The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Xenia was escorted into the local police station, a dark, bustling hall filled with petty thieves and brawlers awaiting judgment.

”Sit there,” the constable said, gesturing toward a worn wooden bench along the wall.

”Just let me leave,” Xenia argued, remaining on her feet. ”I committed no crime. I merely defended myself when that man laid a hand on my coat!”

”Silence, woman. Do not instruct us on how to carry out the law,” the second constable barked.

Before the argument could escalate, their senior officer stepped out from his office. Both constables immediately snapped to attention and offered a salute.

”Why have you brought a woman into the station?” the officer demanded, looking between Xenia and the officers.

”Sir, she thrashed three men in the street and stirred up a public disturbance,” the constable reported.

”Do not twist the truth,” Xenia interjected firmly. ”Those thugs cornered us on an isolated path and tried to extort money from me, and from those three men as well.”

Xenia stood up, her gaze steady as she looked at the officer. ”Isn’t it your responsibility to protect us from such thugs? We work hard from sunrise to dusk, only to be looted by criminals on our way home. Your constables were failing to do their duty.”

”What is the meaning of this commotion?” Inspector Kenneth asked, stepping out of his private office accompanied by August and Samir.

August paused, caught off guard once again to find Xenia in a place like this.

The two constables scrambled to explain themselves to their superior. ”Sir, this woman refused to cooperate with our questioning, so we had no choice but to bring her in.”

”She fought off a group of thugs and protected three innocent citizens, and your instinct was to arrest her?” August demanded, his tone dropping into a dangerous glare that made the constables freeze.

”She was breaking the law, Your Highness! One cannot simply thrash people in the streets,” the constable attempted to justify their actions.

”Inspector Kenneth, your officers are severely misguided,” August said, shifting his sharp gaze to the senior officer. ”They arrest citizens who act in self-defense, yet turn a blind eye to the criminals preying on them. Even your station failed to protect a prisoner while in custody. A lot of you deserve to be demoted. Fortunately, the Duchess has returned, and I shall certainly ensure she is informed of this negligence.”

”Your Highness, I beg you to forgive these foolish juniors,” Inspector Kenneth said quickly, bowing his head in immediate panic.

”Release them at once, and throw those thugs into the cells,” Inspector Kenneth ordered hastily.

Xenia’s wrists were freed from the iron cuffs. Meanwhile, August had already strode out of the station with Samir at his heels. She hurried after them, bursting through the doors just in time to intercept the carriage before the coachman could spur the horses forward. Stepping up to the door, she knocked firmly on the wood until the carriage window slid open.

”Yes?” August murmured, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead.

”Your Highness, thank you for intervening back there,” Xenia said, offering a small, grateful smile.

”Get in,” August said.

”Pardon me?” Xenia froze, her eyes widening as the door swung open and Samir stepped down onto the cobblestones.

”Get in, Miss Xenia,” Samir repeated, stepping aside to hold the carriage door open.

Realizing she could hardly refuse a royal directive, Xenia climbed into the plush interior. Before she could fully process the situation, the door clicked shut from the outside, and Samir took his seat up front alongside the driver.

”Your Highness, where are you taking me?” Xenia asked, her chest tightening with apprehension.

”To your home,” August replied calmly. ”Open the small shutter behind you and direct the coachman.”

Nodding, she hastily slid open the hatch, relayed the route to the driver, and pulled it closed again. As the carriage jolted forward, she gripped the fabric of her skirt tightly to steady her nerves.

”So, you are trained in self-defense as well,” August mused, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he finally turned his gaze toward her. ”You truly have a knack for finding trouble, don’t you?”

”I did not go looking for trouble, Your Highness,” Xenia defended herself, meeting his gaze. ”I swear I was simply making my way home with my sister after a day in the market when those men blocked our path and demanded half of our earnings. I refused to hand over our hard work, so I fought back.”

”Did it not occur to you that they could have seriously harmed you?” August asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

”I am more than capable of taking care of myself,” Xenia answered without hesitation.

A subtle, genuine smile broke across August’s face. He was astonished that a woman could carry such unshakeable confidence in front of him.

Xenia, catching sight of that rare expression, found herself momentarily spellbound by the smile in his face.

”What are you staring at?” August asked, his brow raising slightly.

”Ah... nothing,” Xenia stammered, a sudden warmth rushing to her cheeks as she quickly averted her eyes toward the passing streets.

”I need your help with something,” August said, his tone shifting into something far more solemn. ”Will you lend me your assistance?”

”My help?” Xenia looked back at him, a willing smile returning to her lips. ”Of course. It would be my honor, Your Highness.”

”Do not accept so readily,” August warned, his eyes searching her face. ”It is a dangerous undertaking. One that could cost you your life.”

Xenia’s smile faded, replaced by a sudden stillness. ”What exactly does His Highness mean?”

”I want you to enter someone’s house and gather intel for me. I’ll pay you handsomely. I believe there’s no one more capable than you of performing this task. You can think about it tonight and tell me your decision tomorrow. Samir will come to see you,” he asserted.

”I will do it,” Xenia stated. ”I can do anything for you.”