The Itch for Something Wild Chapter 2

That night, Leo devoured the honey-lotus pudding, practically licking the bowl clean. If I hadn’t stopped him, he probably would have taken the dish with him. I despised that about him. He was the only trueborn son of the Duke, yet he carried himself like a common street rogue with no ambition.

Thankfully, the laws of succession in our kingdom were clear: the title passes to the firstborn, not the son of the primary wife. Otherwise, I couldn’t imagine how long our great House would last in his clumsy hands.

I sighed, watching him leave before instructing my page to buy a box of cakes from the East Street bakery. Eleanor had a sweet tooth, both for making and eating desserts. Usually, whenever I upset her, a simple offering of pastries was enough to bring back her smile. Her temper was like a kitten’s scratch—sharp for a moment, then easily soothed. It was amusing at first, but now, it just felt tiresome. I’d rather have a courtesan from the pleasure district who could throw a playful insult while fanning herself with a silk handkerchief.

Shaking my head, I took the box of cakes from the page and went to our chambers.

Eleanor was there, just as I’d expected, sitting at her vanity and brushing her hair. She didn’t even look up when I entered.

I slid up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist in a gesture of reconciliation. “My dear, forgive my harsh words. I never meant to cause you pain.”

Our eyes met in the polished bronze mirror.

“Who ate the pudding?” she asked, her voice flat.

I didn’t understand her obsession with this trivial matter. What did it matter if I ate it or Leo ate it? We were family. Frankly, it was her fault for only making one serving. My giving it away was a sign of brotherly generosity, and still, she chose to be difficult.

I forced a smile. “I did, of course. How could I give away something made for me with such care?”

A small, knowing smile touched her lips. “Good.”

I placed the box of cakes in her lap and watched her expression closely. Seeing the familiar delight return to her eyes, I relaxed. “Eleanor, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

This time, however, she didn’t tear into the box with her usual excitement. She merely glanced at it before setting it aside on her vanity. I was surprised but didn’t dwell on it. People change. If I could predict her every move, I wouldn't have fought so hard to marry her in the first place. A little change wasn’t a crisis; it was… intriguing.

“His Majesty wants to send an envoy to Veridia to restore order after the floods. I want to volunteer.”

She finally turned to look at me, her gaze steady. “Do you have to go?”

I nodded, launching into the speech I had prepared. “Our House has lost favor at court. If I succeed in Veridia, I could earn great prestige for our family. It might be the key to securing my position as the official Heir to the Duchy.”

It was true. While the law favored the firstborn, my father had broken his marriage pact with the Duke’s official wife by taking my mother, who was already pregnant with me, as a consort. The King, in his fury, had stripped our House of its guaranteed succession, leaving the title of Heir in limbo. For years, I had schemed and strived, but I could never reclaim the title outright. His Majesty forbade both me and Leo from earning glory on the battlefield, so this mission to Veridia was my only real chance.

I laid all this out for Eleanor.

She listened patiently, then offered a serene smile. “If this is about securing your legacy, then I would never stand in your way.” She paused, her eyes unreadable. “If your mind is made up, then you should go.”

Her calm acceptance left me feeling strangely hollow. She didn’t even ask to come with me.

How odd.