Eilika waved at Roman as he walked away, his small hand lifting to wave back before he disappeared down the corridor with the tutor and attendants.
He was being taken for his regular lessons— literature, music, art… and even basic strength training.
The thought still amazed her.
In the Duke's household, children were expected to learn discipline and refinement almost as soon as they could speak properly. While ordinary children spent their mornings chasing one another through fields or laughing with friends, Roman's days were already measured in schedules and future responsibilities.
Eilika watched until he turned the corner.
Joanna stepped closer and spoke gently. "My lady, you should visit your mother-in-law."
Eilika blinked, then her lips parted in realization. "Oh, I almost forgot."
She offered Joanna a soft smile. "Please lead the way to her quarters."
Joanna bowed her head slightly and began walking ahead with her usual humble posture. Eilika followed her quietly. They hadn't gone far when a man approached from the opposite side of the hallway.
He wore noble attire and looked confident. As soon as he noticed Eilika, he stopped and bowed politely.
Eilika slowed, returning a respectful nod.
The man lifted his gaze with a charming expression.
"I am Louis Wellington, my lady," he introduced himself smoothly. "Duke Damian's closest friend… And advisor."
Before Eilika could respond, he continued, amusement warming his tone.
"I did not expect to encounter you like this," Louis said. "Had I known, I would have brought a bouquet of flowers for you."
Eilika paused, slightly taken aback.
"A… Bouquet?" she repeated, unable to hide the faint confusion in her voice.
"To offer you my warm wishes for your marriage to the Duke," Louis replied as though such words came naturally to him.
"Oh…" Eilika gave him a small, polite smile. Even in that brief exchange, she could tell he was nothing like Damian, where Damian was cold and intimidating, Louis was light, expressive, almost mischievous.
Louis studied her for a moment, then asked with clear amusement, "Did the Duke give you the gift he bought for you?"
Eilika blinked, caught off guard.
"A gift?" she repeated.
Then she shook her head. "No."
Louis let out a quiet chuckle, as though he had expected that answer. "My friend has truly become unromantic," he said with a dramatic sigh. Then his lips curved again. "But I swear, my lady, he is quite nervous about giving it to you."
Eilika's expression shifted slightly in skepticism.
Louis, however, continued speaking lightly, though his intentions ran deeper than his tone suggested. Damian had always been stubborn when it came to emotions, always building walls instead of bridges. If Damian refused to take a step forward, then Louis would push the door open for him, at least enough to bring husband and wife closer.
Eilika's brows furrowed.
"I don't think the Duke is the type to give gifts to anyone," she said honestly. Then, under her breath, she added, almost bitterly, "Perhaps it was meant for his secret mistress."
Louis froze.
"A secret… Mistress?" His brows lifted sharply, confusion clear on his face as he stared at her.
"Everyone talks about it," Eilika replied. There was a faint taunt in her tone, which she carried subtly. "But I don't mind. If he enjoys his time with her while neglecting his own son… Then who am I to speak?"
Her words landed like a quiet slap.
Louis, however, didn't look offended. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle, as though her sharp tongue amused him more than it surprised him.
"Lady Eilika," he said gently, "you've misunderstood the Duke."
Eilika's gaze narrowed slightly.
"He doesn't have a mistress," Louis continued.
Then he leaned a little closer, raising a hand as if shielding his next words from curious ears. He lowered his voice into a whisper.
"They're rumors," he murmured. "My friend is only drowning in the sorrows of his past."
Eilika's expression faltered.
But before she could ask more, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Louis."
Damian's voice rang down the corridor. The force of it made Louis straighten instantly and step back.
Damian's cold presence approached like an incoming storm.
Louis clasped both his hands behind his back, standing properly beside Eilika with formal posture, as though he had been doing nothing suspicious at all.
"What are you doing here?" Damian demanded.
Eilika's face hardened again.
She didn't bow to greet him.
Instead, she simply stepped away, ignoring his presence.
"I'll leave you both here," she said.
And without sparing Damian even a glance, Eilika walked past them while Joanna followed her.
Louis let out a low, mocking laugh as he watched Eilika walk away without so much as sparing Damian a glance.
"Your wife is amusing," he said, clearly entertained. "She treats you the same way you treat everyone else."
Damian's eyes narrowed at once. His gaze sharpened into something dangerous as he stepped closer.
"What were you whispering to her?" he demanded, suspicion tightening his voice.
Louis's smile widened. "That's a secret," he replied, enjoying Damian's irritation far too much. Then he tilted his head, as if suddenly curious. "But tell me… How are you holding up after being ignored like that?"
He gave a small dramatic sigh. "Seems like Duke Damian has finally met his match."
Damian's jaw clenched.
"Shut up," he snapped.
His eyes flicked toward the direction Eilika had disappeared, but he refused to let Louis see any reaction beyond annoyance.
"She's no match to me," Damian said coldly. "She's here only to play the role of a mother to Roman."
And with that, he turned away, striding in the opposite direction, away from where Eilika went.
Louis followed him quickly and continued, "The scar on Eilika's face is something everyone talks about. What are your thoughts on that?"
"I've no thoughts," Damian replied. "Why don't you give me the report on the mayor? That's very important for me at the moment. Charles is doing his best in hiding the funds which were meant for the town planning."