The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Mama, I did my best in the examination,” Roman said as he settled into the seat of the motorcar. ”It was so cold in the classroom.”

Eilika smiled faintly and drew him onto her lap, adjusting his coat around him. ”You won’t have to endure the cold at the academy from tomorrow. Your winter break begins, so you will stay home and study with a tutor until the holidays are over.”

Roman looked up at her, but his expression soon turned troubled. ”Mama, what about horse riding, sword fighting, and shooting? I’m not good at any of them,” he complained. He had been trying to improve at all three, but he was frustrated that he had not made as much progress as he wanted.

”How can you expect to master everything in such a short time?” Eilika asked patiently. She smoothed his hair away from his forehead before continuing, ”It takes time and practice, Roman. I’ve told you this before. You must be patient with yourself and keep trying instead of becoming discouraged.”

Roman lowered his gaze, still dissatisfied with his progress, but he did not argue further.

Eilika then turned towards the driver. ”Please stop at a woollen goods shop on the way. I need to buy something.”

The driver glanced at her through the mirror before answering respectfully, ”Your Grace, the streets are crowded at this hour, and there are fewer guards accompanying us than usual. I believe it would be safer to return directly to the estate. I must ensure that you and the young master arrive home safely.”

”Alright,” Eilika agreed, accepting the driver’s explanation.

After a while, Roman shifted back into his own seat and looked at his mother. He had been quiet for some time, but a thought seemed to have occurred to him.

”Mama, when will Father return? I suddenly miss him,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of sadness.

”Soon, baby,” Eilika replied gently.

”When?” Roman pressed, unwilling to settle for such a vague answer.

”Your father will be home in the next few days. Then you can spend time with him as much as you like,” she assured him.

Eilika placed her hand on his head and gently stroked his hair. She knew Damian had been away for several days, and although Roman did not always express his feelings openly, he missed his father more than he let on.

”Can we send Father a message?” Roman asked. ”It’s been days since I last wrote to him.”

Eilika smiled at his eagerness. ”Of course we can. When we return to the estate, you can write him a letter, and we’ll make sure it reaches him.”

~~~~~~

Xenia could not bring herself to eat, despite being served the finest meal she had ever seen. The dishes had been prepared with great care, and the spread was far better than anything she was accustomed to eating at home. Yet, she had barely touched her food. Ever since August had threatened to take her life if she refused to leave him after their arrangement ended, his words had continued to trouble her.

Had she fallen for the wrong man? August did not seem to care about other people’s feelings, nor did he hesitate to threaten someone when it suited him. Even when he spoke of something as serious as taking a life, his expression remained frighteningly calm. How could she continue to have feelings for a man who could speak to her so cruelly without a second thought?

Xenia lowered her gaze to the untouched food and sighed.

’Well, helping him was my choice. I knew from the beginning that he wasn’t the kind of man who would go easy on anyone, including me,’ she reminded herself. She had agreed to the arrangement with her eyes open, knowing that August was not someone who could be easily persuaded or made to change his mind. Still, knowing what kind of man he was did not make his threat any less disturbing.

”Miss, you haven’t touched your meal,” the maidservant said gently, drawing Xenia out of her thoughts. ”Is the food not to your liking? Shall I ask the kitchen to prepare something else?”

”Ah, no. I’m not hungry,” Xenia replied, forcing a small smile. ”I had breakfast earlier, and I suppose I’m still full. I’m sorry you went to the trouble of bringing all this food for me.”

”Please don’t worry about it, Miss. It’s no trouble at all,” the maidservant assured her.

She then began collecting the dishes and arranging them on the large tray. Xenia watched her in silence, feeling a little guilty for wasting the food, but she could not force herself to take another bite. Her appetite had disappeared, and no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, August’s words kept returning to her mind.

Once she was alone in the chamber, Xenia rested her head on the table and stared listlessly at the wall covered in elaborate tapestries. The room was spacious and beautifully furnished, but she found little comfort in its grandeur. With no one to talk to and nothing to occupy her mind, she was beginning to feel restless.

”It’s so boring here,” she murmured to herself. Her thoughts soon drifted towards home, and she wondered whether Lara had eaten her meals properly. ”I wonder if Lara has had her meals.”

”Lara?”

A voice from behind her startled Xenia. She immediately lifted her head and rose to her feet, only to find the Crown Princess standing nearby. In her haste, she struck the chair with her leg, causing it to topple backwards with a loud clatter.

Xenia froze, her face flushing with embarrassment.

”Forgive me, Your Highness,” she said hastily.

An attendant standing behind the Crown Princess stepped forward and helped Xenia set the chair upright. Xenia waited until the chair was back in place before smoothing the creases in her dress and straightening her posture.

She then bowed respectfully, keeping her gaze lowered.

”Your Highness,” she greeted in a humble voice.