The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Damian and Eilika returned to the estate just before sunset.

”I will see you in the evening,” Damian said, nodding toward her before heading straight to his own quarters. Eilika made her way toward her wing, but paused when she heard a voice she hadn’t expected to hear so soon. It was Rosaline.

As she stepped through the door, she found Rosaline and Roman in the middle of a game; Rosaline was chasing after the boy, reaching out to catch him as he ducked away.

”Mama!” Roman cried out in joy. He sprinted toward Eilika and threw his arms around her legs. ”I missed you.”

Eilika placed a warm hand on his head, gently caressing his hair as she looked up. Rosaline offered her a polite greeting— a gesture so uncharacteristic that Eilika couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

”Aunt brought handmade chocolates for me!” Roman said, looking up at Eilika with wide eyes. ”She said they were special. And then we started playing.”

”Mother sent some homemade food for you, Your Grace,” Rosaline stated, her tone uncharacteristically formal yet soft.

”Roman, you should go to your room and rest for a while,” Eilika suggested, looking down at the boy. He nodded obediently and followed his attendant out of the room.

Once he was out of sight, Eilika settled onto the sofa and gestured toward the opposite seat. ”Have a seat,” she told her sister.

Rosaline sat down as Joanna stepped forward to pour a glass of water for Eilika. She thanked her attendant and drank slowly until her thirst was quenched.

”Why have you come at this hour?” Eilika finally asked, setting the empty glass onto the table with a click.

”Can we talk alone?” Rosaline requested, glancing toward the servants.

Eilika gave a small nod to Joanna, who gathered the other servants and led them out of the wing, leaving the two sisters in silence.

”Rosaline, you found a way into the estate despite being barred,” Eilika stated. ”I remember clearly that you were forbidden from entering after you spoke so harshly to Roman. You tried to fill his mind with such bitterness.”

”Forgive me for that,” Rosaline replied, lowering her gaze in a show of contrition. ”The Dowager Duchess spotted me at the gates and granted me permission to enter.”

”Then tell me, why are you truly here?” Eilika questioned, leaning back.

”Father is determined to match me with the Count’s son.”

”And isn’t that a fortunate arrangement for you? You would be marrying into a family of immense wealth.” Eilika furrowed her brows, trying to discern the hidden motive behind her sister’s visit.

”I prefer Prince Sylvian,” Rosaline admitted. ”He is kind, soft-spoken, and attentive. I want to pursue him instead.”

Eilika couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle. ”And let me guess, you want my help to arrange a meeting with him?”

”Yes,” Rosaline replied, her eyes wide with feigned hope.

”I cannot do that,” Eilika refused.

”Why? Please, don’t be like this. Don’t you want to see me happy?” Rosaline began, her tone shifting into an emotional display.

”And what about you? Did you ever care for my happiness?” Eilika countered. ”You never once acted like a supportive sister. You only ever found joy in mocking me. Prince Sylvian is indeed the man you described, but I will not facilitate a meeting between you. You are not a suitable match for him. He deserves a woman who is free of greed, not someone like you.”

Eilika didn’t hesitate to be blunt, her gaze unwavering.

Rosaline’s mask of innocence slipped. She snickered, licking her lips before biting down on her lower one in a sudden flash of malice.

”You always did act so mighty,” Rosaline spat. ”But let’s be honest, it was Father who hated you most for having that scar. You simply got lucky with this marriage; otherwise, no one would have ever wanted you.”

”See, this is exactly why you are not a suitable match for Prince Sylvian. It doesn’t matter how much you ridicule me now,” Eilika stated, her voice remaining calm and steady. ”You are simply consumed by jealousy. Perhaps the day you drop this arrogance, I might consider helping you. But as the saying goes, a leopard does not change its spots.”

Rosaline’s fingers curled into the fabric of her gown, her knuckles turning white. The humiliation burned deep. ”You are so full of yourself, Eilika.”

”No, I am simply being honest. I have always been straightforward, while you are the one blinded by your own vanity,” Eilika replied. ”My mother-in-law does not yet know your true character. Once she sees behind your mask, she won’t allow you past the gates again. Consider it my generosity that I will remain silent this time and not speak a word against you to her. Do not even think of returning here until you have learned the meaning of humility and humanity.”

Rosaline stood to leave, but Eilika’s voice stopped her.

”Take this food with you and never bring me anything of the sort again. I have no desire to accept anything from your mother,” she stated firmly.

Rosaline snatched up the jute bag and hurried from the room, her face burning. She had expected Eilika to cave, banking on her sister’s naturally soft heart, but she had underestimated how much the title of Duchess had changed her. To Rosaline, it seemed Eilika had finally embraced the weight of her power, using it like a shield.

”I will find Prince Sylvian on my own,” Rosaline muttered to herself as she reached the corridor, the sting of Eilika’s rejection fueling a bitter resolve. ”How dare she decide I don’t deserve him?”

As she stepped out of the estate, she cursed Eilika internally.

”What was she doing here?” Louis frowned who spotted her from the balcony above. He closed the fan in his hand and looked at the setting sun. ”The Duke must know that Rosaline again entered the estate. I hope she didn’t hurt the Duchess with her arrogant words.”