The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

"Mama, why are you staring at those flowers?" Roman asked, pausing mid-jump on the fluffy mattress of Eilika’s bed.

"Your father bought them," she replied, her voice carrying a trace of wonder. Turning away from the vanity, Eilika noticed the silk sheets had become a disheveled mess. "Baby, no more jumping. Come here. Tell me, what did you learn today?"

Roman immediately scrambled off the bed and rushed to her. He wrapped his tiny arms around Eilika, tilting his head back against her chest to look up at her.

"I studied my father’s work, the things I have to look into when I grow up," he explained with a serious nod. Then, his eyes brightened with excitement. "Mama, when will I be admitted into the academy? I’m so eager to make new friends! And I want to ride Titan. I promised him I would see him soon."

"Soon, my love. We must wait for the sun to set a little more; I don’t want you catching the afternoon heat," Eilika answered, smoothing his hair.

"Yayy! Mama," Roman cheered, before suddenly tilting his head back to look at her with a flicker of uncertainty. "I don’t bother you, do I? Am I a good son? My tutor says a good boy never troubles his parents... but I feel like I am always asking for your attention."

Eilika felt a pang of tenderness in her chest. She pulled him closer, caressing his soft golden hair. "Roman, you have never once bothered me. In fact, I love it when you ask for my attention. It’s the favorite part of my day."

"I love you, Mama," he whispered, leaning up to plant a sweet, clumsy kiss on her cheek. "When I grow up to be very tall, I’ll start protecting you properly. Right now, I’m still too small to be a shield."

Eilika smiled, her eyes shimmering at his innocent devotion. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Just grow up to be a good person with a big heart, Roman, just like your father. That is all I need to be happy."

Roman let out a long, heavy yawn, instinctively covering his mouth with a tiny palm as his eyes began to droop.

"Come now, I’ll sing a lullaby for you," she whispered. She guided him back to the large, plush bed, tucking the disheveled sheets around his small frame until he was cozy and warm.

~~~~~

Damian’s gaze remained fixed on the formal wedding attire draped over the stand. As his fingers brushed the heavy, ornate fabric, a shadow of the past flickered in his eyes.

’I am finally moving on from you,’ he thought, the silence of the room amplifying the weight of his memory. ’Six years ago, when I first wore an outfit like this, I vowed to love you until my last breath. But somewhere along the way, the memory of you became a nightmare. I neglected Roman, and I would have continued to do so if Eilika hadn’t pulled me back.’

"What are you thinking, my friend?" Louis’s voice broke the heavy silence.

"I was thinking about the first time I wore this," Damian replied, his voice devoid of its usual command. He turned away from the mirror and walked toward the exit of the dressing room, Louis following closely at his heels.

"It is hard, I know," Louis asserted, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "But you deserve to bring color back into your life. Eilika... she has become an important part of your world now."

Damian offered a slow, solemn nod. "That is true," he agreed.

"Then don’t let your past self weigh you down. You never could have imagined this would be your present," Louis explained, placing a steadying hand on his friend’s shoulder. "It isn’t a sin to find love again after losing it once."

Damian didn’t respond. Recognizing the Duke needed space to contemplate, Louis stepped back and let him walk on alone.

Damian eventually came to a halt outside Eilika’s chamber. From behind the heavy oak doors, the faint, sweet melody of her voice reached him. As he moved closer, he caught sight of Joanna. With a quick, silent gesture, he hushed the maid before she could announce his arrival.

He stood in the doorway, his chest tightening as his eyes fell upon Eilika. She was perched on the edge of the bed, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon light, tenderly singing Roman to sleep.

In that moment, the "nightmare" of his past seemed to finally dissolve, replaced by the warmth of the family he was finally learning to cherish.

Eilika gently eased herself off the bed, her eyes catching Damian’s silhouette standing in the doorway. She moved toward him with quiet steps, her voice a soft whisper so as not to wake the sleeping boy.

"Why didn’t you come in?"

"I didn’t want to disturb your moment with Roman," he replied, his gaze shifting past her to the vase on the vanity where the simple market flowers were now prominently displayed.

As Eilika stepped out into the hallway, Damian turned to walk beside her. "I sent the invitations to your family home today. Their presence is a formality we must fulfill for the sake of the province," he stated.

"I understand." She halted, turning to face him fully. "Damian, this time we will be standing at the altar to take real vows. I hope they come from your heart, not just from a sense of duty toward me. I am not forcing you to love me, but those words are sacred in my eyes."

"I understand, Eilika." His hand reached out, his thumb grazing her cheek in a slow, tender caress. She felt the heat rising to her skin at his touch, her lashes fluttering as she momentarily looked away.

"In our archery match, I’ve decided to consider you the winner," Damian began. "So, name your reward, Eilika. I will give you anything you ask for."

"But I lost. And technically, it was a tie," she replied, finally meeting his intense gaze.

"In my eyes, you won," Damian stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. "The choice is yours."