Roman climbed inside the motorcar, eagerly claiming the seat between both of his parents. Throughout the entire journey, he did not cease peppering them with a barrage of questions, all of which Damian and Eilika answered with steady patience.

An hour later, the vehicle came to a smooth halt in front of the academy gates. Maurice was the first to step outside, assessing the perimeter. A contingent of bodyguards was already stationed around the entrance, and after one of them gave a brief nod of clearance, Maurice stepped forward to open the door on the Duke’s side.

Damian stepped out, lifting Roman down after him. The young boy stood frozen for a moment, looking up at the sprawling, grand architecture of the academy building.

Maurice then moved quickly to open the remaining door for Eilika. She offered him a brief word of thanks before stepping onto the pavement and walking over to take her place at her husband’s side.

"Shall we proceed?" Damian asked, glancing down at his wife.

"Yes," Eilika replied softly.

Before they could take a step, Roman quickly slipped into the space between them, grasping each of their hands in his small palms.

At the top of the grand stone staircase, the head of the academy, Lady Amelia, stood waiting to receive them alongside her personal assistant.

Bowing her head in a formal greeting, she welcomed the ducal couple. "The Young Master has grown considerably since I last saw him," Lady Amelia remarked with a warm smile.

"That is because I drink my milk every single day," Roman piped up proudly.

"Roman, please greet the headmistress properly," Damian instructed his son. "This is Lady Amelia, and she is the one in charge of the entire academy."

Realizing his lapse in protocol, Roman was quick to bow his head in deep reverence to the headmistress.

"The Duke hasn’t left anything in teaching mannerism to the Young Master," Lady Amelia replied. "Please this way."

The three of them followed the headmistress into the grand building, with Maurice walking a few paces behind to maintain a watchful eye.

Once they were settled inside the headmistress’s private office, Lady Amelia signaled for an attendant to bring refreshments.

"Roman has already received most of his foundational lessons at the estate," Damian began, addressing the headmistress. "Since he has reached his fifth year, the Duchess and I believed it was time to enroll him in an institution where he might interact with peers of his own age and standing."

"I understand perfectly, Your Grace," Lady Amelia replied with a nod. "We have recently welcomed a new intake of students, and I am confident the Young Master will have no difficulty keeping pace with the curriculum."

The attendant returned, offering a silver tray with glasses of water to the gathered guests.

"You may address Roman by his name, Lady Amelia," Damian asserted, setting his glass down. "Within the walls of an academy, all students should stand on equal ground, given that they pursue the very same knowledge."

"I understand completely, Your Grace."

"May Roman begin his first day of instruction today?" Eilika asked, setting her glass down onto the low table.

"Of course," Lady Amelia replied. "I shall summon Miss Walwin to the office immediately, as she will be serving as Roman’s homeroom instructor." She glanced toward her assistant, who bowed and promptly stepped out of the room to fulfill the request.

"Regarding the academy uniforms and the necessary instructional texts, we maintain indoor dispensaries for those supplies. I can easily have the attendants bring the items directly to us here so that you and the Duke do not need to trouble yourselves," Lady Amelia offered.

"There is no need for that. We are perfectly willing to walk there," Eilika stated with a polite smile. "That way, we might also take the opportunity to look around the academy grounds."

"As you wish, Your Grace," Lady Amelia replied, inclining her head in agreement.

"Roman, do you have any questions before we begin?" Eilika asked, looking down at her son, who simply shook his head in response.

Just then, the door opened and his homeroom teacher, Miss Harriet Walwin, stepped into the office. She offered a formal greeting to the ducal couple and took a respectful position a few paces away.

"The Duke and Duchess’s son will be joining your class starting today, Miss Walwin," Lady Amelia announced. "Roman, why don’t you greet Miss Harriet Walwin? She will be guiding you through your first academic year here."

The boy slid down from the sofa and stood tall before his teacher. "Good morning, Miss Walwin. I am Roman Van Kingsley. I look forward to learning under your guidance."

"And I look forward to teaching you, Roman," Harriet replied softly. Her gaze then shifted to Eilika, her expression tightening slightly as recognition registered in her eyes.

"Miss Walwin, please escort the Duchess and the young master to the dispensary for the text books and uniforms," Lady Amelia instructed.

"Eilika, you should proceed with Roman," Damian stated, turning to his wife. "I shall remain here, as I have further matters to discuss with the headmistress."

Eilika nodded, taking Roman by the hand before following Harriet out of the room, with Maurice keeping pace behind them.

Once the heavy office doors clicked shut, Damian’s demeanor shifted into a cold seriousness. "I do not want anyone to make Roman feel inferior for having a stepmother," he began, looking directly at Lady Amelia.

"My chief concern is that children frequently gossip about such domestic matters because they overhear them from adults. Roman is the type of child who would hide such distress from both myself and my wife. Therefore, I expect you to keep a vigilant eye on the student body and inform me immediately should any such situation arise."

"I shall keep that foremost in my mind, Your Grace. Rest assured, your son will not face such difficulties under my watch. I will ensure no such malicious gossip ever reaches his ears," she assured him firmly.

Damian nodded, satisfied with her commitment. "Very well. Now, let us review the institutional fee structure and the associated endowments for this academic year."