After Roman was led toward the mansion for his morning lessons and Titan was taken to the Stables, a quiet anticipation settled over the courtyard.
Both Eilika and Damian turned their attention to Sylvian, who stood before a large, draped frame.
"I wish to gift you both this piece. It is a work I created myself, picturing the two of you," Sylvian announced, gesturing to the servants who stepped forward to hold the heavy canvas.
Eilika felt a flicker of doubt. Sylvian had only recently arrived; she couldn't understand how he could have captured her likeness so accurately in a painting of this scale.
"I forgot to mention that he is quite the artist," Damian said, his voice holding a trace of rare pride as he looked at his cousin. "Now, I am surrounded by three of them–you, Louis, and Sylvian."
Eilika offered a small, distracted nod just as the servants pulled away the velvet cloth.
"Oh my god!" she breathed, her hand flying to her lips in shock.
