The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”This is a token for you,” King Nyxen stated, his voice steady and resonant. ”Should you ever find yourself in need of assistance or reach a crossroad in the future, you may use it to call upon the crown.”

Eilika looked at the weight of the object in his hand, her hesitation clear. ”But Your Majesty, isn’t this an immense responsibility? I am not certain I am the right person to hold something of such significance.”

”I am giving it to you precisely because I know you will not misuse it,” King Nyxen replied, closing her fingers over the token. ”Keep it. It is yours alone, and you are under no obligation to hand it over to anyone else, not even for the sake of tradition.”

”I shall take my leave now,” he stated, glancing at both of his sons.

Damian and the rest of the household followed the royal party outside to the drive. Once the King and the princes had entered their car and driven off, the group turned back toward the mansion, the sudden silence of the estate feeling heavy in the wake of their departure.

After breakfast, Georgia informed Roman that she would be taking him out for the day.

”Mother, outside? Where are you going?” Damian asked, his tone laced with a hint of worry.

”To your aunt’s house. Roman can spend the day playing with her granddaughter,” Georgia answered. She then added with a knowing look, ”You should spend some time alone with Eilika as well.” She turned her attention to Roman, who eagerly ran to his grandmother’s side.

”Maurice will accompany you both,” Damian stated firmly. ”I will go and inform him now.”

Georgia nodded and led Roman out of the dining hall. Damian then turned to Eilika. ”I’ll give the orders to Maurice. You can wait for me in the bedroom.”

Eilika hummed in agreement and watched him walk away. Once she was alone, she reached into her sleeve and looked at the token the King had given her. ”I will give it to Damian,” she murmured and went upstairs only to find Roman heading to the chamber with an attendant.

”Roman!” Eilika called out.

The boy stopped and turned, a bright smile appearing. ”Mama!”

She walked over to him and glanced at the attendant nearby. ”I will dress him for the visit,” she said. She took Roman by the hand and led him toward his chamber.

”Mama, I’ll go brush my teeth first,” Roman announced.

”Go ahead,” Eilika replied. While he was in the washroom, she carefully selected a set of clothes suitable for his trip to his aunt’s home. By the time she had finished, Roman emerged, grinning widely to show off his clean teeth.

”Good boy,” Eilika said with a smile, ruffling his hair before helping him into his clothes.

”Mama, is Father upset with me?” Roman asked suddenly, his voice small.

”What? Why would you think that?” Eilika asked, pausing to look at him in confusion.

”In the morning, I saw him looking at me with that gaze,” Roman replied, pouting his lips. ”The one he used to have before you were here.”

”No, baby. I think you’ve misunderstood,” Eilika answered gently, kneeling to his level. ”Think about your birthday and how hard your father worked to celebrate you. He loves you very much, Roman, more than his own life.”

The boy nodded, though Eilika could sense a lingering doubt behind his eyes. She wondered if Damian’s internal turmoil had inadvertently leaked out, sharp enough for even a child to feel. Once Roman was fully dressed, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

”Enjoy your day with your cousin,” Eilika said softly. ”And make sure you don’t trouble your grandmother.”

”I will, Mama!” Roman promised, his eyes regaining their bright glint. Eilika stood and walked him to the main hall, where Georgia stood waiting beside Damian and Maurice.

Roman hurried to his grandmother’s side and gripped her hand tightly.

”Maurice, keep a close watch at all times,” Damian instructed his bodyguard, his voice firm and protective.

”Yes, Your Grace,” Maurice replied with a bow. He stepped forward to lead the way as Roman turned back one last time, waving enthusiastically at his parents before disappearing from sight with his grandmother.

Eilika glanced around the hall, noting the presence of the servants. Without a word, she took Damian’s hand and led him out toward the gardens, walking in silence until they reached the seclusion of the gazebo.

”What is this about? Where are you taking me?” Damian asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

”Roman said something to me earlier,” Eilika said, turning to face him fully. ”Did you show him an emotion you shouldn’t have? He believes you are acting the way you did before we were married. Please don’t tell me, Damian, that the truth has affected you so deeply that...”

He didn’t let her finish.

”That I am wondering whose son Roman truly is,” Damian asserted. ”I know I shouldn’t think that way, but I cannot help it. I am well aware that none of this is Roman’s fault, but those emotions simply surfaced.”

He took a deep, steadying breath, looking out over the garden. ”I will not react that way in front of him again. Whatever Liliana did is in the past. I have raised Roman as my own, and that is a truth that cannot be changed.”

Eilika closed the distance between them and held his hands. ”True. We will never let this be out. And I believe Prince August won’t say a word to anyone either.”

”I hope so,” Damian whispered. ”Will you come to the residence with me? It’s fine if you don’t want to because that place is full of...” he paused, not wanting to finish.

”I will accompany you,” Eilika answered. ”Also, you need to stay strong for this family. I know it’s hard for you.”

Damian looked at her face. ”Forgive me for making everything difficult for you. Yes, it’s hard for me but I also know it’s too hard for you.”