The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”The weather is quite pleasant today, isn’t it, dear?” Georgia remarked as she took another sip of tea. She gently lowered the cup onto its saucer before turning her attention to Eilika. ”You hardly ever spend time with the other noble ladies. I wonder why you keep your distance from them.”

”Mother, most of their conversations are about things I have no interest in hearing,” Eilika replied with a small smile. ”I would rather keep to myself than spend hours listening to gossip. Besides, I have plenty of responsibilities to attend to. Roman’s examinations are approaching, and I still need to finish knitting a sweater for him before the first snowfall of the season.”

Georgia paused, her teacup halfway to her lips.

”You’re knitting a sweater yourself?” she asked, looking genuinely surprised.

”That’s truly kind of you, Eilika.” Georgia’s expression softened as she looked at her daughter-in-law. Taking a deep breath, she continued, ”You’ve brought so much warmth into that child’s life. Every time I see Roman smile, it fills my heart with joy. The little things you do for him mean more than you realize.”

”I wish my mother had made something like this for me, too.”

August’s voice reached them from the entrance, causing both women to turn their heads. He stood nearby, having caught the tail end of their conversation.

Eilika’s eyes immediately settled on him, and a small smile appeared on her face. She was relieved to see him looking unharmed, especially after everything that had happened recently.

”Good morning, Aunt Georgia,” August greeted her before shifting his gaze toward Eilika.

”Good morning, Prince August,” Georgia replied warmly. She turned to the tea server standing nearby and instructed, ”Pour a cup of tea for him.”

”I know how to knit, but age has made it difficult for me to concentrate for long. My eyes ache if I spend too much time on such work,” Georgia explained with a gentle smile. ”Otherwise, I would have knitted a sweater for you myself, August.”

”Thank you for saying that, Aunt Georgia,” August replied warmly as he accepted the saucer from the maid.

Georgia smiled at him before suddenly glancing toward the door, as though she had just remembered something important. ”I’ve just remembered that I need to look into a few matters. I’ve finished my tea, anyway, so I’ll leave you two to enjoy yours. I’ll see you both at the dinner table.”

With that, the Dowager Duchess rose from her seat. August and Eilika immediately stood as a mark of respect and remained standing until she had left the room. Only when Georgia was no longer within their view did they settle back into their seats.

August picked up his teacup and took a sip before turning toward Eilika.

”Thank you for last night. The curfew you ordered made my work much easier.”

Eilika looked at him with interest. ”Were you able to catch the person you were looking for, Your Highness?”

”Yes.” August set his cup down briefly. ”And, as Louis advised, I decided against making a public scene this time. Instead, I involved the military. I thought it would be a better way to expose the drug trade and deal with those responsible through the proper authorities.”

Eilika hummed thoughtfully, appreciating the reasoning behind his decision.

”I’m glad you considered Louis’s advice,” she remarked with a faint smile.

”I didn’t have to involve Xenia in the matter after all,” August remarked as he reached for his teacup again.

”That’s true,” Eilika agreed. After a brief pause, she asked, ”By the way, where does Xenia live?”

”I don’t know,” August replied, glancing at her curiously. ”Why do you ask?”

”I was thinking of visiting her. She seems like a lovely person, and I believe having her as a friend would be a blessing.” Eilika smiled as she spoke, genuinely interested in getting to know the young woman better.

August stared at her for a moment before letting out a short chuckle. He took another long sip of tea and lowered his cup onto the saucer.

”Why would you choose a commoner as your friend when you have so many noblewomen around you?” he asked, sounding more puzzled than disapproving.

Eilika raised an eyebrow at him. ”Do you think I discriminate against people because of their social standing, Your Highness?”

”Not at all,” August replied promptly. ”I know you don’t think that way. But you’re a Duchess, Eilika, and Xenia is a commoner. If people discover that the two of you are friends, she might become the subject of gossip. You know how cruel some nobles can be when they find something to talk about.”

He paused before continuing, his tone becoming more serious.

”She has a large family to look after, including a younger sister. I wouldn’t want her to face unnecessary trouble because of her association with you. I’m only pointing out what might happen. In the end, the decision is yours.”

Eilika listened quietly, considering his concerns. ”Prince August seems to know quite a lot about her,” Eilika remarked, watching him with a curious smile.

”That’s because I happen to be staying at the rest house owned by her brothers,” August explained. ”She’s a fierce woman, and I like people who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. Though, she was absolutely infuriating when I first met her.”

Eilika couldn’t help smiling at his admission. ”So, there is a woman in this world who can annoy you, Prince August.”

”Of course there is!” August replied, letting out a brief laugh. However, his amusement faded when he noticed the knowing expression on her face. He narrowed his eyes slightly, growing suspicious. ”Wait a moment. Why are you asking me so many questions about Xenia?”

”Because I think she has feelings for you,” Eilika answered calmly.

August stared at her before bursting into laughter. ”What? That’s impossible!” He shook his head in disbelief, still smiling as he leaned back in his chair. ”Are you serious? How could you possibly know that? Did she tell you herself?”

”No, she didn’t,” Eilika replied. ”But sometimes, a person’s eyes reveal what they are too afraid to say aloud.”

August’s smile faltered slightly as he considered her words.

”She was willing to risk her life for you, Prince August,” Eilika continued. ”You once asked me whether there was someone out there who would be willing to do such a thing for you. Someone who would put herself in danger because she cared about you.”

She held his gaze for a moment before adding, ”I believe that person might be Xenia.”

August fell silent, his fingers resting against the handle of his teacup. He had never considered Xenia in that way.

To him, she had always been the stubborn young woman who challenged him at every turn and refused to back down, no matter how much he irritated her.

”But I don’t like her,” August stated. ”I am unable to love someone in this life.”