Chapter 421: Mother dearest (4)
"Oh, look at me," Annalise said, loosening her hold on Jade’s hand. "I forgot how delicate the ladies of this town are. You’ll have to forgive me."
Jade pulled her hand away and rubbed the back of it. She vowed never to shake hands with Annalise again, or her hands might be ruined by Annalise’s rough nature.
"You don’t need to apologise. Your excitement merely got the best of you. My daughter and I must get moving to see the king make his first walk through the crowd," Jade said, desperate to get away.
"I won’t keep you, but I must ask a little favour of you. Each time I visit Lockwood, it is for matters concerning the two kingdoms, so I don’t get time to socialise with the ladies. You look to be a wise woman. Tell the others that I am well with handling snakes," said Annalise.
Jade frowned, knowing right away what Annalise spoke of. One would assume Annalise truly spoke of snakes since she was said to be seen with them, but Jade knew she spoke of the women around.
"Toy with my little girl, and they’ll face pain far worse than any guard can inflict on you. Do I make myself clear?" Annalise questioned, loud enough for the eavesdroppers to hear. "I’m certain you got away with disrespect during outings when my husband wasn’t present."
"N-No. Not at all," Jade said, puzzled as to why Annalise was speaking of this when she was present. "I have treated your people with the utmost respect. I haven’t gotten the chance to speak with many people from the border."
"Well, I hope what you say is true. Amongst the people I care for, my daughters are at the top of the list of the people I would kill for. No matter where I stand," Annalise said, her words targeting Amelia.
Annalise had once been considered an outcast since she was unfamiliar with the ways of this kingdom. She knew exactly how mothers were with their daughters, and now that she was aware of the spark between her daughter and Elijah, she needed to be more on guard.
"There appears to be a misunderstanding. Queen, no," Jade said, feeling the title was wrong. "Lady Annalise, I have never looked down on your daughter, nor has my daughter."
"Well, you couldn’t unless you’re a royal from another kingdom. While I am here, I am going to pay close attention to who speaks of my daughter. If any of you let one wrong word slip from your mouth, you’ll become well acquainted with my pets. You’re excused," Annalise said, dismissing Jade.
Jade took the chance to hold Amelia’s hand and pull her away from the strange woman.
"Look at them running. There’s never a dull moment with the ladies from these towns. Was it hard to face them?" Annalise asked.
"It was a little hard because I had to stay on my best behaviour," Rue confessed. "I didn’t respond as I wanted."
Annalise frowned. "Why would you do such a thing?"
Rue didn’t understand her mother’s response. "You told me to behave."
"I said you were to behave when you are at your father’s side and speaking of matters concerning the two kingdoms. Not to let the ladies here do as they like, and you do not respond. Rue," Annalise sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Do you intend to make me worry?"
Annalise would never ask any of her daughters to sit still while the women and even men around them plotted.
"Did anyone hurt you?" Annalise asked.
Elijah’s eyes narrowed in on a shiny object in Annalise’s hands. At the right angle, Elijah was able to see that it was a dagger.
Where Annalise had taken the dagger from was a mystery, but it wasn’t the only thing to catch his eye.
Elijah noticed a tiny creature lurking on Annalise’s armour. He hoped not to have any interactions with it. Touching Rue’s pet was all that he could bear for now.
"I wasn’t hurt by anyone. I’ve been doing my best not to respond as I would at home and not to embarrass our name, but there were times I made a mistake. I won’t hold back anymore," Rue promised.
"You shouldn’t. The ladies here go too far with their jealousy. It is partially my mistake for not coming along with you for your first season. Once I settle a few affairs here, I will spend time with you," Annalise said, caressing Rue’s hair.
Most of Annalise’s attention was going to her oldest daughter, but Rue needed some time.
Annalise’s gaze flickered from Rue to Elijah. He was a perfect mixture of his parents, though he resembled Edgar more. It wasn’t a surprise that Elijah was gathering so much attention.
"Do you know how to use a sword, Elijah?" Annalise asked out of the blue.
"I’ve been trained to use a sword. I have trained alongside the princes a few times," Elijah answered.
"Do you know how to use a spear?"
"I do. My father arranged for me to be taught to use all kinds of weapons. There isn’t a weapon I don’t know how to use," Elijah replied.
"But your choice of weapon would be a gun, wouldn’t it?" Annalise asked.
"It is most efficient these days, but if needed, I have other ways to protect myself. I can protect myself and anyone around me," Elijah promised.
"I will be the judge of that. I need to go closer to see your father. He looks handsome standing up there with his armour," Annalise said, leaving Rue to go closer to Rafael.
"Should I be concerned about what your mother will judge?" Elijah questioned, keeping his gaze on Annalise.
"You were the one who said you know how to use a sword and protect everyone around you. She will merely check that you can keep your word. I wouldn’t think anything of it," said Rue.
"There doesn’t seem to be much certainty in your voice. I will not have a dagger thrown at my head and expect to dodge it, right?" Elijah asked, yet to look away from Annalise.
Rue opened her mouth to laugh at what Elijah came up with, but she couldn’t promise him. "I do not know. My mother is quite unpredictable. You should keep your distance from her."
"She is a close family friend. I can never be away from her," Elijah pointed out.
"Then you’d better duck your pretty head when she tosses something in your direction. Luckily, she is distracted by wanting to kill Quinn, and you are in a crowd. She wouldn’t do it now. Or, would she?" Rue questioned, thinking of how her mother didn’t care who was watching.