Julie walked up to Penelope and the others, but before she reached them, she smiled to hide what had occurred.
Unfortunately, Penelope knew right away that something was wrong.
"Were you scolded because of me?" Rue asked, worried she might have said too much.
"No, I wasn’t, but you must be careful with any threats. Selina went to the queen, and now the queen will look into it," said Julie.
Rue wasn’t worried about any punishments. She was only concerned about her father finding out what she did.
"I don’t think Rue was wrong for what she said. Why can they say what they want, but then run to the queen when Rue responds as she wants? They do not like that Rue defends herself. I shall speak to your defence," Lily promised Rue.
"Thank you, but I am only afraid of my father being pulled away from his duties. I will keep my threats either in my mind or when I am alone with that person," Rue said.
Rue wasn’t used to someone running to the queen or anyone in charge after starting a fight.
"Then I will speak to your father. If Selina were to marry into our family, then I would be able to conclude there is something wrong with Elijah. I thought Selina was a little different from the others, but she is not," Lily said, peering at where Selina stood.
"We cannot stop Elijah from choosing what he wants, but I hope it will be someone who treats our friends well," said Penelope.
Penelope didn’t want Elijah to end up with Selina, but it was his future. She thought again of the assumption that Elijah had some interest in Rue, and then what Rue said about stealing Elijah.
Penelope looked at where Ally hesitantly approached the group. It would have become awkward for the group if Rue and Elijah had entertained each other.
"Julie, did something happen with you and Ally? She seems reluctant to come to us," Penelope noticed.
"Should I speak with her?" Lily offered, needing a distraction from Selina.
Julie nodded her head. "You should," she answered.
Lily left the group to speak with Ally.
"Would you like to share it with us? We can listen and say nothing if you need," Penelope offered.
"We’re arguing over the silliest thing. I understand why she is angry, but is it so wrong to want something for myself? The queen has invited me to come tomorrow with my mother, and Ally wants to come, but I said no. We argued over it," Julie shared.
"It is hard not to be a little jealous that Ally is seen as the favourite. I just wanted something that I could keep to myself, but to make her happy, I said I would ask the queen to let her come. I can already hear the way my grandmother will compliment Ally," said Julie.
"As a twin, I understand wanting something for yourself. There is nothing wrong with it. You wish to have something to be complimented for and you don’t want it to be overshadowed by someone else," Penelope said, understanding Julie.
It was unfortunate, but compared to Ally, Julie didn’t have many chances to shine, all because she was uncertain about the season and had interests in things a lady shouldn’t.
"Perhaps it is time that you speak to your grandmother. Either you or your parents. It isn’t right for you to be treated this way. Odessa cannot have you stop visiting your grandparents all because she doesn’t like their work," said Penelope.
Penelope didn’t like the brothel Julie’s grandparents owned, but she couldn’t ask Julie to stop seeing her family, who cared for her.
Penelope continued to say, "It is not like you have set foot in the brothels. Your grandmother only shares the rumours she heard there with you. Surely, our parents and grandparents cannot expect us to not know what happens in brothels."
The years were changing, where such private matters weren’t so private anymore.
"My mother would lose her mind if she heard of me going into a brothel. I know that I don’t act as a perfect lady. As someone who taught the royals, my grandmother was hoping for Ally and me to do well during the season. When I don’t know what I want for myself, how can I be anyone’s wife?" Julie wondered.
It felt too soon to expect a young lady to know what she wanted.
"I think you should do what feels best to you. If you want this moment and don’t want to share it, then let it be that way. In time, Ally will understand. You only have to be gentle when you let her down," Penelope suggested.
Penelope frowned when she heard the familiar voice of her grandfather, Edmund Collins. She looked around for him and smiled when she saw that he was approaching.
Penelope started to walk towards him, but she hoped for Lily to join her before she reached Edmund.
"Have you forgotten how to greet me now that you are a Castro?" Edmund asked, his arms wide open for Penelope to go to him.
Penelope greeted Edmund with a hug and said, "It is good to see you, grandfather."
"You have gotten much taller since I last saw you. Imagine my surprise when I heard that you had gotten married and not to just anyone. To a prince," Edmund said.
Penelope stepped away from Edmund. "It was a surprise for me as well. Lily is there with our friend."
"I see. I will speak to her soon. You truly are like your father to marry someone in the middle of the night and not have any guests. Would I have been excluded if you had a proper wedding?" Edmund asked, hoping she would say no.
Edgar could hate him, but Edmund wanted his grandchildren to love him.
"I cannot leave you off my list, grandfather. Are you staying in Lockwood?" Penelope asked.
It was a strange sight for Penelope to see Edmund since he had long moved away with his current wife, Cassidy Collins.
Penelope had many questions flowing through her mind.
The most important one was whether Priscilla knew of Edmund’s return.
It wasn’t due to Priscilla and Edmund not getting along, but Edmund’s new wife trying to place herself where she didn’t belong.
"I would love for you and your siblings to have dinner at my home. It has been so long since I last saw you, and now one of you is married. Will you come for dinner?" Edmund asked.
Edmund couldn’t get Edgar to sit with him no matter the occasion, but he wanted to be with his grandchildren.
"I do not know," Penelope replied.
Edgar had kept his children away from Cassidy.
Penelope knew it would start trouble if she met with Cassidy.
"It wouldn’t be a betrayal of your grandmother if you visit me," said Edmund.
Penelope disagreed. "Yes, it would be."