The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Our little girl is so small. Look at her. Her nose is so tiny,” Ciaran said fondly, settling beside his wife.

Angelina smiled as she watched him gaze at their daughter.

”The Crown Prince has hardly taken his eyes off our daughter since yesterday,” she replied softly. ”What ought we to name her? And please, ask Iliana to visit us. Sylvian has already come to see the princess time and again; I would like Iliana to meet her as well.”

”Miss Iliana is likely hesitant to call upon you,” Ciaran replied gently. ”She has not yet officially entered the royal family, after all.”

Angelina gave him a knowing smile before glancing toward the cradle. ”Place her in the cradle, then.”

Ciaran carefully gathered his daughter into his arms, supporting her delicate head as he rose. Approaching the cradle, he slowly lowered her onto the soft bedding, taking care not to disturb her rest.

Once she was settled, he rocked the cradle with a light touch, watching with quiet fascination as the infant’s eyelids fluttered heavy before she finally drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Angelina observed the scene with a tender smile. ”You still have not answered my question. What shall we name her?”

Ciaran looked down at their sleeping daughter for a moment before turning back to his wife. ”What of Aurelia?”

Angelina’s expression softened. ”Aurelia?”

”Yes.” Ciaran glanced back at the tiny girl. ”She is a blessing bestowed upon our lives. Aurelia suits her well.”

”It is a beautiful name,” Angelina agreed.

Ciaran offered a faint smile, his gaze lingering on the sleeping child. ”Aurelia Van Kingsley,” he whispered.

”You ought to rest now,” Ciaran said softly, sinking one knee onto the mattress beside her. He adjusted the pillows behind her back, then guided her gently down into a reclining position. ”Sleep for a while. I shall remain right here with you.” He placed his palm against her brow, stroking her hair with a light, measured touch.

Angelina let her eyes drift shut. ”Will you send word to your mother regarding our daughter? She was so overcome with joy when she first learned of my pregnancy,” she murmured, her voice trailing off into a tired whisper.

Ciaran’s face hardened, his expression growing icy and distant. ”She does not deserve to hear of it.”

”I am well aware of the gravity of her crimes,” Angelina replied quietly, opening her eyes to look at him. ”Yet she remains a woman driven to desperation. Was her descent not born from the King’s public neglect, casting her aside so openly for his mistress? It is improper of me to speak ill of your father, but that is the truth of what transpired. And August lacks the maturity his position demands. I have heard of the havoc he wreaked within these palace walls during his stay, to say nothing of the time he attempted to poison you.”

”Do not misjudge August,” Ciaran said, his tone grim. ”My mother subjected him to a level of cruelty I can scarcely bear to speak of. And Father never abandoned her. It was she who...”

He broke off, noticing she had already fallen asleep. Ciaran leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, and pulled the embroidered duvet up over her chest.

Stepping out of the chamber, he summoned the Crown Princess’ chief attendant. He instructed her to maintain a vigilant watch over both Angelina and the newborn princess, then turned and walked away into the corridor.

Upon reaching his brother’s quarters, Ciaran signaled the attendant stationed at the heavy doors to announce his presence.

Inside, Sylvian was carefully resting a set of fine brushes upon a lacquer tray.

”Still painting at this hour?” Ciaran inquired, stepping over the threshold.

”Brother!” Sylvian smiled, setting down his palette. ”I assumed you would be occupied with your daughter for the remainder of the day.”

Ciaran offered a light laugh. ”I scarcely realized a full day had slipped past. We have chosen a name for her—Aurelia.”

”It suits her well,” Sylvian agreed, his tone warm. ”Particularly as she is the first princess born to our line in many years.”

”Indeed. Angelina was asking why Miss Iliana has not yet come to pay her respects. Is she remaining within the palace, or have you arranged for her return home?”

”Iliana is here, resting in the guest chambers,” Sylvian replied. ”I took her to view the estate grounds late last evening, and we returned long after dark. I fear the outing proved quite exhausting for her.”

Ciaran smiled knowingly. ”Bring her to the Crown Princess’ quarters this evening. It is only fitting she meet Aurelia before her departure. On another note, what was Father’s word regarding your formal engagement?”

”Father has granted us leave to select the date,” Sylvian answered.

”That is wonderful news,” Ciaran said. ”By the way, when you travel to Varos—as I assume you will to escort Miss Iliana home—pray inform August that I wish him to visit the palace. He, too, should offer his blessings to my daughter. Though her formal ceremony will not take place for another month, I desire his presence sooner. Simply convey to him that it is my personal request.”

The gentle warmth on Sylvian’s face vanished, replaced by a grim resolve.

”Brother, it is far better not to solicit any favors from August,” Sylvian replied in a low voice. ”The rift between us runs too deep. Besides, he is no longer in Varos. He departed for parts unknown without a word to anyone.”

”What? Where could he have gone?” Ciaran frowned. ”Do not tell me the two of you engaged in another quarrel. You, of all people, understand precisely why August harbors such bitterness toward us. He was cast aside and banished. Yes, he attempted to poison me, but that was largely our mother’s doing. Had she not inflicted such profound scars upon his mind, he would be a very different man today.”

Sylvian gazed at his elder brother, realizing with quiet resignation that Ciaran still harbored a soft spot for their outcast half-brother.

”Some bonds, once broken, cannot be restored,” Sylvian stated firmly. ”That is my conviction.”

”Perhaps, but persistent effort may yet soften his heart,” Ciaran insisted. ”Should August return to Varos, pray pass along my invitation all the same.”

”He harbors nothing but malice for us, Brother. You have no conception of the venom he spewed at Iliana when she came to visit me at Damian’s estate,” Sylvian finally confessed in a sharp tone. ”He is wicked in ways you refuse to see. He will not hesitate to wound both you and the Crown Princess with his cruel remarks.”

Ciaran’s brow furrowed heavily. ”What precisely did he say to Miss Iliana?”

”He claimed I was merely spinning illusions for her and that she would end up as nothing more than a mistress,” Sylvian answered, his eyes turning dark. ”He cannot bear to see us thrive.”

Ciaran remained silent for a moment, lost in troubled thought. ”Even so, I cannot imagine he would direct his resentment toward an innocent newborn. August’s anger toward us is not entirely without merit. Ever since Father revealed to me that August’s mother was originally meant to be the Queen, I have felt an even greater weight of guilt. I have not shared this truth with August.”

”Do not even entertain such a thought,” Sylvian warned sternly, his voice hard. ”If he learns of it, he will burn everything to the ground. In certain matters, he is truly capable of pure evil.”

”But—”

”Brother, why do you think Father kept this truth from him?” Sylvian interrupted, his tone sharp with conviction. ”Because Father understands August’s nature. You have no idea how deep his hatred runs, nor how it will burn for eternity. I truly wished for our brotherly bond to mend, but it is beyond salvation now. It is far better to leave this secret buried, the past cannot be altered. Let him pursue whatever path he is on, doing what he does best.”

Ciaran lapsed into silence, though deep within his heart, the conviction remained that August deserved to know the full truth. Perhaps only then could he be freed from the agony that consumed him.

”I hope he finds someone who can love him unconditionally,” Ciaran said softly after a long pause. ”Perhaps then his scars will finally heal.”

”That is impossible. August is incapable of loving anyone. It is written clearly in his eyes,” Sylvian muttered, his jaw clenching in anger. ”Damian and Eilika are far too forgiving. They still cling to the belief that August can change, but I have witnessed his malice firsthand.”

”Alright. Calm down. I didn’t come here to anger you,” Ciaran said. ”Bring Iliana to the Crown Princess’ chamber later.”

”Sure, Brother. And congratulations once again on becoming the father. I’m truly happy for you and sister-in-law,” Sylvian stated, smiling.

”Thank you, Sylvian. Angelina told me to visit mother to tell her about our daughter’s birth but I’m hesitant.” His expressions turned cold. ”I still can’t believe our mother did all of that. But it’s the truth about her.”