Eilika dropped to her knees at once, opening her arms wide.
The maid gently released Roman, and the boy immediately ran to her. Still clutching his soft toy in one small hand, he threw himself into Eilika's embrace as if he had been holding that longing inside him for far too long.
Eilika wrapped her arms around him without hesitation, pulling him close. Her heart tightened as she felt how tightly he clung to her, how desperately he needed warmth, comfort… A mother.
She began stroking his back in slow, soothing motions, realizing just how much he had missed this kind of love.
After a moment, she leaned back slightly and cupped his cheeks.
Then she pressed a gentle kiss to the middle of his forehead.
"I'm sorry I didn't come to see you earlier, Roman," Eilika whispered.
Roman blinked up at her.
"It's okay," he said. After a pause, he asked in a small voice, almost afraid of being denied, "Can I call you… 'Mama'?"
Eilika's throat tightened.
"Yes," she nodded. "You can."
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she brushed his hair back.
"You have a nice name," she added. "Roman… Did your father give you that name?"
As she looked at him as her old childhood memories stirred in her own chest. She remembered being a child who had once wanted the same thing: a mother's warmth, a mother's affection.
But her stepmother had never offered her that kindness.
And perhaps because of that, Eilika knew one thing clearly—
She would pour every bit of love she had into Roman.
Roman's expression dimmed at her question. His fingers tightened around the toy.
"No," he said.
Then, his voice lowered, heavy with a pain far too big for a child.
"Father hates me."
"Huh?"
Eilika froze, visibly startled by Roman's words. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. A child should never speak with such certainty about being hated, especially by his own father.
But she didn't question him.
She could tell he was fragile at that moment. If she pushed, he might break down… Or worse, bury the pain even deeper. So instead, Eilika softened her expression and chose comfort over curiosity.
"I still need to freshen up, Roman," she said gently, brushing his hair back with tenderness. "Will you wait for me here?"
Roman nodded, his wide eyes following her closely, afraid she might leave for too long.
Eilika continued, "And tell me, have you had breakfast? If not, then we'll eat together."
Roman's face brightened instantly, as if her words were the sweetest promise in the world.
"I haven't eaten yet," he admitted. "I wanted to have breakfast with Mama."
Eilika's heart tightened again, but this time with warmth instead of sorrow.
"That's wonderful," she said softly.
All of a sudden, she lifted him up into her arms. Roman let out a startled little gasp, clutching his toy tighter as she carried him.
Eilika lowered him gently onto the bed, settling him comfortably like he belonged there, like he belonged with her.
"Mama will hurry," she assured him, leaning down. "I'll come back within minutes."
She kissed him again, this time on his cheek, making Roman smile shyly.
Then she turned to Joanna.
"Where is the bathroom?" Eilika asked.
"Please follow me," Joanna said, leading Eilika's way outside.
~~~~~
Damian tightened the last button of the waistcoat before a servant helped him slip into the white long coat.
"Did you not touch Eilika last night?" Georgia's voice came from behind. Damian gestured to the servant to step back while keeping his gaze on the mirror before him.
"This marriage happened because you wanted a mother for Roman," Damian replied. "You already have a future heir. So, there's no need for me to get intimate with the woman of your liking."
Sliding the ring into his index finger which his first wife gifted him, he finally turned around.
"You instructed the servants to lock the door from outside," Damian said coldly. His voice carried no surprise, only irritation. "Mother, your tricks won't work on me."
Georgia's lips tightened, but she didn't back down. Her eyes flashed with accusation as she stepped closer.
"Don't fool me," she snapped. "If there had been a more beautiful woman than Eilika, you would've definitely touched her."
She scoffed. "You didn't do it because of that scar on her cheek."
Damian's jaw clenched. "Mother," he said, "let's stop here."
He took a slow breath, forcing control back into his voice.
"You should go to your daughter's home for a few days," Damian continued. "She's pregnant, and she wants you by her side."
Georgia's expression changed, not softened, but intensified. Her anger flared like fire.
"And if I leave?" she shot back. "You'll make Eilika's life hell here."
Her voice rose as fear and fury tangled together.
"You've already done it to Roman!" Georgia nearly shouted. "That poor boy barely speaks now. Can't you see what you're doing to him? Can't you see the damage you've caused?"
Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Then she pressed a hand to her head, grimacing.
"Gosh…" she muttered harshly. "My head hurts every time I speak to you."
With that, she turned sharply and stormed out of the dressing room, leaving behind Damian in a bitter silence.
"Your Grace, you are supposed to meet—" the valet began, stepping forward.
But Damian cut him off without even looking in his direction.
"Where is Roman?" he demanded.
The valet hesitated, caught off guard by the abrupt question.
"Um…" Franklin cleared his throat politely. "I heard he is with Lady Eilika, Your Grace."
Damian's brows knitted together at once.
With Eilika?
For a brief moment, confusion stirred in him, what could Roman possibly be doing with her? But the thought barely lingered. After all, Eilika's role in this household was clear.
She was meant to take care of Roman and become a mother to him.
"They are having breakfast together," Franklin added, then brightened as though an idea had just struck him. "Why doesn't the Duke join them as well?"
Damian's gaze flickered slightly, but his face remained stern.
Franklin continued carefully, choosing his words with optimism.
"It is said that the first breakfast with your wife brings good luck," he said warmly, hoping that this small moment could soften the Duke's harsh edges. That perhaps… Damian could feel love and warmth again.