The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Damian could feel the curious gazes fixed upon him, Louis standing nearby with an amused expression, and a few servants lingering in the hall, clearly interested in what was about to unfold.

With reluctant steps, he walked toward Eilika.

”Roman insisted that I bring these for you,” Damian said, holding out the small bouquet of roses.

Louis’s smirk deepened the moment he saw the flowers. ’The boy had indeed done an excellent job persuading Damian to pick them.’

”Don’t roses symbolize deep love and passion?” Louis remarked with a playful grin.

Damian shot him a brief glare, silently warning him to stop, before shifting his attention back to Eilika. She accepted the bouquet gently.

A small smile slowly spread across her lips.

For a fleeting moment, a memory surfaced in her mind, the day of her wedding. That day, she had held a bouquet as well. Yet it had felt meaningless then, because Damian had not even been present beside her.

Now, however, the same flowers felt entirely different. Eilika lifted the bouquet slightly and inhaled their soft fragrance. For the first time, she felt unexpectedly cherished by her husband.

”Father,” Roman suddenly said, turning toward Damian.

Damian glanced down at him.

”Put one rose in Mama’s hair,” the boy suggested eagerly. ”She will look even prettier.”

His eyes sparkled with excitement.

”Then Mama and I will go to the evening market,” he continued proudly. ”And I will tell everyone that I have the most beautiful mother in the world.”

”Yes, Duke, go on,” Louis said teasingly, clearly enjoying the moment. Such a sight was rare, and he seemed more than pleased to witness it.

”Roman, don’t ask your father to do such things,” Eilika said gently.

”Why?” Roman asked, tilting his head up at her.

”Because your father is shy,” she replied with a playful smile.

Damian’s brows immediately drew together.

Roman burst into laughter. ”Father, what is there to be shy about?” he asked innocently.

Damian felt a faint sting to his pride at being called shy in front of his son. Without saying another word, he plucked a single rose from the bouquet and snapped the stem shorter.

Then he stepped behind Eilika.

The moment he moved close, she stiffened slightly. His warm breath brushed lightly against the back of her neck as he carefully tucked the rose into the top of her neatly tied bun.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

”There,” Damian said quietly, stepping back.

Louis watched the scene with visible satisfaction.

”The Duchess looks beautiful,” he remarked with a pleased smile.

Then an idea struck him. ”Why don’t the three of you stay just like that?” He reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a small sketchbook along with a pencil. ”I would like to draw this moment,” he said.

Without waiting for a response, he began sketching quickly, the pencil already moving across the paper as he captured the scene before him.

Eilika rested her hands gently on Roman’s shoulders as they stood together. The boy wore a warm, cheerful smile, clearly enjoying the moment. Beside them, however, Damian stood with his usual composed expression.

”You can draw these two,” Damian said, already preparing to step away.

”Stay,” Eilika said softly, tilting her head slightly toward him. ”Roman will love it,” she added in a quiet whisper.

Before Damian could respond, Louis spoke.

”It is already done.”

Both of them turned toward him in surprise as he tore the finished page from his small sketchbook.

”So quickly?” Eilika asked in astonishment as she accepted the paper from him. ”How did you manage to draw it with such speed, Louis?”

She studied the sketch carefully, clearly impressed by the delicate lines and the accuracy of the scene he had captured.

Her gaze paused for a brief moment.

Louis had drawn her exactly as she appeared, but the scar on her cheek was absent.

For a moment, Eilika realized that perhaps the mark was not as noticeable or important as she had always believed.

”Mama, I want to see it too,” Roman said eagerly.

Eilika nodded and handed the paper to him.

The boy’s face brightened as he looked at the drawing of their small family. ”Mama looks so pretty,” he said with admiration shining in his eyes.

”You also look very cute, Roman,” Eilika said with a gentle smile.

Roman’s face brightened even more.

”I will keep it safe,” he declared proudly.

Clutching the paper carefully, he ran toward the staircase.

”Careful, Roman!” Eilika called out, raising her voice slightly. She then gestured to a nearby maid, silently asking her to follow the boy and make sure he didn’t trip or fall.

Once Roman disappeared upstairs, Eilika turned her attention back to Louis.

”You draw very well,” she said sincerely.

”He has always been talented at sketches and paintings,” Damian remarked from where he had settled himself on the sofa.

Louis gave a faint smile and took a seat as well, only after Eilika had seated herself.

”But very few people consider it a talent,” Louis said lightly. ”According to most, such things are not suitable hobbies for men.”

”Those who say such things are fools, Louis,” Eilika said with an easy smile. ”Not everyone is blessed with the talent to create sketches like that.”

Louis inclined his head slightly, amused by her words.

Damian watched the exchange quietly from the sofa.

He noticed the brightness in Eilika’s expression, the warmth in her smile. For a brief moment, he realized that she did not smile with such openness when she was around him.

But then again, Louis had always possessed a certain charm. It was not surprising that he could easily win people over.

”Why have you come here, Louis?” Damian finally asked. ”Is everything well in Varos?”

Louis nodded calmly.

”Everything is fine,” he replied. ”I was missing you, so I thought to see you once.”

Damian chuckled. ”Do you think I will believe that?” he muttered, ”say the truth.”