Jewelry Box

Ch. 5 Golden Spoon.

Victoria

The carriage stood right outside Alexander’s mansion. The enormous white and grey building looked so grand that I think the Grand Palace looked grim next to it.

I was aware the Graham Dukedom was rich, but not like this.

“Victoria?” Alexander called. I shifted my eyes and stared at him. “Let’s go.”

I nodded and grabbed his stretched hand. Once I got down from the carriage, my eyes moved to the people waiting for us.

Rows of servants greeted us with their heads down. I felt so out of place here. I was having doubts if this was a good idea.

“Welcome back, Duke Graham,” a middle-aged man greeted me with a bow.

“Victoria, this is Bob. He is the butler here. Bob, this is my fiancé and soon-to-be Dutchess Graham, Victoria,” Alexander said loud enough for everyone to hear.

I forced a smile and greeted everyone nicely. Most of the servants looked at me with curiosity; others were in shock to see me, a woman.

I had a vague idea why. The notorious and cold-hearted duke finally got a woman, which would be the normal reaction from everyone who knew him.

“Let’s go; lunch is ready,” Alexander said with a tug at my hand. I walked next to him, feeling uncomfortable. “Is something the matter?”

“Not really?” I uttered. Touching him made me feel weird. Clearing my throat, I looked up at him. “Just curious about something.”

“And what might that be?” Alexander asked. His tall figure looked down at me.

“This is your inheritance from your father, right?” I asked. Alexander smiled softly, like remembering something.

“Yes, it is, but as you know, my sweat does half of this,” Alexander chuckled. I stared at him stupidly. “What?” Alexander asked as I halted in my tracks.

“I didn’t know you could laugh like that,” I muttered, surprised, staring at him. Alexander’s smile disappeared and was replaced by a frown. Without another word, he let go of my hand, then turned away from me.

***

Alexander and I have been eating in complete silence. His entire demeanor changed after I commented on his smile.

I didn’t understand what bothered him, but it seems he didn’t like to be questioned so much, especially when it was about himself. I think I would be the same if someone tried to pry into my personal space and life.

Taking a sip of my wine, I leaned on the chair and looked around the garden. Alexander had lunch outside because of the beautiful weather today, which I was grateful for. One more second inside a small place with him would have me feeling suffocated.

“I heard you are the jewel of your father,” Alexander muttered. I shifted my eyes to his face, which was emotionless. “And someone shy in high society.”

“Jewel,” I scoffed at that comment. He wasn’t wrong. I was considering a jewel in my family’s eyes. One whom one day would have everything her father had worked hard for.

“You are the only daughter of the duke, and you will inherit his money,” Alexander pointed out. “You have the golden spoon.”

I raised an eyebrow. What was that supposed to mean?

“ The same goes for you,” I responded. That was a weird comment to make.

Alexander halted his movements and lowered his fork.

“I am not you, Victoria,” Alexander hissed. “I didn’t have that love nor the fancy to say I had the golden spoon with me since small.” I studied his face. There was something weird about all this.

“Compared to you, I had a lot to go through. And if you don’t know, my father and mother were both murdered.”

I blinked while recalling that. Eight years ago, both the duke and duchess were murdered mysteriously. No one knows how or who did it, but speculations that the king did it have always been roaming around the city.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, looking away.

“When you become duchess Graham, all this will belong to you,” Alexander stated. My hands tightened on the fork and knife I held. He had to be joking.

I didn’t want his money; what I needed was just to get my vengeance by using his power on the empire. Nothing more, nothing less.

“There’s something I mean to tell you,” I said, setting my things down.

“About?” Alexander asked as his enigmatic blue eyes stared back.

“Our contract. I guess the reason for bringing me here was not just to eat, but to sign our contract, right?” I pointed out. A small smile played on his face.

“Quite perceptive,” Alexander whispered so softly. I scoffed and grabbed my cup of wine. Then, gulping a considerable amount, I sighed and set it back down.

Alexander was watching me now. His blue eyes were studying my face for answers to my following point.

“Our contract will only be for a year,” I stated aloud. A crease formed on Alexander’s face, but he quickly hid it and cleared his throat.

“Reason?” Alexander asked in a clipped tone.

“I want our contract to be for a year. Then, once I get what I desire, I will go my own way,” I explained.

“What if we fall in love?” Alexander asked, making me scowl. Fall in love?

“What if? There are no ifs in this.” I frowned. What was he thinking? I wasn’t looking for love here, just his power.

Alexander remained stoic. Something in him darkened, and I didn’t like it.

“Is that all?” Alexander asked, standing in his seat. Was he mad?

“Yes,” I answered, waiting for him to say more. Alexander nodded and walked back in, leaving me with questions hanging.

It didn’t take long for him to come back and sit down. Then, pushing a paper towards me, I glanced at it. It was our contract.

“You may read it and see if there’s something you don’t agree with,” Alexander said. His hands under his chin.

I skimmed the conditions. Everything was as we had stated; he even added the extra condition I just mentioned to the list.

“One year,” Alexander muttered.

“Yes, I think it’s best if we clear things up from the start.” I pointed out without looking at him. “We each have our goals. And you said it would be beneficial for me, so it is. I only need your help, nothing more.”

Alexander’s jaw clenched, his hands balled, and he scoffed once again.

Once I had signed it, I handed it back, and he signed as well.

“Done,” Alexander announced as he put the pen down and leaned on his seat. I nodded happily and stood.

“I should take my leave now,” I said, but Alexander stood abruptly.

I watched him with a frown.

“Not still,” Alexander said, his eyes boring a hole in my face. What did he need now? “Follow me.”

I raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask. So I silently followed him back in. Alexander was guiding me somewhere in the mansion. It was far from the opposite side of the place. I didn’t know where we were going, but I had a hunch about what it was for.

Once we reached the stairs, we went up to the second floor. We continued walking for at least ten more minutes before Alexander opened some double white doors.

The smell of mint reached my nose. I sneezed and waved my hand. Why was the smell so strong?

Walking into the place, I raised my eyes and looked around. It was a vast bedroom—more of a royal bedroom. The golden decoration all over the room was overbearing. It even hurt looking at it.

“This is your room,” Alexander explained, but I recoiled instead.

“No,” I said, disgusted. This was too much for me.

“What’s wrong?” Alexander asked, confused, while I grimaced.

“This is too much. I don’t need all these shining things in a room, nor the smell,” I said, sneezing again. Alexander nodded and stepped out for a moment. A few servants returned with him.

“Take everything out and change things. Also, take the incense out and put something like roses,” Alexander started giving orders.

“Wait!” I snapped and raised my hand. “There’s no need for that. Just give me another room.”

“No,” Alexander retorted. A frown all over his handsome face.

“Why not? I don’t need too much. I’m fine with something small and neat and with less luxury,” I explained. This man would need to understand me if he planned to live together for a year.

“No, just do as I ask,” Alexander growled and got closer to me. His hands-on my waist.

I yelped as he moved me away from the prying ears.

“W-what are you doing?” I asked nervously.

“Stay in this room,” Alexander whispered near my face. “It’s the safest place here in the mansion.” I looked behind him. What did he mean? Is it the safest place?

“Excuse me,” I said, halting. “I feel I’m missing something here.”

Alexander looked down at me. Some hair strands were over his eyebrows. He was distracting.

“You have been missing something of importance in all this,” Alexander smirked.

“What is that?” I questioned.

“I have enemies, Victoria,” Alexander said, leaning in my face. “As my wife, they will seek you and try to harm you. So I need you safe.” My eyebrows shot up as I chuckled.

“You’re afraid something might happen to me?” I asked, turning around in his arms. “Don’t worry. I know how to defend myself.”

I patted his chest and moved away from him.

Though I wasn’t lying, I still felt a mixture of excitement and worry. I couldn’t protect myself from my past life since I was a naïve, weak girl. But I had something that could help me and that is my knowledge of swords and stones.

This time, no one will touch me. I would defend myself with no need of Alexander’s sword.