The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

A crowd began to gather outside the District Magistrate’s office as word spread that August had formally reopened the case regarding the brutal assault of a young girl by five men.

Murmurs rippled through the onlookers, many remarking in hushed tones on the prince’s intent to deliver justice after two long years of silence.

Standing beside the heavy high-backed chair near the entrance, William glanced toward the office, waiting for August to emerge. ’What could be keeping him with the victim’s family for so long?’ he wondered silently.

A few moments later, August emerged from the inner office, accompanied by the victim’s parents and Samir. Stepping up to the heavy wooden desk, he took his seat and laid the official case file against the surface.

"Your Highness, our sons are innocent of this," one of the noblemen declared, stepping forward boldly to speak in his son’s defense.

"The girl was innocent as well," August replied, his voice dropping to a dangerous hush. "Yet she lost her life at the hands of your son. Hold your tongue. I have exceptionally little patience for matters like this."

Xenia stepped forward from the edge of the crowd, having overheard the whispers circulating through town. She glanced toward the platform where August sat, her eyes lingering on the grieving parents standing near his chair.

"My investigation revealed severe anomalies in the original records," August continued, addressing the silent courtyard. "The victim came from an impoverished family, and she took her own life only after being denied justice due to fabricated evidence. The truth was systematically buried, and the judgment delivered was entirely one-sided."

"Your Highness, how can you claim the judgment was biased?" the mother of one of the accused interjected, taking an indignant step forward. "Pardon my bluntness, but that girl was merely trying to extort money from our families. She took her own life only because she feared her lies were about to be exposed."

August paid her words no mind. "Bring the accused forward," he commanded William.

As Samir slipped away into the crowd to summon the key witnesses, the guards dragged the five men into the center of the courtyard. Swift kicks to the backs of their knees forced all five to their knees against the dirt.

"This is an outrage! You cannot treat us—" another nobleman shouted, raising his voice in protest.

August stood up slowly from the desk. Without a word, he retrieved the heavy dagger lying beside the case file, drew the blade from its sheath with a and stepped off the platform, walking directly toward the speaking noble.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as August pressed the sharp edge of the blade directly against the nobleman’s throat.

"You are nothing more than an accomplice yourself," August warned, his tone ice-cold. "Do not force me to end your life before I claim your son’s."

Terrified, the nobleman’s wife hastily pulled her husband back, bowing her head and stammering desperate apologies.

"Your Highness, the witnesses are present," Samir announced, stepping forward.

"Since you demand evidence, look upon those who witnessed the entire atrocity," August declared, sweeping his gaze across the accused nobles.

The primary culprit raised his head, his face paling as he recognized the shivering woman before him, his family’s former household maid.

"Young Lord Harvey was heavily intoxicated that night," the woman testified, her voice trembling as tears ran freely down her cheeks. "He and his four companions dragged the girl into the manor. They brutally assaulted her simply because her father could not repay a debt on time." She pressed a hand to her chest, shuddering. "I was forced into silence because Lord Harvey threatened to inflict the same horror upon my own daughter."

"She is lying!" Harvey roared, straining against the guards holding him down. "Where was this so-called witness for the last two years? Prince August, you cannot miraculously produce a witness overnight and call it truth! You are merely inventing lies to prove yourself right!"

August laughed at his audacity. "One of your own companions confessed late last night," he declared coldly.

Grabbing Harvey by the hair, August yanked his head back and pressed the point of the dagger flush against the hollow of his throat, hauling him roughly to his feet.

"Care to guess which of the five of you broke first?" August whispered against his ear. "Make your guess—and be quick, or this blade passes straight through your windpipe."

"I don’t know!" Harvey shrieked, panic flaring in his eyes. Suspecting the prince was merely playing mind games to break him, he resolved to keep his mouth shut and cling to his lies for as long as he could.

"I did," a steady voice called out as a woman stepped forward from the crowd. Removing the broad-brimmed hat that had concealed her face, she bowed respectfully toward August.

"I went to Prince August early this morning and revealed everything regarding Harvey’s crimes, as well as the maid who was on duty that night."

Nydia turned her gaze toward her husband, her eyes filled with quiet indignation. "The night that poor girl was murdered following the assault, Harvey never returned home. I admit my own guilt in remaining silent for two long years, but I was terrified. He threatened to slaughter my parents if I ever uttered a word."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I was overcome with disgust every single day I had to breathe the same air as him. It is why I filed for divorce six months ago, a matter that remains before the family court. I know my confession comes late, but I could no longer live with the agony of staying silent."

August shoved Harvey back into the dirt and stepped away, sheathing his dagger with a sharp click. "These five are to be hanged at the guillotine this evening. Furthermore, their families will be stripped of the titles they wear with such arrogance, condemned to hard labor as commoners starting today. Should any of you imagine this verdict can be appealed to the King’s court, rid yourselves of the illusion. I hold absolute authority here, and my word is final."

Turning his back on the trembling noblemen, August walked toward the grieving parents standing upon the platform. Behind him, William stood frozen, his head bowed and his entire body shaking with dread.

"Effective immediately, William is stripped of his position as District Magistrate," August announced, his voice carrying clearly across the silent courtyard. "He is equally guilty of burying the truth and perverting justice. A full inquiry will be launched against him, and until it concludes, he is to be locked away in the cell. This is the justice owed to a daughter of this kingdom who was robbed of her life."

Tears welled in the eyes of the gathered crowd as the girl’s parents collapsed at August’s feet, weeping uncontrollably and offering breathless prayers of gratitude.

August retreated a step immediately. "Please, do not do this," he insisted softly, gesturing to Samir, who moved swiftly to gently lift the grieving couple back to their feet.

August looked at them, his gaze softening. "Your daughter’s memory will live on in the hearts of the people. See that a proper, honorable funeral is arranged for her this time. I shall attend it myself." He reached out, offering a comforting squeeze to her father’s arm before stepping back.

At his unspoken signal, the guards seized every last culprit, dragging them away into custody while the remaining court inspectors scrambled to execute the prince’s directives.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, Xenia remained behind. She watched the prince with quiet admiration, struck by the swiftness of his judgment—a rare sight among the officials of the realm.

August turned to depart alongside Samir, but Xenia stepped directly into their path.

Bowing her head low, she spoke softly, "Thank you for bringing justice to Sadie, Your Highness. You have accomplished what no one else dared to over these past two years. From this day forth, you are a true beacon of justice."

She lifted her gaze, a radiant smile breaking through as she brushed away her tears.

August furrowed his brows as the thunderous cheers of the crowd suddenly echoed from the courtyard, the townspeople hooting and chanting his name in unison. Samir smiled warmly at the sound, but August stood frozen, stunned into silence. Never in his life had he anticipated such reverence from the public.

For as long as he could remember, he had only ever seen judgment and disgust in the eyes of others, a constant reminder that he was merely the son of a mistress.

Passing through the grand entrance doors, Xenia joined in the cheering, turning back to offer him a bright, knowing smile before vanishing into the crowd.

Samir joined in the cheering as well, his eyes bright with quiet pride for the prince.

August strode toward his waiting carriage, raising a hand to signal the roaring crowd to quiet down. "Enough of this," he declared. "I did not come here for praise. If any among you carry grievances that demand justice, seek out this lady for directions." He gestured toward Xenia before stepping into the carriage.

As the door clicked shut and the carriage lurched forward, a subtle smile crept onto his lips, his chest swelling with a warmth he had never known before.

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