The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Greetings to the Duchess,” Roshan said respectfully as he stepped forward. Joining his fist to his palm, he bowed his head in a formal salute. ”I am Roshan Sizon, the commander.”

Eilika acknowledged his greeting with a small nod.

”These girls were rescued by the Duke and his bodyguard,” Roshan continued. ”His Grace instructed me to escort them safely to the cottage.”

Eilika’s gaze immediately moved toward the four girls standing behind him.

They looked frightened and exhausted, their clothes dusty from travel. None of them appeared older than eleven or twelve. Their pale faces and hesitant steps made it clear how much they had endured.

Without wasting a moment, Eilika turned toward the maids.

”Take them inside at once,” she instructed gently. ”Prepare warm baths, fresh clothes, and something light for them to eat.”

The maids hurried forward and carefully guided the girls into the cottage, speaking to them softly to ease their fear.

Only after they had been led inside did Eilika turn back to Roshan.

”Roshan,” she said, her expression now touched with concern, ”why hasn’t the Duke returned with you? And where is Maurice?”

Roshan straightened slightly before answering.

”The Duke said it may take two or three days before they return,” he explained honestly. ”He did not reveal the entire plan to me, so I do not know where he and Maurice have gone.”

His voice remained respectful, but it was clear he had simply followed the orders given to him.

Eilika listened quietly, though the worry in her eyes did not fade.

”Damian wasn’t injured, was he?” Eilika asked, the concern in her voice impossible to hide.

Roshan immediately shook his head.

”No, Your Grace,” he replied reassuringly. ”The Duke is perfectly well.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips as he continued.

”His Grace is highly trained in martial arts. It is nearly impossible for anyone to leave even a scratch on him, let alone a wound.”

Eilika felt relieved hearing those words.

Still, Roshan’s confidence made her realize something she had only begun to understand since becoming the Duke’s wife. Damian was not merely a nobleman who ruled from behind walls of power.

He was a man who placed himself directly in danger if it meant rescuing the vulnerable.

The frightened girls who had just been brought to the cottage were proof of that.

For a moment, Eilika stood silently, reflecting on that thought.

Then she spoke again.

”You and your men should come inside,” she said politely. ”At least have some rest and refreshments.”

Roshan lowered his head respectfully.

”Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace,” he said, ”but I must decline.”

He straightened and gestured toward the soldiers behind him.

”The Duke has entrusted us with another important task. We must leave immediately.”

With that, Roshan bowed deeply.

The small group of soldiers behind him followed suit, lowering their heads in unison before preparing to depart.

Eilika stood at the entrance of the cottage, watching Roshan and the small group of soldiers ride away. The sound of their horses gradually faded into the distance, leaving the quiet countryside around the cottage peaceful once again.

Just then, she felt small footsteps approaching.

Roman and the other boys had come running toward her, their curious faces turned in the direction where the soldiers had disappeared.

”Mama, who were those men?” Roman asked, looking up at her. ”They were all dressed in those strange black uniforms.”

”They were soldiers, Roman,” Eilika replied gently.

The boys exchanged excited glances with one another.

”I want to become a soldier one day,” Kael declared proudly. ”In my village, whenever soldiers arrive, everyone trembles in fear.”

Roman immediately turned toward him, looking unusually serious for someone his age.

”Then you should start training early,” he said confidently. ”I’ve seen how soldiers train. They practice day and night without stopping.”

”Really?” Leo asked with wide eyes.

Roman nodded eagerly.

”Yes! Once I visited the barracks with my father’s bodyguard,” he explained. ”The soldiers there were training so hard. They were running, fighting, and practicing with their weapons all the time.”

Eilika listened to their conversation with a soft smile.

The boys were completely absorbed in their imagination now.

”Why don’t you all continue playing?” she suggested gently. ”I need to go inside for a while.”

The boys nodded quickly.

”Let’s play a soldier game!” Bram said excitedly.

The others immediately agreed, already beginning to assign roles among themselves.

Eilika turned and walked back toward the cottage, reassured that the boys were happily occupied with their play.

~~~~

Damian and Maurice reined in their horses as they stopped before the grand villa of Fabian Larkin. The tall iron gates stood closed, guarded by two soldiers posted on either side.

The guards immediately stepped forward, suspicion in their eyes.

”Who goes there?” one of them demanded.

Maurice straightened slightly in his saddle.

”You are standing before the Duke of Varos,” he said firmly.

Both guards stiffened, their faces draining of color. Fear quickly replaced their earlier authority. Without another word, they lowered their heads respectfully.

Maurice’s voice followed, calm but commanding.

”Open the gates.”

Neither guard dared to question him further. Within moments, the heavy iron gates creaked open.

Damian and Maurice guided their horses inside.

By then the sun had completely disappeared below the horizon. Darkness had settled over the estate, and the lanterns lining the cobblestone path cast a warm golden glow across the grounds.

The flickering lights illuminated the wide courtyard, the manicured gardens, and the large villa that stood proudly at the end of the path.

Maurice glanced around as they rode forward.

”He certainly lives a lavish life,” he remarked quietly.

Damian’s gaze moved across the grand structure, the tall windows, marble pillars, and expensive decorations visible even in the dim light.

”Hm,” he replied calmly. ”The opulence of this place makes it quite obvious.”

”Your Grace! Welcome to this humble abode of mine!”

Fabian Larkin hurried out of the villa, almost stumbling in his haste after one of the guards informed him of the Duke’s sudden arrival. His voice carried forced cheerfulness, though the nervousness in his eyes betrayed him.

Damian and Maurice had already dismounted from their horses.

Damian handed the reins to a nearby guard and stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the grand villa behind Fabian.

”The place appears far from humble, Larkin,” Damian remarked.

Fabian let out an awkward laugh, unsure how to respond.

”Unfortunately for you,” Damian continued, ”you are about to lose everything.”

Fabian’s smile faltered.

”The wealth you built... by trading young girls,” Damian finished, fixing him with a cold glare.

For a moment, Fabian stood frozen. His eyes widened in shock, and the color drained from his face.

Before he could say a word in defense, Maurice stepped forward swiftly. He grabbed Fabian’s wrists and snapped iron cuffs around them.

Fabian gasped.

”You—! Your Grace, this must be some misunderstanding—”

”You can explain that to the magistrate,” Maurice cut him off coldly.

He tightened his grip on Fabian’s arm.

”I will tie him behind the horse and take him to the Netham Magistrate’s Office,” Maurice added firmly.

Fabian shook his head vigorously, still wondering how the Duke found out about all of this.