Chapter 420: Mother dearest (3)
The throne room was soon swarmed with people from all over the kingdom.
Annalise stood beside the Collinses since the Castros stood by the throne.
"Rue has told me that you took good care of her while she was here, and Penelope was kind enough to keep inviting her to gatherings. I owe you plenty," Annalise said to Alessandra.
"You don’t owe me, Annalise. We are family," said Alessandra.
"Indeed, we are. Why is it that your son keeps sneaking glances at my daughter, and Rue seems to enjoy it when she catches him doing it? She left this out in her letters. Aren’t girls to speak of the men who catch their fancy to their mother? Lydia hasn’t done it as well," Annalise said, disappointed.
"Maybe they are both shy or exploring their feelings. They might not want to speak of anyone until they know their feelings for certain. This hasn’t been going on long. I have been watching them both along with the queen," Annalise said, sneaking glances at Rue and Elijah.
Annalise and Alessandra had to speak softly as the coronation was in progress.
"Rue is anything but shy. She would only try to hide it from her father. I am not against it," Annalise said,
"Elijah would be a duke one day. You would not mind that Rue has to stay here?" Alessandra asked.
"I would worry and miss her, but how could I ever get upset? Rafael moved his life to the border for me. If Rue wishes to do the same, I must support her even though I don’t think this town is safe. Look at the ladies eyeing her," Annalise pointed out.
"I’ve been told my son is among the most desired men in town. The other young ladies might not be happy that Rue has caught Elijah’s attention. There will be childish plots, but Rue is too smart to fall for them," Alessandra said, since she hadn’t heard of Rue being hurt.
"That is because she has been taught the art of war. I have too much anger within me to stand here as they whisper about my daughter. I should just..." Annalise trailed off, walking forward, but someone held her hand.
Annalise expected it to be Alessandra’s, but upon looking, saw that it was Edgar’s hand.
"If you interrupt this, I must attend it for a second time. Hurt someone after," Edgar said, letting go of Annalise’s hand so he could hold Alessandra again.
Edgar still couldn’t piece together why he was left with Annalise while Rafale was placed near Tobias to protect him.
"It will be over soon," Alessandra said, holding Annalise’s hand to calm her. "You should stand back and watch Rue for a moment. She has grown so much."
"She is still my baby," Annalise muttered.
"It is painful to watch them step forward to be on their own. Luckily, they return to us for advice or comfort," Alessandra said, having experienced it herself. "She’ll give you that look when she needs you. Oh!"
"That’s the look," Annalise said, stepping forward to go to Rue.
Alessandra didn’t stop Annalise this time since Rue needed her. She couldn’t be so cruel as to stop Rue from what she needed most.
"Shouldn’t your eyes be on the throne?" Edgar whispered.
"I am good at doing both, Edgar. It is Lady Jade and her daughter. Is her husband around?" Alessandra wondered, not wanting Annalise to be without a man at her side if Ronan was present.
"Why are you asking me as though I pay attention to him?" Edgar asked, but still, he noticed that Ronan wasn’t around to bother him.
"If he shows up, then you must go to Annalise’s side," said Alessandra.
"Annalise could take down Ronan, his wife, and child," Edgar replied, but he still watched where Annalise walked.
"But she is still a lady. Her husband is not here, so another man should protect her," Alessandra said, willing to send her husband.
Meanwhile, Rue was uninterested in what Amelia had to say to her. It was clear as day that Amelia intended to get close to Elijah now that Teo had picked another lady.
"Elijah, we expected to see you closer to the throne," Jade said, her hand placed on Amelia’s back to nudge her forward.
"I am not a Castro; therefore, no one should expect to see me standing beside the throne. Seeing my sister stand there with Prince Tyrion is enough for me. Now, I want to hear what is being said," Elijah said, annoyed that his moment was disturbed.
Amelia covered her mouth as she laughed.
"I didn’t hear the joke," said Lily.
Lily knew what was at play before her. With the two princes taken, it made the most sense for the ladies to turn to Elijah. It didn’t make sense for Amelia to think she had a chance with Elijah after waiting to now pay attention to him.
Jade noticed the closeness between Rue and Elijah. She did not believe it when Amelia said the crown prince fancied Rue, and she did not believe it now that Rue could marry Elijah.
"I will be out of your way soon, but I want to ask a favour of you now. When the coronation is over, they will allow us to roam the-"
"No," Elijah rejected the offer. He then looked ahead at where Teo sat with the crown on his head.
Amelia frowned.
Not only had she been dismissed by Tyrion and lost her chance with Teo, but now Elijah wasn’t giving her a chance. She had so little time before her father would be well to find her a husband.
"Rue," Annalise said, stepping between Rue and Elijah. "Dear, who is this?" She asked the unfamiliar mother and daughter.
Amelia was taken aback by the armour worn during such an extravagant occasion. There was no question in her mind that this was Rue’s mother.
"Mother," Amelia whispered, no longer wanting to speak.
Jade kept her smile, not wanting to face consequences for disrespect. "We are Lady Jade and Amelia. It is an honour for us to meet the leader of the border. Amelia," Jade said, nudging her daughter to curtsy. "We won’t disturb you any longer."
"I haven’t finished my greeting," Annalise said, extending her hand for Jade to shake.
Jade stared at Annalise’s hand. She had already curtsied, so why did they need to shake hands?
Still, Jade decided to shake hands.
Jade gasped, startled by Annalise squeezing her hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. I hope that while my daughter was here without me, you treated her well," Annalise said, forcing the same fake smile Jade wore.
"M-Mother," Amelia stuttered, afraid her mother would lose her hand.