The Duke's Masked Wife

Priscilla was stunned to hear Edgar mention killing Alfred. She wanted to when she saw him yesterday but after their conversation and Federick arrived, she decided against it. 'That bastard,' she thought, realizing Federick must have gone against her decision. It would not be the first time he had done this.

"You were so talkative a second ago. Do not be silent now, mother. Who did you order to kill Alfred?" Edgar asked, his patience quickly running thin. He was glad Alfred stopped him from coming last night. He had more time to think about how he would deal with his mother.

"Priscilla," Edmund said, refusing to believe she would have a hand in hurting Alfred. "Please tell me this is a misunderstanding."

"I did not order Alfred to be killed," Priscilla replied with the truth. She mentioned it to Federick when he arrived but quickly changed her mind. She had mentioned killing Alfred to Federick many times before and during the time he killed Jennifer for her which was why he must have gone ahead to do what she could not finish.

"I do not believe you, mother. No, you are not deserving of such a title. You are far from being a mother. You were pushed to have me before you were ready so I am giving you back your freedom. In my eyes, you are no mother of mine. It will make what I plan to do much easier for all of us," Edgar said.

Not long after, the sound of something crashing and screams flooded the house.

Edmund and Priscilla were both equally confused and shocked by what was happening outside the dining room while Edgar remained as calm as when he entered.

"Son, this is madness. Your mother says she has nothing to do with it-"

"I am just as furious with you as I am with her. For years you have covered up the things that she has done while you go out and talk about the kingdom needing to become safer. We both know that she had something to do with the attack on Alfred. Unless you want to join her, I suggest you shut up," Edgar snapped at his father.

Edmund was aware of the foul things his wife did to get rid of the people she disliked. Instead of putting an end to it, he would always cover up for her. Edgar thought of taking both of them but right now, he would settle for his mother.

Priscilla was confused by the mention of Edmund joining her somewhere. Join her where? She stood up, afraid of the noise that was coming towards them. The unfamiliar voices of men told her Edgar's men had stormed inside. "I had nothing to do-"

"You have no clue who attacked him?" Edgar questioned, looking up at Priscilla. He noticed the way she slipped up by wanting to say something but then she bit her lip. "I don't need to hear your words when your body language reveals the truth."

"Enough!" Edmund yelled, banging his hand against the table. "It is too much for you to storm our house like this."

"Far better than my plan to burn it down with the two of you inside," Edgar replied. He had a far better plan in mind for his mother. "You're starting to make me not want to separate the two of you."

Priscilla hurried to Edmund's side just as men filled the dining room. Their clothes were coated with blood. "I am not going anywhere with you, Edgar. The man you want is Federick. He has a group of men at his beck and call."

"Priscilla," Edmund said, realizing that she was involved. He had hoped it wouldn't be true though he knew she would do something like this. This wasn't the first time he heard of this Federick. "You," he balled up his fist, at a loss for words.

He made it clear over and over again how much they owed Alfred for being there for Edgar when they were not. How could she be so foolish as to target Alfred knowing how Edgar would react?

Still, Edmund wasn't on board with her being taken away to wherever Edgar had in mind. "I will deal with your mother," he said, pushing her behind him.

All the men Edgar brought along with him, including Reed, did not move even though their target was right there. They waited for Edgar to give them the command.

"Deal with it, how? By yelling at her and then trying to hide her tracks? You are useless which is why I will take this matter into my own hands. She is going to tell me everything she knows about this Federick," Edgar explained his plan as he stood up from his seat.

"Fine. I know where he lingers daily. You can go to him and take your revenge. I swear to you I did not order him to kill Alfred. You must leave after I tell you what you wish to know," Priscilla stated, still hiding behind Edmund.

"Nonsense. We shouldn't ruin this breakfast any further. You will be coming with me. Regardless of whether you gave the order or not, you wanted to kill Alfred and he was attacked by someone looking to please you. He spoke of feeling like he was on the verge of dying. You must learn what that feels like. Get her," Edgar ordered Reed and the other men to collect what they came for.

"Edgar!" Edmund yelled at his son, blocking his wife from being taken by men he did not know. She needed to be punished but not like this. "Call them off."

"Do whatever you need to do to pry her off of him. Over twenty years of marriage but only now does she cling to him. I have other things to do, Reed. Do not make this long," Edgar said, leaving Reed to lead the men to take Priscilla and drag her out.

He planned to make her feel what Alfred felt. Like her life was about to be over with each step she took. Luckily for her, Edgar was not going to kill her. He would only make her wish she was dead before releasing her. A couple of days in his dungeon would end the games she played with him, Alessandra, and Alfred.

With Edgar gone, Reed slowly approached Edmund who he deemed to be a respectable man. It was only a shame he kept protecting the woman behind him.

"It is pointless to try fighting against us, Mr. Collins. None of us want to drag your wife out of here but we will if needed. Hand her over while we are being nice," Reed said, inspecting his sword covered with the blood of men who tried to stop them from entering the house. "You see, we all care for Alfred no matter how many rules he drives us crazy with. I'd hate for Edgar to lose a mother and a father in one day if you do not move."

"E-Edmund. Don't you dare let them take me," Priscilla pleaded with him. "Fight them," she pushed her husband forward. He was once an excellent fighter among his peers and could still take these young men. She only needed him to distract these men so she could run away.

"That is embarrassing," Reed muttered, feeling sorry for the couple but it didn't last long. "Edgar will have our necks if we wait too long. Get her."