The Duke's Masked Wife

"Duchess," Linda greeted Alessandra when she entered the door. She felt a bit awkward standing before Alessandra now that she knew what was going on between her grandfather and everyone else. "The king told me of Hazel staying here."

"I take it that it was your grandfather messing with Hazel's chances to become queen," said Alessandra. It was an unfortunate turn of events for the best friends.

Linda nodded her head. "Your husband and the king have surrounded my grandfather's home. It was by some odd coincidence my father and I were visiting my grandfather. They only allowed me to leave so I could speak with Hazel. Where is she now?" She asked, nervously playing with her fingers. A habit she did as a child when she was scared.

"I will take you to her. I was now going there," Alessandra said and proceeded to lead Linda to where Hazel was staying. Alessandra had a few things she wanted to ask Linda but decided to leave it for Hazel to ask.

"Is she angry with me? She must feel like I had something to do with this. I would too if I were in her position," Linda muttered.

Alessandra thought carefully about her answer to avoid making Linda more nervous than she already was. "She is just trying to process everything and has been silent so I do not know what she is thinking. I am sure she will be glad to see that you have come to speak with her."

Linda bit her lip, hoping that Hazel would welcome her visit and listen to her. Never would she have imagined her grandfather would do something so evil to someone she viewed as a sister. She was holding onto the fact that Hazel knew her well and would never for a second think she had any part of this but what made Linda nervous was her absence recently.

Linda jolted when Alessandra suddenly knocked on a door and she realized she had walked past where Alessandra had stopped. She didn't know why but she could not hear a word of what Alessandra was saying when she opened the door and smiled as she waited for her to enter.

Linda took a deep breath and walked toward the room. When she entered, her eyes softened as she looked at Hazel sitting by the window and staring out of it lost in thought.

"Hazel, you have a visitor. Linda is here to see you. Eleanor, I think it's best you and I leave the two of them to-"

"No," Hazel spoke up before the two of them could leave. "I want the two of you to stay. Close the door please, Alessandra."

Alessandra didn't think anyone else should be involved in the conversation but as it was what Hazel wanted, she closed the door and took a seat near Eleanor.

"Have you received any updates about our husbands?" Hazel asked, looking at Alessandra instead of Linda. She couldn't bear to look at Linda just yet.

"They have reached my grandfather's home and won't let anyone leave. Men on my grandfather's side have put up a defense against the two of them. It won't be pretty if the two sides start to fight," Linda answered in place of Alessandra. "Hazel, you know me. I did not have any part of this."

"Where were you these days? You are normally by my side or at home with your mother but you were out of town for so long and then when you returned, I did not hear much from you. You did not attend your grandfather's party which is unlike you," Hazel said, still refusing to look at Linda.

"My brothers and father were also not in attendance. My father had to go out of town and as always, he took me and my mother with him. Had I known about my grandfather's plans I would have warned you or the king. Hazel, I have been by your side and comforted you when you cried about not having a child-"

"Which is why I would never forgive you if you are lying to me," Hazel looked out the window to hide the tears forming. "You have been my friend for as long as I could remember but I am finding it hard to trust anyone from your family or close to them. Julia betrayed me. What would make you any different? I wish you hadn't come here."

Hazel did not want to learn of Linda knowing even the slightest part of her grandfather's plans. Linda's loyalty weighed her mind but with Linda not around she could continue to hold on to the bit of trust she had left to keep her friendship. Julia had led her to start thinking over the people she trusted. If Linda were to be lying, Hazel didn't know how she could ever become so close to someone aside from Tobias or her family.

"Hazel, I came to tell you that I had no part in this and I knew nothing. I would never betray you. You know that I have no interest in the palace and the only reason I visit is because of you. We both entered the palace at the same time to win the king's affection. Never once did I want to be with Tobias or have any role in the palace. My eyes were always on Edgar. Umm," Linda paused to look at Alessandra.

"It is alright," Alessandra said since they moved past the crush Linda had on Edgar.

"Hazel, me standing here should be enough proof that I am on your side. I would not have come if I did not care about you and your husband would have not let me leave if he did not believe I had no part in this. It is an awful position to be in knowing that he is the reason behind your suffering. I would never hurt you, Hazel. Please do not let his actions ruin the bond we have. I cannot be without you as my friend," Linda said, her voice trembling as she fought to hold back her tear.

"I should have paid more attention to his questions about me getting married or the tasks he was giving my father which made us have to leave town. I just never thought he would ever hurt you. Please believe me. I understand if you never want to be near me again but you have to know I was not aware of this," Linda said.

Hazel looked up at Linda for the first time since Linda came into the room. Linda was not Grant and it was true Linda had spoken of not liking life in the palace. She remembered their days in the palace when Tobias was looking for a wife. Linda's eyes were always glued to Edgar and it was Linda who helped hide her secret meetings with Tobias.

"I don't like feeling like there is no one I can trust. I don't like doubting you but I cannot help it. So please forgive me if I am not accepting your words right away. I need some time to think about everything," Hazel replied, giving her an honest feeling that she did not know what to believe at the moment.

Linda wasn't hurt by this as Hazel did need a moment to think about their relationship. She was contented with the fact Hazel spoke to her and listened to what she had to say. There might be some hope for their friendship. "I will leave to give you some time to think-"

"No, stay. Stay here with me," Hazel said as she needed the company of the three women in the room and she did not want Linda to return home to witness what was going on between Tobias and Grant.

She noticed the way Linda played with her fingers and knew what the simple action meant. Linda was in a difficult position to comfort her friend but still think about her family.