The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Roman lay resting in the middle of the bed while Eilika leaned back against the headboard, holding an open storybook in her hands. Slowly, the boy’s eyelids fluttered shut, his breathing turning slow and rhythmic as sleep finally claimed him.

Seeing him drift off, Eilika closed the volume and gently pulled the duvet up over his shoulders. She leaned down to press a soft kiss to his forehead, then placed the book on the bedside table.

”Damian has not returned yet,” she murmured quietly to herself.

Eilika slid out of the bed, moving carefully so as not to disturb the sleeping boy.

As she lowered her feet to the rug on the floor her eyes moved to the door which just opened and Damian walked in.

”Roman is asleep,” Damian said as he stepped inside.

”Yes. He was exhausted after running about all day,” Eilika answered in a hushed voice, her eyes following him as he began to shed his heavy outer robes. She stepped forward with his loose nightshirt in hand; he took it with a brief word of thanks.

Slipping the garment over his shoulders, he continued, ”August is bitter over Sylvian receiving the duchy.”

”Why?” Eilika asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. ”Is that why Prince August did not join us for dinner?”

”It is,” Damian acknowledged. ”I advised him against harboring such thoughts. He will come to his senses in time.”

”We depart tomorrow. I only hope Prince August does not harbor such resentment for long,” Eilika murmured gently.

”Let us sleep. The day has worn me out,” Damian replied.

Eilika nodded and slipped beneath the duvet on her side of the bed, while Damian climbed in from the other. Resting his head against his arm, he turned his gaze toward her across the sleeping child.

”Did Roman insist on staying in our chamber tonight?” he asked softly.

”No,” Eilika admitted, resting a hand over the boy’s chest as he drew a deep, peaceful breath in his sleep. ”I simply thought he might miss me, so I brought him here myself.”

”You did well. I know you will miss him just as much,” Damian replied softly. ”He has grown so attached to you. You are truly a wonderful mother, Eilika. I speak of my gratitude so often because it is the only way I know to honor all that you do. So much within me has changed because of you. Without your presence, I would never have reached this place.”

”Then hold fast to this love until I am old and grey. Do not ever let it fade,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

A soft smile touched Damian’s lips. ”You were the one who taught me how to love, and what it truly means to have a family. My feelings for you will never wane, Eilika, not today, nor in all the years to come.”

Roman shifted in his sleep, turning onto his side and burying his face against Eilika’s chest, his small arm resting over her waist. She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head before looking back up at Damian.

”Goodnight, Damian,” she murmured softly, closing her eyes as a peaceful quiet settled over the room. ”I, too, found my family with you.”

~~~~~

The next morning, Eilika stepped into the garden to gather fresh blossoms, only to spot August standing alone near the flowerbeds. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back as he stared down at the colorful blooms.

”What has captured Prince August’s attention?” Eilika asked, stepping up to stand beside him.

He turned his head, and the two offered each other a polite bow of greeting.

”The bee over there, drawing nectar from the petals,” August replied quietly. ”The flowers must eventually surrender their beauty so that we may have honey.”

”A reflective thought, Your Highness,” Eilika observed. ”Though your eyes appear heavy and swollen. Did you sleep poorly last night? I can have ginger honey tea sent up to your chamber to soothe your head.”

”No, thank you, Duchess,” August said, shaking his head. ”My mornings begin with wine.”

Eilika frowned at his words. ”Does His Highness truly wish to ruin his health? Surely you understand the human body far better than I do.”

”Did Damian tell you?” August asked, his voice low. ”If so, give me counsel—something to keep me sane during this month while you and Damian are gone.”

”Your Highness, your words border on impropriety,” Eilika warned, her tone turning firm.

”I regard you as a friend,” August replied quickly. ”I simply thought I might turn to you whenever I required guidance.” He paused, meeting her eyes directly. ”I do not eye married women, Duchess. My intentions are not dishonorable.”

”Then my advice to you is simple: focus on your own path,” Eilika stated calmly. ”Do not allow the fate of others to measure or dictate your worth. What is meant for you will find its way to you, Your Highness.”

August hummed. ”Thank you. I’ll keep your advice in my mind.”

”I do have one request of Prince August during my absence,” Eilika said. ”Will you fulfill it?”

”What is it?” August arched an eyebrow in mild amusement.

”I would like you to offer Roman your help if he ever seeks it,” Eilika explained. ”Although Louis will remain behind and visit him often, there may be days when Roman wishes to pursue things others might forbid. If this is too much to ask, you are free to refuse.”

”I keep my distance from Roman for a reason. Do you truly not know why?” August asked, his tone darkening. ”I have come to despise Liliana, and her son as well,” he whispered so that it would be audible to only her.

Eilika recoiled slightly, startled by his sudden admission. ”What? But you brought him a present all the way from the capital!”

”Yes, but I have found myself feeling rather strange of late,” August remarked carelessly. ”I lack patience with children. It would be best if you did not ask such favors of me.”

”Very well. Your Highness need not be quite so cold,” Eilika noted.

”I am not cold, this is simply how I speak, Duchess,” August replied with a faint smirk. ”I shall take my leave and rest now.”

Eilika let out a small laugh, entirely at a loss for words as August turned and walked away. ”He truly is an odd soul at times,” she murmured to herself.

Turning her attention back to the task that had brought her outdoors, she gathered a few fresh sprigs of jasmine and headed back inside the mansion.

~~~~

Roman fastened the top button of his shirt as the attendant helped him into his vest. She then knelt to slip on his shoes, ignoring his insistence that he could manage them himself.

”Young Lord, you ought not to concern yourself with such menial tasks,” the attendant replied smoothly as she tied the laces into neat knots and rose to her feet. ”You may head down now to see your mother and father.”

”Alright!”

Roman scampered out of his chamber, his steps light and brisk, but came to a sudden halt as he spotted his mother walking to the other end of the corridor, with Joanna following a few paces behind.

”Mama!” he called out, picking up his pace, but his foot caught and he tumbled forward onto the marble floor.

”Young Lord!” the attendant gasped in alarm, rushing forward to help him, but Roman was already scrambling back onto his feet.

”I am fine,” he insisted, brushing off his knees before darting the rest of the way to Eilika.

”Mama,” he said, darting past Joanna and taking hold of Eilika’s hand from behind. ”How do I look?”

”Roman,” Eilika gasped softly, turning to look at him. ”Oh, you look like such a fine young gentleman. I was just on my way to your chamber, but I wanted to place these flowers in the vessel on my balcony first.”

Noticing the small bamboo basket in her hands, Roman brightened. ”Mama, let me carry it for you.”

”Thank you, sweetheart,” she said, handing the basket over to him. ”The birds fly up to the balcony to drink water. Placing these jasmine flowers in the vessel will make it even more inviting for them.”

”Yes, the birds must get so thirsty flying all this way for water,” Roman agreed earnestly, holding the basket tightly in his hands.

”Exactly,” Eilika agreed with a warm smile.

”Then while you are away, I will take care of this duty for you, Mama,” Roman promised solemnly.

Before Eilika could answer, a servant came hurrying down the corridor toward them. ”Your Grace, the Duke is requesting your presence immediately.”

”Right now?” Eilika asked, turning to the servant.

”Yes, Your Grace,” the servant confirmed with a polite bow.

”Mama, I will go handle the flowers just as you explained,” Roman urged, already letting go of her hand. ”You should go to Father.”

”Joanna, accompany Roman to the balcony,” Eilika instructed, turning back to the maid. ”I shall join you both shortly.”

With a quick nod, Eilika turned and followed the servant down the hall.