Chapter 299: Scolded your sister
Xenia hit her forehead repeatedly against the counter, trying to erase the memory of what she had seen and how poorly she had reacted.
"He must think I am completely foolish. How could I even assume something was wrong? And he was sitting there half-clothed... No. Strike that image from your mind, Xenia," she murmured under her breath.
Her eldest brother, Charlie, tapped her on the shoulder, holding a heavy ledger book in his hand.
"Xenia, what are you mumbling to yourself? Should you not be going to sleep?" he asked.
"Yes, I was just leaving, Brother," Xenia said, quickly standing up. "Good night."
She bowed respectfully and stepped outside into the cool night air. After walking a short distance down the estate path, her family’s quarters came into view. She entered the courtyard, which was entirely deserted.
Sitting down on a large wooden bench, she buried her face in her hands, her thoughts racing. ’What if Prince August tells my brothers what I did? He even pulled my braid. I have never felt so embarrassed in my entire life.’
Sitting upright, she tried to reassure herself. "I will apologize to His Highness tomorrow. Surely he will forgive me. He is a kind man, is he not?"
Then the reality of the situation settled in. She had managed to trouble him on the very day of his arrival, and his icy demeanor had made it abundantly clear that he found her presence thoroughly irritating.
"I simply will not go to the estate house tomorrow. That is the best solution. I need to keep my distance from Prince August," she whispered into the quiet night. "Besides, he will depart in a few days. I only need to ensure he keeps this embarrassing incident to himself until then."
With a determined tone, she repeated those words before going inside her house to retire for the night.
~~~~~~
The next morning, Damian departed with Rodney for the Northern Duke’s provincial office, leaving Eilika behind at the estate.
"My daughters cause me endless trouble," Meghan remarked, taking a seat opposite Eilika with a weary smile. "They have finally left for their dance lessons, so I can at last enjoy a moment of peace with you."
"It certainly demands a great deal of energy to raise children," Eilika observed politely.
"Indeed it does," Meghan agreed, leaning in slightly as her tone took on a more probing edge. "What about you, Eilika? Have you not considered bearing an heir for your husband? Typically, women of noble standing fall pregnant within the first month of their marriage."
"We have thought about it," Eilika replied, choosing to keep her true thoughts regarding motherhood to herself.
"Forgive me if I am prying into your personal affairs. I was merely curious," Meghan said, offering an apologetic gesture.
"Not at all, Lady Meghan. Please, there is no need to apologize."
"I saw Damian last year when I visited Varos with my daughters for a week," Meghan recalled, her expression softening. "He was entirely different from the man he is today. He has grown far more approachable and grounded. Back then, even his tone carried a sharp coldness. It made it abundantly clear he had no interest in speaking to anyone unless it concerned official business."
"I agree," Eilika said quietly. "In the beginning, Damian was precisely like that. It required considerable patience to reach him. He loved his late wife deeply and remained consumed by her memory. But over time, he allowed his heart to open to me and chose to move forward."
"That is wonderful to hear. Everyone deserves an opportunity to move on, for his child, for the Dukedom, and for his own sake," Meghan remarked thoughtfully. She then gestured toward a tray on the table. "Do try these caramel cookies. I baked them myself earlier this morning."
Eilika nodded and took one of the cookies from the tray. Taking a small bite, she found it pleasantly soft, and filled with a caramel center.
"It is truly delicious," Eilika remarked, glancing up with genuine appreciation. "Please share the recipe with me. Roman loves cookies, and I would like to bake these for him."
"Of course," Meghan replied, pleased by the compliment. "I will share my secret recipe with you. My mother taught me the proper technique to ensure they stay soft rather than turning hard."
Eilika offered a word of thanks.
"Your Grace, Mr. Winslow has arrived as per your request," a maid announced, stepping into the room.
"Please bring him in," Meghan instructed.
The maidservant bowed and withdrew. Moments later, she returned, ushering in a dignified, middle-aged man who carried himself with quiet sophistication.
He offered a respectful greeting to both Duchesses before turning to Meghan.
"At your request, Your Grace, I have brought the finest selections from our collection for the upcoming event."
Meghan turned to Eilika, a warm expression on her face. "A ball has been arranged for tomorrow evening, and I thought it fitting for you to wear something tailored to our region’s customs. That is why I summoned Mr. Winslow. His family has served our house for four generations, crafting our finest garments."
"That is truly wonderful," Eilika said, offering a polite smile to the tailor.
"I believe Duchess Eilika would look magnificent in a deep royal blue or emerald green," Mr. Winslow remarked, gesturing for his attendant to present the book of designs. "I have brought several finished gowns with me, but browsing these sketches first will allow Her Grace to select what appeals to her taste."
He offered the volume to Eilika, who accepted it and began turning through the detailed dress designs.
"I like this one," Eilika said, pointing to a particular design.
Meghan leaned in close to inspect the illustration. "Hmm. The cut is lovely."
Mr. Winslow stepped forward, taking the design book back to examine her choice.
"An exceptional choice, Your Grace."
The design featured a bodice of deep emerald velvet, framed by delicate silver embroidery along the square neckline. The fitted sleeves are dusted with subtle beadwork, which Eilika felt would look nice on her.
"I happen to have that exact design finished, and fortunately, I brought it with me today. I would suggest Lady Eilika try it on so we may verify the fit," Mr. Winslow said.
"Let us move to the fitting room," Meghan remarked, rising from her seat and leading them deeper into the mansion.
~~~~~
August sat on the garden swing outside the rest house, turning a tiny jasmine blossom between his fingers, when a young girl’s voice broke the quiet.
"Aren’t you the same gentleman who was arguing with my big sister?"
Turning his head, August recognized both her face and voice immediately. "And aren’t you the same little girl who falsely accused me that day, claiming I scolded your sister when she was the one who started it?"
"Do not speak ill of my sister," the girl insisted, rushing to Xenia’s defense.
"Why not? Is she a princess, that she should be above criticism?" August countered smoothly.
Lara huffed and darted toward the swing, scrambling onto the seat beside him.
"Can you not see I am already sitting here? Step down," August commanded, snapping his fan open between them.
"This swing belongs to my sister. She hung it here six months ago, so I will not leave," Lara declared stubbornly.
"Lara, come over here at once! What are you doing near His Highness?" Xenia called out in alarm, gesturing frantically for her younger sister to step away.
"No, sister! This is our swing," Lara insisted.
August arched an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Xenia, who stood trembling with anxiety. She hurried forward, lifting Lara into her arms to pull her away.
"Please forgive my sister, Your Highness. She does not yet understand the boundaries of rank, but I assure you I will teach her properly," Xenia promised, her voice laced with panic.
"Is this not your third mistake?" August asked coolly.
Pretending not to hear his question, Xenia quickly turned and fled down the path, holding Lara tightly in her arms.
August let out a short laugh just as Samir stepped into the garden. "Your Highness, you seem to take great pleasure in provoking them," Samir observed. "She is only a child; you ought to speak to children with more patience."
"If the child chooses to be insolent with me, I shall respond in kind," August stated.
Samir shook his head with a faint sigh. "If you were married with children of your own, you would not speak like that. Perhaps it is time Your Highness considered taking a wife."
The suggestion brought an immediate chill to the air. August simply glared at Samir, whose expression shifted as he realized he had crossed a boundary he should not have pushed.
"Forgive me," Samir apologized promptly.
"I am not taking any wife at least in this life. I’ve fooled by a woman I gave my heart to and I don’t wish to undergo that same heartbreak," August pronounced with a stern tone.