The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Damian had just changed into his casual attire when he noticed Roman sprinting toward the window and scrambling up onto the recliner. ”Father, look! There is a rainbow outside!”

Damian adjusted the collar of his shirt and walked over to join him. Sitting on the edge of the recliner, his gaze shifted from the arch of colors in the sky to the soft expression on his son’s face.

”I wish I could touch it,” the boy murmured, eyes wide. He then turned to his father. ”Father, I have a question. How is a rainbow formed? I remember it is rare to see, and it only happens during the rain.”

”Rainbows are formed when sunlight passes through tiny water droplets hanging in the air,” Damian explained, keeping his words simple for the boy. ”When the light enters a droplet, it bends. This is called refraction. The droplet acts like a tiny mirror, reflecting that light and splitting it into the seven colors hidden inside it. That is how the beautiful bow appears before us.”

”Oh. That is a rather complicated process,” Roman replied, unable to grasp the deeper technical meaning of it all, save for the image of light passing through a tiny water droplet.

Damian chuckled softly and patted his head. Suddenly, Roman’s eyes lit up. ”Oh, it is my playtime!”

With that, the boy was quick to scramble down from the recliner.

”Roman, be careful,” Damian called out. ”You might hurt yourself if you rush.”

But the boy paid no heed to his father’s warning, sprinting out of the room and vanishing from sight in a second.

Damian shook his head, a faint smile gracing his features as Eilika walked into the room.

”Damian, I completely forgot to bring this up earlier,” she said, pausing in front of him. ”Your father’s death anniversary is drawing near, and Mother has asked me to prepare the list for the donations. Since it is my first time handling this, I would truly appreciate your help.” She then stepped closer and sat down beside him on the recliner.

”We typically provide clothes, blankets, and lanterns, along with a supply of grains,” Damian explained, guiding her through the tradition. ”These are to be distributed among both the middle-class and lower-class families. Additionally, we ensure that one silver coin is given directly to the women of each household from those classes.”

”Then I shall prepare everything accordingly,” Eilika stated, nodding with a soft smile. ”The former Duke is still deeply cherished in the hearts of the people. Did you know that?”

”I have heard that my father remains a lasting memory for them,” Damian answered, a quiet pride settling in his voice. ”He truly did a lot of great things for the people of Varos.”

”He did, and often at the sacrifice of his own comfort,” Eilika asserted, looking at him intently. ”Usually, the nobility cares very little for those at the ground level. But ever since I entered this house, I have learned so many things I was completely unaware of before. There are factions in Varos that are far quicker to speak ill of you than to speak the truth. Even I must admit, I used to think that way once.”

Damian smiled, a quiet chuckle escaping him. ”Hmm. The very first day we were locked in your chamber, you attacked me, claiming I had a mistress and that I should just go and have fun with her.”

”And I apologize for that! I did say sorry at the time, too,” Eilika replied quickly, a faint blush of embarrassment rising on her cheeks. ”I had merely heard rumors, and I was entirely new to all of this. Besides, you spoke with such an arrogance back then that it made my blood boil.”

Then, her expression softened, and a gentle smile graced her lips as she continued, ”Now, I feel you have turned much calmer than before.”

She turned her head, meeting his gaze fully.

”Because my mind has calmed down, and so has my heart,” he answered softly.

Before she could speak, he leaned in and found her lips, kissing her with a fierce, sudden intensity as if there were no tomorrow, pulling her frame flush against his own. When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, he kept his face close to hers, his voice dropping to a low whisper. ”When will you truly give yourself to me?”

”Uh?” Eilika blinked, momentarily dazed by the heat of the kiss. ”I am already yours, am I not?”

”No, you run away from me at night,” Damian counteracted, his eyes locked onto hers with quiet longing. ”You make me crave you, Eilika. You have no idea how completely sleepless my nights are turning because of this.”

”I only slept in my own chamber last night because Roman fell asleep while listening to my story,” she explained defensively, a soft smile returning to her lips. ”And I simply ended up drifting off right beside him later on. Do not be so dramatic.”

He leaned his head against her shoulder, a weary sigh escaping him. ”Only you can handle my drama. Stay the night with me tonight. It is your room too.”

”Do not worry. I will sleep with you tonight,” Eilika assured him gently.

”Give me a promise,” Damian said, pulling back just enough to look at her as he extended his pinky finger toward her.

She chuckled at the unexpectedly boyish gesture and hooked her finger with his. ”I promise.”

Their moment was interrupted when the valet spoke from the heavy wooden door. ”Your Grace, Prince Sylvian wishes to see you.”

Damian reluctantly untangled his finger from hers and straightened his casual shirt. Eilika offered an encouraging nod, smoothing down her skirts as she prepared to give them space.

”Send him to the study,” Damian instructed the valet. He turned back to Eilika, stealing a quick kiss on her forehead. ”I shall return shortly. Do not forget your promise.”

”I won’t,” Eilika replied and watched him leave.