The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Why would I have to go to the capital, Your Highness?” Xenia asked immediately, unable to hide her confusion.

”To help me with something,” August replied. ”My father, the King, has chosen a bride for me, but I have no intention of marrying someone of his choosing. I want you to pretend to be my lover for six months. I’ll pay you handsomely for your time, and when the arrangement ends, we’ll part ways amicably and return to our separate lives.”

Xenia’s throat went dry as she listened to his proposal. She had never imagined that Prince August would ask her to pretend to be his lover, even if it was only for a limited time. Of all the things he might have needed her help with, this was the last she had expected.

”I have to leave for the capital in a few hours, so I’ll give you an hour to think it over,” August continued. ”We can have lunch here once we’ve finished these pastries.”

”Why me?” Xenia asked, still struggling to make sense of his offer. ”Why did Your Highness choose me? I’m just a commoner. I don’t know the proper etiquette, I’ve never even been to the capital, and I have little idea how royals and nobles are supposed to interact with one another.”

”Because you won’t fall in love with me,” August replied without hesitation. ”You don’t like me, and I don’t particularly like you either. That’s precisely why I think this arrangement will work. Neither of us will develop unnecessary feelings, and we’ll both get what we want.”

He leaned back in his chair, regarding her with a composed expression.

”You’ll get to experience a life of luxury for a while, and I’ll have a reason to refuse the marriage my father has arranged. Of course, once we go our separate ways, people may gossip about you. I won’t pretend otherwise. But I’ll make sure no one dares to tarnish your reputation, and you’ll have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

He paused before clarifying, ”And to be perfectly clear, we won’t be getting married. We’ll simply pretend to be in love.”

”Why does Your Highness think we won’t fall in love?” Xenia asked, studying his face.

”Have you forgotten our first encounter? You hated me from the moment we met.” August raised an eyebrow. ”You may respect me because of my position in society, but that doesn’t mean you like me. I’m good at reading people’s expressions, Xenia. As for me, falling in love with you is out of the question. Love makes people weak, and you’re far from my type of woman.”

He spoke with such certainty that he failed to notice the feelings she had already developed for him.

”What if I refuse to leave you when the six months are over?” Xenia asked.

August frowned slightly, clearly not expecting her to question him so directly.

”What if I become greedy and refuse to let you go? What will Your Highness do then?” she pressed, holding his gaze without flinching.

”Then I’ll have no choice but to kill you,” August replied coldly, not even blinking as he delivered the threat.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Xenia continued to look at him, though his answer stirred something painful in her heart.

”I thought you wanted to repay me for what I did for your brothers,” August reminded her, bringing up the favour he had done for her family.

Xenia let out a soft chuckle and lowered her eyes briefly. She knew he was reminding her of the debt she had once wanted to repay, but she wasn’t going to agree without setting a few boundaries of her own.

”Alright, Your Highness. I’ll do it, but I have a few conditions.” She raised her gaze to meet his. ”My brothers must never find out about this arrangement. We’ll also need a convincing story to make the King believe we’re genuinely in love. And if I have to travel to the capital, my younger sister must come with me. She can’t sleep without me.”

She paused, watching his expression. ”Will Your Highness agree to these conditions?”

”Fine,” August replied without much hesitation. ”It’s not as though we’ll be staying in the palace. We’ll return as soon as I’ve finished speaking with the King.”

Xenia nodded, though a part of her remained uneasy about what she had just agreed to. She had no idea what awaited her in the capital, but she had to repay him now he mentioned it.

”I won’t eat these. I need to figure out how to convince my brothers, so I’ll take some time to speak with them,” Xenia said, rising from her chair.

”I’ll talk to them,” August offered confidently. ”They’ll let you come with me once I’ve spoken to them.”

”If you speak to them in that arrogant tone of yours, they might not believe a word you say,” Xenia pointed out.

August frowned, clearly taken aback by her remark. ”Arrogant tone?”

”Yes, an arrogant tone,” Xenia replied without hesitation. ”You need to learn to soften your voice first. My brothers are good at reading people’s expressions, too. They won’t be easily convinced if you speak to them the way you speak to everyone else.”

”I’m quite good at softening my tone,” August replied, finally rising from his chair.

He stepped closer to her, reducing the distance between them before gently lifting her chin with his fingers. Xenia’s breath caught at the unexpected gesture, but she tried not to let her surprise show.

”However, you should learn to soften your tone when you speak to me,” he added, studying her face with a faint frown. ”You sound as though you’re rather upset with me.”

Xenia looked away. ”I am not. I merely tried to tell the truth to the prince. My brothers may not believe us if you speak in that tone. Rest is upto you.”

August let go of her chin and said, ”Let’s finish our pastries first, then will talk about the story we need to present to your brothers.”