The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Roman adjusted the small bowtie at his collar as he peered into the gilded mirror. In all his intense excitement for the upcoming beach vacation, he had entirely forgotten to take his nap. Fortunately, he had at least completed his daily lessons beforehand.

”Young Master, your trunks have been securely packed and brought down to the carriage,” his attendant spoke, bowing politely.

”Thank you. And where is Mama? Is she still preparing herself?” Roman asked, turning away from his reflection.

”The Duchess is finalizing a few arrangements in her chambers. Shall I escort you to her?”

”Yes, please,” Roman replied. Together, they walked out into the corridor and shortly arrived before Eilika’s heavy chamber doors.

Inside, Eilika turned to her lady-in-waiting with a warm look. ”Joanna, you may take the next two days entirely for yourself to rest,” Eilika opined.

”Mama, I am ready!” Roman cheered, running across the chamber and throwing his arms around her skirts. ”Sister Joanna, how do I look?” he asked proudly, puffing out his chest.

”You look as handsome as always, Young Master,” Joanna answered with a fond smile.

”I shall bring back the finest sea shells for you,” the boy promised, his eyes lighting up with a fantasy he had discovered in his storybooks. ”It is my very first time seeing the sea. I heard that beautiful mermaids reside deep beneath the waves.”

”Eilika, we must make haste. Are you ready? I shall escort Roman down as well,” Damian said as he strode into the chamber, stopping when he found the family already gathered together.

The attending servants immediately bowed in deep reverence.

”Yes, we are entirely ready, Father!” Roman declared, his voice brimming with pure excitement.

”Let us depart then; the carriage is waiting downstairs,” Damian pronounced.

Eilika took Roman’s small hand in hers to lead the way out, while Damian placed a protective hand upon the small of her back, walking closely beside her as they headed toward the courtyard.

Roman climbed into the carriage first, his small hands grasping the velvet trim. Eilika offered a warm embrace to her mother-in-law before turning to wave farewell to Sylvian and August.

”Enjoy your time at the shore,” Sylvian told Eilika with a bright smile. She offered a soft hum of agreement and settled into the plush backseat beside the boy.

”Mother, do not fret over us while we are away,” Damian assured her gently. He then shifted his gaze toward his cousins, his eyes lingering heavily on August. ”We shall return in two days’ time. And I intend to deal with that particular matter immediately upon my arrival,” he asserted, his meaning clear.

”Hmm.” August offered no further response, his expression unreadable as he turned on his heel to leave the courtyard.

Damian gave his mother a brief, affectionate embrace before sliding inside the carriage and closing the door. Sylvian offered his arm to his aunt, stepping back securely with her as the car pulled away as it departed the residence gates.

”I believe they have grown far closer, Aunt Georgia. You no longer need to fret over your son. He is truly building a better life with them,” Sylvian stated warmly.

”Yes,” Georgia whispered, her eyes turning misty with unshed tears. For so many years, she had watched both her son and grandson suffer under a heavy shroud of grief. Eilika had brought genuine light back into their home, and she was profoundly grateful for it.

As they turned and walked back inside the residence, Georgia asked gently, ”Prince Sylvian, I truly believed you would return to us wedded this time. Your mother must be inundated with proposals for you.”

”Yes, she is quite relentless,” Sylvian replied, a sheepish smile touching his lips. ”But I have refused her for the time being. Do not worry, Aunt, I shall marry soon enough,” he added quickly, brushing the topic away and making his escape down the corridor before she could press any further.

While heading to his chambers, Sylvian stopped short when he found August standing just outside the door, waiting for him.

”Did the Queen truly send you here?” August asked, his gaze narrowing with deep suspicion.

”No. I have already given my reasons for returning to the province. I simply do not wish to be forced into marriage yet,” Sylvian stated firmly.

”Do not lie to me. Your mother is the sole reason I have never been allowed to find happiness,” August muttered, his voice laced with years of bitter resentment.

”What did you say?” Sylvian frowned, his hands clenching into tight fists at his sides. ”It was by the Queen’s grace alone that you were ever permitted to reside within the palace walls.”

August let out a sharp, mocking chuckle. ”Save that nonsense for someone who actually believes it.”

”What is your problem, August? Why must you remain so bitter and resentful all the time?” Sylvian scoffed, his patience wearing thin.

”My problem is the sheer hypocrisy of how happily you all live your lives,” August remarked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ”Have you completely forgotten how my mother died? Your mother poisoned her.”

”There was absolutely no proof of such a crime,” Sylvian answered defensively, his posture stiffening.

”You and the Crown Prince are cut from the exact same cloth. You all point fingers at me while ignoring the rot in your own house,” August said, his brows furrowing together in deep fury. ”What if I find the proof? What if I prove to the entire kingdom that it was the Queen? What will you do then?”

”The King will make the final decision in such a matter, not me,” Sylvian stated coldly. ”And do not exhume this matter after so many years. My mother never killed your mother. That is the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not.” He then pushed his chamber door open, pausing on the threshold to cast a final, disappointed look back. ”I truly thought I could finally try to bridge the distance and understand my half-brother, but it seems you make it entirely impossible.”

~~~~~

Roman leaped out of the carriage the moment it came to a halt and began running eagerly toward the beachfront villa.

Eilika hurried after him, lifting the heavy skirts of her gown to keep pace. ”Roman, do not run so fast! You will trip!” she called out breathlessly.

”Young Master like this place already,” Maurice whispered softly to Damian as they watched the boy sprint toward the entrance.

”True. Both Roman and Eilika desperately needed a change of scenery. That is precisely why I thought to bring them here,” Damian stated, his features softening as he watched his family.

”Your Grace, if I may say so, even you needed this respite,” Maurice declared warmly. ”Please, go ahead and join them. I shall instruct the staff to bring the trunks and luggage inside.”

Damian nodded in silent appreciation and walked ahead toward the villa.

At the grand entrance, Eilika finally caught up to Roman, scooping him up into her arms from behind. ”When I ask you to slow down, why do you not listen?” she chided gently, pinching his nose with a fond smile.

Roman merely laughed at his mother’s scolding, wrapping his small arms around her neck. ”Mama, I am sorry! But running is just so much fun.”

”You could have easily fallen and hurt yourself,” she pointed out, walking inside the foyer of the villa while still breathing a bit hard from the chase.

She settled onto the plush sofa and allowed Roman to slide down onto the cushions right beside her.

The attentive staff of the villa promptly brought over a tray of refreshing water. Eilika took the first glass and handed it to Roman, gently caressing his hair as he drank. She then lifted her own glass and offered a polite nod of thanks to the maid.

Damian walked into the villa foyer just as the servants bowed in deep reverence to him. He strode straight toward the sitting area and settled down on the opposite sofa, crossing one leg elegantly over the other.

”Father, may I go outside? The sun is still setting,” Roman asked eagerly.

”I shall accompany you. Night has fallen already,” Eilika stated, preparing to stand.

”But Mama, you must be weary and wishing to rest. I can simply play with the maids here,” Roman said, jumping down from the sofa before she could protest.

”Yes, you may go with them,” Damian allowed, gesturing to the attendants. Turning his sharp gaze to the maids, he instructed, ”Keep him strictly within the boundary of the villa grounds. Do not permit him to wander too far.”

Once Roman was out of their sights, Roman gazed at Eilika. ”So, how does it feel? Would you like to walk by the shore with me?”

”Sure,” Eilika answered. ”And I suddenly feel kind of refreshed. The place is beautiful. Thank you for bringing us here,” she added with a soft smile gracing her features before rising to her feet.