The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Eilika returned to the vehicle, slipping back into the seat beside her husband. Damian gazed out of the window on his wife’s side, watching Lady Iliana, who stood near her gate with her head politely bowed as Eilika offered a parting wave.

”Drive to the Central Park,” Damian instructed the driver, settling back against the leather cushions as the automobile pulled away from the curb. He turned his attention to Eilika. ”Did you manage to deliver the envelope?”

”Yes. Lady Iliana accepted it without much word. And,” Eilika leaned closer to Damian’s ear, lowering her voice to a quiet whisper, ”I chose not to speak of Prince Sylvian’s deeper affections for her. I feared the sudden revelation from a stranger might overwhelm her.”

Leaning back into her own seat, she sought his appraisal. ”Did I do right?”

”You did,” he replied, offering a nod. ”The matter now rests entirely between that lady and Sylvian,” Damian murmured. ”As for us, we are heading to the Central Park. I intend to conduct a brief meeting there.”

”With whom?” Eilika asked, her curiosity piqued.

”Someone you are already acquainted with,” Damian replied evasively.

Recognizing the shift in his tone, Eilika realized the Duke wished to withhold the identity of his contact in front of the driver. Respecting his caution, she chose not to press him further.

The journey to the central district took just over an hour through the bustling city streets. When the motorcar finally drew to a halt near the gates of Central Park, Damian stepped down first and offered Eilika his hand.

Together, they passed through the grand stone entrance, their personal security detail fanning out behind them with sharp, attentive eyes scanning the surroundings.

Surprisingly, the park grounds were not as crowded as they typically were on ordinary afternoons. Eilika lightly looped her arm through his, casting a glance around the unusually quiet lawns. ”Did you order the guards to clear the premises of the local citizens beforehand?”

”I did,” Damian replied smoothly. ”Consider it our own outing. I have heard the nobility and townspeople alike often frequent this place to find their matches.”

Eilika stopped dead in her tracks, forcing him to halt along with her. She looked up at him, her eyes widening. ”Damian, are you implying you came here to look for—”

”For love with you,” Damian interrupted, his expression softening as he looked down at her. ”We might as well enjoy the afternoon. There are various recreational arrangements prepared here. We could ride the horses across the open fields of the park estate.”

Eilika offered a sudden smile, a faint flush of color rising to her cheeks at his candor.

”Sure, let us ride the horses. But before that, you ought to meet with your contact,” Eilika reminded him.

”We shall find them just ahead,” Damian replied, resuming his steady pace along the gravel path.

”It is fortunate the sky remains clear today,” she remarked, glancing up at the open canopy. ”Otherwise, your plans for this outing would have been thoroughly ruined.”

”Then the weather is entirely on my side,” Damian stated. ”Though I must admit, during rain, romance tends to become far more intimate.”

”What?” she exclaimed, staring at him in sheer disbelief.

”Nothing,” Damian replied, a rare smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

Their banter subsided as they both caught sight of a lone woman approaching from a shaded grove, the wide brim of her hat tilted forward to obscure her face.

Eilika recognized the woman instantly. It was Aisha, the trusted spy who operated directly under Damian’s command.

”Good afternoon, Your Graces,” Aisha greeted them, her hands clasped properly in front of her as she offered a precise bow. ”If you will follow me, I shall guide you ahead.”

”I was under the impression you operated a confectionery shop to conceal your true identity,” Eilika remarked, turning her gaze toward the woman.

”I instructed her to abandon that particular cover a few weeks ago,” Damian interjected.

Aisha offered a faint, knowing smile as she fell into step alongside the Duchess, her eyes alertly scanning the open paths ahead.

”But why?” Eilika asked, gazing at Damian’s sharp side profile.

”Aisha is tasked with uncovering a matter of great importance for me,” Damian replied, his tone growing serious.

”Command me, Your Grace,” Aisha said politely, pausing as they reached a more secluded stretch of the path.

”I require you to launch a discreet investigation into my late first wife,” Damian answered flatly.

Aisha’s composure broke, a look of profound shock crossing her features. Eilika stood equally stunned beside him, her breath catching at the unexpected decree.

”Pardon me, Your Grace? Investigate the late Duchess?” Aisha asked, her voice hushed. ”May I inquire as to what prompted this?”

”Liliana was not the person I long believed her to be,” Damian asserted. ”Maurice will assist you in this endeavor. The two of you may determine the locations for your briefings. I grant you exactly one month to uncover the truth.”

”Understood, Your Grace,” Aisha replied, bowing her head as she accepted the assignment without further question.

The trio came to a halt in front of the stable, where two saddled horses stood waiting. ”Assist the Duchess in changing into an attire suitable for riding,” Damian ordered Aisha, who nodded immediately and guided Eilika toward the nearby one-story building.

While they were away, Damian introduced himself to the newly appointed stable manager, engaging the man in a brief but thorough conversation regarding the care of the mounts.

When Eilika finally emerged, the sight of her in the tailored riding habit made Damian’s heart skip a beat. Eilika felt nervous but the moment she caught his eyes, her apprehension vanished completely. With confident strides, she walked up to him.

”How do I look, Duke?” she asked, a playful tilt to her chin.

”Gorgeous, my lady,” Damian replied, a genuine smile breaking across his face.

He held her gloved hand, guiding her toward the gentler of the two mounts. Eilika swung herself into the saddle and gathered the reins. Damian then mounted his own horse, and with a slight nudge, the two riders urged their steeds forward at a leisurely walk.

”Why this sudden investigation? Do you suspect there is far more hidden from you?” Eilika asked, tilting her head slightly to catch his expression.

”Yes,” Damian affirmed, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. ”Since I have resolved to expose her memory, I must be prepared to learn exactly what crimes she committed under the shelter of my name.”

”We need to prepare Roman for this as well, do you not think?” Eilika suggested. ”What will he feel once the truth about Liliana is laid bare? He will undoubtedly hear whispers at the academy. And honestly, I am at a loss as to how to manage the complex emotions of a five-year-old boy.”

”I will talk to him,” Damian said.

”Are you sure you can handle his emotions? I know I encouraged you to do what your heart says. But as a mother to Roman, I don’t want you to expose Liliana’s truth. Call me selfish, but I am like that. I care for a child’s heart more than anything,” Eilika stated.

Damian looked at her, genuinely perplexed by her reasoning. It was not that he disagreed with her words; rather, he was struck by how fiercely and beautifully she advocated her love for Roman, despite not being the boy’s biological mother.

”Eilika, you never cease to intrigue me,” Damian said, his expression softening with immense gratitude. ”And I deeply appreciate how you always guide me toward the right path. I admit, I can be cold and detached in matters such as these.”

”Then let us not expose Liliana, Damian,” Eilika urged gently, turning her horse slightly closer to his.

”Let her secrets stay buried with her. You know as well as I do that Roman will bear the brunt of the scandal. I cannot bear to see him hurt. Children do not always voice their burdens; they simply learn to suffer in silence as they grow. When I promised Roman that I would be his mother, I swore to myself that he would never feel an ounce of regret for having me. I want to give him the best life possible and protect his innocent heart.”

Damian reined in his mount, bringing the horse to a complete halt, and Eilika instinctively did the same. Her words struck a profound chord deep within his heart, amplifying the immense respect he already held for her.

”How am I ever to thank you enough for being so thoughtful toward a boy who shares none of your blood?” Damian asked. ”How can you be this selfless when it comes to love? I am truly at a loss for words.” For a man who rarely showed vulnerability, tears cloaked his eyes.

”Perhaps because I always craved a mother’s affection myself,” Eilika answered, offering him a warm, tranquil smile. ”And Roman is simply a child in my eyes. If anyone in the House of Varos accepted me without hesitation or reservation, it was him. His innocent devotion is what truly anchored my place here.”