The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Your Grace, the snow has already started falling earlier than expected this year,” Maurice began, turning slightly in his seat to face him. ”I believe this conference of the provinces needs to be concluded as quickly as possible. Once the mountain passes freeze and the roads become blocked, it will be exceedingly difficult for us to return to Varos in a timely manner.”

”Yes, we discussed that very concern during today’s session. I expect we will be convening the final assembly by the end of this week. A formal letter informing His Majesty has already been dispatched,” Damian replied, adjusting the muffler higher around his neck to block out the chill.

He looked at his loyal bodyguard, his brow furrowing slightly in disapproval. ”I instructed you to rest today, Maurice. Yet here you are, coming all this way to pick me up when you returned only last night.”

”Your Grace, I am trained for this. Please, do not worry for my sake,” Maurice said softly.

Damian did not press the argument any further. Leaning back against the leather seat of the car, he closed his eyes for a moment before turning his gaze toward the frosted window pane.

Outside, delicate white flakes were swirling through the gray afternoon sky, painting the winter landscape in soft hush.

His mind naturally drifted away, wandering back toward Eilika.

’I wonder if her father’s health has improved by now,’ he thought silently, watching the snow accumulate along the window ledge. ’If she were here with me, we would have gone out into the gardens to play in the snow. Watching the season’s first snowfall together here would have been wonderful.’

A faint sigh escaped his lips. Shaking his head slightly to clear the sudden wave of longing, he offered himself a comforting thought. ’Then I will share the season’s first snowfall with her once I return to Varos. Roman will be there too.’

Damian lowered his gaze to his hand rested on his lap. His thumb gently brushed against his polished wedding ring, and a smile softened the weary lines of his face.

The motorcar came to a halt in front of the cottage, and Damian stepped out, heading straight inside as Maurice followed closely behind.

As Damian removed his coat, the butler took it with a respectful bow. ”Your Grace, a letter arrived for you earlier. It is from the Duchess.”

”Where is it?” Damian asked.

”I have placed it in your room, Your Grace.”

Without waiting another second, Damian went upstairs. Stepping into his room, his gaze fell upon the sealed envelope resting on the desk. He picked it up, broke the seal, and unfolded the parchment.

Reading her words that her father’s treatment would take time, but that he would recover brought an immediate wave of relief.

”Her mind will be more at ease now,” he murmured softly.

Lowering himself onto the recliner, he let the letter rest on the small table beside it and closed his eyes. ”I miss you, Eilika,” he whispered.

~~~~~

”Your Grace, it is good to see you back,” Louis said, offering a warm smile and a respectful bow to Eilika. Evening had settled over the estate, casting a cool gray twilight through the high windows beneath a sky blanketed in light clouds.

”Louis, it is wonderful to see you as well,” Eilika replied, rising gracefully from the drawing room couch. ”I have been eager to speak with you regarding an important matter. Please, follow me.”

She led the way down the corridor toward August’s chamber.

Reaching his room, she knocked gently on the heavy oak door. A moment later, it pulled open.

”Louis is here,” Eilika said.

August opened the door fully, stepping aside to let them enter. As Eilika walked in, her gaze caught an open bottle of wine resting on the small table, an empty glass placed beside it.

”Your Highness, good evening,” Louis greeted warmly, offering a respectful bow.

”Good evening, Louis,” August replied, gesturing toward the armchairs. He poured a glass and offered it to Louis, who accepted and took a seat beside Eilika.

August turned to her with a subtle, musing smirk. ”Eilika, you do not drink, do you?”

”Drinking in excess damages your health, Your Highness,” Eilika answered flatly.

August let out a soft chuckle as he poured his own glass, instantly recalling Roman’s stern little speech from a few days ago regarding the dangers of smoking.

”Roman speaks your exact language,” August remarked, taking his seat and casually crossing one leg over the other.

Eilika’s brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing slightly. ”What does Your Highness mean by that? Have you been drinking in front of my son?”

”No,” August replied plainly. ”Roman walked into my room one day and caught me smoking. Then, exactly like his mother, he proceeded to lecture me on how it destroys one’s health.”

”Then do not smoke, Your Highness,” she countered without hesitation. ”And I have noticed on past occasions as well, you consume far too much alcohol. I am aware it may not be my place to lecture you, but excess in anything will inevitably harm you.”

August merely raised his glass in silent acknowledgement, offering no further defense.

Turning her focus toward Louis, Eilika’s expression turned serious. ”Tell me, Louis, what exactly has transpired here in Varos that has caused such deep displeasure among the nobility toward Prince August?”

”Prince August decided to investigate and identify the nobles who acquired their wealth through illicit means. They raised banners against His Highness after he arrested a few of them,” Louis explained. ”Although Prince August has since released them, I believe they are still plotting against him. I should inform Your Grace that the Duke is also involved in this investigation, though he has been conducting his inquiry quietly.”

Eilika shifted in her seat, her brow furrowing as she looked between Louis and August. ”So Damian is looking into the same shadow trade. Does he know how deep this runs?”

”He suspects enough to proceed with extreme caution,” Louis replied. ”Which is precisely why His Grace preferred to move quietly rather than draw immediate retaliation.”