The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Xenia was serving breakfast to her brothers and younger sister when she overheard them discussing the nobles raising flags against August.

”Where did you hear that?” she asked, turning her gaze toward her fifth brother, Ethan.

”I was at a nobleman’s estate yesterday to deliver an order,” Ethan replied between bites. ”I saw the commotion myself.”

”Why are you only mentioning this now?” Xenia questioned.

”It simply slipped my mind until now,” Ethan said with a shrug.

”Are you not going to eat?” Henry asked, looking up at her with a concerned expression. ”Sit down and join us. For days now, you have been barely touching your food, as if you have completely lost your appetite.”

Xenia sat down as Charlie ladled a portion of oat porridge into her bowl. ”Eat this.”

She picked up her spoon without a word and began to eat, her mind drifting back to August and the news of the nobles rising against him.

Once breakfast was finished, her five brothers gathered around the basin to clear and wash the dishes together, while Xenia led young Lara back to their room. She stood by as the girl brushed her teeth, then carefully wiped her mouth dry.

”Today, we need to sell as many of these lamps as we can,” Xenia said.

”But sister, are we not helping our brothers at the restaurant today?” Lara asked, looking up in confusion.

”We did not spend the last two days crafting these lamps without a purpose,” Xenia explained gently. ”I intend to start a business of our own.” She looked toward the corner of the room where the fresh batch of lamps stood stacked and neat. ”If this turns into a fair profit, we can ease the burden on our brothers and bring extra coins into the house.”

”That is a wonderful idea, sister,” Lara said, her face brightening with a smile.

Xenia set to work carefully packing the lamps into woven baskets before hauling them out toward the handcart parked near the door.

”What are you two up to?” Henry asked, stepping out from the kitchen wiping his hands on a towel.

”We are going to sell lamps, Brother,” Lara announced proudly.

”Lamps? What for?”

”I simply wanted to put my hands to good use,” Xenia explained, adjusting the canvas cover over the cart. ”Lamps are always in demand, and with the winter settling in, people will be needing the extra light and warmth.”

Outside, Lara was already busy settling the basket securely into the wooden cart.

”Don’t tell me you intend to push that cart to the local market every day,” Henry said, crossing his arms.

Behind him, the remaining four brothers emerged from their rooms, dressed and ready to leave for the restaurant to begin the day’s prep.

”I am more than strong enough for it,” Xenia replied with a reassuring smile.

Lara came hurrying back inside and caught hold of her sister’s hand. ”Let’s go, sister. We cannot be late!” the girl urged, pulling Xenia toward the doorway.

”Yes, we are off. See you all later!” Xenia called out, giving her brothers a quick wave before letting Lara lead her through the wooden gates.

Henry watched them leave with a slight frown. ”What are those two up to? I should go after them.”

”Let the girls be,” Charlie advised, resting a hand on his brother’s shoulder. ”They wish to stand on their own feet. We cannot hold them back from finding their own way to earn.”

”Charlie is right,” Thomas stated, the fourth brother.

”Hmm. It is just I am worried for those two,” Henry murmured with a heavy sigh.

~~~~~~

In the Duke’s mansion, the royal physician arrived and was conversing with Georgia when Eilika entered the drawing room.

”My dear, Doctor Vance has come with the King’s approval to examine your father,” Georgia said, gesturing toward the guest. ”Why don’t you accompany him to your father’s estate? I have already prepared a carriage for you both.”

”Thank you, Mother,” Eilika replied, turning her gaze to the middle-aged physician. ”Though Doctor Vance may wish to rest first after his journey.”

”Rest assured, Your Grace, I am not tired,” Doctor Vance replied politely. ”We ought to hurry to see your father. Any unnecessary delay could complicate his treatment.”

”Very well. Then let us leave at once,” Eilika said. She bowed respectfully to her mother-in-law before leading the royal physician outside, where the motorcar stood waiting. Doctor Vance took his seat in the front beside the driver, while Eilika settled into the back.

The motorcar glided through the estate gates and, within half an hour, pulled up outside her father’s residence.

Rosaline came out to greet them as they arrived, bowing her head first to her sister and then to the royal physician.

She led them directly to the chamber where Wilfred lay resting. Before stepping through the doorway, Doctor Vance tied a linen mask over his mouth and turned to stop Eilika.

”I must ask that you remain outside, Your Grace,” he said firmly.

Doctor Vance stepped out after fifteen minutes, accompanied by the two attending physicians. ”I have examined Mr. Wolanski,” he said, turning to Eilika. ”His condition is grave. The heavy smoking has severely aggravated the infection in his lungs. Fortunately, the medicine dispatched from the capital has arrived and will offer him much-needed relief. Because of the swift treatment he received early on, the disease has not yet reached its terminal stage, though curing it will still be a delicate matter, Your Grace.”

”What is your prognosis, Doctor Vance?” Eilika asked.

”A strict, nourishing diet, meticulous hygiene, and uncompromised adherence to the prescribed regimen,” Doctor Vance replied. ”It will take at least three months for the lungs to clear. With the winter chill settling in, the cold air will only complicate his recovery.”

”So Father will recover,” she said, seeking confirmation, ”it will simply take time.”

”Yes, Your Grace,” Doctor Vance agreed with a reassuring nod. ”The physicians attending him are exceptionally capable. With their careful monitoring, Mr. Wolanski will recover. It is paramount that the strictly prescribed precautions are maintained without exception.”