The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Louis leaned back in his chair as he finished drafting the final report regarding the supply of new weaponry for the palace guards. He let out a long, weary sigh.

"Elodie hasn’t arrived yet," he murmured to himself, glancing at the clock. "Has she fallen into danger again? Though, given her personality, she doesn’t seem like the type to be easily intimidated."

He closed his eyes, trying to find a moment of peace, but he could not get her out of his mind, specifically the wretched conditions of the hut where he had left her. His eyes shot open at the sound of a sharp knock on the door. A soldier stood at the threshold.

"Sir, a lady has arrived at the gate. She is asking us to let her meet with you," the soldier announced.

"Is her name Elodie?" Louis asked, leaning forward.

"Yes, sir," the soldier replied promptly.

"Let her in," Louis said. A smile carved its way onto his lips as he suddenly felt recharged and refreshed.

A minute later, Elodie walked in and thanked the soldier, who politely took his leave and closed the heavy doors from the outside.

"Have a seat, Miss Elodie. I have been waiting for you since this morning," Louis said, motioning his hand toward the empty chair across his desk.

Elodie sat down tentatively while Louis poured a glass of fresh water from a crystal pitcher. He offered it to her. "You must be thirsty after your journey," he said.

Elodie hesitantly took the glass, her eyes narrowing slightly as a wave of skepticism washed over her, wondering if he had mixed something into the drink. "Will you truly help me, sir? I am only hoping you do not have any ill intentions. I am not the kind of woman you might think I am."

Louis smiled gently upon hearing her blunt honesty and shook his head to ease her mind.

"Lady Elodie, you doubt a lot. I genuinely want to help you, and also the others who are facing similar situations in Varos. Not every matter reaches the palace officials, and since it came to my attention last night, I must do my best to rectify it."

Elodie was surprised to hear such words coming from a nobleman. Usually, those within the palace walls seemed blind to the struggles beyond them.

"My father left nothing but debts behind because of his addiction to alcohol. He abandoned me when I was only four to marry another woman," Elodie briefed him. "When he died, he left a staggering amount of debt. Ever since his passing, I have been hunted by collectors, especially since my stepmother disappeared after giving my name as the one responsible for the repayment."

"How long has it been happening?" he asked.

"It has been more than ten years," Elodie replied. "I was thirteen when it all started. Initially, I paid them from whatever small amount I earned, but I stopped once I turned seventeen and complained about their harassment to the local magistrate. It didn’t help me at all because the authorities still held me responsible for the contract. I even tried visiting the Duke back then, but the Duchess residing in the estate at that time refused to grant me an audience," she explained further.

Louis was shocked to learn that Liliana had blocked her voice from reaching the Duke.

"I am sorry that you had to suffer so much. It must have been truly difficult for you to undergo all of this alone," Louis stated, feeling guilty.

"Apologies don’t suit men of your ranking, Lord Wellington. Because you gave me hope, that is the only reason I visited you today. I want to believe that you will truly help me, and the hundreds of others who are suffering from this very same problem," Elodie stated firmly.

"I promise I will do everything within my capacity to resolve this," Louis affirmed with a sincere vow to protect her.

~~~~~

Damian lifted Roman down from the carriage, setting him gently onto the cobblestone path. "Go inside," he said, handing him his satchel. Roman eagerly ran into the palace to find his mother, while Maurice stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Grace, Elias has admitted that he is the one who orchestrated the attempt on your life through the carriage accident. Furthermore, the Duchess overheard two men plotting on the day you both attended the banquet. I have already arrested them based on the location Elias provided during interrogation," Maurice explained.

"Now, he finally begins to speak about all his crimes," Damian chuckled, though the sound was entirely devoid of warmth.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of horses galloping across the courtyard, and a royal carriage pulled to a stop just a few meters away from them.

The moment the carriage door opened, August stepped out onto the gravel and offered a cheerful wave to Damian.

"You look quite delighted, Prince August," Damian remarked, noting the smug satisfaction on his face.

"I caught the maid who disappeared from the palace," August revealed, adjusting his cuffs with a grin. "Do you want to know exactly why she ignited that fire?"

"Of course. Isn’t that the very reason you are here?" Damian questioned, gesturing for him to lead the way.

"She is upset by the fact that you forgot the former Duchess whom she once served, and that you became so close to Eilika," August replied, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

"What kind of sick mentality is that?" Maurice muttered, his anger visibly rising to the surface.

"Damian should see her for himself. It turns out the servant had many grievances against the Duke," August stated.

"Keep her locked away. I will deal with her in the evening," Damian asserted, turning on his heel to walk into the residence.

"Prince August, the smile on your face suggests you are enjoying this a bit too much," Maurice remarked, eyeing the Prince.

"No, it simply stuns me that Damian doesn’t even recognize his own staff," August replied, his grin fading into a sharp look. "And do your job, bodyguard. You are starting to seem less competent to me."