The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

The next morning, as tea was served in the parlor, the discussion among the ladies naturally turned toward the Queen’s punishment and downfall.

”I heard she conspired with her brother to slaughter the entire Spencer family,” Charlotte remarked, raising her teacup to her lips. ”Dethroning such a monster was the only fitting choice.”

Eilika listened in quiet reserve, her gaze subtly shifting toward her mother-in-law, whose expression looked gloomy at the mention of the Queen’s punishment.

”I believe it would be more prudent for us to refrain from discussing royal decrees in this setting,” Eilika intervened smoothly, turning to instruct the attendant to refresh the empty porcelain cups around the table.

Charlotte set her cup down with a soft clink, offering a small, unabashed smile. ”Your Grace, it is only natural for society to be curious about the affairs of the Crown.”

”Indeed, yet the matter remains highly sensitive,” Eilika answered with authority.

”My son mentioned that the Duke and Duchess traveled to the capital specifically to assist Prince August,” Lady Annalise chimed in, leaning forward with an expectant look.

”Prince August had inadvertently left critical documents behind, and we merely ensured their safe delivery,” Eilika replied, keeping her tone pleasant. It was becoming tiresome, these highborn ladies seemingly had little else to occupy their time with besides idle court gossip.

”Mother, I shall take my leave now. It is nearly time for Roman to return from his studies,” Eilika said, rising gracefully to her feet. She offered a polite bow to her mother-in-law before turning to the other noblewomen. ”Please, enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

As soon as the double doors clicked shut behind her, Charlotte leaned forward, her voice laced with subtle provocation. ”Your daughter-in-law certainly commands quite the authority in this household, Your Grace.”

Georgia offered a calm, measured shake of her head. ”That is not so, Charlotte. Eilika simply possesses the good sense to refrain from idle gossip on delicate matters, as her position demands.”

”Well, Your Grace ought to ensure her daughter-in-law does not place herself above your authority,” another noble lady chimed in with a slight, knowing smile.

Georgia merely offered a calm, composed expression, taking a slow sip from her cup. ”Eilika is hardly such a person. In truth, she has proven to be a deeply thoughtful and devoted daughter-in-law. I would say she behaves more like my own daughter than a stranger in this household.”

~~~~~

Eilika stepped out into the courtyard as the rumble of an approaching motorcar echoed through the drive. ’Roman is back early,’ she thought, but as the vehicle pulled into view, she recognized it as the Duke’s vintage car, the very one left behind at the palace.

The vehicle halted before the grand entrance, and a moment later, August stepped out, a warm smile gracing his features. Turning back, he opened the rear door to retrieve a fresh bouquet before presenting it to her.

”Greetings, Duchess,” August said with refined politeness. ”A small token of my appreciation.”

”Prince August, you truly did not need to trouble yourself with flowers,” Eilika replied, offering a gracious smile.

”You saved me,” August answered softly, setting aside formal protocol as his expression grew sincere. ”Consider this a humble present to honor you, Eilika.”

She hesitated briefly before taking the flowers into her hands. ”Thank you. I assumed you would be residing at the palace for a much longer duration, Your Highness.”

”I wished to depart from that place at the earliest opportunity,” August admitted, a shadow passing over his features. ”In the eyes of my half-brothers, I have always been painted as the enemy.”

”I do not believe your brothers view you as an enemy,” Eilika reasoned gently. ”It is undeniably difficult to come to terms with the terrible truth of a mother’s crimes. Yet both of your half-brothers accepted the reality of what occurred and allowed justice to take its course.”

August felt a sudden, profound warmth settle in his chest at her calm wisdom. ”Why must you always know precisely what to say? You understand people even when they attempt to hide themselves away.”

”I merely offered a secondary perspective, Your Highness,” Eilika replied softly. She turned to Joanna, extending the bouquet toward her. ”Please escort Prince August to the guest chambers.”

”There is no need; I am well acquainted with the layout,” August said, though he paused and turned to follow Eilika’s gaze toward the driveway. ”Are you expecting someone?”

”Yes, it is nearly time for Roman’s return from his lessons,” Eilika answered. ”Your Highness must be exhausted after such a grueling journey. You should rest for a while.”

”I shall wait here with you,” August declared smoothly.

Eilika arched her brows, her head tilting with subtle skepticism. ”Your Highness, why are you acting in such a manner?”

”Whatever do you mean?” August replied, acting innocent.

”Barely a few weeks ago, you were threatening me,” she pointed out calmly.

”Ah... that,” August muttered, a sheepish smile breaking through his composure. ”I beg your forgiveness. Though, if memory serves, I did apologize to you back then, did I not?”

Eilika shook her head when she finally looked back toward the far entrance. Her eyes gleamed seeing the vehicle. She stepped forward where the car stopped right behind August’s and its doors swung open.

”Mama!” Roman’s excitement rang out through the courtyard, though his footsteps faltered slightly as he caught sight of August standing beside her.

Recovering his composure quickly, Roman bowed his head with dutiful manners. ”Uncle August, greetings to you. It is good to see you back. Are you faring well?” He then turned toward his mother, his expression softening into an affectionate pout. ”Mama, I am famished.”

”Lunch will be served shortly,” Eilika reassured him with a warm smile. Taking his hand into hers, she offered Damian a subtle nod before leading the boy indoors, her attendant following closely behind.

”August.”

”Damian.”

The Prince extended his hand in greeting, and the Duke met it with a firm grip. ”How are you faring? How is the injury? You ought to have taken more time to rest before traveling.”

”The wound has mended sufficiently,” August replied as they released their hold, stepping together into the cool marble hall of the grand residence. ”I chose to return to Varos as my duties require my presence.”

As they walked down the main corridor, they passed the Dowager Duchess and the visiting noblewomen seated in the parlor. Damian offered a respectful greeting to Georgia before politely excusing himself and August from the ladies’ company.

August paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as the faint whisper of a noble lady branding him illegitimate reached his ears.

He instinctively turned his head toward the parlor, a surge of irritation flaring within him. For a fleeting second, he considered confronting her directly, but he quickly restrained himself, there would be plenty of time to teach her a lesson in decorum later.

”How is everything at the palace?” Damian asked, steering their conversation back to pressing matters as they walked. ”And what did you make of the sentence? I assumed you would have demanded an immediate execution.”

”Living in the filth of a dungeon is a far greater torment than the swift mercy of death,” August replied, his tone turning cold. ”His Majesty made the correct choice.”

”Hmm,” Damian acknowledged with a brief nod. ”You ought to rest in the guest chamber prepared for you. We shall speak again after the afternoon meal.”

With that, Damian turned and ascended the grand staircase, leaving August to be shown to his quarters.

Instead of heading toward his own quarters, Damian changed course and walked into Eilika’s chamber, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight of a bouquet resting prominently upon the side table.

”Who brought this?” Damian demanded, his eyes narrowing on the arrangement.

”Prince August, Your Grace,” the maidservant replied with a polite curtsy before quietly bowing her way out of the room.

Damian’s jaw tightened, a cold knot of irritation coiling in his chest as he stared down at the petals. ”Why must he present flowers to my wife?” he muttered under his breath, his eyes darkening with unspoken possession.

Driven by a sudden impulse, he reached out and seized the bouquet, fully intending to hurl it into the wastebin.

”Damian.”

Eilika’s calm voice echoed through the doorway, and his grip on the stems instantly loosened.

”Roman is resting for a short while,” she said, stepping into the chamber and walking toward him. Her eyes drifted to the vibrant petals in his hand. ”Ah, those flowers... Prince August presented them to me. I attempted to decline, but he insisted it was to honor me for saving him.”

”Did you like them?” Damian asked, a sharp edge of jealousy lacing his voice as he turned to face her.

”Who could possibly dislike flowers?” Eilika chuckled softly, moving closer. ”I intend to place them in a vase.”

”I shall provide you with far grander blooms,” Damian declared, holding her gaze.

A light giggle escaped Eilika’s lips at his somber declaration. ”Very well, but why must you harbor such envy?” she mused, amused by his sudden possessiveness.

”You are my wife,” Damian answered. ”It is only natural that I feel jealous.”