The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Roman, why don’t you talk to me anymore?” Rosaline asked, looking at the little boy seated across from her on the sofa.

”Because Auntie tried to hurt my mother. I haven’t forgotten that,” Roman replied, giving her a pointed look.

Rosaline’s expression fell. She had expected him to be distant, but hearing the reason directly from him made her feel even more ashamed of her past actions.

”I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart, young lord. Please forgive me. I know I was wrong, and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way,” she explained, hoping he would understand that she regretted what she had done.

Roman merely frowned, struggling to make sense of her explanation. He was still too young to understand the complexities of adult regrets and apologies, but he knew one thing with certainty.

”Whoever doesn’t like my mama is my enemy, too,” he declared firmly.

Rosaline’s eyes widened in shock.

”Enemy?” she repeated, clearly hurt by his words. ”Roman, that hurts. You shouldn’t call me your enemy.”

The little boy looked at her without changing his expression.

”Then you shouldn’t have tried to hurt my mama.”

Rosaline fell silent, unable to argue with him. She had hoped that an apology would be enough to mend their relationship, but Roman was not ready to forgive her simply because she had admitted her mistake.

”What should I do to earn your forgiveness, then?” Rosaline asked softly, hoping the little boy might give her a chance to make amends.

”There’s nothing you can do, Auntie,” Roman replied firmly.

Rosaline’s shoulders slumped slightly at his answer. Before she could say anything else, the servant standing nearby stepped forward with a plate of freshly baked cookies.

”Young Lord, why don’t you try these? They’re freshly baked and have chocolate in them,” the servant suggested, holding the plate out to him.

Roman’s attention immediately shifted to the cookies. He leaned forward and picked one up before taking a small bite.

The sweetness of the chocolate pleased him, and he chewed happily before taking another bite.

~~~~

Back in Wilfred’s bedroom, Susan finally joined the conversation, unable to keep her thoughts to herself any longer.

”We’re glad to see that the Duke’s family treats you so well, Eilika,” she said warmly. ”But I must say, your own kind heart is one of the reasons they care for you so much.”

Eilika offered her a small smile, but before she could respond, Wilfred spoke again.

”The Duke even extended his help to me before leaving for the Northern Province,” he said. ”I know you must have spoken to him on my behalf. Thank you for that.”

”No, Father. I didn’t ask him to do it,” Eilika clarified. ”Damian wanted to help you of his own accord, although I did tell him how badly you had been struggling. He later informed me that you had paid the fine and returned the money you owed to those people.”

Wilfred nodded slowly, taking in her words.

”Whatever the reason, the Duke helped us because of you,” he insisted. ”You may not have asked him directly, but I know that having you as his wife made a difference.”

Eilika fell silent for a moment. Her father had undoubtedly changed his attitude toward her. The man who had once been so concerned with his own interests was now expressing gratitude and acknowledging the kindness she had received from Damian. She was relieved to see the change.

”Has the Duke returned?” Wilfred asked after a brief pause.

”No. He may remain there for another two weeks,” Eilika replied. ”He sent me here as soon as we received the message about your illness.”

”I see.”

Wilfred began fiddling with his fingers. After a moment, he glanced at Susan, who gave him a subtle gesture as though encouraging him to ask something. He shook his head slightly, reluctant to bring up the subject.

Susan, however, seemed unwilling to let the matter rest.

”Dear, you and the Duke will soon have been married for more than three months, yet we haven’t heard any good news from you,” she said carefully. ”We hope everything is going well between the two of you.”

Eilika lifted her head and looked at Susan, trying to gauge her genuine reaction. She wasn’t sure whether the woman was simply curious about their marriage or whether she was hoping for news of a child.

”That’s a private matter between the Duke and me,” Eilika replied. ”But rest assured, our marriage is going well.”

”Then it’s time you started thinking about having a child. If you give him a son, then—”

Susan abruptly stopped when she noticed Eilika’s sharp gaze fixed on her.

”What exactly are you trying to say, Madam Susan?” Eilika asked, her voice calm but firm.

”Ah, I simply...” Susan hesitated, visibly uncomfortable under her stare. ”You know how people think. You’re the Duchess, after all. If you give the Duke sons, people will regard you as a more influential woman. I didn’t mean anything wrong by it.”

”Did you ever regret having Rosaline?” Eilika asked suddenly. ”Answer me.”

Susan stared at her, taken aback by the unexpected question.

”No. Why would I?” she murmured.

”Then the same applies to me,” Eilika replied without hesitation. ”I don’t care whether I have a son or a daughter. That’s a private matter between the Duke and me, and we have no intention of letting other people’s opinions dictate our lives.”

She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.

”Most importantly, we already have Roman. He’s our son, and we love him dearly. I don’t need to prove my worth as a wife or as a Duchess by just focusing on having sons. I don’t understand why people are obsessed with only having boys when the daughters can be equally great. Grow up, Madam Susan and you too, Father.”

She then stood up from the chair. ”I leave you to rest, Father. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to inform me. I’ll keep visiting you.” With that, she turned and walked out of the room.