Free Web NovelChapter 99: Secret (1)
"He cannot do this. This to get back at you for taking me out of the palace," Alana said, angered by the letter Scarlet gave her to read. "Why would he think it would be a good idea to send an invitation for Jack and that woman to visit the palace? Then expect you to apologise if you want it to stop. Please tell me that you will not."
"Cats would start flying the day that I apologise to your brother. He can do as he pleases. My relationship with him would be dead with no point of being revived should I hear about those two in the palace," Scarlet replied.
This wasn’t upsetting her as Luke thought it would. It only made Scarlet see more of how much of a fool the king was.
Alana stared at the letter once more. Her presence here was already causing trouble for Scarlet. It would quickly spread and be talked about how the king was inviting her ex and the mistress. It was like Scarlet’s family were turning their backs on her.
"Should I just return? I have no problem apologising to him," Alana said. She preferred when she was the only one troubled by Luke.
"And why would you do that? This does not upset me to want to send you back. If anything, I am only annoyed that I was made to read this. Throw it out when you are done. No," Scarlet changed her mind. frёewebηovel.cѳm
These letters from Luke which showed how he was with her now were just the evidence she needed for why she wouldn’t help him in the future. Should he continue to annoy her, Scarlet was petty enough to send it to her grandparents.
Scarlet would kill two birds with one stone by having the Collins and Callahans upset with Luke. Luke’s anger that Alana was now out of his reach made him forget just how much he depended on her family.
"Still," Alana said, concerned for Scarlet. "At any time you wish to save yourself from his tricks, please tell me want me to leave. I’ve been well under Luke’s rule and I will continue to be fine."
"If you ever step foot in that palace, he is going to marry you off before I can help you again. I am warning you now if you ever run away to go back to the palace in secret, I will never speak to you again," Scarlet warned. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
"I won’t," Alana promised. "I hope to be married before it ever comes to that. So, when is the next time you will be meeting with Ian?"
"When I wish to have tea," Scarlet answered. Now that Alana brought up Ian, she was reminded of him speaking about a gift. It was well past noon and nothing was sent to her.
"Other than for tea. Is there nothing exciting that you want to do with him?" Alana asked.
"We do not have that kind of a relationship. For how much longer must I entertain you today?" Scarlet questioned as it felt like hours since Alana came to sit before her. "I permit you to call upon friends to visit you. Ones you can trust."
"Royals don’t have many friends. We sit with people who can help us in the future. I don’t have anyone I can call for and you won’t allow me to work. The maids are a bit scared of me so they don’t linger long to speak," Alana said, placing the letter down as now something else troubled her.
"It is not you that they fear. They are scared of Florence seeing them not working. You can take one of the carriages and have some guards go with you wherever you want. You’ve been inside since you arrived. Go enjoy a ride around town," Scarlet suggested.
"I am used to being inside all the time and I will not leave unless you are willing to come along with me. You’ve been working since breakfast. Scarlet, how much money would I need to start a business?" Alana asked as she wished to have her own money.
"It depends but I must warn you that not everyone is cut out to run a business. I won’t be able to finish what I must with you here. Come," Scarlet said, deciding to take a break. "I am giving you two hours of my time."
Alana was quick to get up. "Are you certain? If there is much for you to do, I can leave. Or perhaps I can help you. I can be good at sorting papers. You receive a lot of invitations and I can be the person to sort out which party you should attend. The Kingsleys have sent you one."
Scarlet was interested in this one. She had proven her disinterest in the family outside of Ian so they were quite bold to have invited her. Even bolder if Ian did not receive an invitation. "That one screams trouble so I will not be attending. Ian doesn’t like his relatives."
"Oh," Alana replied, but at the same time she understood. If Ian’s relatives were anything like Luke, Ian should stay away. "That is good. You wouldn’t need to worry about your in-laws."
"I have never worried about in-laws," said Scarlet.
"Tell me honestly Scarlet, is there anything you fear?" Alana asked as Scarlet always appeared ready to face what was in front of her.
"There is a lot that I fear. I have feelings just like everyone else. It is only that I cannot let it show," Scarlet said as then the men who took every chance to criticise her would never let her forget.
Then there were the relatives after the estate that kept saying she wasn’t fit to be in charge of it. No matter when something scared her, Scarlet had to be confident before it and show her true feelings show in private.
"I see. There have been plenty of times when I was jealous of you because I thought you had everything. You kind of do, but that comes with you having to always face a challenge and hide what you feel. I could never do it so I applaud you," Alana said, praising Scarlet. She hoped many others would applaud Scarlet too.
The praises should never come when Scarlet was not around to hear them.
"Did you ask for tea?" Alana asked as Florence was coming their direction with a teapot.
"No. She knows that I do not enjoy the tea here. Is that for Alana?" Scarlet questioned. It was pointless to try getting her to try new tea here.
"This teapot was sent for you with a note from Mr. Kingsley. It is heavy so there is tea inside that needs to be warmed. I came to see what you would like done with it," said Florence.
Normally, Florence would toss out any food or drinks sent to Scarlet right away as they could not have a repeat of the incident when someone tried to harm Scarlet using food. However, this was from Ian Kingsley.
"The fellow who brought it is still at the door. He said he was instructed to let you see his face and then you would know that it is from Mr. Kingsley," Florence explained.
Scarlet took off the lid of the teapot and leaned forward to smell the scent of the tea. It was similar to what Ian had brewed for her the last time she visited him. The teapot also had a similar decor to the one he gifted her.
"Have it warmed up and ready to serve for us. I will send the man off," Scarlet said, leaving to see who Ian sent.
Alana remained behind with Florence as she wished to know why the head maid was smiling. "Might I know why you are smiling over Scarlet wanting the tea?"
"The lady has never accepted the food or drinks sent before. Forgive me for being unable to hide my smile," Florence answered.
