The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”I told you not to cross my path,” August said, his tone dripping with cold annoyance as Sylvian tried to brush past him toward the waiting carriage parked just outside the entrance.

Sylvian stopped mid-stride. Turning around slowly, he kept his expression entirely neutral, refusing to match his half-brother’s hostility. ”This is not the only corridor in the residence, August. I am in a hurry to leave, so let us please avoid an unnecessary argument.”

”Instead of offering a proper apology, you stand there and lecture me,” August pronounced, his irritation flaring as he took a confrontational step closer.

”Fine. I apologize. Does that satisfy you?” Sylvian shook his head in utter exasperation. Turning his back on August, he stepped up into the enclosure of the waiting vehicle.

He had been looking forward to spending his morning at a local art gallery, but this bitter encounter had completely soured his mood.

Shaking his head to clear the frustration, he knocked on the partition to signal the driver to set the horses in motion.

Leaning his head back against the plush velvet seat, he watched out the window.

”What is wrong with him?” Sylvian muttered to himself. ”Now he is targeting my peace of mind. He knows perfectly well that Mother did nothing wrong. Yet, he still insists on dragging up that old scandal after all these years. Why did Father even send him to stay here?”

The carriage came to a halt upon reaching the grand entrance of the art gallery. As the attendant stepped forward and opened the carriage door from the outside, his breath caught in his throat, utterly stunned to find the young prince sitting within.

Instantly bowing in deep reverence, the usher stepped aside to clear a path into the building.

A few affluent patrons standing nearby noticed the commotion and began whispering frantically among themselves, caught off guard by the prince’s unannounced arrival.

Stepping inside the exhibit hall, Sylvian was immediately approached and warmly welcomed by the art gallery manager, who bowed low.

”I would like to explore the collection in private today,” Sylvian told him in a polite manner.

Understanding the unspoken command, the manager bowed once more, granting the prince the requested solitude, and quietly walked away to ensure the main hall remained undisturbed.

Sylvian walked slowly from one piece to the next, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor, before finally stopping in front of a striking canvas. The portrait depicted a young woman with her head tightly bound beneath an ornate bridal veil. Despite the heavy fabric obscuring most of her features, her piercing eyes looked straight out of the canvas, staring directly at him.

The piece struck a chord deep within Sylvian’s chest. The emotional depth was rendered perfectly, silently narrating the story of a woman trapped by the suffocating duty of an arranged alliance. Yet, beneath the heavy layers of silk and lace, the fierce, defiant gaze in her eyes made it clear that she fiercely resented the match.

”I wonder who painted this,” he whispered to himself, leaning in closer to examine the canvas. There, tucked discreetly into the bottom corner, was a symbol: a single letter ’K’.

He stood before the canvas for a long moment, completely captivated, before finally deciding that he must purchase the piece. Turning away, he walked back through the main hall, bypassing several noble ladies who watched his approach and exchanged whispered remarks and knowing smiles among themselves.

When Sylvian arrived at the gallery’s administrative desk, the manager instantly leapt up from his upholstered chair, smoothing his coat in a hurry.

”I would like to acquire the portrait of the woman with the veil,” Sylvian announced.

”That painting, Your Highness!?” The manager’s face instantly fell, a look of distinct distress crossing his features.

”Why do you look so troubled? Has someone else already bought it?” Sylvian questioned, his brows drawing together.

”It is not that, Your Highness,” the manager stammered, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. ”The artist who brought that painting to us strictly specified that it must never be sold,” the manager explained. ”There have been numerous wealthy patrons who offered a fortune for that piece, but I am bound by a promise to the young lady.”

”I was under the impression that gallery managers only cared for profit,” Sylvian remarked, a trace of cynicism in his tone.

”The young lady’s father once saved my livelihood, Your Highness. Because of that debt, I view her almost as my own daughter, which is why I refuse to break my word to her. I deeply hope Your Highness can understand my position,” the manager answered politely, bowing his head in a plea for clemency.

”I do understand,” Sylvian answered, inclined to respect the man’s loyalty. ”Perhaps you can provide me with the means to contact this lady. I shall speak with her directly. I am certain she will reconsider once she hears my offer.”

The manager smiled softly, a knowing glint in his eyes. ”Well, I must warn you, Your Highness, the young lady is fiercely independent. No amount of gold or status can easily move her determination.”

Even so, the man reached into his desk drawer, pulling out a leather-bound notepad. Uncapping a heavy fountain pen, he quickly jotted down the address on a sheet of paper before tearing it out.

”Here is her address, Your Highness. She resides within the borders of Varos, so you will not have to travel far past the central district. However, if it poses any inconvenience to your schedule, I can dispatch a courier with a message and request her presence at the Duke’s residence instead,” the manager offered politely.

”There is no need, Hudson. Since this is my own pursuit, I shall meet with her in person. Thank you,” Sylvian said, taking the slip of paper from him.

The manager offered a deep bow as Sylvian turned on his heel and walked out of the office, his curiosity about the mysterious artist only growing.

This was the first time he was going to chase an artist.

~~~~~

If you like my this story, then please try my other story as well. Cursed and Fated: Offered To The Wicked Alpha Prince