In the principal’s office, the atmosphere was surprisingly informal. Damian watched from his seat as Eilika leaned in for her conversation with Liam, flowing with an ease that only came from years of shared history.

"Your Grace, this is Liam Anderson," Eilika said, turning toward Damian to bridge the gap. "He’s the friend I mentioned once before, the one who is so well-versed in medical science."

Damian offered a smile, his eyes briefly scanning Liam. "I see," he replied. His tone was polite but held the natural reserve of a man used to maintaining a certain distance.

The principal checked his pocket watch and stood up, looking apologetic. He explained that he was expected at an urgent district meeting regarding new educational standards and, after offering his humble excuses, left the three of them alone in the quiet office.

The silence that followed was broken by Liam, who leaned back and looked at Damian. "I imagine a place like this is quite a shock to the system, isn’t it?" he remarked, gesturing toward the weathered walls. "I suppose the Duke had no idea a school in this condition even existed in the city."

"Yes, I didn’t," Damian admitted.

"I never told the Duke about this place," Eilika added.

"You can speak informally with me, as you always do," Damian told her, setting his cup of green tea back onto the saucer with a quiet clink.

Liam leaned forward, his expression becoming more serious. "I heard the Duchess had disappeared for a while. There was quite a search going on for her," he pointed out. "Eilika, don’t tell me the Duke was the reason. There have been rumors that your married life isn’t exactly a happy one."

"That isn’t true. People love to invent stories when they have nothing better to talk about," Eilika said, quickly diffusing the speculation. "Something did happen recently, but I can’t share the details with you. It’s a private matter."

"I understand," Liam stated, though his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer.

"How long have you two known each other?" Damian asked, his gaze shifting between them with genuine curiosity.

"Since we were ten," Liam replied.

"That was the year you transferred here," Eilika remarked, a nostalgic smile appearing. "You were such a shy boy back then."

"And you were the shyest girl in the class, though easily the smartest," Liam remarked with a chuckle.

"I wasn’t shy," Eilika defended herself, a playful glint in her eyes. "I simply didn’t see the point in talking when I had nothing to say."

Damian felt a tight knot forming in his chest. He sat there, listening to them trade memories of a childhood he had no part in, realizing that this man knew versions of Eilika that he hadn’t even imagined. It was a sharp reminder that their own marriage was barely two months old, a drop of water compared to the decade of history they shared.

"Were you present at our wedding, Liam?" Damian suddenly asked, cutting into their back-and-forth.

"Yes, I was there, Your Grace," Liam answered.

"So, do you teach at this school?" Damian asked, his questions coming more rapidly now as he tried to piece together Eilika’s life.

"No. I run an infirmary in the city. I’m only here today for the students’ monthly checkups," Liam explained. He then looked at Damian, a small smile playing on his lips. "Eilika used to give weekly classes here. That’s actually how she met the Dowager Duchess," he revealed.

Damian’s eyes widened. He sat back slightly, the information catching him completely off guard.

"Yes, that is how I met my mother-in-law," Eilika agreed, her tone casual as if it were common knowledge.

"It turns out the Duke didn’t know. His reaction says it all," Liam remarked, his voice carrying a subtle, teasing edge.

"Mother and I never told him," she answered quickly, stepping in to shield Damian from the jab. "Besides, the Duke stays busy with his work. He has a lot on his plate."

"Even so," Liam affirmed, holding Damian’s gaze for a second too long, "a man should at least know the history of his own wife."

"Liam," she said, her voice firm as she gave him a pointed glare to signal he was overstepping.

"Forgive me if I spoke out of turn," Liam replied, offering a humble, though somewhat clipped, apology.

"It’s fine," Damian answered, his voice steady despite the underlying tension. "I don’t mind it, so please, relax. I’m just wondering when the principal will return. I’d like to speak with him regarding the renovation of this school."

Liam looked surprised by the offer, but before he could comment, Eilika spoke up.

"Before you get into business, why don’t we visit the classrooms to meet the students?" she suggested, hoping to shift the mood. "I think you should see the heart of the place first."

~~~~

Damian was struck by the sight of the children surrounding Eilika. Their affection was immediate and unfiltered, and she met it with a warmth that seemed to light up the playground.

He finally understood why his mother had been so adamant about this match. A heart like hers was one in a million; someone who could love these children so selflessly clearly possessed a rare kind of grace that extended to everyone she met.

"Your Grace, I’ve wanted to speak with you privately for a long time," Liam said, his voice low as he stepped up to stand beside him.

Damian didn’t pull his gaze away from Eilika, who was currently laughing at a drawing a young boy had handed her. "Is that so?"

"Eilika deserves all the love in the world. I hope you’re able to provide her with that soon," Liam asserted, keeping his voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry across the room. "I know your history, but more than anything, I want my friend to be happy."

Damian shifted his gaze from Eilika to the man beside him. The protectiveness in Liam’s tone was unmistakable. "Did you have feelings for her?" Damian asked directly.

Liam didn’t flinch at the question. He watched Eilika for a moment before turning back to the Duke. "Does that matter?" he questioned calmly. "What matters is that she is your wife now, and that is a truth that cannot be changed."