The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Thank you, Eilika, for clearing my confusion. You are right. I shall be honest with her instead of playing in loops,” Sylvian stated. ”Ahh, look, the sky has turned bad again.”

”It is the season of rain, Your Highness,” Eilika answered, smiling.

”Yes. I will be leaving for the capital soon, so I need to tell Iliana today. I take my leave then,” Sylvian said, turning to depart when Eilika stopped him.

”I will pack some cookies for Iliana. Give them to her,” she offered.

”She is a baker herself,” Sylvian remarked with a chuckle.

”Yes, but Your Highness cannot go empty-handed,” Eilika answered firmly. ”You can wait in the main hall below. I will be there soon.”

Sylvian nodded in agreement and walked ahead toward the grand staircase.

Eilika went to check on Roman first, finding the boy still fast asleep beneath his silk sheets. Not wanting to disturb his deep slumber, she slipped out quietly and headed to the kitchen to pack a fresh batch of cookies into a glass jar. Once finished, she made her way to the main hall where Sylvian was waiting.

”Prince Sylvian, I have filled the jar with cookies. I hope Iliana loves them,” Eilika said, handing it over. ”Just tell her it was your idea not to come empty-handed.”

”Thank you, but I think I will tell her the truth,” Sylvian replied with a faint smile.

”But—”

”I believe that would be more believable for her,” Sylvian explained gently. ”Besides, honesty is important. I will keep these in my room for now, and right after breakfast, I will head out to the eastern district.”

”Sure. Breakfast will be served shortly. I will see you later,” Eilika said.

She then headed to the master chamber to see Damian, only to find him already engrossed in reading a file. At the soft, familiar chime of her anklets, he lifted his gaze from the paperwork and paused.

She was elegantly dressed in a maroon, high-necked gown that complemented her perfectly. Setting the file down onto the sofa, Damian stood up and closed the distance between them. ”You look mesmerizing in this dress,” he whispered, his eyes sweeping over her.

”Thank you,” she replied softly.

Before saying anything more, she glanced discreetly around the room, making sure the servants had completely cleared out and no one was present except for the two of them.

”The maids were talking about it. They teased me,” Eilika murmured, her cheeks flushing.

”And that is why you wore such a gown, covering your neck and shoulders,” he replied, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

”Yes. Do you expect me to show those marks to everyone in the house? And you aren’t doing such a thing to me anymore,” Eilika said, crossing her arms and glaring at him defensively.

”What?” Damian took a swift step closer to her. His hand instantly wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. ”Weren’t you enjoying it last night?” His eyes would move to her lips, then her eyes.

”You were calling... No... moaning my name,” he murmured with amusement.

Eilika felt her heart suddenly begin drumming wildly against her chest. His hot breath fanning across her cheek sent a shiver running straight down her spine.

His lips found her earlobe, nipping on it lightly just as he had the night before, before trailing a slow path of warm kisses along her jawline up to her lips. He kept the pace gentle, leaving room for her to reciprocate.

Pressing her hands flat against his chest to create a space, she whispered breathlessly, ”Your Grace, the doors are open. Maintain some decency.”

”Why didn’t you close them when you entered?” he questioned, his gaze trapping hers as he refused to let her pull away.

”I didn’t know you would start kissing me,” she answered.

”Then we shall head into our private space,” Damian stated.

Taking her hand firmly in his, he led her deeper into the inner chamber. He locked the doors behind them and turned back to face her.

”Fine. You drive me crazy. I admit that. My mind is occupied with thoughts of you, all the time,” he asserted, walking toward her slowly. His fingers smoothly unbuttoned the top of his shirt, and before she could reply, he captured her lips in a fierce, demanding kiss.

A soft moan escaped her mouth at the sudden intensity of the contact. Eilika found herself stepping back under his weight until the edge of the bed caught her legs, and they tumbled onto the mattress together.

Damian pinned her down while his hands began to eagerly explore the curves of her body beneath the layers of her maroon gown.

Their tongues battled for dominance until Eilika gathered her strength, catching him off guard as she flipped him onto his back and straddled his lap.

”Duke,” she whispered, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.

Her palms rested flat against his broad chest, her gaze locking into his icy blue eyes. The usual freezing coldness in his stare was completely gone, replaced by a burning warmth meant only for her.

Damian’s hands found her waist, securing his grip before he sat up to meet her. Eilika watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed heavily. Cupping his jaw in both of her hands, she leaned forward and kissed him deeply, her face flushing a deep beetroot red as she took control.

His fingers deftly worked on the hidden knots of her gown. Once the fabric loosened, his hand dragged it down just enough to bare her shoulder, and he buried his face into the curve of her neck.

He inhaled her scent deeply, peppering warm, lingering kisses along the smooth line of her shoulder up to her jaw. ”Say it you love me, Eilika. Say that you also desire me the way I do.”

”I love you, Damian,” Eilika whispered in his ear. Her hand found his nape for the support. Moving it up, her fingers entangled in his silky hair. ”I don’t want to stop you if that’s what you want to hear. My body also burns for you.”