"I understand, Your Grace," Louis said, lowering his head slightly. "Do you both intend to stay here longer?"

"At least for a week," Damian replied.

A small, knowing smile appeared on Louis’s lips. He bowed once again before taking his leave and heading toward the guest room that had been prepared for him.

As soon as he was gone, Damian’s expression shifted.

"Why do I feel he hasn’t told me everything?" he murmured under his breath.

Beside him, Maurice swallowed nervously, recalling that he had been the one who informed Louis about the mission’s completion.

Damian did not press further. Instead, he turned and made his way upstairs.

When he entered the room, he found Eilika standing by the cupboard, neatly placing freshly ironed clothes inside.

"Is Roman not with you?" he asked.

Eilika glanced over her shoulder.

"No," she replied. "He’s in his room, drawing. A maid is with him."

She closed the cupboard door and turned to face him fully.

Damian walked in and locked the door behind him.

"Louis spoke to you about taking Roman back to Varos, didn’t he?" he asked.

"Yes," Eilika said calmly. "But I refused. Roman has only just begun to feel at ease."

For a moment, Damian was left speechless.

He had expected resistance from her, but not in this way. Once again, she had surprised him.

"What are you thinking?" Eilika asked, studying his expression.

"I thought you might agree to send him back," Damian admitted. "Forgive me for thinking that."

Eilika turned away slightly.

"Roman is more important to me than you," she said.

Then, without another word, she walked toward the balcony.

Damian stood frozen for a moment.

"What...?"

The words barely left his lips. An unfamiliar ache stirred in his chest.

"I should be glad," he thought. "That my son holds such a place in her heart..."

But instead, something else crept in, something he could not quite name and understand.

"It feels strange."

After a moment, he followed her outside.

Eilika was seated on the swing, gently pushing herself forward and back. The cool afternoon breeze lifted the loose strands of her hair as she closed her eyes for a moment, quietly enjoying the calm.

"What does the Duke want now?" Eilika asked, glancing at him briefly before turning her attention back to the gentle motion of the swing. "If you have nothing else to do, you may push me."

Damian gave a small nod and stepped behind her.

Placing his hands lightly on the swing, he began to push it forward with slow, steady movements. The chains creaked softly as the swing moved back and forth in a calm rhythm.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The silence stretched between them, filled only by the sound of the breeze and the faint rustling of leaves.

Finally, Damian broke the silence.

"Louis mentioned that there are many rumors spreading in Varos," he said. "I am not concerned about them, but I hope they do not affect you."

Eilika let out a quiet hum.

"My sister is one of the people spreading those rumors," she said, her tone subdued.

Damian’s brows furrowed immediately.

"What? Why would she do that?"

Eilika gave a faint, almost resigned smile.

"I should not speak ill of my family," she said softly. "But they have always been like this."

She let the swing slow slightly before turning her head just enough to look at him.

"Anyway," she continued, "would you like to sit?"

Damian opened his mouth, intending to refuse. But the words never came. For some reason, he could not bring himself to say no. Quitely, he sat next to her.

"Louis mentioned that there are people who don’t want you to remain the Duke," Eilika said thoughtfully, her gaze fixed ahead as the swing moved gently. "And now that I think about it, even that motorcar accident, it was planned. That night, we didn’t use the car, but the threat still remains. Maurice was never able to find out who was behind it, was he?"

Damian’s expression sharpened instantly. His eyes darkened slightly as he listened.

"There are several noble families who have long wanted me to step down," he said. "Mostly because I chose to remain without a wife for years. My father was the King’s brother," he continued. "That alone made me a target. The nobles used my personal decisions as a weapon against me."

A faint scoff escaped him. "But I have never cared for their opinions. I do what I believe is right."

"For now, they are targeting our marriage," Eilika said quietly. "You should have at least come as the groom."

Her voice held no anger, only a quiet truth.

"What explanation can we even give for your absence?" she continued. "They are not just mocking you, they are mocking me as well."

The swing slowed and finally came to a stop.

"Because," she added softly, "they believe I failed to charm my own husband."

Silence fell between them as their eyes met. After a moment, Eilika spoke again. "Rosaline... you have met her, haven’t you?"

Damian nodded slightly.

"If you mean the woman who came to see me uninvited, then yes," he replied. "I sent her away."

His gaze hardened faintly. "She must have spread the news of my absence, then. Those present at the wedding were loyal enough to remain silent."

Eilika lowered her eyes briefly.

"I suspect her as well," she said. "Louis mentioned it, and I trust he would not say such a thing without reason."

A quiet sigh left her lips.

"Forgive me," she added. "Because of my sister, you will now have to answer for this when we return to Varos." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

For a moment, Damian said nothing. "You are apologizing for something you did not do," he said calmly. Your sister’s actions are not your responsibility. And as for the rumors..." he added, "I will deal with them myself."

Eilika remained quiet and looked ahead of herself.

"Damian, let’s make them believe that we do have a relationship stronger than they have ever imagined. We will start with going in public events," Eilika pronounced.