The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Eilika braided her hair while humming a light tune as Damian emerged from the dressing room. Adjusting the high collar of his tailored overcoat, he turned his gaze toward his wife.

”Are you not finished yet?” he asked, stepping closer to the vanity table.

”I am nearly done,” she replied softly, tossing the braid over her shoulder. She picked up a crystal bottle of perfume and lightly misted her wrists, rubbing them together before dabbing the scent along the curve of her neck.

Fastening a classic pearl necklace and matching earrings, she finally stood to face him. ”I am ready.”

Noticing that the silver brooch pinned to his coat was slightly askew, she reached up and carefully straightened it. Slipping her hand into the crook of his arm, she looked up at him with a soft smile. ”Shall we leave, Duke?”

”Hmm.” Damian lingered for a moment, his fingers gently brushing a few loose strands of hair from her forehead before leaning down to press a tender kiss to the center of her brows.

They walked out together, informing the maid standing outside that they might return late at night.

”Your Graces,” Maurice said, bowing low as he opened the passenger door of the motorcar. ”Here are your tickets,” he added, handing them to Damian.

”Thank you.”

”Are you not joining us, Maurice? Why are there only two tickets?” Eilika asked.

”I do not particularly enjoy theatrical plays, Your Grace,” Maurice replied respectfully.

”Oh, I see.”

”His passions lie elsewhere,” Damian remarked, gesturing for her to step inside the vehicle.

Once they were comfortably seated, Maurice drove them toward the theater. Upon arrival, they found a lively crowd already gathering outside the grand entrance, comprised almost entirely of noble and aristocratic families.

”It would have been wonderful if you came along as well,” Eilika told Maurice.

”You two shall enjoy your time inside, Your Grace,” Maurice replied politely, offering them a deep bow.

Damian and Eilika turned to ascend the grand staircase, stepping onto the plush red carpet that led into the theater hall. Upon taking their seats near the front, Eilika glanced around at the surrounding guests.

She was pleased to realize that hardly anyone seemed to recognize them; remaining in the constant glare of the public eye was exhausting for her.

Shortly, the stage came alive as the play began, drawing the entire audience into its tragic narrative.

The actors portrayed the devastating story of a princess who had fled the palace, only to be condemned as impure upon her return after spending a single night with a stranger.

Despite her desperate pleas of innocence, no one stood by her, not even her own mother and father. In the end, she was sentenced to a tragic public execution.

The sorrowful performance touched the hearts of everyone present, bringing tears to many eyes throughout the hall.

At the performance’s end, the actors gathered on stage, holding hands and bowing deeply as thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Eilika pulled out her handkerchief to gently dab the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Watching her, Damian felt strangely regretful. He had hoped to bring her joy, not cause her tears, and wondered if choosing this play had been a mistake.

As they exited the theater hall and settled into the motorcar, Damian requested that Maurice step outside for a moment.

”I did not intend for you to cry tonight,” Damian said gently. ”Did the play sadden you?”

”It did not sadden me, though it certainly made me emotional,” Eilika replied. ”The performance felt so painfully real. Are you familiar with the legend of the princess from the Kingdom of Aldoria?”

”I am not,” Damian admitted. Glancing toward the entrance, he signaled for Maurice to return. Maurice and the driver took their seats inside, though the engine remained idle.

”A long time ago, a princess of Aldoria was accused of spending a night with a stranger, simply because a woman claimed to have seen them,” Eilika explained softly. ”Even though the claim was entirely false, it was taken as truth. Her life was ruined, and she was imprisoned within a fortress until her life ended at the guillotine.”

She stared down at her lap, her voice laced with quiet sorrow. ”The world has always been cruel to women. It is so easy to cast accusations against them simply because they are viewed as vulnerable. The princess suffered a tragic fate because she was a woman. Had a prince been in her position, he would have been spared.”

”The Duchess is right,” Maurice spoke from the front seat, his tone solemn. Beside him, the driver nodded in quiet agreement.

”I agree with you as well,” Damian said, looking at Eilika softly. ”However, the tragedy began because the accuser acted entirely on her own assumptions. Regrettably, a woman’s harshest adversary is often another woman. Look around, more often than not, it is women who seek to bring you down.”

Eilika let out a small breath and nodded. ”You are right,” she murmured. ”The women in my own life have indeed tried to tear me down.”

”Well, my intention was not to make you sad tonight. Shall we go for a walk?” Damian asked her softly.

”Your Grace, some people may recognize you,” Maurice interjected immediately from the front seat. ”Your safety and the Duchess’s safety cannot be compromised.”

”People know my name, not my face. Besides, only a few aristocratic families have ever seen me in person,” Damian stated calmly. ”However, you are right regarding safety. Take us to the Garden of the Three Lakes,” he ordered.

”Three Lakes?” Eilika mumbled under her breath, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar name.

The driver started the engine, and the motorcar glided smoothly down the road toward the Duke’s chosen destination.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the grand gates of the estate. Eilika, Damian, and Maurice stepped out into the evening air.

Maurice hurried ahead to speak with the guards, inquiring whether an exception could be made to grant them entry at such a late hour.

”The Duke and Duchess of Varos are always welcome,” the guard replied respectfully, bowing as he gestured toward the open gates.

”Your Graces, you may proceed inside,” Maurice said, hurrying back to join them.

Damian and Eilika walked ahead into the moonlit grounds, while Maurice trailed behind at a discreet distance, ensuring his presence would not disrupt their privacy.

”Why is it called the Garden of Three Lakes? Are there truly three lakes within the grounds?” Eilika asked, glancing around the dark, sprawling gardens.

”No,” Damian explained gently. ”The waters from three separate glacial lakes flow down and converge right here into one grand basin. Because they originate from high glaciers, the water is considered sacred. On clear nights like this, you can actually see it glowing under the moonlight.”

”How wonderful,” Eilika breathed, her eyes lighting up with quiet wonder. ”I hope we get to see it.”

”We will,” Damian smiled, pulling her closer against his side as he guided her path through the dimly lit garden.

”How many times have you been here? Did you ever come here with Liliana?” Eilika asked suddenly, turning her eyes up toward him.

His steps slowed. ”No. You are the only woman I have ever brought here,” Damian replied, his voice firm and quiet. ”Before tonight, I had only walked these grounds once, and I was entirely alone.”

Eilika smiled softly upon hearing his response, though a wave of quiet regret quickly followed. She wondered if bringing up Liliana so unexpectedly had irked him. ’I should have held my tongue,’ she thought, chastising herself.

Before the silence between them could grow heavy, a strange, shimmering light caught her eye.

She looked straight ahead and gasped, the vast expanse of the lake was softly glowing, its tranquil waters radiating a striking, ethereal shade of sky blue.

It was a breathtaking phenomenon, a sight so surreal that words seemed far too small to capture its beauty.

”It is so beautiful,” she whispered.

Damian smiled as he watched her face light up. The two stood together in silence for a while, simply taking in the radiant sight, before walking over to a nearby bench to sit and admire the view.

”If Roman were here, he would have loved this too,” Eilika said softly.

”We will bring Roman here when we take a vacation,” Damian promised.

”That is a wonderful idea,” she agreed, before glancing over her shoulder. ”I wonder where Maurice went.”

”Focus on us, Eilika. Maurice is nearby, making sure we are safe,” Damian said, reaching out to take her hand in his. As he intertwined their fingers, he added, ”My schedule will be quite demanding starting tomorrow. I do not want you to feel neglected when my duties consume my time.”

”I would never complain about that. I understand how important your work is,” Eilika replied softly, leaning into his warmth and resting her head gently against his shoulder. ”I am just happy to be here with you.”