The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Xenia paced back and forth across the small courtyard outside her house, glancing repeatedly toward the wooden gate as she waited for her brothers and little sister to arrive. Her hands were clasped nervously in front of her, and she struggled to remain still. She had no idea how her brothers would react when they learned about the arrangement she had made with Prince August.

Inside the room, August sat in a chair near the window with his eyes closed. He appeared perfectly at ease, as though he had no reason to be concerned about the conversation that awaited them.

The sound of approaching horses caught his attention, and he opened his eyes. Through the window, he saw Xenia hurry toward the wooden gate as her family arrived. A few moments later, she returned with her brothers.

”I’ll put Lara to bed,” Charlie announced, glancing at his brothers before leading their little sister inside.

Oliver turned toward Xenia and lowered his voice. ”You haven’t done anything wrong, have you?”

”I swear I haven’t,” Xenia replied quickly, looking at him with an earnest expression.

”Then what is going on?” Thomas asked, his brows drawing together as he tried to make sense of the situation.

”You’ll find out inside. Prince August is waiting for all of you,” Xenia explained before leading her brothers toward the room.

August was still seated near the window when they entered. As soon as the brothers stepped inside, they approached him and greeted him respectfully. August rose from his chair to acknowledge them, maintaining his usual composed expression.

Charlie, who had briefly stepped away to put Lara to bed, soon joined them. He entered the room, noticed the prince standing before them, and bowed respectfully.

”Your Highness,” he greeted. ”May I ask why we have been summoned so suddenly, Your Highness?” Charlie asked respectfully. ”I hope Xenia hasn’t caused you any trouble. If she has, I sincerely apologize on her behalf.”

He lowered his gaze, unwilling to risk offending the prince, while his brothers stood quietly beside him.

”Your sister has troubled my heart,” August declared with a smile.

The five brothers stared at him in disbelief before turning toward Xenia. She was equally stunned by his words. She had never told August anything of the sort, so she couldn’t understand why he would make such a claim in front of her family.

”I like Xenia,” August continued, pausing briefly before correcting himself with a convincing smile. ”No, I love her.”

He delivered the confession with such confidence that anyone listening would have believed every word. Then he walked toward Xenia and stopped in front of her, holding out his hand. Before she could gather her thoughts, he took hers in his own and turned toward her brothers.

”Tell your brothers, Xenia. We don’t need to hide our relationship anymore.”

Xenia blinked rapidly, struggling to keep up with his sudden performance. A blush spread across her cheeks as she felt the weight of her brothers’ astonished gazes.

August’s hand was warm around hers, and although she knew he was merely pretending, the words ’I love her’ continued to echo in her mind.

One of her brothers suddenly broke the silence.

”I told you Xenia was in love!” he exclaimed excitedly, looking between her and August. ”That’s why she hasn’t been eating properly!”

His words only made Xenia’s embarrassment worse. She wished she could disappear into the floor, especially when her brothers began looking at her with renewed interest.

”How did this happen? I mean, Your Highness, why would you fall for my sister?” Henry asked, eyeing August with suspicion. Of all the brothers, he was perhaps the most protective of Xenia, and he wasn’t about to accept the prince’s confession without a proper explanation.

”Tell your brother,” August said, drawing Xenia closer to him.

She found herself standing in front of the prince, her hand still held in his, with all five of her brothers waiting for an answer. She swallowed nervously before gathering the courage to speak.

”It started when Prince August saved your lives, Brother Henry and Brother Charlie,” Xenia began. ”I’m sorry for keeping this from all of you. I was worried about how you would react, and I didn’t know how to tell you.”

She glanced at each of her brothers, trying to gauge their reactions before continuing.

”I know it isn’t easy to believe me, but I’m telling the truth. Prince August is the kind of man I’ve always admired. After he saved you both, we met again here in Varos a few days ago. Then we had another encounter, and...” She hesitated, feeling her cheeks grow warmer as she struggled to continue under their watchful gazes. ”Somehow, we grew closer. His Highness realized he was attracted to me and eventually proposed that we be together.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xenia lowered her gaze, hoping her brothers wouldn’t question her further. She could only hope that August’s convincing performance would be enough to make them believe her story.

”But Your Highness, you come from the royal family. Are you certain you can be with our sister?” Henry asked, his suspicion giving way to genuine concern.

He knew there was a considerable difference between their humble background and the world August belonged to. Even if the prince’s feelings were sincere, the royal family might not accept a commoner as his partner.

”I may belong to the royal family, but I am not particularly respected within the palace,” August replied calmly. ”Besides, I am not a man who allows others to dictate whom I should choose. Once I have made up my mind, I don’t turn back so easily. I will not let go of your sister’s hand.”

He tightened his hold on Xenia’s hand slightly, making his declaration seem all the more sincere.

Her brothers exchanged glances, apparently reassured by his firm response. Xenia, however, felt her heart sink.

Henry was the one who worried about her the most, and she knew he would be deeply hurt when the truth eventually came to light.

In six months, she and August would part ways.

She lowered her gaze, concealing the sadness that threatened to show on her face.

”I’ve lived in isolation for a long time. I never felt the kind of warmth I felt in Xenia’s presence,” August lied further. It was the only way to convince them and take Xenia to palace to stop his father.