Chapter 349: Courting (2)
"Forgive me," Selina said, looking down to hide her shame. "I didn’t mean to use wild because of where she is from. I was only concerned to protect Miss Rue from onlookers. You two are gathering a lot of attention."
Selina didn’t like the current situation.
Soon, gossip would spread that Elijah was walking alone with Rue, appearing like a gentleman courting a woman he adored.
Selina came up with an idea. "Perhaps it would be best to let everyone know that Miss Rue is like a sister to you. That would end the gossip before it forms beyond this path."
"Rue is not like a sister to me. I already have three sisters who make it their life mission to bother me. I would not like another," said Elijah.
"And I enjoy that I only have sisters," Rue added to Selina’s torment.
"I see, but no one would think you are truly siblings. It merely crosses out the idea that there is something between you. It would make the times that you are alone understood," Selina said, hoping the pair would get it.
Selina felt something pinch her chest each time Rue rested her head on Elijah’s arm, and Elijah did nothing to move her away. This wasn’t how a lady acted. It was scandalous for an unmarried young lady to act this way, but somehow, Rue was allowed to get away with it.
"I have a feeling that even if we were to walk an arm’s length away from each other, we would still be spoken of as lovers. Still, I will save the young duke," Rue said, stepping away from Elijah.
Rue’s plans were short-lived when Elijah held onto her hand and raised it to kiss the back of her hand.
"And here I was enjoying myself," Elijah said after the kiss.
Selina blushed, stumped as to what had gotten into Elijah. He was never so affectionate.
’Why hasn’t he done this with me?’ Selina wondered. She had been the perfect lady before Elijah.
’I’m going to throw him,’ Rue thought.
Elijah was putting on an act a little too well.
"You’re going to upset my guards. They’re all like my aunts and uncles," Rue whispered.
A little bit more affection from Elijah, and there might be a sword fight here.
’I wish to see,’ Rue thought, curious about Elijah’s skills.
Elijah didn’t mind the challenge. "I’ve been looking forward to showing that I am just as skilled at using swords as I am with guns."
"You should be. Guns make it too easy to kill someone. Swords show your skill. Someone in your position should know how to use many weapons so you could protect your home should it be under attack," said Rue.
"I agree. Do you think my future wife should know how to use a weapon as well?" Elijah asked, enjoying the way he triggered the guards.
Selina’s eyes widened.
"She should. I think it is wrong that a lady needs to depend on a man to save her. To know how to use a dagger is needed, or if they can have their enemies seated and their guards down, know about poison. My great-grandmother is good with poisons," said Rue.
"Celeste is still alive?"
"Well, yes. It is a proven fact that the ladies in my family will outlive their spouses. I do not know what it is, but it is what always happens. When I write to my mother soon, I will ask her what the secret is. Oh," Rue remembered Selina’s presence. "You are still here."
Rue now noticed that Selina’s friends were gone and only a maid remained.
"You are quite the lady to speak of weapons and poisons so casually. I have never heard a lady act this way, and you are also said to be a princess. It is amazing to hear that you know how to use a sword," said Selina.
Selina had another wonderful idea.
Selina reached for Rue’s hands and asked, "Would you be so kind as to display your skills in using a sword?"
"While I would love to, my father would faint if he heard that I used a sword on you," Rue replied, turning down the offer.
Selina pulled her hands back from Rue. "M-Me?"
"Yes, you. Surely you did not think that I would be the only lady on this fine day wielding a sword. Then I would appear to be a lady who has lost her mind. It would be better if you joined me, wouldn’t it?" Rue asked, seeing through Selina’s plans.
"I couldn’t," Selina laughed. "I don’t know the first thing about using a sword."
"You pick it up. That is first. You are off to a wonderful start," said Rue.
Elijah looked away to hide his smile.
"Alongside training to use weapons, my parents taught me how to plot and understand an enemy’s moves. It’s so I don’t walk right into a laid-out trap, but sometimes I am bored and want to entertain myself," said Rue.
Selina didn’t understand why Rue spoke of this with her. "I have heard a lot about you and your family. I heard more about your mother staying behind to help prepare your sister to lead. I don’t understand your ways."
Selina continued, "Your older sister isn’t the blood daughter of your mother or Sir Rafael, yet she will lead. Does it not bother you? Rightfully, it should be you. Here, we wouldn’t allow this to happen."
"Lydia is every bit of my sister. She is my parents’ daughter, no matter how you try to twist it, and is deserving of being the one to rule the border. Why would you adopt a child just to skip them when you have more?" Rue asked.
Rue didn’t like any questions about Lydia’s right to rule the border. Lydia already had one breakdown where she thought it was best the position go to Rue or their younger sister.
"That is not what I meant. Here, the heir becomes the child shared between the couple, not a-"
"Choose your next words carefully, or I will show you how a sword is used. I don’t harbour any jealousy that my sister is the one leading. I will be the sister there to protect her. You must be careful when speaking of her," Rue said, annoyed by Selina’s ignorance.
Not only was Selina bothering Rue with what she spoke of, but guards were standing behind Rue who didn’t like it when their leaders were spoken of.
"I’m sorry. I am learning how the border works, as it is quite different from our kingdom. I didn’t mean to offend you or your sister," Selina apologised.
"I find that you apologise quite a lot. If you think before you speak, you wouldn’t have to," Rue advised Selina.