The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Early the next morning, King Nyxen met with his eldest son before the beginning of the council meeting.

”Did you interrogate Xavier?” the King asked.

”Father, he has already accepted the charges,” Ciaran replied. ”An intensive interrogation was not required once he admitted that he was behind the arson of the Spencer family.”

”Why did he do it? Was it truly because of what August claimed?” King Nyxen questioned.

”Xavier denied that completely,” Ciaran explained. ”He claims August simply hates the Queen, which is why he tried dragging her name into the matter. Beyond that, Xavier has refused to state his true motive. He merely said he would accept the sentence of death by hanging.”

”Hm.” The King looked out toward the horizon at the rising sun, keeping a heavy silence.

”Father, do you think August—”

King Nyxen did not let him finish. ”August was shot by a soldier. Do you know what that soldier confessed?” He stopped tapping his fingers on the marble balustrade and turned to face his son directly. ”Someone ordered him to pull the trigger. But he claims he could not tell the name of the person.”

Ciaran stopped blinking as he processed the words. He already knew exactly who that person could be.

”I banished August when he committed treason against the throne and tried to kill you,” King Nyxen pronounced. ”I see no one in front of the truth and justice, Ciaran. That is what a King must do.”

”Then, what will you do to Uncle Xavier, Father?” Ciaran asked.

”I will declare his punishment in the courtroom before the entire council. You can take some rest for now, son,” King Nyxen stated, keeping the exact nature of the penalty to himself. He already knew his wife had met with Xavier late last night, manipulating him into carrying the truth to his grave.

Ciaran bowed deeply to his father and walked away, leaving the King alone in the quiet balcony with his thoughts.

Thomas entered a short while later and bowed deeply. ”Your Majesty, Prince August’s condition has improved further,” he informed him. ”The physician has just finished his examination and changed the dressings.”

King Nyxen simply waved his hand, dismissing him without a word.

Thomas bowed once more and quietly withdrew. However, when he entered the chamber where August was supposed to be resting, he found the prince already out of bed, rummaging through the wardrobe for his clothes.

”Your Highness, may I know what you are looking for?” Thomas asked politely.

”My official robe. I will attend the council meeting,” August stated, turning to look at the valet.

”I will ask the servants to bring your official clothes once you have bathed. Please do not put any pressure on your arm and shoulder,” Thomas advised.

He then walked out to arrange the garments, leaving August to sit on the edge of the mattress. ”No one can stop the Queen from heading to the prison today,” he murmured.

~~~~~

Eilika and Damian decided to leave after having breakfast, but Ciaran insisted on them staying.

”We would love to, Your Royal Highness, but Roman is alone in Varos with Mother,” Damian asserted. ”Besides, our main purpose here was to deliver the evidence that Prince August left behind.”

”Lady Eilika came to the palace for the first time, and under such tense circumstances. My wife is not here either,” Ciaran stated regretfully. ”Forgive me for not being able to extend the proper hospitality.”

”Do not say that, Your Royal Highness,” Eilika said warmly. ”I will come again with Roman next time. Then, I will get to meet the Crown Princess as well.”

”Of course!” Ciaran then turned to his personal attendant. ”Some gifts have been prepared for both of you, as well as for Aunt Georgia and Roman. They will be placed in your motorcar, Damian.”

”That was not needed, Ciaran,” Damian said.

”Are you serious?” Ciaran chuckled. ”Come, I will see you both off,” he offered, leading the way out.

When they reached the front of the palace where the motorcar was parked, Louis and Maurice bowed to them. Sylvian was already standing by the vehicle.

”Have a safe journey back to Varos,” Sylvian told them, before resting his gaze on Eilika. ”I have something private to speak with Eilika.”

Damian gestured for her to go ahead with Sylvian while he turned back to converse with Ciaran.

”Given the situation here, I do not think I can travel back to Varos anytime soon. I promised Iliana that I would come, but I did not even get the chance to see her. I know you are the Duchess and have your own duties to attend to,” Sylvian began.

”I thought you considered me a friend, Prince Sylvian,” Eilika said softly. ”Please, do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you need me to do.”

Sylvian pulled out an envelope and held it out to her. ”Could you please give this to Iliana? Tell her she must attend the upcoming event, because I will be waiting for her here in the capital.”

”Sure. I will do that,” Eilika said, accepting the envelope from him.

”Inside, I have written a letter for her, and her address is noted on the outside. You can go there whenever you find the free time. Tell Iliana that I apologize for leaving her hanging like that,” Sylvian told her.

”I will, Your Highness. Just take care of yourself,” Eilika said, holding the letter securely as she lowered her hand.

”Yes, I will. You too take care,” he stated.

As they turned to head back to the motorcar, they heard a voice they did not expect to hear.

”Eilika, you and Damian are leaving? You didn’t even check on me once,” August complained, stepping out into their view.

”August, who allowed you out here? You were supposed to be resting,” Sylvian said, stepping forward to block his descent.

”I heard that Damian and Eilika were leaving,” August replied. ”I had to come before they left the palace grounds.”

August slowly made his way down the stone stairs, his posture rigid as Thomas walked beside him, offering a steadying arm for support. Damian watched the prince’s slow descent before deciding to walk over to meet him, with Ciaran following closely at his flank.

”Thomas, why did you bring Prince August out into the courtyard?” Ciaran demanded, his stern voice echoing against the stone walls.

”Your Royal Highness, I urged the Prince to remain in bed,” Thomas replied quickly, keeping his head bowed. ”But he refused to listen. He insisted on speaking with the Duke and Duchess of Varos before their departure.”

”I wanted to thank you both for bringing those documents to the palace,” August said, offering his gratitude. He then turned his gaze specifically to Eilika. ”Do you remember that day in the Duke’s office, when you asked Damian to investigate the fire incident?”

”Yes,” Eilika replied, nodding.

”Thank you for saying that to him,” August said. ”If I had not overheard your conversation, I would never have taken up this case. And I would never have discovered the truth. You were right. I am a good person,” he stated, a small smile touching his lips.

Eilika felt a surge of emotion at his words. ”I am glad that Prince August sees himself in that light now.”

”August, stay safe,” Damian told him. ”It is getting late, so Eilika and I will take our leave.”

August offered a quiet nod, but his next move caught everyone off guard. He stepped forward and pulled Damian into a brief, firm embrace. It was a gesture of affection he had never shown before.

”Forgive me for bringing trouble to both of you. The Queen is furious with both of you. Be careful on the road,” he whispered quickly into Damian’s ear, before stepping back and releasing his hold.

”Take care,” Damian told him, then turned his gaze toward Eilika. Taking her hand, he began walking with her toward the parked motorcar, his mind racing as he considered the Queen’s warning. He wondered if it would be safer to switch to a different vehicle entirely.

Stopping in his tracks, Damian turned back to face the group. ”Sylvian, give me the keys to the car I lent you.”

”The keys are up in my chamber. I will go and fetch them,” Sylvian stated, turning immediately toward the palace entrance.

Damian looked at Ciaran, offering a casual explanation. ”Our current vehicle is heavily loaded with gifts, so I think driving back in the other car will be much better.”

”Hmm. It would be quite congested otherwise,” the Crown Prince agreed, nodding at the reasoning.

Eilika, however, noticed the sudden tension in Damian’s posture and understood that something was amiss. The gifts were a convenient excuse; Damian was changing their plans for a far more serious reason.

Shortly, Sylvian returned with the keys and handed them to Damian. ”Thank you. See you soon,” he said and walked with Eilika to the other car, gesturing to Louis and Maurice to follow them.