The Duke's Masked Wife

Tobias resisted the urge to drive the sword right into her heart to end her life but just as he told Edgar, they needed her alive to testify against Grant though he planned to kill Grant regardless.

"Did you plan to take my face along with her hand?" Edgar asked, letting go of Julia to get to his feet. Tobias had aimed the sword quite close to his body. "I've always known you were jealous of my face."

Tobias snickered, thankful for Edgar calming his anger momentarily with a comment about himself. Just like that, they were back in a good place. He knew Edgar's anger wasn't meant for him but they were two very angry husbands. "Can you lend me your army, Edgar? The Henson's control most of the palace army so-"

"Like I would let that old bastard get away with going after my wife. All because she interrupted a conversation. What the hell did you mean by them?" Edgar asked, looking down at the groaning woman on the ground as he now recalled her saying them instead of him when referring to who ordered her.

Julia was in too much pain with her hand to answer Edgar's question. Her eyes were full of tears and the blood oozing out of her severed hand stained the snow.

"She's not going to be able to speak for a while. I can't imagine what the hell is going through Hazel's mind after learning someone so close to her was her biggest enemy. I'm going to get my horse so we can march out before Grant becomes aware of this. Get someone to wrap up her hand before she bleeds to death. I am not finished with her yet," Tobias said then walked away to get a horse to leave with.

"Reed! Deal with her hand," said Edgar, going back to his horse to get ready to depart for Grant's home.

Reed looked at the woman he had no intention of taking care of. The fight didn't start yet and this was not how he planned to get blood on his hands. "You there," he called to random men in the crowd. "Deal with her arm. Pick up her hand in case she wants it as a memory."

Reed rode up closer to Edgar, "Most of the palace guards are loyal to the Henson's. They might hesitate to fight when they see where the king is going. We should just leave them behind and take your men."

"Spread the word we'll kill anyone who stands with the traitor who harmed the queen and a duchess. Keep that little girl safe," Edgar said, eyeing Julia's sister they had picked up along their way here.

"I doubt your wife will be happy to hear you brought a child-"

"And who the hell will tell her?" Edgar stared at Reed, daring him to tell Alessandra about this.

Reed licked his lips. "I certainly won't but talk will get out. The lips of your men are sealed but most of the king's men are not. I suppose as long as a single hair on her head is not harmed, it will be understood we only brought her here to get her sister to speak. Not like we would ever kill an innocent child but it seemed like the king would."

"He's not in the right mind to care about anyone other than his wife and I would not have stopped him if he wanted to murder her entire family. I would kill anyone when it comes to my wife no matter the age. Even you if you ever double-cross me," Edgar said.

Reed was very much aware of how Edgar was not one to easily forgive anyone who betrayed him. It was apparent from his throwing his own mother into a dungeon. "My loyalty can't be bought. I don't know about my brother," he added, throwing Caleb under the carriage. "Staying by your side is the perfect mixture of chaos and peace that I enjoy."

"I'm getting too old for the chaos."

"You just turned twenty-four Edgar," Reed shook his head in disbelief. "These will be the most chaotic years of our lives. These years and the first few years raising your children. It's scary," Reed said as he looked at Julia being tended to. "To think of what I would do if someone tried to harm my woman. I couldn't be as calm as you are."

"I am hardly calm," Edgar replied, still very much angry but he prefered to remain reserved to think about his plans.

"That's scary too. How you look calm when you're actually pissed. The day you actually show your anger and flip out is the day I am going to quit since it'll be the day you murder everyone in sight."

Edgar didn't respond to Reed and eyed Julia being lifted from the ground so she could come along with them. Her body shook, most likely not from the cold but from the shock of losing her hand. "Who else is working for Grant? I will spare your other hand if you answer," he said, hoping to get the other names.

"W-Will. W-Will," Julia repeated, trying to get the name out but she was in too much pain to speak.

"William Lancaster," Edgar finished for her. It made sense to be William since he was at the party Grant invited them to and he had an interest in Alessandra.

Julia didn't respond to the name but Edgar did not need her to. She was taken into the crowd of men.

"Is William back in town yet?" Edgar asked, reaching his end with William still being alive.

"He should be now? Do you want to go to him instead of Grant-"

"No, we're going to stick to the plan but we're going after William tonight. I need to aid Tobias against Grant first. The Henson's won't be an easy fight and I still have a bone to pick with Grant for targeting Alessandra. He's ready," Edgar watched Tobias ride out the gates with only his knights. They were completely under Tobias's control unlike many of the other palace guards who could be swayed. "Ride out!" Edgar called to his men and started to lead the crowd to Grant's house.

"Maybe I shouldn't have sent Rafael away. There might be a war within the kingdom today and we could use his men. It would be like the old days when the three of us went to war together. I will admit that I am a bit jealous of you today, Edgar. The slightest threat to your wife and you brought an entire army to my gates. You're right that I haven't been protecting Hazel well," Tobias admitted. Things wouldn't have gotten to this point if he had been.

"Don't let my words get to you. I was just angry back there. I told you many times you have been protecting her as best as you could while ruling an entire kingdom. You can't be by her side to watch what is happening to her every second. I'm sure she knows this. On another note, I plan to get rid of William tonight. Once we get Grant and William, we can get rid of their followers in the palace. A good old cleaning as Alfred would say," Edgar said.