The Duke's Masked Wife

207 Sly foxes (2)

“Duke, I was once a man slaying enemies on the battlefield, fighting from morning until late hours into the night, and was given the nickname the blood giant. I followed you because of the skills you showed while we fought side by side and you saved my life once. I thought if I continued to follow you, there would be excitement in my life. Never would I have expected this. Why am I holding your wife’s bags,” Caleb turned to the man beside him who was lucky to have no bags in his hands.

“Because you are a strong man,” Edgar replied.

“You are stronger than me. I am just taller than you,” said Caleb. He had four bags hooked around his right hand and carried numerous boxes in his hands. Most of the things belonged to Alessandra but she had bought a few for Sally and Erin.

“Quit complaining before your little crush sees that you are weak. Alessandra has told me that Sally has a thing for strong men,” Edgar lied so that Caleb would continue to hold the bags.

“Really?” Caleb stood up straight.

‘Once again romance turns people into fools,’ Edgar shook his head at Caleb’s predicament.

“Edgar!”

“What do you need?” Edgar answered Alessandra’s call. He left Caleb’s side to check what else had caught her eye.

“There are more lucky charms for swords,” Alessandra pointed to a table full of them.

.....

“I do not require luck when it comes to fighting and the one you gave me is already enough. If there are ones for a gun-”

“You own a gun!” Alessandra exclaimed as she was caught off guard by the news. She heard her father wanting one because they were much better than swords but not just anyone could own one yet.

“Why wouldn’t I? It is at home hidden away for safety. I only intend to use it for emergencies. You will soon find swords disappearing as Tobias forms agreements with lands familiar with making guns and starts a trade. The town guards are supposed to be trained to use them soon. Tobias wants them to be introduced into the kingdom slowly because of how easy it is to kill someone,” Edgar explained.

“It will be a scary place when everyone starts to use guns. I-”

“There you are, children! Alfred and I have been looking all over for all of you. It seems like you did a good amount of shopping,” Rose commented on the things Caleb was holding. “We should end the trip here and head back. The sky has changed and the wind has picked up. Heavy rain will soon fall. Take it from me as I have lived here for many years.”

“Edgar and I have not spent time with you,” Alessandra stated. She had been excited to spend time with Rose but for their entire time here, Rose and Alfred had disappeared somewhere. Alessandra looked at the bags in Alfred’s hands and realized the two had gone shopping too.

“We are family now, dear. We will always find time to be around each other whether it is here or in Lockwood. I’ve received news that my sister is not well so I will have to skip out on dinner tonight. I will have my carriage take me home first and then take your friends and Alfred back home,” said Rose.

Alessandra didn’t see the need for this when there was more than enough room in the carriage she and Edgar rode in. “That’s alright. There is room in the -”

“No!” Rose loudly stated and cleared her throat after the dramatic outburst. “Alfred cannot ride back by himself. What if he gets caught in the weather? The tall guard needs to tag along with Alfred and his pretty little lover will want to go with him. Right, dear?” Rose stared into Sally’s eyes giving her the message not to disobey her.

“Ah, y-yes. I promised Caleb I would stick with him,” Sally lied.

Caleb looked down at Sally wondering when she made such a promise but then he realized what was happening. There was a ploy to get the Duke and Duchess alone together. He did not mind as long as he got to stay with Sally.

“Really,” Alessandra’s shoulders dropped as she wanted to ride with Sally but she did not want Sally to miss out on being with Caleb. “Edgar and I will ride together then. See all of you when you return.”

The two groups separated to go back to the two carriages they came in before the rain could start to fall.

“Edgar, do you get the feeling Alfred and your grandmother are plotting something?” Alessandra asked when it was just the two of them in the carriage on the way back home.

Edgar smiled, amused that it had taken this long for her to catch on. “Those two fly foxes were most likely plotting from the moment we departed to go shopping. I have been anticipating what they are planning from the moment I realized.”

“It wouldn’t have killed you to inform me the moment you noticed it. I would have told you.”

“It would have killed the fun the two of us will certainly have. Let them have their fun, secretly plotting around. There is no need to ruin their happiness,” said Edgar.

Alessandra saw right through his words and said, “You are only saying this for your entertainment, not for their feelings. I hope this is not a second attempt from when Alfred plotted for us to be in the bathroom at the same time. He successfully pulled that off and to think about Rose joining him is scary.”

“Yes, that is why I am expecting something exciting. I hope they do not disappoint after getting my hopes up. I would not be surprised if Alfred, Sally, and Caleb do not return any time soon. It seems you need to work on Sally and Caleb’s loyalty to you in the future. My grandmother was able to easily scare her into not riding with us,” said Edgar.

He admired how at her age his grandmother was still able to make others tremble without having to lose her temper or threaten anyone. A simple smile and a look in the eye were enough.

While Edgar anticipated what awaited them, Alessandra dreaded what Alfred and Rose could have planned.

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