The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”What? August left? Where?” Sylvian asked with a frown.

The servant shook his head. ”His Highness departed at dawn, Your Highness. I was not informed of his destination.”

He was carrying a large wicker basket laden with freshly folded bedsheets and heavy drapes, and after answering, he bowed before continuing down the corridor.

Sylvian watched him leave, his expression thoughtful. He had intended to see August before departing for the capital, but now he wondered where his half-brother could have gone so early in the morning.

Still pondering the matter, Sylvian walked farther down the corridor and stepped into the open loggia overlooking the manicured gardens. He rested his hands against the stone balustrade and gazed across the grounds.

”Where could he have gone so early?” he murmured.

A soft clearing of a throat interrupted his thoughts.

Sylvian turned and found Louis standing a few paces away, his hands folded respectfully before him.

”Greetings, Prince Sylvian.”

”Louis.” A faint smile touched Sylvian’s lips. ”I assume you heard about the confrontation between August and me yesterday?”

”Word travels quickly.” Louis studied the prince’s solemn expression. ”Prince August remains as quick to anger as ever. I trust you did not take his harshness too much to heart. He merely directs the bitterness he holds toward the Queen onto you whenever the opportunity presents itself.”

Sylvian nodded, accepting the observation without argument.

”I am departing for the capital within the hour. My intention is to present Iliana at the palace and formally introduce her to my family.”

”A wise course of action,” Louis remarked. ”Securing your family’s recognition early may soften whatever opposition arises from the court later.”

”That is my hope.” Sylvian stepped closer, lowering his voice. ”Once there, I intend to speak with my mother privately and determine what schemes she may still be orchestrating, even after being isolated from court affairs.”

”Proceed with extreme caution,” Louis advised, his expression becoming grave. ”And make certain she suspects nothing regarding the threatening message Duke Damian received.”

”She will learn nothing from me,” Sylvian assured him.

He briefly embraced Louis before stepping back and giving him a final nod of farewell.

”I shall see you again.”

”Travel safely, Your Highness.”

Sylvian then turned and departed.

Once he was gone, Louis made his way toward the Duke’s private study. There were several matters requiring his attention, and he needed to retrieve a few important ledgers before attending to them.

After gathering three files from the study, Louis stepped back into the hallway. He had barely taken a few steps when he noticed Iliana sitting quietly in the living room.

The moment their eyes met, Iliana rose and offered him a respectful bow.

”Miss Iliana, how was your stay here?” Louis asked pleasantly. ”I understand you are departing for the capital alongside Prince Sylvian shortly.”

”My stay was very pleasant. Thank you for allowing me to remain here yesterday,” Iliana replied with polite grace. ”And yes, we shall be leaving for the capital shortly.”

”My best wishes go with you.” Louis returned her courtesy with a slight bow. ”I shall take my leave, then. Have a safe journey ahead.”

He turned to leave, but before he could get far, Georgia entered the living room, with the butler following closely behind her.

”Iliana, my dear, what are you doing here?”

Georgia’s eyes immediately fell upon the simple cloth bag resting in the young woman’s hands.

Before Iliana could answer, Sylvian entered the room as several servants carried his luggage toward the entrance.

”Aunt, we are departing for the capital,” he explained. ”I refrained from informing you last night because it was already quite late.”

”I understand.” Georgia smiled calmly. ”Travel safely.”

Her gaze then moved over Iliana from head to toe, critically assessing her attire.

Although Georgia had already sent a dress to Iliana that morning, she was determined that the young woman make the best possible impression when she stood before the royal family. This was not merely another visit to the capital. This time, Iliana would be presented as the woman Sylvian had chosen.

Noticing Georgia’s scrutiny, Iliana instinctively looked down at her own dress and began to feel self-conscious.

”You are entering the palace,” Georgia explained, noticing her reaction. ”It is important that your appearance reflects the dignity appropriate for such an occasion.”

Sylvian glanced at Iliana before offering a reassuring smile.

”She looks perfectly lovely to me. I see nothing wrong with her appearance.”

”That is merely because you are a man in love,” Georgia countered with a chuckle.

The butler and the nearby servants quickly lowered their heads, hiding their amused smiles.

”Miss Iliana should be dressed in something of the finest quality, yet understated and elegant. She must look dignified without appearing as though she is trying too hard to impress anyone.” Georgia looked toward Sylvian. ”I see no reason for you to rush your departure. Iliana requires some time to prepare properly.”

Sylvian rubbed the back of his neck before turning to Iliana with a questioning look.

”Is that your wish as well?”

Iliana hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod.

”Her Grace understands these matters far better than I do.”

”But the last time you visited the palace, you wore the very clothes you have on now,” Sylvian pointed out.

Georgia immediately looked at him.

”You went to the palace previously?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

”I invited Iliana to the capital for an art exhibition,” Sylvian explained quickly.

”I see.”

Georgia’s surprise faded, replaced by firm determination.

”Well, this time, you are going there for an official introduction. That demands a little more preparation.” She turned toward Iliana. ”Come with me.”

Without waiting for further argument, Georgia turned on her heel and led Iliana down the hallway.

Sylvian watched them disappear before turning toward the servants.

”Place the luggage inside the motorcar.”

”Yes, Your Highness.”

As he walked toward the sofa, Sylvian noticed the small cloth bag Iliana had accidentally left behind. He picked it up and handed it to one of the servants.

”Take this as well. Pack it alongside my trunk.”

The servant bowed respectfully and accepted the bag.

”Yes, Your Highness.”

He hurried outside to fulfill the order while Sylvian glanced toward the corridor where Georgia and Iliana had disappeared.

Fifteen minutes later, Iliana returned with Georgia.

The moment Sylvian looked up and saw her, he seemed to forget how to breathe.

She was dressed in an elegant pink silk gown that fell gracefully along her figure, accentuating her natural curves without appearing overly elaborate. Her hair, which she usually kept neatly tied in a bun, had been left loose, cascading softly over her shoulders. The delicate accessories Georgia had chosen complemented the gown perfectly, adding a subtle touch of refinement to her appearance.

Sylvian simply stared.

For several seconds, he barely blinked, completely captivated by the woman standing before him.

’She is beautiful.’

The thought came so naturally that he did not even try to hide it.

His heart began racing, and for a fleeting moment, the preparations for the journey, the palace, and everything waiting for them in the capital seemed to disappear from his mind.

Iliana noticed his fixed gaze and instinctively lowered her eyes.

”Why is Your Highness looking at me like that?” she asked softly.

Sylvian finally seemed to remember himself. A smile slowly spread across his face.

”I was just thinking that I may have to spend the entire journey making sure no one looks at you for too long.”

Iliana’s cheeks warmed.

Georgia, standing beside her, let out an amused sigh.

”Prince Sylvian, if you continue staring at her like that, you shall never leave this estate.”

Sylvian laughed softly at her hesitation, while a faint blush spread across Iliana’s cheeks. He stepped toward her and extended his hand. ”Let us go.”

She placed her fingers in his, then turned to offer Georgia a grateful smile. ”Thank you, Your Grace, for everything you have done for me. It was an absolute honor.”

Georgia smiled warmly and reached out to pat the young woman gently on the head. The simple gesture filled Iliana with a sudden, tender warmth, stirring a fond memory of her own mother. For a moment, she simply stood there, touched by the unexpected affection, before offering Georgia a deep bow.

Then she turned and walked toward the courtyard beside Sylvian.

Once they were settled in the backseat of the motorcar, Iliana watched as the driver and the bodyguard took their respective places in the front. She shifted carefully against the seat, conscious of the gown that now felt rather restrictive. Its tailored bodice was far more fitted than the loose, modest clothing she was accustomed to wearing.

Sylvian noticed her discomfort and turned toward her. ”If it causes you discomfort, we can pause and have you change—”

”No,” Iliana interrupted softly. She glanced at him and gave a small, determined smile. ”I must become accustomed to such attire, Your Highness.”

Sylvian’s expression softened as he looked at her. Leaning slightly closer, he whispered near her ear, ”I must say, you look pretty in it.”

A gentle smile touched Iliana’s lips, and she lowered her gaze for a moment, unable to hide the warmth that rose in her cheeks. She quietly thanked him for the compliment just as the motorcar’s engine roared to life.

Turning toward the window, she caught one last glimpse of Georgia standing upon the steps, waving them farewell. Iliana raised her hand in return, while Sylvian lifted his own in a brief gesture toward his aunt before lowering it again.

The motorcar rolled forward, carrying them across the estate grounds until the grand main gates came into view. Slowly, the iron gates opened before them, marking the beginning of their journey toward the capital.