The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Henry returned to the small living room with Xenia following close behind. The others turned toward them, waiting to see whether the conversation had settled Henry’s concerns.

”We’ve talked,” Henry announced before looking directly at August. His expression remained serious, and he made no effort to hide the concern he felt for his younger sister.

”Your Highness, please don’t hurt my sister. If she has chosen you, then I have no reason to object. She also told me that you want no one else in your life but her.”

August’s gaze shifted to Xenia. She immediately looked away, unable to meet his eyes after hearing her own words repeated in front of everyone.

”Of course!” August replied without hesitation. His tone was firm, and he wore a confident smile, as though Henry’s concerns were entirely unnecessary. He kept his expression composed. He knew he had to maintain the impression that his feelings for Xenia were genuine.

”My father has summoned me to the palace,” August began, addressing the brothers. ”I know everything is happening rather suddenly, but I want to take Xenia with me. I intend to tell my father that I have feelings for her and that I wish to marry her in the future.”

The brothers exchanged astonished glances. They had expected the prince to confess his feelings, but they hadn’t imagined he would speak of marriage so soon.

”Are you serious, Your Highness?” Ethan asked, his face lighting up with excitement. He turned toward Xenia, barely able to contain his happiness. ”Our sister might actually marry a prince! What could be more honorable than that?”

He then looked at Henry with a triumphant grin. ”You were worrying for nothing, Brother. His Highness is even willing to marry Xenia. Doesn’t that prove how serious he is about her?”

Henry didn’t respond immediately. Although August’s declaration had eased many of his concerns, he still seemed cautious about how quickly everything was progressing.

”It’s already evening. If we don’t leave now, we’ll reach the capital too late,” August remarked, glancing toward the window. He then gave Xenia a subtle gesture, reminding her to explain their departure to her brothers.

”Prince August wants to tell his father about our relationship,” Xenia explained, turning toward her family. ”He’s serious about me and wants to take things further. I’ll return by tomorrow evening.”

”Yes,” August confirmed without hesitation, supporting her explanation.

Charlie looked at his sister with concern. ”What about Lara? You know she’ll cry if she wakes up and finds you gone.”

”I’ll tell her I’m going to the capital on some business,” Xenia replied. ”I’m sure she’ll understand once I explain it to her.”

”Very well, then. Talk to her before you leave,” Charlie advised. ”Although she’s already asleep.”

Xenia nodded and left the living room to check on her little sister.

Once she was gone, August found himself surrounded by the five brothers.

”Your Highness, there’s something I’d like to ask you,” Henry began, stepping forward. ”Will you truly keep Xenia as your only wife?”

His expression grew solemn as he continued. ”I can’t bear the thought of seeing tears in her eyes. She’s always been afraid of marriage, yet now she’s suddenly speaking of a future with you. I don’t doubt that she has feelings for you, but a prince’s heart can change when his ambitions are at stake.”

August arched an eyebrow, studying him. ”And what do you think my ambitions are?”

”Forgive me,” Henry said, briefly lowering his gaze. ”I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful. But the royal court may pressure you to marry a woman from a powerful or influential family. What will happen then? What if you take a second wife to satisfy the court and give her the position of your official consort, while Xenia is pushed aside?”

Henry met August’s gaze again, refusing to let his fear for his sister go unspoken.

”She may be able to endure many hardships, Your Highness, but I don’t want her to spend her life waiting for a man who cannot stand by her when it matters most. If you intend to bring her into your world, I need to know that you understand what such a decision could mean for her.”

Charlie and his three other brothers exchanged worried glances as they listened to Henry question the prince. They knew how protective Henry was of Xenia, but they also feared that his blunt words might offend August. None of them wanted to provoke the man who stood before them, especially when he held such a high position in the kingdom.

”If I wanted an official wife from a higher social class, I could have chosen one by now,” August replied, his gaze fixed on Henry. ”Why would I have shown an interest in your sister in the first place?”

Henry clenched his fists, realizing that he might have overstepped his bounds. He had only wanted to protect Xenia, but he couldn’t deny that his questions had been rather direct.

”Forgive me, Your Highness,” he said, lowering his head slightly. ”I didn’t mean to question your feelings for my sister. I only wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be hurt. I trust that you’ll keep Xenia happy.”

August studied him for a moment before offering a faint smile. He understood that Henry’s concerns came from a brother’s love, even if the questioning had tested his patience.

”Very well, Henry,” he replied. ”I must say, you’re a good brother.”

As he met Henry’s gaze, August maintained the same composed expression, even offering him a reassuring smile. Yet behind that pleasant facade, he knew that every promise he made was part of a deception that would eventually come to an end.

~~~~~

Lara rubbed her sleepy eyes and slowly sat up in bed. It took her a moment to realize that she had fallen asleep while waiting, and she looked around the room in confusion. Just then, Xenia walked in.

”Sis! I fell asleep,” Lara announced, quickly folding her legs beneath her as she turned to face her sister. ”Everyone was looking for you at the restaurant.”

Xenia smiled faintly and approached the bed. ”I had some important work to take care of.” She sat beside Lara and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her little sister’s ear. ”I have to go somewhere, and I won’t be back until tomorrow evening, perhaps even the day after. While I’m away, you must make sure you eat properly and go to bed on time. Don’t skip your meals, even if you’re not hungry.”

Lara’s expression changed as she listened. She leaned closer to Xenia, her sleepy eyes now filled with curiosity.

”Where are you going, Sis?” she asked innocently.

”I’m going to the capital for some business,” Xenia replied with a gentle smile. ”I’ll bring you a doll from there.”

She took Lara’s small hands in hers and gave them a reassuring squeeze. ”You’re a big girl now, aren’t you? I know you can behave yourself while I’m away. Don’t trouble our brothers too much, and remember to listen to them. They’ll be here to look after you until I return.”

”Okay, Sis. I’ll wait for you!” Lara agreed cheerfully. ”But you must come back safely. And bring me a pretty dress and some bangles, too!”

Xenia couldn’t help smiling at her little sister’s growing list of requests. ”Of course. I’ll buy you lots of lovely things. You’ll be so happy when you see them.”

She pulled Lara into a warm embrace and gently stroked her hair. For a moment, she held her a little tighter than usual, knowing how much Lara depended on her presence. Then she kissed the top of her head and tried to keep her smile in place.

”I’ll be back before you know it,” she promised. Xenia then pulled away and stood up. She found a warm sweater on the chair and made Lara wear it. ”Don’t stay in cold for too long.”

”You too, Sis,” Lara replied with a bright smile.

Xenia smiled back and gently squeezed her little sister’s hand before the two of them left the bedroom. When they returned to the living room, they found August waiting with Samir nearby.

Lara looked at the prince and tilted her head curiously instead of bowing. ”The prince?”

”Yes,” August replied, amused by her innocent reaction. He then gestured toward Samir, who promptly brought forward a neatly wrapped box and handed it to him.

August approached Lara and lowered himself onto one knee so that he could speak to her at eye level.

”This box contains plenty of sweets for you,” he told her. ”I also heard that little girls like playing with makeup, so I brought you some of that as well. You’ll find it inside.”

”Really?” Lara’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Oliver took the box from August and held it out for his little sister. Lara immediately bounced on her feet, barely able to contain her curiosity.

”Brother, I want to see what’s inside!” she exclaimed, reaching eagerly for the box.

Her excitement made everyone laugh.

Xenia watched her little sister with affection, a genuine smile spreading across her face. August noticed it as he stood and smiled too.