"I can always go back ho when I am ready so there isn’t much to miss. Why? Are you thinking of leaving your duties as the princess?" Rue asked.
"I already have and I don’t want to marry who my brother has picked for to wed. There is much for to learn and get used to but I would prefer a more simple life if it ans that I would be happy," said Alana, wanting sothing close to what Rue ended up with.
"I see. Eli, why don’t you go and look around? I want to have a little talk with these two. I won’t be long," Rue said, kissing his cheek. "And don’t think of sneaking one of those guns Scarlet spoke of into your carriage. You already have plenty at ho. Florence, please keep an eye on my husband and guns."
Elijah was still going to take one for himself. "Our ho has a room full of swords hanging on the wall. It is only fair that I have one to place my guns."
"Hmm, you can take a gun but see if you can find it when we get ho. Now, where were we? I think you should follow your heart about your life and who you want to marry," Rue advised Alana.
Elijah was not the kind of man many thought Rue would have married given their different backgrounds. Elijah was the calm son of a wealthy duke while Rue was considered to be the wild daughter of the border leader. Their worlds were different but they could not help falling in love.
"Luke will not stop until I am back in the palace to marry his choice. He will never let go of his father marrying my mother and I don’t know what more to do. I can only find a husband and wed in secret before Luke tries to force . He cannot end a marriage already acknowledged by the church," Alana said, hopeful that this might free her.
The hard part was finding a man she could live out the rest of her days with. She did not want to go from feeling trapped in the palace to feeling trapped in a marriage.
"I have parties to attend to find a match. If that doesn’t work, my attention will be solely on becoming one of Scarlet’s employees."
Rue didn’t feel Alana should have to do all of this just not to be bothered by her flesh and blood. "They do not kill kings like they once used to do. My mother would have been happy to give him a good beating for you. If you need my help, I can go to the palace."
"Oh no," Alana waved her hands to stop Rue. "I have it taken care of. My mind is made up of what I need to do. I’ve intruded on Scarlet’s ti with you long enough so I should get back to my studying. It was wonderful seeing you again."
Rue watched as Alana hurried away. "The poor child didn’t need to leave but I do need to have a word alone with you. Are you alright? With the divorce and everything that followed? We’ve been trying to keep up with you."
"I am-"
"Do not lie to . I have always noticed that you like to keep your feelings bottled up. Tell honestly, are you fine?" Rue asked once more.
Scarlet held Rue’s hand. "Grandmother, right now I an it when I say that I am fine. I have long moved on from the divorce and everything else that followed. I cannot go on holding onto the past and I have been quite distracted by the man I spoke of."
"I have no choice but to take your word for it. You have so much on your shoulders and at tis, we forget it because you are taking care of the businesses so well. You must take monts to have fun. As hectic as my parents’ lives were as leaders, they always made ti for us to travel and enjoy each other’s company. Do that," Rue urged Scarlet.
"I know. It is nearing the ti when the hotel would be less busy so I might consider taking a break before the family reunion. Maybe out of the estate and go to the border or another town. Everyone has been ntioning that I need a break so I will listen," Scarlet decided.
She didn’t feel tired but to end those who cared for her worrying, Scarlet could take a small trip.
Scarlet considered taking Ian to go with her to one of the other hos her family owned, but then thought of his current plan to get close to his father. She didn’t want to have him choose to co with her or find out about Noelle. She would have to go on a small trip alone.
"I recomnd that you go to the border since everyone misses you. Ryan could stay a little longer so you two can travel together. Take the man you speak of so he can get to know another side of you. I like that you aren’t rushing to marry him. Take your ti," Rue advised Scarlet.
If this man loved her granddaughter, he could wait for when Scarlet was ready to give marriage another try.
"Now, what can the two of us get up to for so fun? I will serve as your break for the day. It is that ti when we must pick the last of the fruits on the trees before winter falls upon us. Please tell that you still know how to climb. Do not break this old woman’s," Rue said, crossing her fingers.
"I have not done it since I was a child but I don’t see why I should not be able to climb one. We will frighten grandfathert if he sees us in a tree. You know he never liked it and now, he will say that it is not suited for you," Scarlet said, wanting to do sothing else.
"All he does is worry like my father did about my mother’s habit. I will outlive your grandfather since I don’t sit around letting my bones get weak. Watch and see," Rue said confidently.
Scarlet believed that could happen despite all the crazy things her grandmother did. Scarlet hoped to be able to move around as much as her grandmother did now in the future. "Then, I shall take your word for it. I also have a few horses here if you would like for us to race. That I know I can win."
"Oh," Rue chuckled. "I admire the way you speak so confidently."
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