to face the inevitable. “If you had to choose between me and him, who would you choose?”
“As my protector?” she asked.
“As your husband.”
Pearl put down her book and blinked up at me. “I don’t want a husband.”
“Me or Archer,” I shot back, pinning her with my jealousy.
“I’m not answering that question.”
“Me or him, Pearl,” I said and leaned closer. “It’s a simple question and you love thought-experiments, don’t you?”
Pearl narrowed her eyes before she finally answered. “Fine then! Hypothetically speaking, if I were to marry one of you I think I would choose…”
“Yes?” I said, my heart thumping fast in my chest.
“You. I would probably choose you.”
“Why?” I asked, surprised.
Pearl squirmed in her seat a little and she wet her lips like she did so often. “Because we have a lot in common.”
“Like what?”
“We both like to play chess,” she started. “And we both understand the responsibility of making hard decisions affecting millions of people.”
“And?” I asked, intrigued.
“And we’re both intelligent and great at strategy.”
“You would choose me because of my brain?” I asked and leaned back resting my hands on the table that I was sitting on.
“Uh-huh, but you said you never participate in a tournament,” Pearl pointed out.
“I said I haven’t so far,” I corrected her.
“Why?”
“Because it would be unfair to the other contestants.”
“But they would have a fair chance to kill you.”
“Yes,” I laughed. “But I’m not worried about that. I’m a great fighter. I would make it to the final five champions.”
Pearl tilted her head and studied me. “Oh…” she breathed. “I see.”
“What do you see?” I said, now in a much better mood than before.
“You’re not afraid of dying so much as you’re afraid of being rejected over another man.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I chuckled. “Every woman from the Northlands would choose me if she could.”
“Then why haven’t you participated? Why does your brother have a wife, but not you?” Pearl had that inquisitorial expression in her eyes that came when she was onto something.
I rolled my shoulders pretending to be bored with the subject. “I will, soon. When the right woman is ready for marriage.”
Pearl lifted her face, looking regal in the way she sat with her back straight and her chin raised. “And if I was the prize, would you compete then?”
