The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Father, why did you withhold the full truth from August?” Ciaran asked, taking a seat across from King Nyxen as the evening shadows lengthened across the study.

”What makes you so certain I did not tell him everything?” Nyxen asked, lifting his chalice to draw a slow sip of wine.

”Had he known, August would have demanded my mother’s execution,” Ciaran replied gravely. ”He would have claimed the very crown upon my head belonged to him by right. You were trapped in a marriage with a woman you never loved, forced to keep the woman you truly cherished hidden away as a mistress. Tell me, Father... did you ever wish for August to be the Crown Prince?”

”Never,” King Nyxen answered without a moment’s hesitation. ”He simply lacked the temperament and fitness to rule. As I have told you before, I resolved myself to the reality that Victoria was my Queen. Though affection was absent, I accorded her the respect due to her status for the sake of my sons. Her transgressions and broken vows do not taint my regard for you and your brother. As for August... he suffered terrible cruelty within these walls. I ought to have confronted your mother and put an end to it, yet I remained silent, hoping time would soften her heart toward him. That day never came.”

”Father, you entrusted this crown to me. I swear to you that August will never endure another moment of humiliation under my reign,” Ciaran declared, his voice firm with unwavering resolve. ”Whatever atrocities my mother inflicted upon him, I shall strive to offer him equal warmth and restoration in return.”

Nyxen offered a quiet, approving smile, taking another deep draught from his chalice. ”I know you will not fail me, Ciaran. On the day I chose to banish August, you begged me to show mercy and stay my hand. Yet I had no choice. Had I not acted, I risked losing you or Sylvian to his vengeance. His mind was consumed by a bitterness too profound to alter, and his heart held far too much hatred for your mother.”

Ciaran offered a quiet nod of agreement. ”Father, you ought not to indulge in so much drink at your age. Your health is delicate, and alcohol will only bring harm to your body,” he advised softly.

”Haha!” King Nyxen let out a hearty laugh. ”Very well, I shall exercise restraint,” he conceded, setting the chalice down. ”When does the Crown Princess intend to return? The recent upheavals must have weighed heavily upon her.”

”I shall ride out tomorrow to visit her,” Ciaran replied. ”It was fortunate she sought refuge at my mother-in-law’s estate for a time. Remaining here amidst such turmoil would have surely taken a toll on her state.”

”Indeed. She is due in two months’ time,” King Nyxen noted thoughtfully. ”I advise you to escort her back to the palace shortly. I wish to ensure every precaution is taken for her confinement and delivery.”

”I understand, Father,” Ciaran agreed. He rose gracefully to his feet and offered a respectful bow before departing the King’s private chambers.

As the heavy oak doors closed behind the Crown Prince, Thomas stepped forward at the King’s silent gesture and bowed low.

”Sylvian has reached a marriageable age, yet he has evaded his marital duties for far too long,” King Nyxen asserted, setting his empty chalice aside. ”I wish to speak with him. That boy spends more time in Varos than residing here in the capital.”

Thomas offered a subtle, knowing smile. ”Your Majesty, Prince Sylvian has shared a close bond with the Duke of Varos since their youth. I imagine that accounts for his frequent absences. I shall dispatch your summons immediately,” he replied humbly before bowing once more and taking his leave.

King Nyxen set the chalice down on the mahogany table, recalling the advice of his elder son. ”Take it away,” he instructed the attending maidservant, gesturing toward the wine.

Shortly thereafter, the heavy doors opened to admit Sylvian, with Thomas following respectfully behind him.

”Good evening, Father,” Sylvian greeted, bowing his head. At Nyxen’s welcoming gesture, he took a seat across from the monarch.

”Your mother was reviewing marriage proposals for you before all of this,” King Nyxen began, his gaze fixed on his younger son. ”I believe the time has come, Sylvian. However, if your heart is already spoken for, you may speak freely. I will not stand in the way of true affection.”

Sylvian paused, his expression turning sincere. ”Father, there is indeed a lady in my thoughts, though she remains unaware of my feelings. I have only crossed paths with her twice, and I require a little more time before I can offer you a definitive answer. I hope you will grant me that patience, Father.”

”Very well. I would not have you rush into such matters. Pursue the lady at a steady pace,” Nyxen stated warmly.

”Thank you for your understanding, Father,” Sylvian replied. A quiet thought crossed his mind as he remembered his mother; she had never been so accommodating. She had always firmly insisted that he marry a lady of high noble birth.

Before their conversation could continue, a soldier hurried into the chamber, bringing his hands together in a respectful greeting. ”Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter to report.”

”What is it?” Nyxen asked, raising an eyebrow. ”You may speak freely here.”

”The Queen has declared that the late Duchess of Varos, the first wife of Duke Damian, committed extensive fraud,” the soldier reported, bowing his head. ”She demands that Your Majesty punish the Duke of Varos for concealing the truth from you and the people of the Kingdom.”

”What!?” King Nyxen frowned deeply at the revelation, his brows knitting together, while Sylvian stood frozen in sheer shock, wondering how on earth his mother could possibly know about Liliana.

”I need to see her immediately,” King Nyxen declared, rising abruptly to his feet.

”Father, I shall accompany you,” Sylvian added, instantly standing up beside him.

Nyxen gave a grim nod, and together they made their way toward the central prison, the subterranean fortress where the Queen had been condemned to remain locked away in a solitary cell for the rest of her days.

~~~~~~

Victoria’s lips curved into a bitter grin as the heavy iron lock disengaged with a cold metallic scrape.

”What manner of outrageous message did you send me through that guard?” Nyxen demanded, his tone sharp with anger.

Victoria, who had been facing the damp stone wall, slowly turned toward them. Executing a slow, mocking bow, she murmured, ”Anger ill becomes Your Majesty.”

”Mother, will you cease this relentless defaming of Damian?” Sylvian interjected, stepping forward with visible disappointment.

”Ah, so now even the son I brought into this world stands aligned against me,” Victoria sneered, her eyes narrowing. ”Damian has long painted himself as a paragon of righteousness and virtue in the eyes of the court. Yet he willingly concealed the dark deeds of his late wife, Liliana. My brother possessed official documentation detailing every last one of her offenses. And since His Majesty governs strictly by evidence, those records shall reach his hands tomorrow, proof of the vast financial deceit that plunged Varos into crushing debt while Damian repeatedly bled the royal treasury dry.”

”I am already fully aware. You need not inform me about Liliana,” Nyxen stated coldly, turning on his heel and walking straight out of the prison cell.

”No! Your Majesty! Are you truly going to turn a blind eye to her transgressions?” Victoria shrieked, lunging forward, but the heavy iron shackles bound to her ankles yanked her back, pinning her far short of the threshold.

Sylvian took several steps backward, keeping his eyes on his mother in silent dismay before following his father out into the corridor. Behind them, the soldier slammed the heavy door shut, turning the key with a decisive click.

”Father, were you truly aware—”

”No,” Nyxen interrupted grimly. ”Depart for Varos at once and instruct Damian to report to me without delay. I hold trust in my nephew; he would never conceal such wrongdoing from me. Nevertheless, I shall personally investigate the claims your mother has brought forward.”

”Very well, Father,” Sylvian agreed, bowing his head before departing to prepare for his journey to Varos.

As he hastened toward the palace stables, a cold knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. His primary concern was not merely the financial records, but whether his mother had also uncovered the truth of Liliana’s secret affair with August.

’If she discovers that, August will surely face the executioner’s blade, and Damian stands to forfeit his very title and position,’ Sylvian mused grimly, his mind racing through the dangerous ramifications. ’But why has my mother grown this sudden resentment towards Damian?’

He arrived at his chamber and asked the attendant about his car keys. Without packing any stuff, he drove straight to Varos to see Damian.

”What if she knows about August’s affair? Maybe that’s why she wants Liliana’s truth to be out?” Sylvian muttered and pressed on the accelerator.