The Duke's Masked Wife

"How much money did you have to pay to make this private?" Claire asked, looking around at the fancy decorations on the inside. The inside screamed wealth. Of course, it would since a Duke picked it out. Her friends will be jealous when she tells them the tales about her trip.

"Do not knock anything over, Claire. Excuse the girls, Alessandra. Our town is pretty simple compared to Lockwood so their eyes light up at everything we come across. They have plenty of stories to tell their friends when we head home," Melanie said, glad the girls were enjoying themselves.

"I understand. I've travelled out of Lockwood once and saw how different life in other towns is. They certainly are more peaceful," Alessandra said, watching her mother walk to the other side of the table to sit down with Melody and Claire.

"No other town I have travelled to can compare to the fast life of Lockwood. There are some that started to mirror life in Lockwood, but they are missing out on the grand balls in the palace. Before we came today, I took the girls to pass by the palace. They were shocked to see the palace was bigger than they expected," Melanie looked to Melody.

"It was grand. I can only imagine what the inside looks like. It must be fun to get dressed and attend balls in the palace. One of our friends travelled all the way from our town to attend the King's ball weeks ago. I wanted to take a trip with her to witness it once in my life but mother said no. Luckily, we have a sister who lives here so we can attend the ball at some point," Melody said, excited to witness the life inside the palace. "Have you attended any balls, Alessandra?"

"Thank you," Alessandra thanked Alfred after he poured water for her. "You can sit here," she patted the seat beside her.

Alfred was standing behind her with Sally and Ivy while the others guarded the outside.

"I'm sorry. Yes, I have attended balls, but there were only two. They were wonderful. Unfortunately, I don't think there will be another ball until the new season starts and young ladies start making their debut. What was your coming out into society like, Melody?" Alessandra asked.

"Oh, I have not done it yet," Melody answered. She was still planning for the important party.

Alessandra didn't understand how it wasn't done yet if Melody was looking to get married. In Alessandra's case, she did not properly debut because her father saw it as a waste and invested heavily in Kate. "You said you are looking to marry. Is it not something you do in your town?" She asked, looking at her mother for answers.

"Melody is only fifteen while Claire is fourteen. She will be sixteen soon. I want her to wait a little longer before jumping into marriage," Melanie said, combing her fingers through Melody's hair as she spoke. "But she keeps telling me she doesn't want to be mocked for getting married late."

Alessandra didn't see the issue with getting married at a later age. She knew about the comments that her chances of giving Edgar an heir would be lower but here she was now, pregnant with their first child.  "I got married late and there is nothing wrong with it.  I have a few friends who have not gotten married yet and they are not getting mocked. All that matters is you finding someone who cares for you no matter what age you find them at," she said.

Melody sighed. "That is sweet but I don't want to be ridiculed. If I start looking now I can find a partner to court by the time I turn sixteen and if I fail my first season, I have two years to try. I don't want to start late. You and your friend probably do not get ridiculed because of your status. You have it better than all of us."

"That is hardly true. I have been judged before and after I was the Duchess. I've learned that people will always have something to say no matter what you do. You should look out for your best interest instead of caring about how you look in front of everyone else," Alessandra replied, knowing there would not a lot of happiness in trying to please society.

"We have heard about your mask and the curse," Claire said.

"Claire!" Melanie exclaimed, glaring at Claire for bringing up this now. "Excuse her."

Alessandra wasn't the slightest bit annoyed by Claire mentioning the curse. She wished her mother would stop apologizing for the things her sisters said. Alessandra wanted Claire and Melody to speak their minds so she could see what they were truly like. She was trying to understand them as much as she was trying to understand her mother.

"What?" Claire shrugged her shoulders, not seeing this was an issue when it was first said when they asked a stranger about Alessandra.

"I did wear a mask for a long time ago and the town was foolish enough to think that a curse was involved. People who were supposed to be my family created that ridiculous curse. Now that you probably know more about it and Melanie knows a bit about my treatment when I lived with my father, all of you should understand why my husband is so protective. Aside from grandmother, my experience with the family has not been pleasant," Alessandra said, once again defending Edgar's threats.

"I understand. I thought it was a bit much after we had just gotten introduced, but I know it is needed to protect you. I don't want you to get hurt ever again. I promise you that I, that we," Melanie touched her daughter's hands. "Have not travelled here to hurt you. I want to make up for lost time and let you bond with your sisters. I hope your husband can one day see that and not send you with so many guards."

"Knowing Edgar, it is quite surprising there weren't more guards. You have nothing to worry about if you have no ill intentions-"

"You know, it sort of hurts that you do not seem to believe we are not here to hurt you. No mother," Claire pushed her mother's hands away. "I had nothing to do with my mother not returning to you and yet it feels like you are being cold to us for what she did. We are not here to hurt or use you.  Why can't you believe me or Melody are harmless?"

"I don't think the two of you have intentions of harming me, but we are strangers even though we have the same mother. I am excited to have sisters, but it will take some time for us to be close. That is why we are here today. To try and get to know each other. I'm sorry if I seem cold, but this is just me taking my time to figure all of you out. As Alfred said, I always travel with guards so it is not because of you that I suddenly have guards," Alessandra explained.

"Claire takes offense to the slightest thing. Do not mind her, Alessandra. She snaps at me like that too. I was only thinking of my mother when I heard about your husband's threats. It seems there has been a lot of pain in your life so it is only fair you be cautious. I am sorry if we have not been understanding enough. Can we start over?" Melody requested.