A Love To Call My Own

Alicia sat at her desk, a neat stack of household documents in front of her. Her maid, Carmine, stood beside her, helping arrange the papers as they went over the details of the household expenses. 

"Tea this evening, perhaps?" Carmine suggested with a smile. 

Alicia chuckled softly, her fingers brushing against the edge of a ledger. "Only if you promise to join me for a cup, Carmine. It seems you've earned it with all this hard work." 

They shared a laugh, the light atmosphere in the room a much-needed reprieve from the weight Alicia carried in her heart. The mundane task of reviewing finances was a welcome distraction, allowing her to forget, if only briefly, the turmoil in her life. 

But the moment shattered when the door swung open abruptly. Edward's tall frame filled the doorway, his piercing gaze sweeping over the room. Behind him stood Katarina, shifting awkwardly on her feet, her hands clasped in front of her. 

Alicia stiffened in her seat, her smile vanishing as her eyes locked onto Edward's. "To what do I owe this... surprise?" she asked, her tone cool. 

Edward didn't respond to her sarcasm. Instead, he turned to Countess Luciana, who had quietly entered behind him. The older woman, Alicia's former mentor, offered a polite nod before speaking. 

"Katarina will begin assisting with household management," Edward announced, cutting straight to the point. 

Alicia's brow furrowed as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Household management?" 

"Yes," Edward replied, his tone firm. "It's time we made some adjustments. Katarina will be helping from now on." 

Alicia's lips parted, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "The management of this house is the duty of the lady of the house," she said slowly, her voice steady but laced with warning. 

Edward met her gaze without flinching. "Katarina is not a mistress," he said evenly. "I've made my decision. I'll marry her soon. You need to be mature about this, Alicia." 

Alicia stared at him, the weight of his words settling over her like a suffocating shroud. She inhaled deeply, leaning forward slightly before letting out a long, resigned sigh. 

She leaned back in her chair, resting her head against the cool wood. "Mature, you say?" she murmured, her voice barely audible. 

Edward frowned. "Yes. I expect you to—" 

Before he could finish, Alicia grabbed the stack of documents on her desk and flung them toward him. The papers scattered in the air, some landing at his feet while others fluttered to the floor. Edward barely dodged the impact, his face twisting in anger.

The room fell silent. 

Alicia stood calmly. Her eyes, now icy cold, locked onto Edward's. She let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"Very well," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "From this moment onward, I will no longer involve myself in the management of this household. Whether it prospers or falls to ruin, it's no longer my concern." 

Edward's jaw tightened. "Alicia, you're being ridiculous." 

"Ridiculous?" Alicia repeated, her voice rising. "If I managed everything during your absence, why can't Katarina do it now? She's the perfect woman, isn't she? Your savior, the mother of your son, soon to be your wife. Let her play house, Edward. Let her see what it takes to run this place. And me?" 

She let out a bitter laugh, her gaze cutting through him. "I'll accept it. I'll accept being the mistress in name only. Just keep sending me my allowance." 

Edward's face darkened, his voice sharp. "Alicia, stop this." 

She turned on her heel, ignoring his words. "No, Edward," she said coldly, her hand gripping the edge of the door as she looked back over her shoulder. "You stop this." 

Their eyes met for a moment, and Edward took a step forward, his hand outstretched. "Alicia, wait—" 

But she didn't. 

She slammed the door shut behind her, the sound reverberating through the halls. As she strode away, her steps heavy with anger and defiance, she ignored the whispers of the servants who had gathered nearby, their expressions a mix of shock and unease. 

For the first time in years, Alicia felt something close to freedom. It was bitter, cold, and hollow—but it was hers. And she would not serve him anymore.

*****

Alicia lay sprawled under the shade of a tree, one arm draped over her eyes to block out the sunlight. The breeze rustled the leaves gently, and she hummed softly, her tune unpolished but soothing to her ears. Freedom—it tasted sweet. No responsibilities, no schedules, no one demanding her attention. For the first time in years, she felt unburdened.

The shadow that loomed over her ruined the moment entirely.

Alicia peeked out from beneath her arm and squinted up at Edward, who stood there looking as severe as ever. He crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on her with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.

"Alicia," he began, his voice firm. "It's been six days. The household is in complete disarray. This behavior is childish."

Alicia stretched lazily and yawned, her gaze drifting back to the tree branches above her. "I'm just a mistress now, Edward. The duchess can handle it." She said it lightly, but her words carried a pointed edge.

Edward's jaw tightened. "Katarina isn't like you. She's a commoner. She's unlucky, and inexperienced. You're abandoning your duties out of spite."

"Spite?" Alicia finally sat up, brushing leaves from her skirt. "Oh, no, Edward. This is resignation. If I could handle it, then surely the better woman—your perfect Katarina—can do it too." She smiled faintly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You're being impossible," Edward said sharply.

"Maybe," Alicia replied with a shrug before lying back down, rolling to her side to face away from him. "But I'm tired. And since I'm no longer your duchess, I think I'll enjoy the perks of my new role as the carefree mistress. Good luck, Edward. I'm rooting for you."

Edward clenched his fists but said nothing. He stormed off, leaving Alicia to her nap under the tree.

Two months later, Alicia sat in her personal tea garden, pouring tea for a group of elders and vassals who had gathered around her. Their expressions ranged from tired to outright exasperated, and the conversation quickly turned into a long list of grievances.

"The household expenses have tripled in just two months," one elder grumbled, shaking his head.

"Tripled?" Alicia raised an eyebrow, hiding her amusement behind her teacup.

Another vassal leaned forward, sighing heavily. "The duke spent nearly two billion gold coins on jewelry for that woman. And the etiquette lessons, the manners training—it's endless. She doesn't know how to host, how to manage. She's out of her depth!"

Alicia listened with a polite smile, nodding occasionally. She wasn't surprised—Katarina's lack of experience had been glaringly obvious from the start.

"She spent three days organizing a garden party," another elder added with a groan. "Three days. And we ended up eating stale bread because the caterers were mismanaged!"

The group fell into a chorus of weary complaints, and Alicia sipped her tea, enjoying the irony of it all.

But before she could respond, the sound of a crash echoed from the main hall. The elders froze, their heads turning toward the noise. Moments later, the doors burst open, and Katarina stumbled in, clutching her chest dramatically. Her face was tear-streaked, and her voice quivered as she wailed, "Lady Alicia… you're trying to ruin me!"

Alicia blinked, her teacup halfway to her lips. "Excuse me?"

Katarina fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "I know I'm just an uneducated woman, a commoner! But why must you meet with the elders to turn them against me? Why must you make me look so incompetent?"

The elders exchanged uneasy glances, some muttering under their breath, but none dared to interfere. Alicia simply stared, her expression blank.

"Katarina," Alicia said slowly, setting her teacup down. "This is a private gathering. You weren't even invited."

Katarina cried harder, shaking her head. "I know my place, I do! But you keep making me look bad—spreading rumors, sabotaging me!"

Before Alicia could respond, Edward stormed in, his face a mask of anger. He rushed to Katarina's side, pulling her into his arms as she sobbed against his chest.

"What is the meaning of this, Alicia?" Edward demanded, his voice cold. "Are you that jealous? Are you so spiteful that you'd stoop this low to humiliate her?"

Alicia rose from her chair slowly, smoothing her dress as she met his glare. "Jealous?" she repeated, her voice calm. "Of what, exactly? A woman who can't organize a garden party without causing a financial crisis?"

Edward's eyes narrowed. "You're a wicked woman, Alicia. This is why I—"

He stopped himself, but Alicia didn't need him to finish. She laughed softly, shaking her head.

"Oh," she said, her voice light but laced with biting sarcasm. "I get it now."

Edward frowned. "Get what?"

"Why you've always hated me," Alicia replied, her tone sharp. "You love this." She gestured toward Katarina, who was still sniffling into his chest. "You love a green-tea bitch. That's your type, isn't it?"

The room fell silent. The elders and vassals exchanged wide-eyed looks, unsure whether to laugh or run for cover.

"Alicia," Edward said warningly, but she ignored him.

She picked up her teacup, taking a long sip before setting it down again with deliberate care. "Well, I hope the two of you enjoy playing house. But don't come crying to me when your little fantasy falls apart."

Without waiting for a response, Alicia turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Edward and Katarina behind in stunned silence. Behind her, she could hear the murmurs of the elders as they quietly excused themselves, their faith in the duchy shaken.

For the first time in months, Alicia felt truly free. And it was glorious.