The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Don’t threaten my father,” Roman shouted. ”He is the Duke of Varos!”

The market noise dipped as heads turned toward Damian and Eilika. One of the thugs sneered, leaning in close. ”What was that, kid?”

”You heard me, you bad uncle!” Roman stood his ground, though Eilika quickly pressed her hand over his mouth to silence him.

The tall man let out a harsh, mocking bark of laughter. ”If he’s the Duke, then I’m the Commander of the Royal Army.” He unsheathed a dagger, leveling it at Damian’s throat.

Before the blade could find its mark, Maurice appeared. The ring of his sword clashing against the dagger sent the attacker stumbling back. The other three men bristled, their postures shifting from thugs to panicked amateurs as they realized they were facing a trained swordsman.

Within a minute, all four men were pinned to the cobbles. A heavy silence fell over the crowd as the realization set in– the Duke and Duchess were truly standing among them.

Damian stepped forward, looking down at the groveling group. ”Do you require further proof of my rank?” he asked. He looked at Maurice. ”Take them to the magistrate’s office.”

”Your Grace, please!” the leader begged, his forehead pressed against the dusty ground. ”It was a mistake. Please, spare us the magistrate.”

”You tried to hurt my mama,” Roman snapped, stepping out from behind Eilika. ”Father, do not let them go.”

The onlookers murmured in agreement. Sensing the shift in the air, two local inspectors pushed through the crowd. They took one look at Damian’s crest and bowed immediately.

”Your Grace,” the senior inspector said, ”we will take it from here.”

Damian nodded curtly. He guided Eilika and Roman toward the waiting carriage. Once inside, Eilika turned to her son. ”Roman, why did you reveal your father’s identity like that?”

”They were underestimating Father’s rank,” Roman said firmly. ”And that man hit you, Mama. I was a little scared, but I remembered what my tutor taught me, not to be afraid of bad people in situations like this.”

”Roman is absolutely right,” Damian said, a small, grim smile touching his lips. ”That thug needed to watch his tongue, and he certainly deserved his punishment. However, our cover is blown. We won’t be able to step out so freely anymore.”

”Why, Father?” Roman asked, looking between his parents.

”Because we are known to the people now,” Damian explained. ”When the public recognizes us, it isn’t just a matter of privacy. The crowds will gather, and our security is compromised. Proper arrangements must be made before we set foot in the city.”

He then shifted his gaze toward Eilika. She had remained strikingly quiet, her eyes distant as if she were mentally retracing the events in the market or weighing the consequences of their exposure.

Damian rubbed his eyes and let out a weary yawn, the adrenaline of the confrontation finally giving way to an exhaustion. He was drained, and his stomach was beginning to protest the long evening.

”Mama, I’m hungry,” Roman said, tilting his head as he looked up at Eilika.

”Just wait a few more moments, darling. We will reach the cottage soon,” Eilika promised. She began to talk to him, her voice soft and steady as she spun stories and asked him questions, doing her best to keep his mind off his empty stomach until they were safely home.

~~~~

After seeing Roman through his dinner, Eilika tucked him into bed. He was asleep within minutes, curled around his favorite toy. She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before slipping out of the room and returning to the main area, where a maid was finishing the preparations for their own meal.

”Is he out?” Damian asked, methodically folding back his sleeves.

”Yes,” Eilika replied. She offered a small nod of thanks to the maid, who curtsied and withdrew, quietly closing the door behind her.

”Let’s eat, then,” Damian said, stepping forward to pull out a chair for her.

Eilika sank into the seat with a weary sigh and picked up her spoon.

”He didn’t touch you inappropriately, did he?” Damian asked, referring to the thug.

”No. You should have asked Roman to turn quiet. Places like markets are vulnerable spots, especially for the ranks like yours,” Eilika stated with concern.

”Roman doesn’t want his mother to be hurt,” Damian said firmly. ”He wanted his father to defend her. I didn’t tell him to stay quiet because I would have done the exact same thing. Regardless of the complexities between us, I will not tolerate you being insulted. No one is allowed to do that.”

He looked down at the steaming bowl of soup. ”Let’s eat before this turns cold.”

Eilika hummed in response, focusing on her meal, but a quiet sense of relief settled over her. It felt as though Damian was becoming the kind of man who would protect her without hesitation. Once they finished, Damian rang the bell to summon the maid.

The table was cleared, signaling the end of the day. Eilika retreated to the washroom to change into her nightgown, but when she returned to the bedchamber, Damian was nowhere to be seen. The main door was still latched, but the balcony door stood slightly ajar, letting in the cool night air.

She stepped out and found him standing by the railing, his eyes closed in the stillness. Eilika approached him silently, careful not to disturb his thoughts, but he sensed her presence and opened his eyes.

”Did you enjoy this evening?” he murmured. ”Brief as it was.”

”I did,” Eilika replied. ”And it was something new for Roman to see.” She fixed her gaze on his side profile, noticing the tension still lingering in his jaw. ”What are you thinking about?”

Damian didn’t respond, so Eilika made an attempt.

”Are you thinking about–”

”No,” Damian interjected her. His eyes met hers. ”I am thinking where I should take you tomorrow.”

Eilika was surprised to hear his statement. ”Why would you take me out again?”

”Didn’t you want me to act like a husband to you?” Damian arched his eyebrow.