The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Ah.”

Sylvian winced as Iliana gently tried to wipe the blood from his lower lip.

”Just bear with it,” she whispered, her brows knitting with concern as she carefully dabbed at the cut.

Before Sylvian could say anything, the door suddenly opened, and Georgia entered with the physician close behind her.

”Prince Sylvian, what am I hearing? You were injured after getting into a fight with Prince August?” Georgia asked, her voice filled with concern.

She stopped abruptly when she noticed Iliana standing beside Sylvian. Iliana immediately straightened and lowered her head respectfully.

”Aunt, I’m fine,” Sylvian assured her. ”Perhaps you should take the physician to August. He might need attention more than I do.”

Georgia looked between the two of them for a moment. She understood what Sylvian was implying and decided not to intrude further.

”Very well,” she said, giving Iliana a brief, knowing glance before turning toward the physician. ”Come with me.”

Once Georgia and the physician had left, Iliana finally relaxed and sat beside Sylvian.

She picked up the antiseptic cream and carefully applied a small amount to the cut on his lower lip. Her movements were gentle, but the concern in her eyes remained.

Sylvian watched her silently, his earlier anger slowly fading as he focused on the woman tending to him.

”Whatever August said, it isn’t true,” Sylvian said as he watched Iliana close the small wooden box containing the medicine. ”I mean...” He paused, choosing his words carefully. ”Perhaps it was true in his case, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same for us. Please don’t think that I will ever abandon you or that the court will refuse to accept you.”

Iliana turned toward him.

”I want you to know that I’m ready to give up everything if that is what it takes to be with you. No one—not the court, not the palace, not even my own family—can change my decision. I have chosen you, and I won’t turn away from you.”

Iliana looked up at him, her expression softening.

”When I said I trust you, I meant it,” she said quietly. ”I’m not going to let Prince August’s words make me doubt you.”

Sylvian’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

”And as for what Prince August said...” Iliana hesitated, thinking back to the bitterness in his voice. ”It felt as though he has some grudge against you. There seemed to be more behind his words than simply concern for me.”

”You’re right,” Sylvian admitted, his expression becoming thoughtful. ”There is a lot of resentment in him.”

”If His Highness wishes to tell me, he can,” Iliana replied gently.

”It’s quite complicated, Iliana.” Sylvian lowered his gaze for a moment before continuing. ”My mother never wanted August or his mother to remain in the palace because Father loved his mother dearly. But that doesn’t mean his mother was a villain. The fault was with my mother, my brother, and me.”

Iliana remained silent, listening carefully.

”Our mother did terrible things to August and his mother, and somehow, we became part of it as well. We never stopped her when she demeaned August. We simply stood by and allowed it to happen. Then, for years, August was banished to a distant place and had to live away from the palace.”

Iliana’s expression softened.

”Whatever happened between the adults, the children were the ones who had to suffer for it,” she remarked quietly.

”Yes,” Sylvian admitted.

He leaned back slightly, his fingers resting against his injured lip.

”I’ve never lost my temper like that before, but August crossed a line today.” He let out a weary sigh. ”I know he doesn’t understand what love is.”

Iliana studied him for a moment. ”Perhaps he simply doesn’t know what it feels like to have someone choose him without conditions.”

Sylvian fell silent at her words, his expression turning thoughtful. ”Maybe.”

”Prince August has been judged by the people around him for most of his life,” Iliana said quietly. ”So I can understand why he warned me. And because I am a commoner, I cannot pretend that what he said was entirely wrong.”

Sylvian looked at her, his expression growing serious.

”What if the palace decides that I can only be your mistress rather than your official wife?” Iliana asked. ”And what if they refuse to recognize our marriage? You are not simply a man who can walk away from his position whenever he wishes. You have responsibilities toward the kingdom.”

Sylvian remained silent for a moment, contemplating her words.

”Then I will fight,” he finally said.

Iliana looked at him.

”If I cannot have you, then I will have no one.” His voice was calm, but there was absolute determination behind it. ”And I am allowed to leave my position if it ever comes to that. I have spent enough of my life doing what was expected of me. I think my happiness should matter too.”

He reached for her hand and gently held it.

”How am I supposed to fulfill my duties toward the kingdom when I know that I am not complete in my own heart?” he asked. ”If being with you is what gives me happiness, then I believe I will be a better man and a better prince for it.”

Iliana was touched by his response. She squeezed his hand gently, her earlier apprehension easing.

”I hope such a situation never arises, though,” she said softly.

”Even if it arises, I know I’ll chose us,” he affirmed, bringing his hand above hers.

~~~~~

Georgia stopped by August’s room with the physician.

”I don’t need any treatment,” August said coldly, keeping his back turned toward Georgia and the physician.

Georgia studied him for a moment before gesturing for the physician to leave the medical kit behind and go. Once he had left, she walked over to August and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

”You won’t want that handsome face of yours to be left with a scar,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. ”And the wound on your lip could become worse if you leave it untreated. Come, let me dress it for you.”

August finally turned to look at her.

”Didn’t you run to Sylvian first with the physician?” he asked, his voice laced with bitterness. ”Just say it, Auntie. You hate me, don’t you?”

Georgia frowned, clearly taken aback by his accusation.

”I don’t hate you. Why would you think that?” she asked, searching his face with a questioning gaze.

”And Sylvian is younger than you,” she added after a moment. ”I believe the younger ones should be attended to first.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the bed.

August clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he watched her. After a moment, he followed her and sat down beside her, still looking displeased.

Georgia picked up the medical kit and opened it, quietly preparing to tend to his injured lip. Once Georgia finished applying the ointment to the wound on August’s lip, she carefully put the medicine aside and looked at him.

”Prince August carries a great deal of anger in his heart,” she said gently. ”But that isn’t the way to live your life.”

”Everyone seems to have a problem with the way I live,” August muttered, averting his gaze. ”I’m trying to find a better place for myself. Then I won’t bother any of you anymore.”

”Stay here,” Georgia said firmly.

August glanced at her.

”Why do you have to be so harsh with me?” she asked. ”Is it because I’m Damian’s mother? I thought everything between you and Damian had been settled.”

”It has,” August replied.

Georgia sighed softly before continuing. ”My Damian was once much like you after he lost his first wife. He was irritated all the time and didn’t want to speak to anyone. Most of his days were spent alone in his room or at his private cottage. His anger and grief had completely consumed him, to the point that he would say harsh things to people even when he didn’t truly mean them.”

August remained silent, listening.

”You’re doing something similar because you believe you aren’t accepted by the people around you,” Georgia continued. ”But that isn’t true. Louis keeps telling me how much people respect you in some of the towns of Varos. You have earned their respect through your own actions, whether you realize it or not.”

August’s expression remained guarded, but some of the tension in his shoulders eased.

”Don’t spend the rest of your life carrying hatred for other people,” Georgia said softly. ”What happened to you cannot be changed, August. But you can decide what you do with the life you have now.”

She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

”Live for yourself. Find something that brings you peace. And, above all, allow yourself to enjoy the essence of life instead of constantly fighting against it.”

August’s expressions softened to hear her words. No one ever spoke so affectionately with him. ”Can I really live well?” His eyes searched hers for a positive response.

”Yes, you can. After all, you’ve to make the choice,” Georgia stated with a smile.