The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

In the evening, Louis arrived at the estate with an important file that required Eilika’s signature. After being shown into the sitting room, he approached her and placed the documents on the table.

”Are you certain I can sign these?” Eilika asked, looking at him with some confusion as she glanced through the papers.

”Yes, Your Grace,” Louis replied with a reassuring smile. ”The Duke instructed me to bring any matter requiring immediate attention to you in his absence. He trusts your judgment and has authorized you to handle such affairs until he returns.”

Eilika hummed thoughtfully before accepting the fountain pen from him. She carefully reviewed the documents and signed where indicated. Once she had finished, Louis collected the papers, closed the file, and bowed respectfully.

”Thank you, Your Grace.”

His gaze wandered around the room before he spoke again. ”Young Lord Roman isn’t here. He usually runs about the estate at this hour.”

”Roman is having his milk and some evening snacks in his room,” Eilika explained. ”He was hungry earlier, so I asked the servants to bring everything to him.”

”I see.” Louis nodded before adding, ”I’ve heard that the Northern Province has already experienced its first snowfall. I believe the Duke may return soon.”

”Really?” Eilika looked up with interest. ”I haven’t received any messages from Damian lately. However, as he mentioned during our last conversation, the King will have to travel there to settle the remaining matters. Damian may not be able to return until that is concluded.”

”That’s true, Your Grace,” Louis agreed.

After a brief pause, he seemed to recall something and looked at her again. ”I haven’t seen Prince August today, either. Is everything all right with him? Or has he found another group of nobles involved in illegal business?”

Eilika couldn’t help smiling faintly at his question.

”Ever since the message arrived from the palace, Prince August hasn’t returned to the estate,” she informed him. ”I suspect he’s already on his way to the capital, though he didn’t tell me exactly when he planned to leave.”

”What message, Your Grace?” Louis asked, his curiosity immediately piqued.

”Please keep this between us,” Eilika cautioned before continuing. ”The message stated that the King has selected a bride for Prince August.”

”What?” Louis exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise. ”That’s unexpected. I was under the impression that the King wanted his sons to choose their own partners. Prince Sylvian has already done so, and His Majesty has accepted his decision. Why, then, would he choose a bride for Prince August?”

He paused, considering the prince’s temperament. ”Knowing Prince August, I doubt he’ll accept the arrangement quietly. He has never been one to follow orders simply because someone expects him to.”

”That’s what concerns me,” Eilika admitted. ”Still, the King must have his reasons for making this decision. Perhaps he believes it’s necessary for the royal family.”

Louis shook his head, knowing that August wasn’t the kind of person who would even allow any woman stay in his life.

”But can Prince August really defy the King’s order?” she wondered aloud. ”I wouldn’t be surprised if his temper led him to stand against his own father. He has never been good at accepting decisions made on his behalf, especially when they concern his personal life.”

”That’s true, Your Grace. However, I suspect the King wants to strengthen Prince August’s position at court,” Louis remarked. ”Perhaps he believes a suitable marriage will help him gain greater influence among the nobles.”

Eilika considered his words, wondering whether the King truly had such a plan in mind. Before she could respond, a servant hurried into the sitting room and bowed.

”Your Grace, Prince Sylvian and his fiancée have arrived.”

Eilika and Louis immediately rose from their seats. A moment later, Sylvian entered the room, holding Iliana’s hand as he guided her inside.

Eilika’s face brightened at the sight of them. She stepped forward to welcome the couple, while Louis bowed respectfully to the prince and his companion.

Iliana gently slipped her hand out of Sylvian’s grasp and stepped forward to greet Eilika with a respectful bow. She then turned toward Louis and offered him a courteous nod as well.

Eilika looked delighted to see them, but her expression quickly shifted to curiosity.

”Prince Sylvian, you certainly know how to surprise people! And fiancée?” she exclaimed, glancing between the two of them. ”Have you already become engaged?”

Her eyes moved to Iliana’s left hand, but there was no ring on her finger.

”I declared Miss Martinez my fiancée in her hometown when the neighbors began questioning our relationship,” Sylvian explained. He glanced at Iliana, whose cheeks coloured slightly at the reminder. ”Things became rather complicated there, so I decided it was better to make my intentions clear.”

Eilika looked at Iliana with renewed interest before smiling warmly at them both.

”Why don’t you two take a seat?” she offered, gesturing toward the sofa. She then instructed the butler to bring them some water.

”Your Grace, if you’ll excuse me, I shall take my leave,” Louis said, bowing respectfully before leaving the sitting room.

Once he had gone, Sylvian settled onto the sofa, with Iliana taking the seat beside him.

”Your Grace, where should we place the boxes that have arrived from Miss Martinez’s home?” one of the servants asked, approaching the sitting room.

”I’ll show you where to put them,” the butler offered, stepping forward before leading the servants away.

Iliana watched them leave before turning back to Eilika. ”Forgive me, Your Grace, for causing you so much inconvenience.”

”There’s no inconvenience at all,” Eilika assured her with a warm smile. ”I’m glad you’ve finally decided to come here. It must have been a difficult decision to leave your home and everything familiar behind.”

Iliana nodded slightly, her hands resting together in her lap. Although she had chosen to accompany Sylvian, adjusting to a life so different from her own would take time.

Eilika noticed her hesitation and decided not to question her further just yet. Instead, she gestured toward the glasses the servant had brought.

”Please, have some water. You must both be thirsty after the journey.”

Sylvian picked up his glass, and Iliana followed a moment later. After taking a sip of water, she placed her glass back on the table in front of her and settled into her seat.

”Iliana and I will be travelling to the capital tomorrow. I received a message from Father last night,” Sylvian explained.

”What was the message about?” Eilika asked, turning her attention to him.

”Father said the provincial convention would conclude by the end of this week. He wants us to return to the palace by tomorrow.” Sylvian paused briefly before continuing, ”Otherwise, I would have preferred to stay another day at Iliana’s home before leaving for the capital.”

Eilika recalled the message the King had sent regarding August. She had been wondering how the prince would react to his father’s decision, and now she had another reason to be concerned.

”Prince August received a message from the King as well,” she told him. ”Apparently, the King has selected a bride for him.”

Sylvian stared at her in disbelief, momentarily unsure whether he had heard her correctly.

”What? A bride for August?” he exclaimed, straightening in his seat. ”What is Father thinking? August will never agree to something like that!” His expression grew more serious as another thought occurred to him. ”Has he already left for the palace?”

”I have no idea,” Eilika replied. ”He left sometime in the late morning, and I haven’t seen him since.”

Sylvian frowned, clearly troubled by the news. He knew August well enough to understand that his brother would not take kindly to being told whom he should marry. If the King intended to force the matter, the situation at the palace could become unpleasant very quickly.

Iliana, on the other hand, remained quiet, listening to their conversation without interrupting. She had heard enough about Prince August to understand that his relationship with Sylvian was not always a peaceful one, but she did not know the full extent of their disagreements.

”You’ll see Prince August at the palace tomorrow anyway,” Eilika remarked, hoping the two brothers might have an opportunity to speak.

”We’re at odds with each other,” Sylvian muttered, his expression darkening as he recalled the incident that had taken place during Eilika’s absence. ”You have no idea what he did.”

Eilika studied him for a moment, noticing the irritation in his voice. She knew better than to press him for an explanation in front of Iliana, especially when Sylvian was clearly unwilling to discuss the matter.

”Mama, I have finished my milk and snacks,” Roman’s voice chimed from above. Eilika turned her head and saw him descending the stairs as she stood up.

Roman was quick to stand by her side, then held her hand. ”I’m full now,” he smiled.

”Greet your uncle first, and aunt too,” Eilika told him.

”Good evening, Uncle Sylvian. Aunt Iliana, you’ve come too!” Roman said with a bright smile after bowing to them. ”I’m suddenly curious now. Uncle Sylvian comes when Aunt Iliana comes. And unlike earlier times, Uncle stays vanished for days. Why?” He tilted his head.