The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Iliana opened the narrow window of the rest house and was immediately greeted by the sounds of the waking market below.

Vendors were already calling out to passersby, announcing the prices of their goods and trying to attract the attention of early customers.

The street appeared surprisingly crowded for such an early hour, with people moving between the stalls and shops as though the day had already been underway for hours.

”People here wake up early,” she murmured to herself.

She stood by the open window for a while, allowing the cool morning air to dry her damp hair. Once it was nearly dry, she turned away from the window and reached for the cloth bag she had brought with her.

Inside was a dress she had carefully kept aside for special occasions. It was modest but considerably finer than the clothes she usually wore, and she had brought it knowing that today was an important day.

After changing, Iliana reached behind herself and carefully fastened the dress before turning toward the small hand mirror she had carried with her. She examined her reflection for a moment, smoothing the fabric around her waist and making sure everything was properly arranged.

She then bent down and retrieved her sandals from beneath the bed. After putting them on, she sat on the edge of the bed. ”I’m going to the Duke’s estate for the first time. I wonder if they will even allow me inside,” Iliana murmured, her fingers tightening around the cloth bag in her lap.

She had never had a reason to visit a noble estate before, let alone one belonging to a duke. She could only imagine how strict the household might be with strangers.

Then she remembered Eilika, the Duchess.

Unlike most of the nobles Iliana had encountered, Eilika had been kind and warm toward her. She had never made Iliana feel insignificant because of her humble background.

”Her Grace was the one who brought Prince Sylvian’s message to me,” Iliana murmured, recalling the Duchess’s kindness.

The thought reassured her somewhat. She had nearly forgotten that both the Duke and Duchess were currently away from Varos, which meant she would not have to face them unexpectedly.

When she realized it was almost time to vacate the rest house, Iliana gathered her belongings and left her room. She found a carriage outside and climbed inside, giving the driver the address of the Duke’s estate.

The journey took nearly half an hour. As they approached the estate, the carriage slowed before eventually coming to a stop a short distance from the great iron gates.

”Miss, we are not permitted to go beyond this point,” the driver explained, glancing toward the estate.

”That is all right,” Iliana replied.

She stepped down from the carriage, paid the fare, and adjusted her hold on the cloth bag before setting off on foot.

The road leading toward the estate was lined with neatly trimmed trees, their branches carefully shaped by the gardeners. Everything around her appeared orderly and well maintained.

After walking for several minutes, Iliana finally caught sight of the enormous gates of the Duke’s estate.

She slowed her steps.

A nervous feeling settled in her chest as she stared at the imposing entrance. No matter how kindly the Duchess had treated her, this was still the residence of one of the kingdom’s most powerful families.

Taking a quiet breath, Iliana clutched her cloth bag a little tighter and continued toward the gates.

”Who are you, young lady?” one of the gatekeepers asked, stroking his large moustache as he looked Iliana over.

”I—I am here to meet...” Iliana began, but her words faltered when the sound of galloping horses reached her ears.

She turned toward the road and saw a finely made carriage approaching the estate. Its polished exterior and the crest painted upon its door immediately marked it as belonging to a noble family.

”Get aside,” the gatekeeper ordered sharply.

Iliana quickly stepped away from the entrance. As the carriage drew closer, she caught sight of a young woman of about her age peeking through the carriage window. Their eyes nearly met, but Iliana immediately lowered her gaze and stood aside as the carriage passed through the enormous gates.

The gatekeepers began closing them again.

”Wait!”

Iliana hurried forward before the gates could shut completely.

”I would like to go inside as well, sir,” she said politely.

The gatekeeper looked at her with little interest.

”If you are here to see the Duchess, I’m afraid Her Grace is not receiving members of the general public. Her Grace isn’t in Varos.”

Iliana froze.

Only then did she remember what Prince Sylvian had told her. The Duke and Duchess were not currently in Varos. Somehow, the detail had completely slipped her mind.

”I’m not here to see them,” she quickly explained. ”I have come to see the Prince... Prince Sylvian.”

The gatekeeper stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. His fellow guard joined him, clearly amused by her claim.

”Why are you lying, miss?” the man asked between his laughs. ”Prince Sylvian is here, yes, but why would His Highness want to see someone like you?”

Iliana’s face grew hot with embarrassment.

She lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the cloth bag she carried. His words struck a painful truth she had already considered herself. Why would a prince want to meet a woman like her?

The gatekeeper waved her away.

”Leave before this matter reaches the security officers. We have no time for such nonsense.”

With that, he turned away and returned to his post alongside the other guard, leaving Iliana standing outside the great gates.

She remained there for a moment, unsure of what to do next, the cloth bag pressed tightly against her side before deciding to leave.

Once again, the gatekeepers hurried toward the large gates as a motorcar emerged from the estate. Iliana glanced at it briefly before lowering her gaze and turning away. There was no reason for her to remain there after being dismissed.

She began walking back along the road from which she had come, clutching her cloth bag against her side.

She had barely gone a short distance when she heard the motorcar slow ahead of her.

A moment later, the rear window was lowered, and a young boy leaned toward it, peeking outside.

”Sister, are you here to see my Mama?” Roman asked.

Iliana stopped in her tracks.

For a moment, she could only stare at him. She had not expected a noble child to speak to her so casually, much less address her as ’sister.’ His neatly dressed appearance and well-mannered way of speaking made it obvious that he belonged to an important household.

Who was this boy?

Before she could answer, the front door of the motorcar opened, and Louis stepped out.

”This is Young Lord Roman Van Kingsley,” Louis introduced him, then turned his attention toward Iliana. ”Are you here because you have some grievance you wished to discuss with the Duchess?”

Iliana was still trying to gather herself when Roman shook his head.

”Mama has gone far away with Father,” he explained. ”But Grandmother is inside. She will definitely help you.”

Iliana’s eyes widened slightly.

She immediately understood who the boy was. Young Lord Roman Van Kingsley was the future heir of Varos, and yet he had spoken to her without the slightest trace of arrogance.

Realizing she had been standing before him without properly greeting him, Iliana quickly lowered her head in a respectful bow.

”Forgive me, Young Lord,” she said politely.

”Why are you apologizing, sister?” Roman tilted his head to the side, genuinely unable to understand why she had bowed to him.

A short distance away, the gatekeepers stood stiffly near the entrance. Their earlier confidence had vanished. They exchanged uneasy glances, both fearing that the young lady might complain to the household about the way they had treated her.

Louis, however, remained composed.

”So, why have you come here, young lady?” he asked politely. ”You see, we are already running late for Young Lord Roman’s academy.”

”I came here to see Prince Sylvian,” Iliana replied.

”Uncle Sylvian?” Roman mumbled, his eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Louis immediately understood the connection. A knowing smile appeared on his face as he looked at Iliana.

”Are you Uncle Sylvian’s friend, sister?” Roman asked innocently.

Iliana hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

Louis stepped closer, lowering his voice so that only she could hear.

”My lady, do you wish to surprise Prince Sylvian?”

Iliana looked at him in confusion. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Louis leaned slightly closer and quietly suggested an idea. The moment she understood what he was proposing, her eyes widened in surprise.

”Please, get in,” Louis said, opening the backseat door for her.

”Can I truly–” she hadn’t finished when Louis told her not to mind about it.

Roman eagerly welcomed Iliana in the backseat. He held his satchel closely and said, ”Uncle Sylvian will be surprised to see his friend.”

Iliana couldn’t help but smile and at the same time, she felt surprised with the way they were treating her.