The Duke's Masked Wife

"Really?!" Benjamin exclaimed, surprised by the sudden order. He had prepared himself to try convincing her to buy more but in the short period he had turned around, she suddenly took interest in an entire counter. He glanced at Edgar to see if this was alright at first but once he saw the man grinning like a fool beside his wife, he got his answer. "One moment."

"I have never seen anyone so happy to get their money spent before," Alessandra commented on Edgar's expression.

"Obviously. You have only been around your father who has been in debt for how many years? You've had no opportunity to be around a man like myself and you won't find another one quite like me," said Edgar.

Alessandra shook her head at Edgar complimenting himself. "I have met the king."

"Keep on believing that just because he wears a crown he is the richest man in the kingdom."

"If you are somehow richer than the king, please enlighten me on how you get your money. Not right now but when we return to Lockwood. I should have taken a better look at the counter before I made such an order," Alessandra said as she looked down at the counter where Benjamin was taking out the jewelry.

Regret filled her mind as she stared at some of the jewelry that was certainly too big. They screamed look at me, I have money!

"Do not go back on your words now after making such a big order. You don't want to break Benjamin's heart, do you?" Edgar asked, trying to guilt-trip her into keeping all the jewelry.

"I'm starting to realize most of these will remain in boxes for a while as I have nowhere to go. I hope we receive many invitations from your friends so that this jewelry won't go to waste.

"You don't always need to leave home. You can invite Erin and Hazel to our home," said Edgar.

Alessandra liked that idea but wondered if the queen would have time to leave the palace. "Would Hazel come to our home?"

"Why not? Her husband sneaks out of the palace many times to come to my home without an invitation. Have Sally and Alfred help you create a list of invitations for women who would make good friends for you. You can have your first party as Duchess during the winter."

"I will start planning it when we return home. One more day and then we are back home. We didn't get to meet a lot of your family members during our time here but at least we should be able to have dinner with your grandmother tonight. She and Alfred have been gone for quite a long time," Alessandra looked outside the shop to see if they were nearby.

"They have, haven't they?" Edgar questioned, feeling as if the two were up to no good. He knew there was no one his grandmother saw in town to chat with. She was always one to avoid talking with others whenever she was out with family as she called it family time but the first thing she did as soon as they arrived was when to speak with a friend.

Alfred the sly fox and his grandmother who desperately wanted her great-grandchildren were certainly teaming up. Edgar could either stop whatever was being planned right now or enjoy it. The answer was obvious.  It was amusing for him to watch Alessandra be concerned about where the two were without knowing she was in the middle of a plan.

"I will have my men safely deliver all the jewelry for you without any hiccups. This one's for you,' Benjamin slid a small box to Sally as the Duke requested. "A fan of the queen's heart deserves something special."

"Thank you, Duke Edgar," Sally accepted the gift. It was weird to think how she went from being scared the day Edgar picked up Alessandra's things from the Baron's home to now receiving gifts from him.

Sally opened the box and immediately fell in love with the necklace given to her. It was a smaller version of the queen's heart with a small ruby in the middle. She knew right away that it had to be expensive from the ruby alone. Something like this would help her buy a small house for her family but she knew it was wrong to sell something the Duke gave to her therefore she would cherish it.

"Thank you for the business," Benjamin said specifically to Edgar as his pockets were the ones to pay for all of this.

"Caleb, take them to the next shop. I will settle the payment and join you in a moment. Keep your eyes out. We may not be in Lockwood but there is still danger," Edgar stated as he had enemies in this town and there were people who wouldn't want to miss the chance to attack them thinking there would be expensive jewelry on them.

Caleb nodded his head but Edgar did not need to advise him to look out for danger. He was already keeping an eye on outside activity to protect everyone. "Please follow me, Duchess. You should put up that necklace, Sally," he advised her as thieves would target her.

"Right," Sally tucked the necklace inside her dress. It was much safer than her pockets where someone could easily run and pull it out. "Where to now, Duchess?"

"I don't know. We should just walk until we find something interesting," Alessandra's voice became distant as she and Sally left with Caleb right behind them.

"So, you're married now," Benjamin rested against the counter, ready to tease Edgar. "You did not even introduce me as your friend. How rude. You know the only reason I gave her the queen's heart is because she must have some heart to convince a man like you to get married."

"Thank you for that," said Edgar.

"Thank you? Are you Edgar?" Benjamin poked Edgar's hand to make sure it was him. The deadly glare confirmed it was. "Why didn't I get introduced as your friend? It was hard to act like we aren't familiar with each other. How is Tobias doing? It's been a while since I went to deliver jewelry for his wife."

"Still annoying. What is the entire total?" Edgar got straight to the point as he wanted to get back to Alessandra.

"I will send you the bill. There's no rush for you to pay me. I know you have the money to pay me and I won't have to send my men after you," Benjamin pointed at the two large men by the door. He had one more in the back to protect the rest of the jewelry. "So, how is married life? I recall you saying marriage is not for you. You seem pretty happy to me and excited to have her spend your money."

"Isn't it obvious? I met a girl who changed my mind. There's nothing to explain. You were once running around the town claiming to have too much love for one woman but then you settled down and now you have two children. "

"Yea. Care to see how big they have gotten? My daughter has already taken a liking to making jewelry. I will be able to retire peacefully like my father and grandfather. You can come over for dinner tonight," Benjamin extended an invitation. It had been a while since he sat down with Edgar. "Dominic is coming over tonight."

"No thank you," Edgar started to walk towards the door. "I remember how loud and full of snot your children were. I prefer peace and cleanliness."

"Can't argue with that," Benjamin said, taking no offense to Edgar's words. He worked in the shop to get away from home to avoid hearing his children scream. "I hope the Duchess gives you plenty of children to ruin your peace!" He yelled before the door could close behind Edgar. "Edgar's genes are going to multiply. Is the world ready for it?"