The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Eilika watched Damian as he observed her and Roman. His usual mask of coldness had slipped, his features softening as if he found a rare peace in seeing Roman so happy.

"Roman, why don’t you go back to your room? I don’t want the fever to spread to you," Eilika suggested gently. "Besides, it’s almost lunch time, isn’t it?"

"Yes, Mama. I was in the middle of art class when the servant told me you were awake. Father was taking care of you," Roman said, his innocent eyes fixed on hers.

"Really? Your father took care of me?" Eilika asked, her voice laced with disbelief. She glanced at Damian, who had remained uncharacteristically quiet.

"Yes, Mama. Father and I were so worried. Can we sleep together tonight? I don’t want to leave your side," Roman pleaded.

"Of course. I’ll tell you stories until you fall asleep," Eilika agreed, pulling him closer.

Damian stepped toward the bed. "Roman, let your mother rest now."

"But my classes are over, Father! I want to stay. I won’t disturb her, I promise," Roman said, his tiny arms tightening around Eilika’s neck.

"Don’t be stubborn," Damian said, reaching out to touch the boy’s shoulder. To his surprise, Eilika slapped the back of his hand away.

"Roman will stay with me," Eilika said sharply. "The Duke should go and attend to his own work."

Damian chuckled, realizing she was already rebuilding the walls between them. He turned on his heel and walked out without another word.

Outside, Louis was waiting for him. "How is the Duchess? The doctor mentioned she’s recovering well."

"Given that her sharp tongue is fully functional again, she seems perfectly fine," Damian replied, striding past his friend.

Louis hurried to keep pace with Damian’s long strides against the polished marble floor.

"Your Grace, you should have stayed with your wife and son," Louis urged. "Even if it is only for Roman’s sake, you should remain close to the Duchess."

"I felt they should spend time together," Damian stated. "Roman needs her far more than he needs me."

"You have an endless supply of excuses to stay away from the Duchess," Louis noted dryly. He was about to say more when he caught sight of a figure approaching from the end of the hallway. "Oh, the Dowager Duchess is here," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of formal caution.

Georgia approached them and the two men greeted her. "Damian, what are you doing here? I heard Eilika has woken up. Is she well?"

"Yes, she is," Damian replied shortly. "I felt she should rest, and Roman is already with her. You should go see her as well." Before his mother could press him for more details, he walked past her, leaving no room for further conversation.

Georgia watched him walk away and sighed, turning to Louis. "I thought he would finally focus on this marriage, but he is doing nothing to keep the relationship alive. I fear that if people outside the palace find out how they truly live, it will damage their image beyond repair."

"Dowager Duchess, I believe they simply need to be brought together by force if necessary," Louis suggested in a low voice.

"I know that. But how?" Georgia muttered, pressing her fingers to her forehead in frustration. "On their wedding night, I even had the doors locked from the outside, but nothing happened between them. I cannot believe his first wife still holds his heart so tightly that he won’t even look at another woman."

"Maybe you should send them away to spend some time alone," Louis suggested.

"I wanted that as well. I even suggested that Damian take Eilika on a honeymoon, but he refused," Georgia said, her voice filled with frustration. "There is no way I can convince my son of anything lately. Do you think he is bothered by the scar on Eilika’s cheek?"

"That is not true, Dowager Duchess," Louis said immediately, shaking his head. "Damian does not judge people based on their outer appearance. His first wife was not a traditional beauty, and she did not even come from a noble family, yet he loved her deeply. Damian is simply scared of love. That is why he keeps himself away from any real connection. If you allow me, I can help find a way to send them on a honeymoon."

"I would be more than happy if you did," Georgia agreed, her eyes lighting up with a flicker of hope.

"Thank you. Rest assured, I will make sure they are brought together so that Damian might embrace love once again," Louis promised with an assuring smile. "Please, go ahead."

Georgia patted his shoulder gratefully before heading toward Eilika’s room, feeling a bit lighter than before.

Louis, however, turned and walked in the opposite direction.

~~~~

Damian arrived at his study just as the valet gave a light knock on the door.

"Your Grace, lunch is being served," the man announced.

"I am not hungry," Damian replied shortly, his mind already elsewhere. He crossed the room to his heavy oak desk, picked up a deep blue file, and sat down. Taking the hint, the valet bowed and stepped back out, closing the door softly to leave the Duke in peace.

Despite the paperwork in front of him, Damian couldn’t focus. The lines of text blurred as his thoughts drifted back to the memories of his late wife. With a frustrated sigh, he leaned down and opened the bottom drawer of his desk.

He reached into the back and pulled out a single photograph. Placing it on the desk, he sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the woman’s face. He remembered the day he took it. He had been so proud of the new, high-end camera that had just hit the market. He could still recall her laughter and the way she had tried to hide her face from the lens, a memory that felt both precious and painful.

"I wish we had lived like every other happy couple," he murmured.