Free Web NovelChapter 194: Family (1)
Scarlet stretched her arms, trying to fix the aching feeling she still experienced in her lower back.
"This is the fourth time you have stretched since I sat down here. If you are in pain, stretching might not be the solution. I am quite handy," Alana said, showing her hands. "I might be able to massage the pain out of you." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"That is kind of you but I am fine. I only need to walk around a bit to get rid of it or maybe some ice to place on my back," Scarlet said, standing up to test if the first part would work.
"You left fine and returned with an aching back. I shall take that as evidence that your night with Ian went well. I am surprised that he didn’t find his way back here. I was hoping to speak to him but he does need to work," Alana said, placing her latest book she used to study with down on the table before her.
Alana stood up to join Scarlet in walking around the room. "Does this mean you are heading to get married again?"
Scarlet did not enjoy the mention of marriage once more. "Why is everyone thinking of marriage already? I do not want to remarry anytime soon."
"And what if it is on Ian’s mind? He has never married and might want the chance to do it," said Alana.
"Then we would have a conversation about it. It is all as simple as that. My thoughts about waiting a little longer before marrying again will not change so don’t start planning out what dress you will wear. You mentioned wanting to attend parties to find yourself a party. Shouldn’t you focus on yourself?" Scarlet asked, curious about Alana’s selection of a husband.
From what Florence shared with her, Scarlet knew that Alana and Dawson were still being weird around each other while bickering here and there. Dawson wouldn’t have ever made it on the list of men that Alana was to marry but as his employer, Scarlet knew she paid him enough for him to live a comfortable life.
Scarlet wasn’t against the pair but if they were going to be around each other acting oblivious and annoying her with the horrible sight of them failing to acknowledge that they liked each other’s company then she was going to send them somewhere far away.
"I am focused on myself when you are not around. I’ve already informed you of a party I want to attend. There should be plenty of bachelors there. Oh, you have a visitor," Alana said, looking out the window at the gates. "They weren’t stopped like other guests. Are your parents coming to visit?"
Scarlet leaned forward to get a better look at the carriage though it was too far for her to make it out. "Ryan did say she was on her way here. I didn’t expect it to be this soon. Your studying will have to wait since my grandparents are here."
Scarlet moved away from the window to start making her way down to greet them. It was just like her grandparents to not give her any warning and just showed up to surprise her. Still, she welcomed their arrival since it was always fun when the pair were around.
"Your grandparents? I did not hear of them coming. Isn’t it nearing time for you to meet with them out of Lockwood? Why are they here? Not that I am upset," Alana said, trying to clear up any misunderstanding.
What Alana remembered of Scarlet’s grandparents was that they weren’t too fond of Lockwood so they lived on the edge of the town.
"It must be due to the divorce or the fact they knew that I was not on speaking terms with Luke. It has to be for a good reason since grandmother doesn’t like to be here," Scarlet explained.
While Scarlet’s grandfather, Elijah Collins, was born and partly raised in Lockwood, her grandmother, Rue Collins, was raised at the border where Ryan came from. There was a great difference between the two towns and her grandmother never adapted well to the change.
Alana noted how Scarlet could not stop smiling and began to rush to see her grandparents. Maybe along with Ian, what Scarlet needed was to have all her relatives around. Scarlet’s behaviour started to get Alana excited though it wasn’t her grandparents who came to visit.
"Wait for me!" Alana called after Scarlet, holding the sides of her dress so she could keep up with Scarlet.
"You must run faster," Scarlet replied. She wanted to be at the door to greet her grandparents.
"Milady," Florence panicked upon seeing not only Scarlet running but the princess as well. It could only mean one thing that they were to prepare for an important guest.
Florence followed the two to the front door in case she would be needed.
While Alana tried to catch her breath, Scarlet opened the front door.
Scarlet was puzzled by the sight of only her grandfather getting out of the carriage. Ryan had informed her of her grandmother coming. "Grandfather!"
"Do not look so disappointed that it is just me," Elijah said, looking up the steps at his beloved granddaughter. Each time he reunited with her, she seemed to keep getting taller. "Your grandmother insists on riding a horse. Be a dear and help me convince her to stop."
Scarlet smiled when she heard the sound of a horse trotting towards them. She should have known that this was how her grandmother travelled. Her grandmother always had an adventurous spirit and often spoke out about not sitting around waiting to die. Rue wanted to be adventurous until the very end. Even when she hurt herself. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Elijah looked back to see that Rue was coming toward them safely. He would never understand why she wanted to use a horse when they had a good carriage. One as good as the one he had begged his father to give him.
While he worried about Rue having an incident riding a horse, he still enjoyed seeing her be so carefree.
"Ah! There is nothing like the wind in your hair on a good day," Rue said, sliding off the horse. "You must live a little, Elijah. Being fit to enjoy things like this at my age was passed down from my mother to me and look how long she lived."
"Yes, yes. You are right," Elijah said, taking hold of Rue’s hand and bringing her close to remove the grass she somehow got stuck in her hair. He could never let her settle here because the town would try to change her and as much as her hobbies frightened him, Elijah liked seeing her be the free spirit that she was.
"Of course I am right. Now, what is this I hear about the king picking on you?" Rue asked, looking around for the sword she was to have at her side.
