The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Louis stepped down from the carriage as it came to a halt before the cottage where Damian, Eilika, and Roman had been staying. Straightening his coat, he walked toward the entrance with an easy smile on his face.

A servant opened the door for him, and Louis stepped inside.

”Louis?” Eilika exclaimed in surprise when she saw him standing there.

She quickly dismissed the servant who had been attending to her and walked toward him.

”Greetings, Your Grace,” Louis said respectfully, bowing his head. ”Forgive me for arriving so suddenly without sending word beforehand.”

”Please, have a seat,” Eilika said, gesturing toward the sofa.

As he sat down, she instructed a maid to bring water for their guest.

”Where is the Duke?” Louis asked, letting his gaze wander briefly around the room. ”And the young master?”

”They both went out early this morning,” Eilika replied. ”Roman insisted that his father take him to the pond nearby.”

She rose slightly from her seat.

”I can send someone to call them back.”

Louis shook his head gently.

”That won’t be necessary, Your Grace. Let the father and son enjoy their time together. The Duke rarely gets the chance to spend such moments with him.”

Just then, the maid returned with a glass of water. Louis thanked her and took a few slow sips before placing the glass on the table in front of him.

Then he looked at Eilika.

She sat across from him on an upholstered chair, watching him curiously.

”I came here to take Roman back,” Louis said.

Eilika blinked in confusion. ”What do you mean?” she asked.

Louis folded his hands calmly.

”I received a message from Maurice yesterday,” he explained. ”The Duke has discovered that sending you both here was part of a plan... one that I arranged.”

Eilika remained silent, trying to understand.

”Roman occupies much of your attention, Duchess,” Louis continued. ”And at this rate... You may never truly get the chance to know the Duke.”

”That is not true,” Eilika said with a light chuckle. ”Roman is a good boy. He gives Damian and me enough space to spend time together.”

Louis listened patiently before responding.

”My intention is only for the Duke to truly enjoy this time with you,” he said calmly. ”What should have been your honeymoon has turned into a mission and responsibilities.”

He paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. ”You may try to understand him, Your Grace, but the Duke has a habit of pushing people away. He is not a man who opens his heart easily.”

Eilika listened quietly.

”And your relationship with him must grow stronger,” Louis continued. ”There are many forces in Varos who do not wish to see Damian remain the Duke.”

His tone became more serious.

”Now that you are his wife, people are already speculating about your marriage. Many believe the Duke does not even acknowledge you as his wife.”

Eilika’s brows slowly drew together.

”And unfortunately,” Louis added, ”your sister has also begun spreading rumors about you in Varos.”

”What?” Eilika’s eyes widened in shock.

For a moment she simply stared at him without blinking.

Rosaline had been pleased when she heard that Eilika was marrying a man who would never look at her with affection. If that had been the case, why was she now spreading rumors?

The thought left Eilika deeply confused.

”That is why,” Louis said gently, ”you must find a way to enter the Duke’s heart.”

His voice softened slightly.

”Roman will always have his mother,” he said. ”But right now, what matters most is the bond between you and the Duke.”

Louis leaned back slightly. ”The rest... I believe you are wise enough to understand, Your Grace.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Eilika finally spoke.

”Louis, I understand your concern,” she began calmly. ”However, I brought Roman here because I believe Damian also needs to grow closer to his son.”

She folded her hands gently in her lap as she continued.

”I do not believe a child’s relationship with their parents improves simply because they are young. Adults may eventually come to understand each other, but children do not grasp such things easily.”

Her voice softened slightly. ”My purpose in bringing Roman here was simple. I do not want him to grow up resenting his father... or believing that his father abandoned him.”

Louis listened quietly.

”For a long time, Damian kept his distance from Roman,” Eilika continued. ”I do not want that distance to turn into bitterness in the child’s heart.”

She lifted her gaze toward Louis.

”As for me, Roman will never feel separated from his mother. We have already formed a bond. And regarding the Duke,” she added, ”I will take slow and steady steps. I will not rush anything.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

”So do not worry, Louis. Because of me, the Duke will never appear less worthy of the Dukedom of Varos.”

Louis listened carefully, and when she finished speaking, a gentle smile spread across his face.

’The Dowager Duchess was right about Eilika,’ he thought. ’She is strong-willed... and wise enough to hold a family together. Damian will fall in love with her eventually, at his own pace.’

Louis inclined his head respectfully.

”I will do as the Duchess believes is right,” he said.

”Louis, what are you doing here!?” Damian’s voice reverberated in the hall while Roman greeted him with a big smile.

”Uncle Louis!” He ran to him and greeted him the way he was taught to.

Louis and Eilika left their seats, turning to Damian.

”My humble greetings to the Duke,” Louis said with a smile. He then turned to Roman, ”You look happy, young master. The Duchess told me that your father took you to the pond.”

”Yes. We even brought flowers for Mama,” Roman said with an innocent white-teeth smile. He turned to his father and urged, ”Father, hurry. Give those flowers to mama before they wither away.”

Louis smirked, hearing that, and noticed Damian had his one hand behind his back.

’Roman is doing the work to bring them closer.’