The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 205: Gathering family (2)

Alessandra chuckled. "You don’t need to leave, Elijah. I would like to enjoy this time to be with both of you. You’re both too busy these days."

"I’m busy with work and protecting this family. What are you busy doing?" Edgar asked, curious about how Elijah spent his time.

"You’ll hear about it soon," Elijah replied.

"I only like surprises from your mother. This surprise better not be that you want to join the court. I’ll disown you if you join them," said Edgar.

"The court could never afford to pay me to join it. I’ve been in the palace because Rafael wants someone he knows, and you are too busy to go there. If the court isn’t careful, they will start a war," Elijah revealed.

Alessandra frowned. "Why would there be a war? We are close to the Callahans."

"The court has always pretended that it likes having a truce. There won’t be a war, but rather, an execution of the court if they speak on anyone from the border. Tobias is getting rid of the court," Edgar said, holding Alessandra’s hand to calm her.

"So I have heard. Mark Wilkerson will lead what is left of the court," Elijah shared, but regretted what he said after his father didn’t look pleased. "I believe you know Mark. He was on mother’s case."

Alessandra looked at Elijah. When did he have time to read her old cases?

"Tobias has lost what little sense he was holding onto," Edgar said, since Mark was an awful choice. "I should go and smack it back into him."

Elijah laughed.

"Don’t laugh, Elijah. Your father is quite serious, but he won’t do it because I won’t speak to him if he does. Despite your differences with Mark, he is a good man in court. One of the best in my eyes," said Alessandra.

Alessandra shook her head, finding it like Edgar to hate someone for so many years.

"He’s a fool who needs to be kept out of the court," Edgar said, having good reason to despise Mark.

Alessandra wasn’t falling for any of this. "No, you’re still angry that he tried to court your mother. Need I remind you that your mother didn’t want anything to do with another man in the court?"

"She was smart to ignore him," Edgar said, thankful his mother had sense.

"Mark could have been my grandfather?" Elijah found this revelation to be useful.

"Get out," Edgar ordered Elijah. "Go be with your sisters."

"They are your daughters. Why don’t you go play with them and have Isabelle bother you?" Elijah asked, still wishing he had been given a brother.

"Because I am telling you to go be with your sisters. I won’t ask the second time. I’ll throw you on your ass," Edgar warned Elijah.

"It is too early for you two to bicker like this. I think we must put aside some time to spend together as a family. I will send an invitation to Penelope and Tyrion for them to join us," Alessandra decided.

Elijah and Edgar both frowned, neither interested in seeing Tyrion.

Alessandra stood up since she was finished with her painting. "I am also planning a gathering for the Castros and Callahans to join us. I will invite the Chambers as well. By then, Heather and Dominic should be in town. All your friends will be here."

"That’s not as wonderful as you make it sound," said Edgar.

Alesandra didn’t care how it sounded to Edgar. He had been working himself too hard to find the person behind all the murders. Edgar needed a break once in a while, and being around friends was the best way to spend that break.

"You’ll be happy to take a day off from your duties and see your friends," said Alessandra.

"If I take a day off, I would rather spend it with you. Not disturbed by anyone, even our children. We should send them to be with my mother. Do you recall how we would spend my birthday-"

"Edgar!" Alessandra exclaimed to stop her chattering husband. "Elijah, it is time that you leave us."

"I think that as well. Oh, before I go," Elijah said, recalling something his father needed to know. "I hear that grandfather will be returning to Lockwood. Edmund Collins. I thought I should warn you."

After sharing, Elijah proceeded to leave the room so his parents could speak in private.

Alessandra waited until Elijah closed the door to then say, "We both know that your father tends to return to the palace court once in a while. It is part of his work."

Edmund Collins, Edgar’s father, worked in a court out of town, where he moved with his current wife, Cassidy Collins.

After Edgar’s warning, Edmund stayed away from the family, but from Alessandra’s talks with Priscilla, Cassidy tried too hard to be accepted by the family.

"We’re not going to pretend to be a family by sitting with him or his wife. I draw the line at him," Edgar said, hoping Alessandra won’t make any plans.

"I know. I have been spending my time inside our home, so it is more likely that you will see your father or Elijah. You were the one who advised Elijah to use your father’s jealousy to get what he wanted. Elijah might speak to Edmund, and you cannot interject," said Alessandra.

"I don’t mind Elijah speaking to him, but he is not welcome in our home. I don’t want him in my presence, and do not let that woman get near any of our daughters. She tries to act like she is family," Edgar said, his mood turning sour.

Edgar never liked Cassidy since his father would bring her around behind Priscilla’s back, and Cassidy would try to act as a second mother.

In the past, Edgar had many issues with Priscilla, so when he didn’t care for his first mother, he didn’t need someone who was a mistress trying to act as a second mother.

"Cassidy has never listened to what anyone said. Not even to Edmund. We’re always going to be burdened with her trying to become part of this family, but my loyalty lies with Priscilla," Alessandra said.

Alessandra couldn’t ever sit and pretend that she cared for Cassidy, who tended to taunt Priscilla, though Priscilla had moved on.

Alessandra was aware of the warning Edgar gave his father, and while Edmund listened most of the time, Cassidy didn’t. Alessandra was certain that Cassidy was going to walk herself right into the dungeon or worse.

"Enough about them," Edgar said, more interested in his wife. "We must make use-"

"Mother!"

Alessandra laughed while Edgar was fuming. "I am here!" She called out to Isabelle.

"We have too many children," Edgar admitted.

"You were the one who wanted so many, so bear with it," Alessandra said, playfully tapping Edgar’s face.

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