Damian kept thinking about what Louis had told him in the evening. Now, in the darkness of his room, he felt nothing but a strange aloofness. Finally, standing up from the chair, he went to see Eilika. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As he approached the doors, the usual stillness of the palace wing was broken by a sound that gave him pause: the bright, melodic laughter of Eilika and Roman. He stepped inside, moving quietly as he watched them. They were in the midst of a game, their faces glowing with a carefree joy he rarely witnessed.

Shouldn’t she be resting? he wondered, a flicker of concern crossing his mind.

"Father!" Roman gasped, freezing in place with a ball clutched to his chest. Eilika stopped beside him, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath, a stray lock of hair falling across her damp forehead.

"Joanna, please take Roman to his room. I wish to speak with the Duchess alone," Damian said. His voice was uncharacteristically soft, lacking its usual sharp edge of command.

Eilika’s eyes widened slightly at the change in his tone; she looked at him with curiosity and wariness before glancing down at her son.

"Mama, I will see you later," Roman said dutifully. He gave her a polite bow, cast one last curious look at his father, and followed Joanna out of the chamber.

"To what do I owe the honor of the Duke’s visit at such an hour?" Eilika inquired as she poured a glass of water. Damian settled onto the velvet couch, and she took the seat across from him, cradling the glass in both hands.

"We need to travel to Netham," Damian stated, his eyes fixed on her.

"Netham?" Eilika paused, the glass halfway to her lips. "Is that not in the southern reaches of the kingdom?"

"It is," Damian replied. "A complex case has surfaced there regarding child trafficking. It is a grim matter, and Louis suggested that I should bring you along. He believes your presence would be an asset that your way with children might open doors that my soldiers and I cannot."

Eilika drank the water slowly before finishing it. "I have no desire to leave Roman alone in this mansion," she stated firmly. "Besides, I believe Netham has its own Duke to see such matters."

"The Crown Prince has personally ordered me to investigate," Damian explained. "Netham does not have its own Duke; it is governed by a local official who answers directly to me, given its proximity to Varos. We won’t be leaving Roman behind. This case is delicate and may take up to a month to resolve, so he will accompany us. As for the affairs of the estate, Louis will remain here to oversee everything."

Eilika hummed softly, considering the weight of the mission. "I understand," she replied, setting her glass down. "When are we expected to depart for Netham?"

"Tomorrow, most likely," Damian answered. He moved to stand, preparing to end the conversation, but Eilika’s voice stopped him.

"I have an important matter to discuss with you as well," she said, her expression turning serious.

Damian paused and lowered himself back onto the cushions of the couch. "Yes? Speak."

"Let us stop behaving like strangers when we are around Roman," Eilika began, her eyes searching for him. "Earlier today, he asked me why we fight with one another. I’m not sure where he heard such things, but we must ensure we present ourselves as a united front, as perfect parents, when he is watching. Children are incredibly sensitive to the atmosphere between their parents. I am well aware that we don’t enjoy each other’s company, but this is no longer just about our feelings. It is about the life of a child who is tied to both of us."

Damian nodded solemnly. "I will cooperate, provided you refrain from speaking so sharply to me."

"You are the one who instigates me, and you rarely speak with respect," Eilika countered. "Every woman dreams of a husband who will love, respect, and cherish her. I know your heart is bound to your late wife, so I do not ask for your love. But I do ask for respect. That is all I require. I am not a greedy woman; I will never demand feelings you cannot give."

Damian felt a sudden, sharp tug at his heart. Eilika was unlike any woman he had ever known. For the first time, he realized he had done her a great disservice by allowing her to marry into his cold, hollow life.

"You should have found a better man," Damian said quietly. "A man who was capable of giving you his heart entirely."

"A woman with a scar is unwanted," Eilika stated, her gaze dropping for a moment. "When my own father never treated me with kindness, how could I expect a stranger to do so? Men seek beauty above all else. That is the ultimate truth of our world."

"Beauty has different meanings," Damian pronounced, his voice dropping an octave. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes tracing the lines of her face. "Do not lower your worth because of the words a cruel society has thrown at you. To be honest... I never even truly noticed the scar on your cheek until you mentioned it yourself."

Eilika held his gaze for a moment longer than they expected.

"I will take my leave then," Damian said, though he didn’t move immediately.

"Have dinner with me and Roman," Eilika said swiftly, the invitation escaping before she could overthink it. She nervously licked her bottom lip, her eyes searching for any sign of rejection. "Your son will like it. He wants to have a family like the others, to see us together, even if it’s just for a meal."

Damian looked at her, seeing the earnestness in her expression and the quiet hope she held for the boy’s sake. "Alright," he agreed. "I will join you both." He glanced at her left hand and saw she had put on the ring while he had thrown his somewhere in his chamber.