The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”My Lord, did you hear? Eilika was injured in an explosion,” Susan informed him breathlessly, hurrying into the drawing room where Wilfred sat with his morning tea.

”What?” Wilfred jolted, nearly spilling the hot tea over the porcelain saucer. He hastily set the cup onto the table, his face turning pale. ”What do you mean she was injured in an explosion? Where? Within the estate?” he demanded in utter shock.

”Yes, My Lord,” Susan replied, her voice trembling.

”We must leave at once to check on her. Are the others safe? The Duke and the child?” Wilfred inquired rapidly, turning toward the doorway and shouting at a passing servant to bring his coat immediately.

”Where is Rosaline? She must accompany us,” Wilfred added, his anxious gaze already shifting toward the upper staircase.

”She has already departed for the administration center to fulfill her punishment duties,” Susan answered, trying to keep her composure.

The servant returned with the garment, and Susan stepped forward to help her husband into the sleeves.

”Let us make haste, then,” Wilfred stated, fastening the collar as they both hurried out the front doors toward the waiting carriage.

~~~~

The physician carefully cleaned the shallow wound on Eilika’s forehead and replaced the soiled dressing with a fresh, clean bandage. ”Your Grace, have you experienced any bouts of dizziness or nausea since last night?” he inquired, adjusting his spectacles.

”No, none at all,” Eilika replied, shaking her head gently.

”That is excellent news.”

At the bedside, Roman clung tightly to his father’s leg, his small face pinched with worry that his mother was seriously ill. Damian looked down at the boy, his expression softening as he gently caressed his hair to soothe his fears.

Once the physician concluded his examination, he stood up and turned to face the Duke. ”All of Her Grace’s vitals are perfectly stable. However, the Duchess must rest as much as possible over the next few days to allow the shock to subside,” he advised.

”Thank you, Doctor,” Damian said. The physician offered a humble bow and quietly exited the bedchamber.

The moment the door closed, Roman kicked off his shoes and scrambled onto the mattress, rushing to Eilika’s side. ”Mama, did you hear the physician uncle? You need to rest,” he insisted, placing his tiny hand over her palm. ”Since Father will be busy investigating yesterday’s incident, I shall stay right here and guard you.”

”Alright,” Eilika replied, a warm smile gracing her lips as she squeezed Roman’s small hand.

”Roman, ensure you do not tire your mother too much,” Georgia instructed gently, rising from her armchair by the window.

”Mother, he is no trouble at all,” Eilika replied quickly, looking toward the Dowager Duchess. ”You need not worry; his company is comforting.”

The heavy oak door creaked open slightly, and Joanna stepped into the chamber. ”Your Grace, Commander Louis and Maurice wish to see the Duchess for a brief moment. They are waiting in the corridor outside,” she informed Damian.

”Let them enter,” Damian commanded.

Moments later, Louis and Maurice walked into the bedroom together. As expected, Louis had not arrived empty-handed; he carried a vibrant bouquet of fresh, seasonal flowers to wish Eilika a speedy recovery.

”Your Grace, please accept these flowers as a token of my well-wishes,” Louis said, offering a respectful bow as he presented the bouquet. ”I am profoundly relieved to see you safe and sound, and I pray for your swift healing.”

”Thank you, Louis. The flowers are lovely,” she whispered, her smile widening as she took the fragrant blooms.

”Your Grace, I too offer my prayers for your swift recovery. It is a profound relief to see you safe,” Maurice said, bowing respectfully.

”Thank you, Maurice. Please do not worry yourselves too much on my account. Damian saved me just in time,” she asserted, her gaze drifting toward the Duke with a look of quiet gratitude.

”Father acted like a true hero!” Roman exclaimed, bursting with pride as he scrambled to his feet on the mattress.

”Yes, he did, Roman,” Eilika agreed softly.

Damian allowed a rare, small smile to touch his lips at his son’s enthusiastic compliment. He stepped closer to the bedside, his expression turning firm but gentle.

”I must head out to the investigation now,” Damian informed his wife, his eyes lingering on her. ”Do not overexert yourself today. The servants have strict orders to inform me if you do.”

Eilika nodded obediently, and Damian turned to leave, followed closely by Louis and Maurice.

However, they were forced to a sudden halt when they found August standing directly in the corridor ahead of them. Louis and Maurice immediately lowered their heads, offering a respectful bow to the prince.

”The maid who served the tea to us last night—she is nowhere to be found. She never arrived at this estate with the rest of the staff,” August informed Damian without preamble.

”So, she truly is the one who ignited the fuse?” Damian asked, his eyebrows arching as his expression darkened.

”It appears so. She is the solitary domestic missing from the roster. Every single other servant is accounted for in this residence, save for her,” August stated, a smirk playing on his lips. ”But do not fret. I have already dispatched my finest tracker, and he will close in on that maid shortly.”

”What is the probability that the maid will even be alive by the time we reach her, Your Highness?” Maurice questioned, his brow furrowing with pragmatism. ”Those who orchestrate such treason rarely leave loose ends.”

”She happened to tell one of the under-maids that she was heading toward her family’s village, and I already handed her sketch to my man last night,” August pronounced. ”He is remarkably capable in operations of this nature.”

Maurice stared at the floorboards, an ache settling in his chest. As the Duke’s trusted knight and personal bodyguard, he felt a stinging sense of inadequacy. He had failed to foresee the poison, failed to prevent the explosion, and now, he was being entirely outpaced by the disgraced prince’s network. The realization wounded his pride deeply.

”Maurice, I need you to depart for the site I specified earlier,” Damian said, breaking the silence as his sharp gaze settled onto his brooding bodyguard.