NOVEL NEXT Chapter 404: Under attack (3)
"I don't believe there is anything for us to speak in private about. I didn't mean to offend you by asking you to seriously consider the duties of a duchess. I have never once forgotten that you are a princess. How could I forget?" Ally asked, disliking the attention placed on her.
"You might not have forgotten, but you certainly look down on me because I am different. It is not something you have always done. You've always been quite nice to me, but it changed this season. I truly hate when someone acts ignorant of their actions," Rue said, wanting Ally to be honest.
"I don't hate you, but if this goes on, that might just be where it ends. I don't want to fight with you over Elijah, and I don't intend to. What you do is quite one-sided if you have not noticed," said Rue.
"I have never done anything to you. If you misread my actions or misheard my words, then I apologise, but it also means you must fix how you read others," Ally suggested.
"I am perfectly good at reading others. It is a talent I inherited from my parents, as it comes with their titles. You have been making small jabs at me because of Elijah. I can dismiss a few actions caused by jealousy at the start, but I am bored with it now," said Rue.
Ally looked at the others seated around the table. "Do you-"
"Do not bring them into this. This is why I wanted to speak in private, so we are not angered by their answers. Do not speak," Rue said, eyeing the others. "This is a matter between us."
Penelope reached for the treats laid out. She didn't want to speak even if the queen or her mother were around to order her to.
"I apologise if I did or said something without noticing. I do have feelings for Elijah, but it was never my intention to hate you. Do you love him?" Ally asked, toying with her fingers below the table.
If Rue loved Elijah, then Ally could move on since there would be no hope.
"No," Rue answered with honesty.
"What?' Ally's mouth fell open in an unladylike manner. "You don't love him?"
"How could I love him when he has only just started to court me? That would be silly, wouldn't it?"
"How could you not love him? You have known him for a long time, just as I have. Did you just wake up one morning and notice the man that he is?" Ally asked, puzzled.
"It is precisely so. He has always been my friend, but after a series of events, I realised that he was a man I held some interest in. Does it matter that it happened for me so late? Do you think you deserve him more because you noticed your feelings longer?" Rue asked.
"Well, yes," Ally answered.
"Then have him," Rue suggested.
Ally looked around the table to see if anyone was just as confused as she was by Rue.
"What do you mean that I can have him?" Ally asked, still yet to understand Rue.
"You may pursue him. Do what you must to get him to fancy you, and I won't think anything of it since he is not mine. That should be enough to end the way you act, but do not be angry with me because your feelings are not returned. You cannot force someone to love you," said Rue.
Ally couldn't believe her eyes. "You would just give him up-"
"Give him up?" Rue chuckled, amused by Ally. "When did I say that I was giving him up? I informed you that you may court him, and I will think nothing of it. We are not married for me to be upset with you. I intend to keep him for as long as I can."
Penelope raised her cup to hide her smile. She thought of how delighted Elijah would be to hear this.
Penelope glanced across the table, and just from seeing Lily's smile, she knew they shared the same thought.
They both had something Elijah would like to know, so they could get something from him in return.
"I might not love him, but I like him and I enjoy his company. I am far from what anyone expects of a future duchess, but it should please you to know marriage is not on my mind. I urge you to keep your jealousy hidden. I am the last lady you want to make an enemy of," Rue warned Ally.
"You would hurt me?" Ally asked.
Rue nodded. "I would. While you like to hurt with words, I have other measures. Don't toy with me, Ally. Especially over a man who could lose interest in us both by tomorrow. I have lost someone dear to me, so I have no time for your games. I will hurt you, and it will be painful to remember for a lifetime."
"You are taking this too far, Rue. I might have said something you don't like, but to threaten me with pain is too far," said Ally.
"You know the lady that I am. Is it only fun when my warnings are toward other ladies? Try to look down on me because of where I came from or how I act, and I will hurt you. You cannot make jabs at me and expect my response to be as you want it," Rue said, her voice calm.
Rue continued to say, "We are different. I am starting to wonder if that is the reason he took notice of me and not you or any other lady. Perhaps I should teach the ladies here how to impress a man."
Julie wished she could be anywhere other than here, amongst her friends. She didn't like to see Ally be so defeated, but this wasn't a moment for her to jump in. If they were to ever move on, Ally and Rue needed to express their feelings now, no matter how harsh it might be.
"We need wine instead of tea and juice. I- Penelope, what are the guards doing?" Julie asked, noticing guards running with weapons.
Penelope stood up, examining the guards who ran not far from them. "They are only like this when there is trouble. We must go inside and find my mother. Move quickly," she urged the ladies.
"Damien!" Penelope called to Damien, who lingered nearby. "Find out what is happening and return to my side."
Penelope was curious if the guards were rushing to go to her father or if the estate was under attack.