Jewelry Box

Ch. 12 An Aggressive Duchess

Alexander

My eyes followed Victoria as she walked around the duchy’s garden, which was right in front of my office. Being careful, she didn’t notice me; I leaned on the glass door and stared at her from a distance.

Her hair moved against the wind that blew by—a smile on her alluring face. The red dress swayed against the wind, molding her body. I could even feel my smile playing on my lips.

It seems Victoria has found her way to captivate me. To have me thinking about her. Though I should have been against it and even felt uncomfortable, I wasn’t. Instead, she invites me to her and gets under my skin.

There was something about all this so-called marriage that made me curious about her. It’s like she’s hiding something from me and I’m hungry to know more. Find her secret she so tries to keep from me. That forbidden knowledge.

As I keep staring at her, I notice she turns to look around—a small crease in her head as she suddenly looks my way. I involuntarily took a step back and hid behind the shadows that cast my office.

I shook my head, confused. This was stupid; I was supposed to be someone with a stony heart who hates women and only thinks about his work and duty.

“How’s everything going?” I asked my secretary, who quietly remained on the side.

“No one seems to be interested so far. So there’s no need to worry, my duke,” he answered, smiling. I nodded in agreement and dismissed him.

As he leaves, my butler walks in.

“The jewel you ordered has arrived,” he said, and placed a black box on the mahogany table.

I looked to the side where the box was. This was my engagement gift to Victoria, and one she will wear for the upcoming ball.

“Thank you,” I said, and dismissed him as well. Reaching for the box. I opened it and checked the necklace. I asked the jewelry store to do it. As expected from the best store in town. They outdid themselves.

The necklace was a simple pink diamond in the shape of a teardrop with silver chains. It would be something she would help but accept, since I’m aware she collects unique jewels.

I’ve also helped, but noticed that Victoria doesn’t wear too much jewelry on her. It was something intriguing since her father, the duke, would buy her all kinds of jewels just to please her. And around high society, word of her bathing in jewels would spread. Which contradicted everything I was seeing.

Closing the box again, I picked it up and walked out of my office. It was time to hand my gift to Victoria and see her reaction.

***

“Where is the duchess?” I asked, frowning. Strangely, Victoria was no longer in the garden.

“The duchess was here,” the maid said worriedly.

“You were not monitoring her?” I asked, pissed. How could they not be checking on her? I gave strict orders to monitor Victoria at all times.

“I’m sorry, duke,” the maid said nervously. “But she was here, and she didn’t come back in.”

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

The garden was enormous, and there was even a maze where you could spend some time lost. And although no one would dare come here during the daytime. It still worried me she might be in danger.

“Take this in and put it in my bedroom,” I ordered, handing the jewelry box.

I strolled around the garden, glancing from side to side for any signs, but there were none. Worried something must have happened; I headed straight for the maze.

The place was gigantic, with tall, chubby walls and poisonous vines that wrapped around it like a cage.

The maze would take at least three hours to check. If not more. But that isn’t the case with me; I’ve been in this place so many times. I know it like the palm of my hand. Then there shouldn’t be any problem with me finding her if she’s even here.

***

“Damn it!” I cursed under my breath. It was two hours, and no signs of Victoria. It was becoming worrisome and frustrating at the same time.

Making a stop at the next corner, I stared up at the walls. There was no way anyone would get in without getting poisoned or getting out if not finding the exit this place had.

Rubbing my temple, I continued walking until I reached the end. Now it had turned worrisome. She was nowhere near the maze. Then where was she?

I rushed back to the duchy and called my guards. I briefly explained what happened and called the rest of the staff over. As I’m explaining, I hear several gasps from the maids and servants.

I jerked my head around until I saw Victoria stumping in, with a sword in her hand and blood on her face and dress.

My eyes grow in shock as she keeps walking toward me. Worried about her safety, I rushed to her side, yelling orders here and there to bring me stuff.

Everyone scattered around, panicking. Some even started asking for someone to call a doctor.

“Victoria…” I started, but was cut off by the sudden clattering of the sword. “Victoria?”

“Don’t f*****g touch me!” Victoria hissed. There were a few scratches on her face.

“What happened?” I demanded, while stopping her. My grip made her wince. “Who did this to you? Are you hurt?”

“Do I look hurt?” Victoria snapped.

“The blood-“

“It’s not mine, but of that b***h,” Victoria clenched. “Make sure they clean the entrance of the forest where the garden is.” Pushing past me, Victoria headed up the stairs, ignoring everyone around her.

I stood stunned with a frown before moving out to search.

“Get some men and check the location of the forest. I need to know what happened,” I ordered furiously.

***

I stood right outside Victoria’s room waiting for the maids and a doctor to finish. So far, Victoria has had no major injuries, but a few scratches. That relieved me since I felt I had failed her, especially since I promised to keep her safe. As I raised my hand to knock on the door, a maid pulled it, and she looked taken aback.

“Is the duchess available?” I asked softly. The maid nervously nodded and opened the door for me to walk in.

The moment I stepped in, my eyes shifted to Victoria standing in front of her mirror, staring at herself. I could see the small bandages covering the small wounds she received.

“Victoria,” I announced as our eyes met through the mirror. “Can we talk, please?”

She nodded and dismissed everyone until we were all alone.

“I’m glad you’re fine,” I whispered with honesty. “You had me worried.”

“Well, as you can see, I can take care of myself.” I nodded and thought about what my men had told me before.

The scene at the forest entrance was chaos. A dismembered body lay scattered on its dirty floor, stabbed into pieces. Another, a woman lying barely alive near a bush. It seems someone tried to kidnap Victoria, and they failed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t keep my promise,” I added, and lowered my head.

Victoria scoffed and turned her back to me. She started picking up some clothes and arranging her bed.

“Victoria. It was my fault,” I continued, but she wasn’t answering. Was she mad? “Say something. Did they tell you why?”

“I think I left someone alive for you to know that,” Victoria snapped. I understood her reason for being furious, but she needed to talk to me.

Tell me her worries, her fears.

Nodding silently, I took a seat in an armchair near her bed.

“How did you do it?” I asked, bothered.

Victoria stopped fixing her bed and raised her head. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked away again.

“All right, no need to say anything,” I said, raising my hands in peace. “But once again, I’m sorry.”

Felt she would not talk. I excused myself and left the room. I could feel she was mad. But was it with me or what?

I couldn’t even read her face. She was so stoic and emotionless that the only thing I could feel in her voice was anger.