The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”That is Ursa Major, the seven-star constellation,” Roman said, pointing a finger up toward the night sky. ”Mama told me all about it,” he added, turning to look at Damian, who lay on the grass beside him.

”When did she teach you all of this?” Damian asked, glancing over at the boy.

”Mama taught me back when she first arrived here,” Roman said quietly. ”We used to lie out like this whenever Father refused to speak with her.”

Those words struck Damian like a slap, laying bare the painful truth of a past where he had caused Eilika so much hurt. Just recalling those cold, distant days filled his chest a rage, directed entirely at himself.

”That is the Big Dipper within Ursa Major. There are many more stars in this constellation,” Damian explained, gently pulling his son closer to rest his head against his arm. ”Millions upon millions of stars fill the night sky, sitting so far beyond our reach. Even now, scholars and astronomers continue to study their secrets.”

”Oh, that sounds fascinating!” Roman replied, his eyes wide. ”Father, when you return in a month’s time, you will see a whole new me. I will be a far better rider by then. Perhaps I will even have grown a little taller.”

Damian smiled warmly down at his son, touched by the small, earnest dreams of the boy. ”Tell me, Roman... do you feel happier here? More than you used to be?”

”Yes, Father!” Roman beamed. ”I have a mama now. I no longer have to sit quietly while the other children boast about their mothers. Now I can proudly tell them how my mama bakes sweet treats for me, helps me with my lessons, paints with me, plays games, and reads me stories until I fall asleep. I am so happy, Father. I am going to be the best son to her, someone she will always be proud of.”

A quiet warmth spread through Damian’s chest as he listened to his son’s chatter. Roman’s deepest longing for a mother had finally been answered, and in truth, Damian’s own unspoken ache for a whole, loving family had been fulfilled alongside it.

Roman abruptly sat up and turned to look down at Damian, who was still lying on the manicured lawn.

”Father, did you ever see Mama when she was a young girl?” Roman asked. ”I saw portraits of her inside her family’s house... She was so beautiful. Her room there is small, but it felt so warm.”

Damian felt upset as he realized he had never shared those simple, intimate glimpses of Eilika’s past, nor seen portraits of her youth.

”Father, let us go inside,” Roman added, pushing himself to his feet. ”I am certain dinner is ready, and you must be starved after working for so many hours.”

Damian sat up in turn and gently dusted the blades of grass from his son’s trousers. The moment he lowered his hands, Roman rushed back into the house. He finally stood up, dusted his own clothes before walking inside.

~~~~~~

Once the family had finished dinner, Eilika walked Georgia to her chamber before heading to Roman’s room for the night. Damian, meanwhile, went to check on August, who had not left his quarters even to eat.

A maidservant had just set a tray of food inside August’s room and was stepping back out when she paused upon seeing Damian. She offered a quick bow and went on her way as Damian walked inside.

”I was not in the mood to eat,” August replied, turning away from the tall window where he had been staring into the dark courtyard.

”Yet you chose to drink wine,” Damian said, checking a wine silver jar, which was already half-empty.

”Yes, but that was half an hour ago,” August said, offering a faint, indifferent shrug. ”Do not tell me you came up here out of concern for me.”

”You simply have a habit of doing things that trouble me,” Damian answered, stepping further into the room.

”Sylvian did not return with you,” August said, his eyes resting on the parchment held loosely between his fingers.

”He did not,” Damian replied.

”I heard rumor that Father intends to grant him the Dukedom of the West. Is there truth to it?” August asked, looking up.

”There is,” Damian answered, offering no attempt to conceal the fact. ”If it is a duchy you desire, then turn your focus toward completing the tasks before you.”

August let out a bitter laugh. ”Is it not ironic how cruel fate can be? If you ask whether I envy Sylvian, the answer is yes. Because I am illegitimate, I was stripped of every prospect from the moment of my birth, forced to accept whatever crumbs were left for me. I never sought the crown, Damian, I only ever wanted what was fair.”

”The King will not strip you of what is rightfully yours,” Damian asserted firmly. ”Focus on the duties that brought you to Varos. You chose to come here, August. Prove your worth to the court, just as you did with the Queen’s affair. That is all the counsel I have to give.”

August let out a bitter laugh at his words. ”It still does not feel right. I feel... how should I even put it?” He ran a hand through his dark hair, exhaling heavily. ”Sylvian is the Queen’s son, and so he receives a duchy. It is unjust. I continue to suffer simply because my mother was the King’s mistress. Yet Sylvian and his brother face no hardship at all, even after their mother committed such atrocious crimes. That is what sticks in my throat.”

Damian could not deny the weight of his words, yet his faith in King Nyxen remained unshakeable. He knew his uncle would not leave August to languish forever.

”You, too, will be granted a position of great authority one day,” Damian stated firmly. ”I know my words carry little weight with you right now, but I trust the King. He will not leave you to suffer, August. Remember, he was the one who ensured your survival within these palace walls. He cares for you deeply. Do not diminish your own worth.”