"Why do you think Roman won’t ask for you?" Eilika asked, arching an eyebrow as she looked at him. "If you believe the distance between you and him was caused by your negligence... then you are not entirely wrong."

"But Roman does ask about you," she continued. "All the time."

Damian’s gaze lifted slightly.

"I saw it back at the mansion," Eilika added. "After finishing his studies each day, he would always ask someone where his father was."

Her voice softened a little. "He looks for you more than you realize."

Before Damian could respond, Eilika heard footsteps approaching. She turned her head and saw the maid returning with a tray in her hands.

The maid carefully placed the tray on the table. A glass bowl filled with neatly sliced fruits rested in the center.

After arranging it properly, the maid bowed politely and quietly left the room, leaving the two of them alone again.

Eilika picked up the bowl and fork.

"Your son resembles you more than you think," she said while taking the first bite. "Don’t forget that."

She began eating the sliced fruits, clearly enjoying their sweetness.

For a moment, Damian remained silent.

"You seem to have a way of comforting me," he murmured quietly.

He watched her as she ate, his gaze lingering longer than usual as he absentmindedly observed the calmness in her expression.

After a moment, Eilika noticed his quiet stare.

"Do you want some?" she asked.

She rose from her seat and walked over to him.

Spearing a small piece of papaya on the fork, she lifted it toward him.

"Ah—wait!" she said suddenly. "I’ll bring another fork for you."

She was about to lower the fork when Damian leaned forward slightly.

Before she could move away, he took the piece of fruit from the fork.

Eilika froze for a brief second, surprised by his sudden action. A smile carved on her lips as she fed him more.

~~~~

In the afternoon, after everyone had finished lunch together, the cottage slowly grew quiet. The children, exhausted from running and playing the entire morning, shuffled off to their rooms.

Roman, however, had other plans.

Instead of following the others, he wandered toward his parents’ room. His small footsteps were light against the wooden floor as he pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside.

What he saw made him step in curiously.

Eilika stood in front of Damian, carefully adjusting the coat over his tall frame. She smoothed the fabric over his shoulders and straightened the collar as if making sure everything looked proper before he left.

Damian stood still, allowing her to fix the coat.

Roman climbed onto a nearby chair, his tiny legs swinging back and forth as he watched the scene with interest.

"Is Father going somewhere?" he asked innocently.

"Oh, Roman? When did you come in?" Eilika asked in mild surprise, tilting her head as she noticed him sitting there.

"Just a moment ago, Mama," Roman replied cheerfully. His small legs continued to swing back and forth from the chair. "I want to go with Father too."

Eilika finished fastening the last button on Damian’s coat before turning toward the boy. A gentle smile appeared on her face as she walked closer.

"Your father is leaving for some important work outside," she explained softly. "When you grow up into a big man, then you can accompany him."

Roman puffed his cheeks slightly.

"But I’m already a big boy, Mama," he insisted. "I’m going to be five very soon."

Then he turned his hopeful eyes toward Damian.

"I promise I won’t trouble you, Father," he said earnestly.

Damian looked at his son for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"It isn’t about you causing trouble," he said calmly. "The work I’m going for is important, and children cannot come there. As your mother said, when you grow into a big man, you can accompany me."

Then he placed a hand gently on Roman’s head.

"But while I’m away, you have another important task."

Roman’s eyes brightened with curiosity, ready to accept it.

"You must take care of your mother in my absence," Damian said in a gentle voice.

"Don’t worry, Father," Roman said with great seriousness. "I will take care of Mama behind your back."

His innocent confidence made Eilika smile softly. "Give your father a kiss before he leaves," she said gently.

Roman did not waste a second. He wrapped his tiny arms tightly around his father’s neck.

Damian bent slightly and lifted the boy into his arms.

Roman quickly planted a kiss on his father’s cheek.

Damian smiled faintly before pressing a kiss to Roman’s forehead.

"I will be away from the cottage for a few days," he said calmly. "While I’m gone, you must not trouble your mother."

Roman nodded eagerly.

"And don’t make stubborn demands from her," Damian added. "Be a good boy."

Then he lowered his voice slightly. "When your father returns, he will bring a lot of candies for you."

Roman’s eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

"Really?" he asked, his voice filled with delight.

Damian gave a small nod.

"I’ll be waiting for you, Father," Roman said happily. "And I promise I won’t trouble Mama."

"Father, you didn’t kiss Mama," Roman suddenly said, looking up at him with innocent curiosity.

The unexpected remark made Eilika glance quickly at Roman, her eyes widening slightly.

She could almost see the thought forming in his little mind.

Roman then turned toward her, his expression completely serious.

"Mama, you shouldn’t stop Father," he insisted. "He should give you a kiss too."

Eilika felt a faint warmth creep up her cheeks at the child’s blunt honesty.

For a brief moment, her eyes lifted toward Damian. He was already looking at her, his gaze calm but slightly unreadable.

The silence that followed felt strangely awkward.

Roman’s innocent eyes moved between them, clearly waiting for the moment to happen.

Before the situation could grow any more uncomfortable, Eilika quickly spoke.

"Your father already gave me a kiss," she said gently, forcing a small smile.

Roman blinked in surprise.

"Really?" he asked.

Eilika nodded as naturally as she could, hoping the little lie would satisfy his curiosity and save them both from further embarrassment.