The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Miss Martinez, please, name your price. It takes a great deal of time and effort to create such beautiful pieces,” Sylvian insisted gently.

”Indeed, it does. But Your Highness traveled a great distance just to meet with me, and your time is far more precious. I truly cannot accept any money from you,” Iliana stated, remaining firm in her refusal. ”Please, consider it a gift from an artist to an admirer.”

”Very well. I accept it with gratitude,” Sylvian said. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a heavy, golden paper token, an item he had specifically prepared before visiting her residence.

Extending it toward her, he continued, ”Miss Martinez, this is a premium pass to the grand art gallery exhibition in the capital, which begins next month. I want you to showcase your pieces there, and more than that, I would be honored if you attended as my personal guest.”

Iliana hesitated, staring at the golden token, before admitting softly, ”I have never visited the capital, Your Highness. How can I possibly be a part of such a grand event? Furthermore, I believe that only high society people will be present there, and I would feel entirely out of place.”

”Fret not. I am residing here in Varos for the entire month,” Sylvian stated reassuringly, his voice filled with calm confidence. ”When the time comes, I will ensure a carriage is sent directly to your door to fetch you. I will also be returning to the capital then, so you will not have to face the exhibition alone. And about the high society, don’t worry about it. Not every other noble attend such exhibitions.”

Iliana sensed that the prince might find another refusal disrespectful, so she gracefully accepted the token from his hand.

”Thank you, Your Highness. I am truly honored,” she said.

”Then, I shall take my leave,” Sylvian replied, offering her a slight, courteous bow before turning toward the door.

Iliana walked out behind him and escorted him to the front entrance. The moment she opened the heavy door, one of her close neighbors, Lila, suddenly appeared on the threshold. Lila stopped dead in her tracks, her jaw dropping in shock at the sight of an impeccably dressed, noble gentleman stepping directly out of Iliana’s modest house.

Sylvian offered a final, polite nod before stepping past her, heading straight down the path toward his waiting carriage.

”Who on earth is that?” Lila whispered urgently, her eyes wide as she stared at his retreating back.

”Prince Sylvian,” Iliana answered softly, still stunned by the entire encounter herself.

”What? Oh my god!” Lila gasped, quickly whipping around to get a better look, only to find the carriage doors already closed and the horses pulling away down the cobblestone street.

”Why was Prince Sylvian here? Girl, why was he here? A prince has never been seen in this locality! Not even an elite noble ever sets foot here, let alone royalty,” Lila remarked rapidly, bringing both hands up to her chest as a dreamy look took over her face. ”He is exactly the way they describe him. So calm, composed, and truly handsome.”

Iliana shook her head at her friend’s dramatic flair. ”Let us go inside. We still have to prepare the cupcakes and cookies to send over to the bakery.”

She turned around and walked back inside, her fingers still tracing the smooth edges of the golden token in her hands. Heading straight to her bedchamber, she carefully tucked it away inside a secure wooden box before tying back her hair and making her way into the kitchen.

”You still have not told me why Prince Sylvian was here,” Lila pressed, already busy tying the strings of an apron around her waist.

”Umm... His Highness wanted to inquire about the painting currently hanging in the art gallery of Varos,” Iliana answered, fetching the dough she had prepared just before the prince’s sudden arrival.

”He came all this way just to ask for that painting?!” Lila asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.

”Yes,” she replied simply. ”But I refused to sell it to him. The Prince did not force the matter at all. Apparently, he is just as understanding and kind as the rumors say.”

”My goodness. If you ever see him again, you absolutely must tell him that I am a devoted admirer of his,” Lila remarked, a bright smile spreading across her face.

”Are you truly serious?” Iliana asked with a quiet laugh, turning her attention back to kneading the dough on the flour-dusted counter.

”Yes, I am serious. Who knows, perhaps he might fall in love with me,” Lila murmured, a distant, dreamy look returning to her eyes.

”The royals do not even like to associate with people of our rank, Lila. We do not possess noble blood,” Iliana pointed out gently as she began dividing the dough into small, neat balls. ”Besides, you already have a very devoted admirer. Why are you not giving him a chance?”

”Well, you clearly do not know how difficult Jake’s mother is,” Lila explained, her dreamy expression instantly souring. ”Jake is nice enough, but he listens to his mother on everything. I simply cannot accept his proposal. I refuse to live a life where a man will never choose his own wife over his mother’s whims.”

Iliana hummed in understanding.

”What about you, then? You have plenty of admirers right here in town. Even a seventh-ranking official wanted you to be his wife,” Lila stated, looking over at her friend.

”Not a wife, Lila, but a mistress,” Iliana corrected coldly. ”And besides, I despise the very idea of marriage. Have you forgotten what happened to my elder sister? She suffered an absolute hell on earth all because of a marriage,” she said as the bitter, painful memory surfaced vividly in her mind.

”I’ve not forgotten, Iliana. But you see, not every man is bad. You need to understand that. Besides, your sister wanted that marriage,” Lila said in a soft tone.

”She didn’t. She agreed because of Father,” Iliana replied. ”Let’s just focus on the work.”