The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Mama, Father, where have you been all this time?” Roman questioned, crossing his small arms over his chest. ”I wanted to play with both of you,” he added, pouting his lips in disappointment.

”We merely walked down to the shore,” Damian replied smoothly. ”We shall play in the morning. It is time for dinner now, and we must eat.”

”Why did Father not take me along?” Roman complained, sliding down from the sofa to stand before them. ”I wanted to witness how the shore looks under the stars.”

”It was far too dark out there. You would have been frightened,” Damian answered reasonably, extending a hand to give his son a gentle pat on the head. ”Let us head to the dining hall. You must be weary after such a long journey.”

”Hmm.” Roman turned his head and noticed Eilika standing close beside him. He caught her hand in his, then looked down, his brow furrowing as he noticed the damp, darkened velvet of her hem. ”Mama, you will catch a chill if you do not change your dress.”

”Eilika, go change into dry clothes,” Damian instructed with a gentle tone.

She nodded obediently and made her way up the grand staircase to her chambers, while Damian guided Roman toward the dining room.

”Father, the air is so fresh and crisp here,” Roman stated eagerly, his fatigue forgotten. ”And Uncle Maurice carried me upon his shoulders so I could look over the walls. I saw the vast sea! I am so excited to explore the shore in the morning. I want you to play with me. Please, Father?”

”Of course. I shall play with you tomorrow,” Damian assured him, a rare softness in his eyes. He then turned to his trusted advisor and gestured toward the table. ”Maurice, take a seat and join us.” Turning his attention to the waiting staff, he instructed, ”Serve the dinner.”

”I shall wait to eat until Mama arrives,” Roman said, but a heavy yawn escaped him mid-sentence. He was quick to cover his small mouth politely.

”You are clearly exhausted. Begin eating now,” Damian stated gently but firmly.

Roman picked up his spoon and took a tentative taste of the warm vegetable soup first. Meanwhile, Damian and Maurice waited patiently for Eilika’s arrival. She entered the dining room shortly after, clad in a fresh, dry gown, and took the seat right next to Roman.

”Mama, the soup is very tasty,” the boy said with a bright smile.

She offered him a warm look and placed a piece of crusty bread onto his plate. ”Eat this along with it, my love.”

After they finished their dinner, Damian carried the drowsy young lord up to his chambers while Eilika retired to the adjacent master bedroom. She was sitting before the vanity, gently combing through her long hair, when Damian finally entered the room.

”Roman fell asleep almost the moment his head touched the pillow. He was utterly exhausted,” Damian said, turning the key to lock the heavy chamber doors behind him.

”But did you see the bright smile on his face before he drifted off? He was truly happy,” Eilika answered, setting the comb down and looking up at him through the mirror.

Rising to her feet, she said, ”You should change into your night clothes as well. I shall prepare the bed.”

As she moved toward the grand canopy bed, Damian retrieved a pair of comfortable garments and retreated to the washroom. When he stepped back out into the chamber, he found Eilika taking a long sip from a goblet of water. She licked her lips contentedly as her thirst was quenched, then lowered herself to the edge of the mattress before sliding beneath the heavy duvet.

”The bed here is rather small compared to the palace. You may find it uncomfortable,” Eilika noted softly, pulling the edge of the duvet all the way up to her neck.

She watched his tall silhouette move across the dim room, blowing off the candles one by one until only the moonlight filtered through the windows. She then felt the mattress shift as he slid beneath the duvet from the opposite side.

She turned her head slightly and found him sliding toward her, effortlessly closing the small gap that remained between them. His strong arm wrapped securely around her waist, and he pulled her close, nuzzling his nose into the soft, fragrant strands of her hair.

She bit her bottom lip to quiet her racing heart, only to hear his deep voice whisper near her ear, ”Do you know how to swim?”

”No,” she replied, shaking her head against the pillow.

”Really?” Damian asked, his tone laced with genuine surprise. He shifted slightly to look down at her; so far, Eilika had proven herself knowledgeable and skilled in almost everything, making this sudden revelation quite unexpected.

”My original intention was to take you into the sea with me,” Damian replied, his breath warm against her temple. ”However, there is a natural hot spring region not far from here. It is an exceptional spot for relaxation. I used to frequent it whenever I visited this place in the past. Would you care to go there tomorrow? Early in the morning before Roman wakes?”

Eilika felt a sudden heat rush to her cheeks, blushing intensely at the scandalous thought of sharing the intimate confines of a hot water pool with him.

”Are you truly comfortable with the prospect of me sitting beside you in the hot spring?” she questioned, her voice dropping to a shy whisper.

”And why on earth would I not be?” He chuckled softly, the low rumble of his laughter vibrating against her back as his hold on her tightened. His lips suddenly found a spot on her neck and kissed there.

”Damian, what are you–” she tilted her head when her mouth was shut with a kiss. Damian shifted, his hand sliding down and grabbed her thigh, causing her to flinch slightly.

”Eilika, can we do more tonight? Will you allow it?” He asked, his thumb caressing her lips.