“Is there something wrong?” Alessandra asked after she caught Hazel smiling at her.
“Not exactly. I am just happy each time I see the two of you together. It is fun to see how much Edgar has changed. Do you still not see how much you have him wrapped around your finger?” Hazel questioned, as it was painfully obvious but Alessandra was blind to it.
Hazel had seen it right away when they were at the ball. Now, she saw how much the look in Edgar’s eyes changed as he was more smitten by Alessandra than before. Clearly, the couple had a good trip out of town.
“No. I am aware of how much Edgar likes me. It took me a while to notice what you meant,” Alessandra replied.
A lot of confessions were made between the ball and now. Now, she was not worried about a contract that required the two of them not to have feelings for each other. Edgar had been very vocal about what he felt for her and the things he would do to make her happy.
“I am so glad he found a girl I can click with so well. If we couldn’t have been friends I would have just enjoyed the fact he found someone to spend his time with. It is good to see that you are still here considering his mother must still be meddling in your life. Hopefully, she goes back out of town and leaves the two of you alone,” Hazel said.
Hazel held Alessandra’s hand and started to walk around the room to get away from people trying to approach the two of them.
“I have not heard from her for a little while now and I hardly think about his mother. Edgar is the same way. I can only enjoy the peace now. Did you have problems with your mother-in-law at first?” Alessandra asked, wanting to know more about what marriage was like for Hazel.
“No. The former queen is nice and she welcomed me with open arms. She has always babied Tobias so she meddles in his life from time to time but it does not bother me. I think she views him as a little boy and just worries about him since the palace is dangerous even for the king. We might be the same way one day when we are mothers. Have you and Edgar talked about children?”
…..
“We have but we are not ready for a child. I worry about the type of mother I would be. I do not want to meddle in my child’s life. I only want them to be happy. More importantly, I think Edgar and I should wait to save the world from dealing with someone who might look and act exactly like him,” Alessandra joked.
She laughed at first but then cried on the inside when she thought of having to deal with Edgar and a smaller version of him.
“Yes please give us a little more time to deal with Edgar himself. It was brought to my attention that the two of you heard stupid rumors about you having an affair with a cook or being pregnant the day you visited the palace. I am sorry someone was so awful spread that. I was so angry such a good day ended like that,” Hazel said, balling up her fist as she wanted to hit the person who ruined the day she planned.
Alessandra found that Hazel kind of reminded her of Erin. They both looked like they would be ready to pull hair for her at any moment. “It is alright. They have already passed. I still enjoyed the time I spent at the palace with you and I got a trip out of those lies.”
“I suppose it is best to look at it positively. If you ever find out who started it, let me know. I will see to it they are not invited to any gathering I will hold. I don’t take kindly to my friends being attacked. It is so nasty how someone will spread lies about someone hoping to ruin them. As women, we must protect our reputations. For how much society expects us to be perfect, I do not enjoy seeing women ruining each other.”
“Truthfully, I had no reputation for those lies to ruin. I am only now trying to step away from being called cursed. I-”
“Queen Hazel Castro,” a familiar voice said behind the two women.
A chill tingled Alessandra’s body as she remembered the voice she heard quite a few times in her youth.
Hazel and a reluctant Alessandra turned around to face William.
Hazel was surprised to see William here since she knew the man was one of her husband’s enemies. Why would he receive an invitation to this party when Linda’s family was loyal to Tobias? None of his enemies were ever invited to this party. What was happening?
“William Lancaster, it is a surprise to see you here. I wasn’t aware you attend this kind of party. You are normally absent. My husband and the Duke have gone off somewhere with the host if you wish to speak with them. I am having a private conversation with the Duchess,” Hazel said to get rid of him as she noticed how Alessandra tensed up when the man spoke.
Hazel didn’t know the history between Alessandra and William so she figured Edgar must have told Alessandra about the type of man William was. She didn’t blame Alessandra for being scared in his presence. William creeped her out too but Hazel did not like to show it.
William ignored Hazel and looked at the missing piece he needed for his collection. Each time he saw her all dolled up, he wanted Alessandra more. If only he could just take her now that the irritating man was not close to her. “I am not here for your husbands but to have a word with the Duchess. I was a friend of her late father and I have not been able to offer my condolences. I request to have a private chat with her.”
“No,” Alessandra denied his request. She wanted nothing more than to get far away from him. Why was he here now when Edgar was not present?
