The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

August leaned back in his chair, eyeing the heavy stacks of folders and leather-bound files that the servants had just dropped onto his desk.

”I think I will take a rest for the remainder of the day. But where is my personal assistant?” he murmured to himself, casting a glance toward the door.

Right on cue, Louis walked into the office and offered a respectful bow. August’s expression instantly souled as he recognized the man.

”Do not tell me you are the one who will be assisting me during my stay here,” August said, his face contorting with clear annoyance.

”I assure you I am quite capable of assisting you with your duties, Your Highness,” Louis replied smoothly.

”And what about Damian? Who will be helping him if you are stuck with me?” August asked, his brows furrowing deep.

”That is something you do not have to worry about,” Louis said, stepping closer to the massive desk. ”For now, you should choose your first case. Once you have made your selection, I will provide you with the necessary briefing.”

”I am not working today. I will be taking a rest. It was quite a long and exhausting journey for me to get here,” August stated, pushing back his chair and standing up from the desk.

Louis arched an eyebrow at him but chose to remain silent.

August brushed past him toward the door, adding over his shoulder, ”You may also take the rest of the day off.”

As soon as he stepped out of the main building, his eyes caught sight of Eilika. She was standing in the courtyard with Maurice, having just finished a brief conversation with a local official. August quickened his pace, heading directly toward her.

”Greetings to the Duchess,” he said smoothly, causing both Eilika and Maurice to turn around.

Eilika offered him a slight, polite bow in return. ”Prince August, you have already greeted me earlier today,” she reminded him, her tone measured.

”Yes, I did. But a second greeting certainly does no harm,” August replied with a charming smile. He then shifted his gaze to the guard standing beside her. ”I would like to speak with the Duchess in private.”

”I cannot allow that,” Maurice stated immediately, his gaze turning stern as he stepped slightly ahead of Eilika. ”I am strictly bound by the Duke’s direct orders to remain by the Duchess’s side and protect her from any potential danger.”

”Are you implying that I am a danger?” August chuckled, running a hand through his hair. ”Lady Eilika, I literally saved your husband’s life. How could I possibly be considered a threat?” He lowered his hand, deliberately adjusting his tone to sound more formal.

”Give us some space, Maurice,” Eilika requested, turning to the guard. When Maurice remained reluctant to move, she added a softer, ”Please.”

He glared coldly at August before finally stepping back and walking away, granting them the privacy they needed.

”Why did you return, Your Highness? Surely the capital requires your presence far more than Varos does,” Eilika stated, getting straight to the point.

”The capital has no need for me,” August replied. ”As an illegitimate son, securing an official appointment like this was no easy feat.”

”And yet, you managed to obtain it remarkably fast. Did you not just leave Varos a mere three days ago?” She squinted her eyes at him, her skepticism clear.

August laughed softly at her sharp observation. ”That is because I explicitly told the King that I wished to help Damian. I believe His Majesty simply wants to give me a chance to prove myself.”

”I do not believe my husband requires your assistance,” Eilika said, her stance turning rigid.

”He very well may need me. Someone went as far as to poison me, and whoever did it may strike again—not just to harm Damian, but Roman as well,” August stated flatly.

Eilika’s eyes widened with a flash of anger as she glared at him.

”My humble apologies,” August added, rolling his eyes as he anticipated that Eilika might snap at him for bringing the young heir into the conversation like that.

”Damian does not need your help, Prince August. Not after everything you have done,” Eilika stated, her voice trembling slightly but remaining firm. ”I am grateful, and I will be forever grateful, for the fact that you saved my husband’s life. But it is entirely for the best if you simply keep your distance from him.”

She bowed, ready to turn and leave, when August spoke again, his voice uncharacteristically calm. ”No one has ever truly wished for my well-being.”

Eilika halted, turning back to gaze at him with genuine confusion, the tension in her posture softening slightly.

”I was banished because I attempted to kill the Crown Prince,” he confessed. ”I was blinded by envy, wanting everything he possessed, everything I knew I would never inherit. My father eventually told me the true reason behind my exile. It was not because Damian complained or pressed for it, as I had believed for years. I have spent my entire life under that false impression, convinced I was the villain, while simultaneously being despised by everyone around me. No one has ever wanted to speak to me with even a shred of gentleness. There was only one person who did, but they ended up betraying me.”

Eilika stood stunned. For a moment, her anger receded, replaced by an uncomfortable empathy for the man standing before her.

”Everyone has their own battles to fight, Your Highness. You have yours,” Eilika said. ”If you came to a realization that you want to be a better person, that’s impressive of you.”

August smiled. ”Does he treat you well now?”

Eilika looked at him in confusion. ”Why is the Prince so interested in my married life? Why does he even think I’ll share any of this with him?”

”I believe he’s a foolish to treat you like a nobody. Displaying affection in public just to keep his image is ridiculous,” August stated.

”That’s not true. Damian displays love in private too,” Eilika pronounced and walked away.