The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Iliana was looking at the last of the miniature portraits she had made of her father and her late sister when the door suddenly opened.

Startled, she quickly placed the portraits inside the large wooden box on the table. However, she wasn’t quick enough to hide them before Sylvian caught sight of what she had been holding.

”You’re back!” she exclaimed, closing the lid of the box before rising to her feet.

”Yes. I brought you some cream buns,” Sylvian replied, handing her the paper parcel he carried.

Iliana accepted it, but before she could say anything else, Sylvian’s gaze fell on the wooden box.

”What were you looking at?” he asked curiously.

”Nothing, just a few things,” Iliana replied, avoiding his gaze as she turned toward the kitchen.

She placed the parcel aside and fetched a glass of water for him. By the time she returned, Sylvian had already taken a seat.

”Here.”

”Thank you.” He accepted the glass and took a few slow sips before setting it back on the table.

His gaze briefly returned to the wooden box. He had clearly seen her hiding something inside it, and her hurried movements suggested that whatever it contained was important to her. However, noticing her reluctance to explain, he decided not to question her just yet.

”Are you ready to leave tomorrow?” Sylvian asked.

”Yes. I’ve packed almost everything,” Iliana replied.

Sylvian looked at her for a moment before lowering his gaze.

”I think I rushed you into this arrangement. I’m sorry that my visits drew the attention of your neighbours. I made things difficult for you when I should have been more careful.” He paused, his expression clouding with guilt. ”You’ll miss this place more than I can ever understand.”

Iliana studied his face, noticing the regret in his voice. She knew how much he had been worrying about the difficulties she had faced because of their relationship.

”That’s true,” she admitted. ”I’ll miss this place. It holds so many memories for me as it’s my home where I grew up, and leaving it won’t be easy. However, I’m ready to walk a new path as long as you’ll be walking beside me, Prince Sylvian.”

His eyes lifted to meet hers.

”I know how genuine and sincere you are toward me from the beginning,” she continued. ”You’ve tried doing household chores that you’ve never had to do before. You’re even willing to learn things you’ve never done in your life, simply because you want to understand my world and share my responsibilities.”

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

”For that, I’m grateful. Not every man is willing to make such an effort for the woman he loves, let alone a prince or a nobleman who has always had servants to attend to his needs.”

Sylvian remained quiet, touched by her words. Iliana gently took his hand.

”I may be leaving behind the place where I grew up, but I’m not walking into an uncertain future alone. I’m going with you, and that’s what gives me the courage to take this step.”

Sylvian smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

”And I promise you that I’ll never let you feel alone.”

His gaze drifted toward the wooden box on the table once more.

”These are miniature portraits of my family,” Iliana explained after a moment. ”I was too young to remember my mother, but my father and sister were always there for me. I made their portraits to preserve the memories I have of them.”

She pulled the wooden box closer and carefully opened its lid.

Inside lay several small portraits, their edges worn and their paper having turned yellowish brown with age. Iliana handled them gently, as though they were far more precious than anything else she owned.

Sylvian picked up one of the portraits and examined it closely. The delicate strokes and careful details revealed how much effort she had put into capturing each face. There was something deeply personal about the way she had drawn them, something that went beyond artistic skill.

He could almost feel the affection she had poured into every line.

”My sister would have been so happy if she were still alive,” Iliana whispered.

Her voice faltered, and tears gathered along the edges of her eyes and clung to her lashes. She lowered her head, trying to contain her emotions, but the memories were too precious for her to speak of them without feeling the pain of their absence.

”Your sister must still be watching over you from somewhere, and so must your father,” Sylvian said gently.

”Hmm. That’s how I always feel blessed. Even after they were gone, I somehow managed to stand on my own feet and support myself,” Iliana replied with a warm smile.

”That’s true. You’ve been a warrior in your own way, and I’m certain they would be proud of the woman you’ve become,” Sylvian said.

He glanced at the portraits once more before turning back to her.

”We’ll keep visiting your house even after we get married. Perhaps we can come here whenever we need some time alone together,” he added with a playful smile.

Iliana smiled at his suggestion, but her expression soon turned thoughtful.

”I don’t know if we’ll have much time to visit once you become the Duke of the Western Province,” she said. ”The higher a person’s position, the greater their responsibilities. You’ll have lands to manage, people depending on you, and matters that will require your attention every day.”

Sylvian listened without interrupting. He knew she wasn’t complaining; she was simply aware of the life that awaited them.

”Then we’ll make time,” he replied firmly. ”My responsibilities may increase, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop making time for you. I promised you that I will embrace everything that comes with you.”

Iliana hummed and smiled brighter. ”I would like to buy a present for young master Roman. Last time I met him and was empty-handed. Please go with me in the evening to the market.”

”Sure,” Sylvian agreed.