The Duke's Masked Wife

"Hazel, who are those young women?" Alessandra looked off in the direction of three young women standing around speaking with each other.

"Witches. They're the daughters of men from the court. Their fathers brought them here to try and catch Tobias's attention. I have not provided an heir so they're proposing Tobias get a mistress. Being a mistress is frowned upon in Lockwood but not here in the palace. After all, they would be connected to the crown," Hazel explained. "Who wouldn't want to be associated with the crown?"

"If you say it makes you uncomfortable will they no longer show up?"

A small smile formed on Hazel's lips. "No. No one cares what's comfortable for me when it comes to having an heir. Well, everyone except Tobias. He's stated many times that he's not taking a mistress but they keep bringing their daughters. It doesn't bother me anymore. You should see how bold they are to smile in my face while trying to court my husband."

Alessandra could not imagine being faced with something like this. How regular were these women in the palace to casually be standing around speaking with each other? As her marriage to Edgar consisted of no feelings, she expected him to do as he pleased and have mistresses. However, now that they had become somewhat close, Alessandra wouldn't know how to handle a mistress being a part of their marriage.

"I'm sorry for asking about them," Alessandra apologized.

"Don't be. You don't know anything about the palace so you'll be curious about who everyone is. By all means, if they ever approach you, you don't have to turn them away because of me. There's a lot I have to accept as being queen. Would you like to see my room?" Hazel asked in an attempt to shift the conversation.

"Would the king mind?"

"Why should he when it is my private bedroom? We have our own separate rooms and one we share when we're meant to be trying for an heir. Though Tobias sleeps in my room every night unless I kick him out for being annoying. The room we're meant to share should honestly be destroyed since we honestly do what's meant for there in my room. A couple of the traditional people here aren't too excited about it," Hazel whispered.

The more Hazel spoke about the palace the more Alessandra understood why Edgar said after a couple more visits she would not want to come again. She had not even met the evil people he spoke of yet. What Hazel had to put up with was enough to make her stay away.

"I hope I am not turning off your excitement about the palace," Hazel stated after noticing Alessandra's facial expression.  "It can be a wonderful place when you don't think about the rules or the people. I know my situation sounds like a hassle but my marriage is fine and I am fine."

"Oh no, I am still excited about the palace but this is just a lot to take in. There is thankfully nothing like this in my marriage and I was just thinking what if there was? How would I handle it?" Alessandra replied.

"Really? I expected Edgar's home to be the rule central of the world so no one can annoy him. Tell me, is Edgar different at home compared to how he is in public? I just can't picture him being the romantic type. I swear there's always a blank expression on his face and if he smiles, that means he's up to no good."

After thinking about it, Alessandra didn't see much of a difference between Edgar at home and in public. "He's the same to me.  He doesn't like to be surrounded by people, be annoyed, and he's always teasing me."

"I at least thought he might have changed though I can't picture it. Only time will tell how much Edgar has changed since getting married. Oh right. I hope what happened between me and his mother at the ball did not have any consequences for you. I should have borne in mind how much you have to see Priscilla and she would take her frustration about my words out on you. I'm sorry," Hazel apologized for her behavior at the ball.

"I actually do not see Priscilla that often so there's no need for you to apologize. I should be thanking you for standing up for me.  If she has many young women under her wing, will what happens at the ball be bad for you?" Alessandra didn't want Hazel to be dragged into her mess.

"Priscilla might be a social queen but I am the actual queen. There is nothing she can do for me. Besides, there's more than one social queen who will aid me against her. This might sound terrible but you should become friends with the other social queens who dislike Priscilla. That is the only way for you to survive amongst these cutthroat women," said Hazel.

"What if I want to become a social queen?" Alessandra asked out loud

Hazel halted her steps, completely taken aback by Alessandra's words. Alessandra didn't have a good reputation to become a social queen and have many women backing her. However, as Edgar's wife, anything was possible for Alessandra. She only needed a little push. 'It would be nice if Alessandra controlled part of the social circle. She would be a voice for the mistreated women,' Hazel thought.

"Forget I said that," Alessandra started to walk away but Hazel stopped her.

"No, do not forget about it. Rise up to be a powerful woman. Become someone women like you can look to for aid. It won't be easy but I will lend you my support to help you get there. I don't care how many years it might take, I want you to shake up the social world, Alessandra. Will you do it?" Hazel asked, practically pleading with her eyes for Alessandra to take up the challenge.

Seeing Hazel so determined, Alessandra couldn't help feeling pumped up. She wanted to reach the status Priscilla had or even higher so that many of her games could stop. So that the people beside her wouldn't be easily messed with like how Erin was becoming outcasted. "I will," she accepted the challenge.

"This is wonderful," Hazel beamed, excited to start off making Alessandra grow.

'I don't understand a word of what they are saying. Do they even remember that I am still here?' Caleb thought while he remained at a good distance behind the women. 'Who is this woman?' He gripped his sword when a young woman appeared before Alessandra and Hazel.

"There's so much for you to learn but we'll leave that for another day. We're meant to be having fun today. That is why I invited you here. We should hurry-oh, Linda. What are you doing here?" Hazel questioned her childhood friend. She was so preoccupied with Alessandra that she had not noticed Linda had walked up to them.

"I came to visit you but I was told you were busy. I was just about to leave when I spotted you. You must be the Duchess, Edgar Collins wife. It's nice to meet you," the young woman named Linda smiled and extended her hand out for Alessandra to shake.

'Why does her smile remind me of something?' Alessandra thought.