The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Eilika’s heart skipped a beat at his words. The conviction in his voice made it clear, he wasn’t just fulfilling a duty anymore. He had found a genuine zeal to move forward, with her by his side.

"You look handsome," she whispered, the admission slipping out before she could catch it.

"Hmm?" Damian paused, the sudden compliment catching him entirely off guard.

"Everyone must be waiting for us," Eilika added quickly, her cheeks flushing as she hurried past him toward the dining hall.

Damian stood in the corridor for a moment, blinking in the silence she left behind. "She only noticed today?" he murmured to himself as confusion and wounded pride crossed his face. "What kind of delayed compliment was that?"

Shaking his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, he smoothed his blazer and followed her toward the sound of breakfast chatter.

After breakfast, Sylvian began distributing the gifts he had brought from the capital. He started with the house elder, Georgia, presenting her with a velvet-lined case.

"You never forget to bring presents for us, Sylvian," Georgia said, her eyes widening as she lifted a delicate tea set crafted from gold and decorated with expensive gems.

"Aunt Georgia, I love giving presents to my loved ones. Besides, only ten of these sets exist in the world. One now belongs to you," Sylvian replied with a graceful bow.

"Uncle, what about me? You said you brought a gift for me this time," Roman remarked, tugging at Sylvian’s sleeve and looking up with wide, expectant eyes.

Sylvian laughed, reaching out to ruffle the boy’s hair. "I haven’t forgotten you, little lion. But as I said, your gift is quite large. It’s waiting for you in the courtyard."

Roman’s jaw dropped. "In the courtyard?"

"Go see for yourself," Sylvian urged.

With a shout of joy, Roman bolted toward the grand doors, leaving the adults to their tea.

"Roman gets overly excited sometimes. What have you brought for him? Don’t tell me it’s a horse!?" Damian asked curiously.

Damian watched them with amusement and concern. "Roman gets overly excited sometimes," he noted, turning to his cousin. "What exactly have you brought for him? Don’t tell me it’s a full-sized stallion?"

"We shall go and see," Sylvian replied smoothly, leading the way toward the grand courtyard. Before following, he snapped his fingers, instructing the line of servants to bring along the remaining gifts intended for the Duke and Duchess.

In the center of the stone courtyard stood a sturdy, chocolate-brown pony. Its coat gleamed under the morning sun. Eilika caught up to Roman just in time, firmly taking his hand to slow his frantic pace.

"Wow! It’s a horse!" Roman exclaimed in joy.

"Not a horse, but a pony, Roman," Eilika corrected gently, kneeling to his level. "Come, I will teach you how to approach them. If you run at them, they might get scared. Unlike humans, they cannot speak, so we must show them our love through our movements."

"Okay, Mama." Roman nodded solemnly, mimicking her careful steps as they walked forward together.

The groom standing by the pony’s head bowed deeply as they neared. "He is perfectly trained, Your Grace," the man assured her. "Quiet as a lamb and steady on his feet. There is nothing to worry about."

Eilika reached out first. She caressed the pony’s velvet nose with a gentleness, while Roman watched her every move with intense, wide-eyed concentration, memorizing the way to win over his new companion.

Damian stood back with Sylvian, his arms crossed over his chest.

"The Duchess is so gentle with the boy," Sylvian whispered, leaning toward Damian as they watched them. "It seems your mother found the perfect woman for you, after all."

Damian didn’t look away from the scene, his gaze fixed on Eilika’s patient silhouette. "She has a way with him that I... I hadn’t expected," he admitted.

In the center of the courtyard, Eilika knelt slightly before scooping Roman up into her arms to bring him level with the animal. "Roman, come. You should also caress the face of your new friend," she encouraged.

The pony let out a sudden, sharp huff of air through its nostrils, a short, vibrating noise that made Roman flinch and bury his face in Eilika’s shoulder.

"It’s alright. That is just how they speak," Eilika said softly. She gently took his small, trembling hand in hers, guiding it slowly toward the pony’s velvet nose.

"Don’t be scared. They are like babies; they just want to know who you are," she murmured against his ear.

Roman stayed quiet, his breathing syncing with his mother’s. Trusting her completely, he allowed her to press his palm against the warm, soft fur.

As the pony remained still, accepting the touch, a look of pure wonder replaced the fear on Roman’s face.

He began to stroke the bridge of the pony’s nose just as Eilika had done earlier, a small, triumphant smile growing on his lips.

"He likes me, Mama," Roman whispered, mesmerized.

"He knows you are his master," Eilika replied, glancing back at Damian with a look of pride.

"Roman, name him as you wish," Eilika encouraged, her voice soft as she watched the boy’s wonder.

"What about Titan?" Roman suggested.

"Titan! That is a lovely name," Eilika agreed, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

"Titan, I am Roman Van Kingsley, your new friend," the boy announced, smoothing the chocolate fur once more.

The pony let out a soft, melodic neigh and tossed its head, as if nodding in agreement.

"The pony has taken a liking to the name, Young Master," the groom said with a respectful smile.

Roman’s face lit up with a wide, toothy grin. "Yayy! I have a new companion! When can I ride Titan? Will he allow me?"

"For that, you must learn the art of riding first," Damian answered as he and Sylvian joined them.

"Oh, yes. Father, teach me," Roman requested.

"Sure, Roman. Your mother also knows horse riding," replied Damian, looking at Eilika.

"Then, Mama shall teach me. We will have fun," he said with excitement.