The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Roman remained seated on the porch of the mansion, staring down the long driveway, hoping to see the car that would finally bring his parents home.

”Young Master, you have been sitting out here for two hours now. We can wait for your father and mother inside. Even your grandmother is growing worried for you,” Joanna said softly, stepping up beside him.

”No, I am staying here,” Roman refused, his small voice firm as he declined to go inside. ”They promised me they would return today. I know they will.” His little heart beat rapidly in his chest, aching with the anxious anticipation of seeing them.

Joanna sat down beside him on the stone ledge. ”The Duchess will not feel good seeing you like this, Roman. You did not even eat your lunch properly this afternoon,” she said, her voice full of quiet concern.

Roman remained quiet, staring into the gathering dusk. He missed his parents terribly, and a cold, shapeless fear had settled deep in his chest, a dread that only a child’s heart could truly understand.

He anxiously fiddled with his fingers, his eyes stinging, when the distinct sound of a horn echoed through the gates.

Excitedly, he bolted to his feet. Far down the driveway, the vehicle was approaching in his direction. His eyes widened in pure joy while his earlier fears instantly forgotten as he waited for the car to come to a halt.

Joanna stood up right beside him, smoothing down her apron as she waited for the Duke and the Duchess to step out.

As soon as the car came to a complete halt, Damian and Eilika stepped out of the back seat, while Louis and Maurice exited from the front.

”Mama!” Roman cried out, sprinting down the porch steps toward them.

Eilika had already dropped to her knees, opening her arms wide. Roman threw himself into her embrace, wrapping his tiny arms tightly around her neck as if he would never let go.

”Roman, Mama is back,” Eilika whispered, cradling him close. She gently caressed his hair, pressing warm, reassuring kisses to his forehead and cheek.

He giggled then looked at his father, greeting him in a humble tone.

He giggled, then turned his gaze to his father, greeting him with polite warmth.

”Father, I missed you. You kept your promise,” Roman said, a bright smile lighting up his face. He then glanced toward his uncles. ”Good evening, Uncle Louis, Uncle Maurice. I am glad you all returned before nightfall.”

”Mama, let’s go inside,” Roman said, already tugging gently at her hand. Eilika stood up, offering a reassuring smile to Damian, and followed the eager boy into the warmth of the mansion.

”How long was Roman waiting out here?” Damian asked, his expression softening as he turned to Joanna.

”Nearly two hours, Your Grace,” Joanna replied softly.

”Roman gets anxious easily,” Louis remarked, walking up beside his brother as they watched the double doors close behind the boy.

Damian did not say anything, though a shadow of concern crossed his face as he walked ahead into the estate.

Inside the main hall, the tense atmosphere of the past few days seemed to melt away. Eilika was embracing his mother, while Roman was already busy commanding the servants to bring refreshments for his parents and uncles.

”Damian, dear,” Georgia said with a warm smile.

”Good evening, Mother,” Damian replied, bowing slightly as he walked toward her. He pressed a gentle kiss to Georgia’s cheek, and she embraced him, patting his back affectionately.

”I am so glad you all returned safely. Where are Louis and Maurice?” she inquired, looking toward the entrance.

”They are just outside,” Damian replied.

Roman walked over to his father and wrapped his small hand around Damian’s thumb. ”I practiced hard for my sports event while you were away, Father. I am hoping for a win. Also, Father, I learned how to ride the horse in my free time. I can ride without any support now.”

”That is truly wonderful,” Damian praised, a rare, genuine smile reaching his eyes. He guided the boy over to the sofa, seating Roman beside him as the family finally settled down to relax after the long journey.

Eilika sipped her water slowly as Roman eagerly recounted every detail of the lessons he had taken during their absence.

”Oh, I forgot to ask. Is Uncle August doing well now?” Roman questioned, looking up with genuine curiosity.

”Yes, he is much better now,” Eilika replied gently. ”Look, your milk is here. Drink it once it cools down a little,” she added, nodding toward the maidservant who had just placed the warm silver glass on the table.

”How is everything at the palace, then?” Georgia questioned, her tone turning a bit serious.

”The situation is tense there,” Damian answered, casting a brief glance at Roman, who was happily distracted, nibbling on a millet cookie. ”The Queen’s brother turned out to be the culprit behind the Spencer family massacre,” he revealed in a low voice.

”What?” Georgia gasped, visibly shocked by the revelation. ”The Queen must be devastated, then.”

”Yes,” Damian agreed, his expression grim. ”Undoubtedly.”

Eilika remained tight-lipped, deliberately keeping the fact that the Queen had slapped Damian a secret from Georgia.

”August has been an eyesore to the Queen ever since the day he was born,” Georgia continued, shaking her head. ”The King should never have brought a mistress into the palace in the first place.”

”I will take Roman upstairs,” Eilika intervened, excusing herself as she felt that discussing such matters in front of a child was inappropriate. ”Roman, come with me.”

He lifted his gaze from his half-eaten cookie, jumped down from the sofa, and hurried over to Eilika, grasping her hand tightly.

”Joanna, please bring the milk to my chambers,” Eilika directed before leading Roman upstairs.

Once they were out of sight, Damian shifted his focus back to his mother. By then, the servants had begun carrying in the various gifts from the carriage parked outside.

”Crown Prince Ciaran sent these for us,” Damian said, gesturing toward the boxes. He then turned to a butler. ”Keep them in a separate chamber. The Duchess will check them later.”

The servants immediately went to work, carefully carrying the heavy, velvet-wrapped crates toward the storage wing.

Once they were alone, Damian leaned in slightly, keeping his voice hushed and grave. ”Mother, the Queen crossed all boundaries this time. And while it is true the King should never have taken a mistress... a great deal transpired at the palace. Prince August openly accused Xavier of massacring the Spencers on the Queen’s direct orders. He claims the Queen was the one who poisoned his mother. However, I highly doubt such a crime can ever be proven.”

”Really?” Georgia’s brows furrowed deeply as she absorbed the weight of the accusation. She fell silent for a moment, contemplating the dangerous court politics, before she spoke in a low whisper. ”As the King’s official wife, Queen Victoria has endured a great deal. I know speaking against the crown is treason, Damian, but the King did not do right by his legal wife, either.”

”I know,” Damian said. ”But an innocent family was slaughtered, which has made the situation at the palace incredibly complicated. Besides, this is ultimately Prince August’s fight. We cannot interfere in royal matters.”

Though he spoke with finality, Damian’s mind was already drifting to a far more urgent crisis.

The dark truth of Liliana’s past haunted him, leaving him entirely shocked on how to proceed.

If he exposed her corrupt practices and the suffering she had caused, Roman’s entire future and reputation would be ruined.

Yet, staying silent felt like a betrayal to the countless victims who had suffered under the trade monopolies in Varos.

”You look troubled, Damian,” Georgia observed gently.

”I am merely exhausted from the long journey, Mother,” he replied, offering a quiet, tired smile to ease her worry.

”Then you must rest,” Georgia said, her voice filled with maternal warmth.

Damian rose to his feet, bowing respectfully before excusing himself. When he reached the quiet sanctuary of his chambers, his valet immediately stepped forward to help him remove his boots.

”I will manage,” Damian said, raising a hand to stop him. ”I would like to be alone for a while. Also, did you ensure some refreshments were sent to the Duchess’s chambers? She must be hungry after the journey.”

”Yes, Your Grace,” the valet answered with a low bow. ”We have already served her.”

Damian offered a brief nod of dismissal, and the valet quietly withdrew, leaving the grand room in silence.

Sinking into a recliner, Damian leaned his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to soothe the ache of the secrets weighing on his mind.

”I wonder what is happening at the palace,” he murmured to the empty room, his voice barely a whisper. ”What if Xavier speaks of this to his sister? If that truth comes to light, Roman’s entire future hangs in the balance.”