The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Lara, the big brother you were sitting with is a prince. You cannot speak to him so brazenly. Do you understand?” Xenia asked, dropping to her knees so she was at eye level with her sister sitting in the chair.

”But Sister, you always told me that we are all human, and that everyone is equal,” Lara said, placing a finger on her chin with a thoughtful frown.

”That was... a misunderstanding. I need to revise that statement,” Xenia replied quickly. She stood up and gestured to her modest clothing. ”Look at me. I am a simple girl from a small town. If my clothes change, my status changes as well.”

”What is status, Sister?” Lara asked, tilting her head.

”Well... status is...” Xenia trailed off, completely stuck on how to explain the concept to a child. ”It is judged by wealth. Those who have a lot of wealth, like these coins,” she brought out a copper sheel and showed it to her, ”they don’t work like us. They have so many servants to do every single chores of theirs. They wear expensive clothes, jewelry and even eat expensive meals.”

”But Brother Henry always says we are rich in our hearts,” Lara insisted, kicking her heels against the chair legs.

”That is not the same thing,” Xenia countered sharply. ”Do you not see us scrubbing floors and carrying linen from dawn until dusk in this rest house?”

Lara nodded, her small chin dipping. ”Yes, Sister.”

”If we were truly wealthy, we would be taking our ease while others labored for us. Our standing would be entirely different,” Xenia explained, striving to make the reality of their position plain to the child. ”Do you recall the high-born family that stayed here during the summer months?”

Lara lowered her hands into her lap, her eyes brightening with memory. ”I remember them. Their daughter carried a doll crafted of fine porcelain with silk ribbons. It was lovely.”

”Precisely. That is what defines status,” Xenia said quietly. ”It is measured by coin, by land, and by the bloodline into which one is born. At the very summit stands the royal family. They command vast holdings and possess every luxury this kingdom can afford, and common folk to their will with a single glance.”

Lara fell silent, her young mind attempting to grasp the vastness of a life so far removed from her own.

Xenia exhaled a heavy sigh, resting her hands on her sister’s shoulders to hold her gaze. ”Prince August belongs to that world. We cannot speak to him as an equal, nor can we treat him with familiarity. We must offer deference, Lara, because a prince holds the authority to ruin us with a single word. Do you understand me now?”

Lara nodded in earnest understanding. ”I see now, Sister. Then I ought to offer my apology to the prince.”

”Yes—though certainly not right now,” Xenia cautioned, shuddering at the thought of drawing anywhere near August again while his temper flared. ”He is likely still displeased.”

Before Lara could answer, the door swung open, drawing both their eyes to the entryway.

”Ah, here you are, Xenia,” Henry said, leaning against the frame. ”Prince August is looking for you. Lara, come along. I will take you back home.”

Xenia froze, her breath catching. ”Wh-Why would Prince August be looking for me?”

”He did not say,” Henry replied, gesturing toward the courtyard. ”He is waiting for you in the garden. You had better hurry before his patience wears thin.”

A cold spike of dread settled in Xenia’s chest. Yet a royal summons carried the full weight of a command; she had no choice but to obey.

Steeling herself to beg for mercy, Xenia hurried into the garden. She found Prince August standing near the edge of a small pond, his back turned to her.

”Your Highness, you called for me?” Xenia asked, clasping her hands tightly before her. ”Please, I beg for your forgiveness. Lara is still so young, Your Highness, she does not yet understand right from wrong. I have just instructed her on proper conduct, I swear it. Please grant me one last chance. I will ensure we never give you cause for complaint again.”

August turned around to face her. Seeing him move, Xenia immediately lowered her head into a deep bow, terrified that meeting his gaze directly would only invite further anger.

”Did you receive any complaints from the townspeople?” August asked.

”What?” She looked up, her expression entirely bewildered.

”Have you already forgotten what I asked you yesterday?” He arched an eyebrow at her.

”No! I—I remember,” Xenia stammered, flustered. ”I was only apologizing—”

”I forgive you,” August cut in simply, silencing her mid-sentence. ”If you got any complaints, then you can tell me. I may leave tomorrow morning if there are none.”

”I did not receive any, Your Highness,” Xenia replied.

”Hmm.” August turned to walk past her, but Xenia spoke up before he could leave.

”Your Highness, it is not because the people lack trust in you,” she explained, taking a step forward. ”It is because fear has been deeply instilled in their hearts. They risk losing their livelihoods if they dare raise their voices against the nobility. Most of the common folk here belong to the servant class, and they cannot afford such a gamble.”

”I am well aware,” August replied, stopping in his tracks without looking back. ”A lot needs to be changed. I’ll keep an account of it.”

”Are you returning to the capital soon, Your Highness?” Xenia asked, keeping pace behind him.

”No. My residence is in Varos,” August answered, not breaking his stride.

”Should anything wrong occur here, I will ensure it is reported directly to you,” Xenia offered.

August stopped and turned to face her, causing Xenia to pull up short to avoid colliding with him.

”Miss, stay clear of this matter,” August warned in his sharp tone. ”You risk your very life. You have no true concept of what the nobility is capable of when provoked. Keep your head down and continue living as you always have.”