The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Roman rubbed the sleep from his eyes and quickly freshened up. He had spent the previous night waiting for his mother, confused by the hushed whispers of the servants who refused to tell him what was going on, until exhaustion finally claimed him.

"You’re up early, Young Master," the attendant said with a gentle smile.

"I want to see my mama," Roman replied. "She went somewhere last night. And my father, is he sick?"

"Your father is well now, Young Master. They are resting in their chambers. Would you like me to take you there?"

"Yes. I’ll bathe later," Roman said. "I’ve already brushed my teeth and washed my face."

"Follow me, Young Master," the attendant said, guiding him toward the Duke’s wing.

Upon entering the suite, the attendant noticed the servants were already busy with the morning cleaning. Roman spotted his parents seated on the sofa, a tea service set out between them.

"Mama! Father!" Roman exclaimed, rushing forward. He threw his arms around Eilika, burying his face in her lap. "I waited up for you all night. You left the palace, didn’t you? I was so scared."

Eilika rested a hand on his head, her touch gentle despite her internal unease. "Forgive me, Roman. Your father fell ill, and the medicine he needed wasn’t available in our home. I had to go find it."

Roman pulled back, looking up at Damian with concern. Despite his lingering exhaustion, Damian scooped the boy into his lap and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Are you really well?" Roman asked, his eyes searching his father’s face. "The servants were whispering that something terrible happened to you. Even Uncle Sylvian refused to tell me anything."

"Your uncle likely didn’t want to worry you," Damian said, stroking Roman’s hair.

Eilika watched them, a soft, fragile smile touching her lips. For a brief moment, a sense of peace settled in her chest.

’They are enough for each other,’ she thought.

’I can leave now without guilt. Damian will ensure Roman adjusts to my absence. I am sorry, Damian. I am breaking every vow I made to you, but this is necessary. You must live, for the sake of your son, your mother and the people of Varos.’

Damian’s gaze shifted to her, catching the tears shimmering in her eyes. A knot of unease tightened in his gut. She had been distant all morning, her smiles thin and forced. Something was fundamentally wrong, and the silence from the night before felt heavier than ever.

"Actually, Roman," Damian said, forcing his voice to remain steady as he focused back on his son, "your mother is the one who saved my life."

"Really?" Roman’s eyes widened, his face lighting up. "I always knew my mother was a superwoman!"

"What is a ’superwoman’?" Eilika asked, brushing away a stray tear to offer him a small, genuine smile.

"It’s someone who can do anything!" Roman replied, his eyes bright with pride. "A teacher told me, but I won’t tell you who." He flashed a mischievous grin at her.

"Well, I didn’t save your father alone," Eilika clarified. "Your uncles were a huge help."

Suddenly, the chamber door flew open. "Damian! What happened to you!?" Louis’ voice boomed, filled with raw alarm. He rushed to the sofa, his gaze scanning the Duke’s pale face and tired eyes. "I heard you were—"

Damian’s gaze snapped to Louis, a sharp warning flashing in his eyes. He tightened his hold on Roman, cutting Louis off mid-sentence before the word ’poison’ could ever reach the child’s ears.

"Roman, you haven’t bathed yet, have you?" Eilika asked.

"No, Mama. I wanted to see you both first," Roman replied.

Eilika stood, scooping him into her arms. "Come, then. Today, I’ll bathe you myself." She walked out, leaving the men to their conversation.

The moment they were out of their sights, Louis dropped his composed mask, sinking onto the sofa to pull Damian into a tight hug.

"I was terrified when I heard you’d been poisoned," he murmured. "Maurice said the night was chaos. I’m just relieved you’re standing. Forgive me for not being here when you needed me."

Louis pulled back, searching Damian’s face for lingering signs of the toxin.

"I’m recovering, Louis," Damian assured him, though his expression remained grim. "Thank you for coming."

"Maurice mentioned that August provided the antidote," Louis noted.

Damian nodded. He flicked a sharp glance toward his valet, signaling for him to usher the remaining servants out. As the staff filed out and the heavy doors clicked shut, the silence of the wing became absolute.

"Something isn’t right," Damian said, his brow furrowing.

Louis leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial murmur. "August doesn’t do favors, Damian. He certainly doesn’t help you. The question isn’t whether he provided the cure, but what Eilika had to sacrifice to pry it from his hands."

"Eilika hasn’t told me, and Maurice remains tight-lipped," Damian said. "Bring him here. I need to confront him. August is still sleeping, or I would have demanded answers from him directly."

"Maurice has always been loyal to you," Louis countered, though his own brow furrowed in doubt. "He wouldn’t hide things without a reason."

"Who knows? Perhaps he is listening to Eilika more than me," Damian muttered, his suspicion gnawing at him. "After all, they were the ones who managed my recovery last night. But why do I feel like August planned this entire charade?"

"He has harbored a grudge ever since you exposed his schemes in the palace," Louis said grimly. "It wouldn’t be beneath him. I’ll go fetch Maurice. Let’s confront him together."

Damian nodded and watched Louis leave.

After some time, he returned with Maurice.

"Your Grace, it’s good to see you in good health," he said, bowing. "I’ve been investigating. The maid’s body was found in the outskirts of the estate near a dry pond. She was likely killed with a poisoned arrow."

"Whoever is this is sharp," Louis remarked.

"Tell me what August in return from Eilika," Damian asked, directly looking into his eyes.