Chapter 422: Guidance (1)
Lily was rather intrigued by what she witnessed between Elijah, Annalise, and Rue. She wished Penelope were near so they could speak of it and enjoy themselves.
Lily looked to her right at where her parents stood and caught a glimpse of Ally.
"Ally!" Lily called, getting the unwanted attention of the people around her. "My apologies."
Ally reluctantly walked toward Lily, leaving her mother behind.
"We’ve been awaiting you. Why didn’t you meet with us before the coronation? There is much that you missed," said Lily.
"I didn’t think it would be proper for me to attend, and I didn’t want to feel out of place. I want to stay near my mother and grandmother’s side," Ally said.
Lily laughed since Ally was being ridiculous. "Out of place? You have always stood amongst the royals. Did anyone say something to offend you?"
"No, but your lack of support these days has led me to believe that I am out of place. You said nothing at our last sit-down," Ally said, harbouring ill feelings from the last time she saw Lily.
"And I didn’t speak during the moments Rue felt offended. Or, was it your troubles with Julie that you felt I didn’t speak up? You have to understand that it is not an easy position for me or Penelope to be in. We hoped you could resolve it yourselves," Lily said, but that wasn’t going to happen.
"You could have spoken on my behalf. We are all friends, but I have been around far longer than she has. She lives far away."
"Distance doesn’t determine who I am close to. I love you both for different reasons. What am I to do about her feelings? Tell her that she could not be with my brother because you adore him? Then she would be standing before me, saying that I didn’t have her side," said Lily.
Lily sighed. "You are timid, so I know you need support at times, but that was the moment for you two to talk. You should have spoken in private to save us from witnessing. It troubles me that you are at odds over my brother of all men."
"I do care for you and never want you to feel excluded," Lily said, touching Ally’s shoulders.
Ally moved Lily’s hand. "Yet you invite Julie to your home and exclude me."
Lily laughed, unable to believe what Ally was coming up with. "When have I done such a thing? I have only seen you both when the group gets together."
"Then Penelope," Ally said, correcting her mistake.
"You cannot scold me for what Penelope does. I know that she tends to invite Julie because Julie feels left out with you having your grandmother’s attention. There are plenty of issues that need to be addressed, but you must know we aren’t trying to exclude you," said Lily.
Lily wished for Penelope to show up now to aid her. "Perhaps leaving the three of you to settle it amongst yourselves has caused more harm than good. Though I feel our last gathering settled more of it."
"What did you wish for me to say? Tell me so that I can learn from my mistakes," Lily requested.
Lily didn’t like hearing that Ally felt left out.
Lily continued to say, "I will confess that it was rather amusing to witness, but in your shoes, it hurt to learn Rue also cared for Elijah."
"I wish you had told her to seriously think of what it is to be a duchess. Ask if her feelings are true or if she is only having fun for the moment. Marriage is on my mind. I could move on if she truly loved him," Ally said, but it wasn’t the truth.
"I see. In a way, it sounds like you wanted me to make her question her feelings. If Rue asked me to do this to you, I wouldn’t. I don’t know what to do," Lily said, rubbing her temple.
"Pick a friend-"
"I am not going to pick between you two. I enjoy your company, so I am not letting either of you go. I wish I could tell you that if you court him, his feelings for Rue would change, but I haven’t seen my brother so involved in the season before," Lily said, apologetic.
Lily didn’t want to see Ally be hurt. It was unfortunate that Rue would be the one Ally lost Elijah to.
Lily held Ally’s hand. "We said we would enjoy the season together, and there is still time to do it. There are men near our age all over the throne. We could search for partners for each other."
Ally pulled her hand out of Lily’s hold. "I am most certain they would only have an interest in you. I didn’t have the pleasure of being introduced to men in the palace. The queen only did it for Julie."
"You must stop letting your jealousy get the best of you. We all have our faults, and I admit I could do better to let you know I didn’t pick any sides, but you let jealousy get the best of you. Your grandmother has made it so your name is spoken of. You don’t need the queen," said Lily.
"Julie doesn’t feel close to your grandmother, so either let her have the queen or help the relationship she has with your grandmother. I truly believe a proper talk where you listen to what the other has to say would benefit you both."
Lily didn’t know how to fix the troubles Julie and Ally faced with each other. Was she to write to Odessa to ask that she stop showing favouritism?
Then, with Rue, was she to ask that Rue stop liking Eljah?
"I can do everything for you, but speak to Rue and Julie about their feelings in a way that makes you feel better about your feelings. No matter what I do, Rue is going to like Elijah, and the queen will adore Julie. It is out of my control, but I am your friend. I want us to stay close," Lily said, holding Ally’s hand once more.
Lily looked at where Julie stood. "What do you think could settle all of this?"
"I do not know," Ally answered.
Ally was hoping for Lily to have the answers.
"I don’t know either. Could you not be friends with Rue unless she stops courting my brother?" Lily asked.
"I don’t want to stop being friends with Rue, but I don’t want to hear or witness anyone speak of her courting Elijah. I had been looking forward to courting him, only for his interest to go elsewhere," Ally said, still dwelling in heartbreak.
"Ally, please don’t let this be the reason you lose a good friend. Rue and Elijah courting each other, came out of thin air. Had she known you held some interest in him, she wouldn’t have entertained him."
"I know," Ally said.
"While you are busy thinking about my brother, there is a gentleman who cannot keep his eyes off of you," Lily said, waving at the gentleman.
"You lie," Ally said, not looking since it couldn’t be true.
"I do not. We shall find ourselves new men to adore today," said Lily.