The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

As evening fell, Eilika prepared to depart. She carefully applied a shade of crimson to her lips, catching the reflection of Roman in the vanity mirror as he watched her in silence.

"Mama, I want to come too, but I shall stay," Roman said.

"What? If you wish to join us, tell me," Eilika replied, turning toward him. "Your father and I would be happy to take you along."

Roman shook his head firmly. "I will not intrude. Uncle Louis mentioned that you and Father are newlyweds, and that you must spend as much time together as possible."

"That is kind of you, Roman. But you are welcome to accompany us if you desire; we would be pleased to have you," Eilika insisted.

"Mama, it is my day for lessons with Uncle Louis. I also need to practice my horse riding, so I shall stay behind," he answered.

"Very well," she said, turning back to the mirror to adjust her appearance. "See that you do not trouble your uncle, and be careful not to hurt yourself."

Roman nodded and flopped back onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling as he occupied himself with a quiet word game.

Eilika pinned a few stray strands of hair into place, taking a final look at her reflection. She rose from her seat and signaled for Roman to join her. He scrambled off the bed and hurried to her side, and together they walked into the hallway.

"Your Grace, I was just arriving to collect the young master," Louis said, offering a respectful smile.

Roman greeted him, then let go of his mother’s hand to run toward his uncle. "Bye, Mama. Have a wonderful evening," he called back. His eyes brightened with genuine cheer as he hurried away, disappearing down the corridor with Louis.

Eilika offered a gentle smile and turned to head toward the main entrance, catching sight of Damian waiting a few paces away. She approached with grace, and he extended his arm, waiting for her to slip her hand into the crook of his elbow.

"Roman is becoming such a mature boy," she whispered as they began to walk. "The sun has yet to set completely."

"It will descend shortly," Damian replied, gesturing toward the courtyard. "We shall travel by carriage."

"That sounds pleasant," Eilika said, matching her pace to his.

They stopped in front of the carriage when Maurice opened its door. Eilika climbed in first, followed by Damian. Once the door shut, the two confided in that tiny space.

"The last time we rode in a carriage, I believe it was only for a short distance on our wedding day," Damian remarked.

"True. Carriages hold a certain charm that motorcars lack, though I suppose the engine is far more efficient for covering great distances quickly," Eilika replied.

Damian’s gaze shifted, landing fixedly on her cheek. "Why did you cover your scar with cosmetics? Do you still consider it a flaw?"

"Perhaps a little," Eilika murmured, looking away. "I thought it best to conceal it."

"If you do it for your own satisfaction, I will not interfere," Damian said, his voice steady and earnest. "But do not do it for my sake or the opinions of others. You are the most beautiful woman in Varos."

Eilika felt her heart quicken. "I shall stop using makeup to hide it, then," she asserted.

A small smile touched Damian’s lips. He hoped that this particular insecurity of hers would soon fade away.

~~~~~

The carriage came to a gentle halt at their destination. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the lakeshore illuminated by the soft, warm glow of hanging lanterns. As Damian had promised, the area was deserted, save for Maurice the chauffeur, a handful of soldiers stationed at the perimeter, and the boatman.

Damian took her hand, leading her toward the water’s edge.

"Your Graces, it is my honor to serve as your boatman this evening. My name is Joram," the man said, offering a respectful, humble bow.

"Joram, the Duchess and I require a quiet, steady passage," Damian said. He boarded the vessel first, then reached back to help Eilika. Her footing wobbled on the edge of the wood, but he caught her arm, steadying her firmly.

"Rest assured, Your Grace. I have been navigating these waters since I was nine years old. You and the Duchess will find this ride most agreeable," Joram promised with a polite, enthusiastic nod.

They sat facing each other in the center of the boat. As Joram pushed off, the vessel glided smoothly onto the dark water. Eilika’s face brightened with genuine delight; she closed her eyes, listening to the soft rhythmic lapping of the water against the hull and feeling the cooling night breeze.

Suddenly, she shivered and let out a sharp sneeze.

"Are you catching a chill?" Damian asked, concerned. The evening air over the lake was noticeably colder than on land, and he wondered if he had chosen the wrong time for this excursion.

"I am quite fine," Eilika assured him, though they were already drifting well away from the dock.

"During my time at the academy, we held a rowing competition every year," Damian said, shifting the conversation.

"Did you participate?" Eilika asked, her interest piqued.

"I did. Maurice and four others were on my crew. Louis, however, always refrained; he was never one for athletics, preferring a life of comfort over competitive spirit," he explained.

"Louis seems the scholarly sort," Eilika noted. "He has an extensive breadth of knowledge."

"He certainly does."

"You remained close with Maurice and Louis, but what became of the other four?" she inquired.

"Two are government officials in the capital, so our paths rarely cross. The others are scattered throughout the Kingdom," Damian explained. "In truth, my circle was always small. I was only ever truly close to those two."

"That explains why your bond remains so strong," Eilika observed. She looked at him thoughtfully. "Tell me, Damian, what were your teenage years like?"

"They were unremarkable," she said with a light chuckle. "I had one dear friend, but otherwise, my life was rather monotonous. I spent my hours mastering various skills, as no one was particularly interested in courting me."

"That is fortunate," Damian stated. "If you had been more sought after, I might have lost the chance to make you my wife. I would have lost a gem to another man."

Joram smiled to himself as he steered, keeping his focus on the water to give the couple their privacy.

"I will hold the boat steady here in the center of the lake," Joram announced politely. "From this vantage point, you will see the fireflies. They drift from the forest to the water’s edge every night."

"Is that so?" Eilika’s eyes widened with genuine interest.

"It is, Your Grace. It is a sight many overlook, but quite a rare one to behold," Joram replied, keeping his voice steady as he maneuvered the oars.

"Then we are fortunate to be here," Eilika said, her gaze scanning the dark tree line. "Tell me, Joram, if it is not too forward of me to ask, how many are in your household?"

"There are four of us, Your Grace: my wife, my aging parents, and myself," Joram answered, glancing briefly over his shoulder. "Though, we shall be five soon. My wife is in her eighth month of pregnancy."

"That is wonderful news. I shall keep her in my prayers for a safe and swift delivery," Eilika said with a warm smile.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Your Grace," Joram replied.

Damian, who had been listening intently, leaned forward slightly. "Does this trade provide a sufficient living for your family?"

Joram’s expression turned solemn as he adjusted his grip on the oars. "It is enough to keep us fed, sir. But there is the burden of the taxes to consider as well. I have often wished that those of us in such humble trades might be spared that weight."

Damian nodded slowly, his expression hardening as the implications settled in. He made a mental note of the grievance; it was yet another critical issue regarding the plight of the common people that required the King’s immediate attention.

"There, Your Grace," Joram whispered, his voice hushed with reverence as he gestured toward the darkened tree line.

Eilika and Damian followed his finger, their gazes sharpening as a faint glimmer appeared in the shadows.

Slowly and steadily, a vast cluster of fireflies drifted from the forest, spilling out over the lake like a cloud of amber stars.

As they circled the boat, they cast a soft, ethereal light across the water, illuminating the ripples in the water.

Eilika watched in surprise, her smile widening. She seemed enchanted, momentarily lost in the gentle spectacle.

Damian did not look at the fireflies. His attention remained fixed on Eilika, watching the way the shifting light caught her features.

Seeing the genuine delight in her eyes, he felt a quiet satisfaction settle within him, content simply to witness her happiness in the stillness of the night.