Jewelry Box

Ch. 7 Partners

Alexander

A smile formed on my face as I watched Victoria struggling to understand what had just happened. Not that hard; the contract we made bound me to her that simply. But she looked so perplexed that I couldn’t stop the smile that played on my lips.

“I can’t believe this!” Victoria cussed. She’s been pacing the room for the last ten minutes. It was understandable. When it happened, it took me by surprise as well.

Watching her, I caught how her dress ruffled on the carpet as she moved from side to side.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” I stated, making her halt in her tracks and scowl my way. Though I should be unbothered by her, it seems she has gotten under my skin somehow. “It benefits you a lot,” I spoke this time. Victoria looked my way, her finger under her chin. “Don’t you see? Your father can’t say no to us now.”

Victoria nodded slowly, like finally grasping the idea of being bound as something good for us. But was it me the one who felt more excited than necessary?

A sigh left her pink lips as she took a seat.

“Yes, I think it’s a good thing, then.”

“It is,” I smiled and walked over to her. Then, taking a seat next to her, I reached for her hand and brought it to my lips.

Victoria blushed but masked the embarrassment away easily. I loved teasing her. She blushed.

“Now we have to get the wedding ready,” Victoria announced as I let go of her hand.

“Yes, but before that, I need you to move to my house,” I exclaimed. Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Word of this will reach the whole place soon, so your life might be in danger.”

Victoria bit her lip, but still nodded.

“ OK, how about we go eat something?” I suggested, easing the tension around us.

A while ago, her stomach had grumbled. Another reason I suggested something to eat was that it would help with her anxiety that she was unaware of having right that moment.

“No,” Victoria said, shaking her head. “I apologize, but I have something else to attend to.”

“Very well,” I frowned.

Once in my carriage, I looked back at the enormous mansion—the Lombardy dukedom. Now I was a step closer to getting my hands on what I needed.

“Are we still heading to the congress?” my assistant, who had been quiet all along, asked.

“No,” I rubbed my chin. “Take me to one of the clothing stores. The best.”

He nodded and let the coachman know about our changes. I smirked while remembering Victoria’s face as she blushed at my touch.

***

“This one will do,” I said, staring at the dress before me. Its unique color had me imagining Victoria on it. She would look breathtaking.

“Very well. Anything else?” the shopkeeper asked. I looked around before my eyes landed on a necklace. The diamond shone under the sun's rays that entered from the window.

“Is there any jewelry shop nearby?” I asked my assistant.

“Yes, my duke, Pandora is close by,” he explained. My eyes darted to his face, which had a smile on it. Shaking my head, I nodded, then turned as he paid for the things I had bought.

In two days, there would be a ball where the king would announce my engagement to Victoria. I know this would stir many conflicts between the royals and other dukedoms. Some would even oppose me since I’m one of the royal dukes next to the Lombardy family with more power. And I know someone who would be against it, my uncle.

The store bell rang as we stepped in. Several people were gaining and looking at the jewels the store had.

The Pandora store was one of the most influential jewelry stores and belonged to the royal family. I was aware this store had many of the most expensive jewels you could find around the kingdom and exported ones from across the oceans.

“Welcome,” the shopkeeper greeted me, but once he saw my face, he tensed up. “Duke Graham, welcome!”

His face turned pale as I looked at him with no emotions.

Upon hearing my name, a few of the store's clients looked my way. Their whispers reached my ears quickly. Some were about me being here, others to criticize.

“I need your best jewels,” I uttered, and moved to a stall where some stones lay in wooden boxes displayed in glass windows.

“Yes, please follow me,” the shopkeeper said from behind.

We walked to a nearby room where another person was. Taking a seat, I put my hand under my chin, checking out every jewel they had displayed on the walls. Both assistants that were in the room seemed nervous as I looked their way.

I sighed and, bored, looked down at where I sat.

“Here,” the shopkeeper said, and set a box with at least twelve jewels—each with a unique color and glow.

My eyes darted to one that had a red string on it.

“This one,” I said as I pointed at it.

“Sorry, Duke Graham, but that one is not for sale,” the shopkeeper muttered. I frowned.

“May I ask who bought it?” I questioned him. The shopkeeper fidgeted while he scratched his head uncomfortably.

“The Lombardy family bought it. To be exact, Lady Victoria,” he explained. I shifted my eyes back to the pink jewel that glowed.

Some of these stones had special powers, and I knew the Lombardy family kept a lot of them in their treasure vault. For what reason, no one knows.

“May I ask when my fiance bought that?” I inquired. The shopkeeper gave me a forced smile.

“A month ago,” he answered. “It’s supposed to be delivered in a month. That means tomorrow.”

“I see…” I muttered.

I moved my eyes to another few rocks, but my mind was on that jewel. There was something in it that attracted me, beckoned me to have it as well.

Shaking my thoughts away, I decided on a jewel and what I wished with it, then I left.

***

My hands moved across the stack of papers that lay in order on my desk. I had some pending work that needed my attention, but since Victoria’s small declaration of love, I had been so distracted thinking that I had neglected my work. Which wasn’t something I would usually do.

My goal now was to complete everything on time so I could be free for the next four days.

As I continued signing papers, I heard a knock on the door. My eyes remained on the documents while my assistant peeked in.

“Duke Graham?” he called.

“Yes?” I said without looking at him. “Is something the matter?”

“Yes, your uncle is here,” my assistant said. I stopped writing and spared him a glance.

He awkwardly smiled. He knew I did not particularly appreciate it when my uncle came over. It ruined my mood and delayed my work.

“Tell him I’m busy,” I replied and dismissed him. My assistant nodded and shut the door. But that didn’t last long; I could hear my uncle’s voice getting closer. Arguing, mad. So, finally, with a sigh, I stood up and turned my back to the door.

“Alexander!” my uncle groaned. My hands balled inside my pant pockets as I kept my temper in check.

“I don’t think I allowed you to come in,” I responded, to which he grumbled back.

“I’m your uncle, and how dare you tell me I can’t come in?” he retorted.

I slowly turned around and coldly stared at him. He recoiled as I made my way toward him. My fingers were drumming the wooden desk that separated us.

“It’s really simple to understand. I’m the duke, the owner of this place, and when I give an order, I expect you to follow it,” I said in a menacing tone. “I won’t tolerate disrespect, especially from you.”

My uncle stood his ground. His eyes pierced my own.

“Now leave,” I ordered.

“You’re marrying Lombardy’s daughter?” my uncle spats as the guards grab him by the shoulders. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Hush it!” I snapped my head in his direction. “What I decide to do has nothing to do with you or anyone else!”

“You will regret this!” my uncle hissed. “Heed my words, Alexander!” I watched him being dragged out of the office. My assistant remained silent.

“Make sure he never steps foot here again. Use any means possible,” I ordered, and dismissed him.

Taking a deep breath, I went back to my desk and took a seat. Closing my eyes, I lean my head. Victoria’s blushing face crossed my mind, easing the anger that frustrated me.