Free Web NovelChapter 195: Family (2)
Elijah entered the house first to look around at the decor. He was reminded of his youth each time he returned to the estate when he, his siblings, and his parents once lived here.
He would give anything to return to the years when he would come home and find his mother somewhere painting. Then his younger sisters would bother him to play but they had their own lives now and moved all over the kingdom.
"I try not to change much about the estate other than take down what is no longer in style," said Scarlet.
To her, the estate had always been pretty from the time it was given to her so there wasn’t much Scarlet wanted to change about it other than the furniture which was bound to have a dusty smell over the years. It wasn’t too hard to find something similar to keep the estate looking the same but adapting to new styles.
It was worth it to see her grandfather return and reminisce over his memories with his parents. Scarlet was fond of the stories he told. The crazy adventures he had with her great-grandparents.
"It does bring back memories. We must take a trip to my family manor so I can look back on the good old days. Not that these ones aren’t special," Rue said, tapping Scarlet’s arm. "You look like you’ve been working yourself away. Have you kept up with your training?"
No granddaughter of Rue was going to be defenceless, especially with the position that Scarlet had.
"I have not been training. There isn’t a time for it. Grandfather, I’ve received our latest designs for guns," Scarlet said, wanting to shift the conversation from training.
"Guns," Rue muttered, shaking her head. She never liked them. "When are we going to see more swords? Using swords is what shows one’s talent. You merely need to aim and fire while a sword requires tricks. We should have left guns alone. It makes it easy for fools to kill."
While Elijah and Scarlet agreed about the fools and guns part, neither planned to turn in their guns for swords.
"I happen to like both. I will try to have a special batch of swords made for anyone who likes to collect them. Ryan is staying here so you should find comfort in having him speak about swords," said Scarlet.
’That reminds me. We got a little off-topic here. What is it between you and the king? It has to be serious for the princess to be living here with you," Rue said, looking at Alana who hid behind Scarlet.
"We just had a little disagreement about his treatment of Alana. You know how he is. Once you upset Luke, he looks to poke around at your life. I’m sure Ryan will ask about it at his sit-down with Luke today. No one else needs to get involved," said Scarlet.
Scarlet didn’t want to make something small be turned into a family issue.
"That boy," Rue shook her head. "Where is his father? Your father."
"Father is enjoying his time out of the palace. I hear he plans to remarry again-" freёwebnoѵel.com
"That old fart!" Rue exclaimed, flabbergasted that he wanted to try marriage for a third time. "I don’t mean to trouble you by bringing this up but with his first two wives passing, shouldn’t he start to think he is some sort of curse?"
"Try not to get too pumped up," Elijah said, holding Rue’s hand to calm her.
"He promised not to get remarried the first time and here he is thinking of doing it again. I swear if you were to ever remarry after you promised me that you wouldn’t, I would haunt you forever," Rue threatened Elijah.
Her family or more so her great-grandmother’s closeness to nature would ensure that it happened.
"I don’t plan to get remarried. Not at this age and with the slim picking in this town," Elijah replied. "I see you still have Florence at your side. How are you?"
"I am doing well, Mr. Collins. Are there bags to be brought inside?" Florence asked, ready to get the guests settled in.
"No. We have to go see our dear son shortly," Rue answered in place of Elijah. "I hope Scarlet doesn’t have you working too much like she does."
"Grandmother," Scarlet whined.
"She doesn’t. The estate is always peaceful which makes it easy to do my work and then rest when needed."
"It sounds a bit boring. You need to do something fun, Scarlet. Life is going by so fast that you shouldn’t miss it because you are sitting around working. My apologies that we didn’t come during the time of the divorce. I wasn’t well then," Rue said, sharing something she hadn’t told Leonard.
Scarlet thought it had to be serious since nothing could get her grandmother to sit still, especially when one of the relatives had trouble.
"I need to hear more about when you weren’t well and you should know that as of late, I have been a little adventurous. I am seeing someone," Scarlet revealed.
Since they were here in town they were going to hear about it at some point so Scarlet preferred that they heard about it from her.
"It is not serious for anyone to be thinking about marriage, please. We are still getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company. Mother has already invited him to the family trip so you might meet him then. Father somewhat approves of him," Scarlet said to make the two relax. "And Alana does as well."
"I do," Alana jumped in. She hoped Elijah and Rue would take a liking to Ian so the wedding wouldn’t have to wait too long to come.
Rue wasn’t all for it as yet since she was still on the hunt for the man before. "What family does he come from?"
"The Kingsleys," Scarlet replied.
"Oh, that family," Rue said, unimpressed. "Well, I am more familiar with the Kingsleys from my generation so I can’t judge the current ones. It is not off to a good start since I am reminded of those who mocked where I came from. How I was undeserving of a Collins."
"Well, I still stole your grandfather from the woman he was courting at the time," Rue clapped her hands, impressed with herself. "They can continue to mock me from the corners where they stand alone."
"Was it worth it for you to leave your life behind at the border and come here to marry Mr. Collins?" Alana asked, finding herself to be similar to Rue.
Rue was a princess at the border but she gave up that life to come here and have to adapt to Lockwood’s ways.
"There were some annoying days thanks to all the rules here, but of course, it was worth it. I have my husband, son and now Scarlet," Rue answered.
