Behind the Mask of Alexandria Drear

The Agonizing Return (Chapter 8)

(A/N: Mature content, mainly language and sexual hints. I'm not exactly in the mood to be graphic, especially with the story being so late.)

              It was rather strange on how long Nicholas was gone, it was almost as though he'd walked off the face of the earth. Even if slowly things in the Drear mansion seemed to go back to how it was years ago, there was always that worry something would go wrong. As though it was too good to be true, nothing ever went this good for this long. It was in the back of everyone's mind in the household, even if no one said a word; afraid to jinx it.

           Alexandria had used several potions and spells to heal her scars, as many as she could anyway. But it seemed the ones her husband gave her with magic would be a whole new story, they wouldn't disappear; only faded for a few seconds and return with a terrible burning sensation. She knew it must be a curse like her necklace, which only made her wonder why it would still exist if Nicholas wouldn't return. Perhaps it was some scheme of his, it had to be right? That would make the most sense, why else would he leave something he'd worked so hard for it seemed anyway.

      Either way, the duchess enjoyed the freedom she had for the most part. Still keeping up with her own day to day work, making very slight changes to important papers as well as contracts; making loop holes for the other party to escape. It wasn't right what Nicholas was getting way with, hurting the innocent the way he did. One day she'd put an end to this, business was one thing of course, this was just savagery. Her day would come, just being a matter of when instead of if.

        Being a couple months later, the duchess was wearing a similar dress to one before; only showing her arms and shoulders. In a way she couldn't before with the scars and bruising, she was much happier. The either Drear staff was as well, more eager to work now that they didn't feel like slaves. But once the doors slammed open, all that happiness that took so long to have vanished.

        Dread filled the home with the Dukes ora filling the home once more, servants leaving the entrance hall immediately. There was no more time for fun, it was back to the strict routine once more. With the staff back on duty, no one warned the duchess of her husbands return; no matter how obvious it was now. It was only a matter of time now, until his eyes would land on her to see the damage she fixed.

       Nicholas found her in the library lost in a book, where she would always be on a rainy day. Without a second thought he grabbed her wrist in a painfully tight grip, earning a pained gasp." Well, well what is all this? I leave for a few months and it is if you think you own this place again. No more scars showing? I should have known you would try such a thing, you clearly can not be left to your own device now can you? All that hard work for nothing, what a pity really. Well a blank canvas was needed now wasn't it? We were running out of space, I suppose this is a good thing. You may have a brain after all, even if it is so small."

       He smirked adding more pressure to his wife's wrist, causing her jaw to lock trying to hold in any bit of noise. With a quick fluid motion, Nicholas slammed her arm against the corner of the desk. Hearing a crack and the duchess scream almost all at once, only to lift her up by her neck." No more of this healing now, it really is not all that good for you. Look at how brittle you are, snapping like a twig so easily. My, my you must be getting so lazy. Even heavier than when I left, getting rather fat aren't we? A new dress even, spending our money just like that. How reckless of you, this is not what I thought you at all. With all of that freedom, you must have been sleeping around now haven't you? That would be the only reason for that smile you had, not once have I ever had such a greeting."

Nicholas held her up higher." Not a word? So it's true? I am shocked by these actions, what role is this setting for your family? Becoming quite the little whore now, that would explain so much in the bedroom. Such an animal you are, holding out on your own husband. Well that will be another thing to change, it seems you will be staying in doors so much more. What a story for that child of yours, she really must not be mine if you have been throwing yourself at every man you see."