The following morning, Damian sat with his mother for their customary morning tea. Once the servants had poured the steaming cups and retreated, the room settled into a silence.

"How was your night? Did you sleep well?" Georgia asked, though her eyes remained fixed on his face. "Now that you and Eilika have begun sharing a bed, I imagine things are beginning to shift between you two."

Damian set his cup down against the saucer. He did not touch his tea as he pinned her with a look of quiet poise.

"Mother, what was in those drinks you sent to our chambers last night?" he asked. "A ’medicinal drink,’ you called it. Would you care to provide me with a proper explanation for it?"

Georgia hesitated, her fingers tightening momentarily around her own cup.

"Ah, yes. That," she replied. "It was recommended to me by a friend. I only thought it might be of some benefit."

"And who was that friend? I presume none of the ladies in your social circle are trained physicians," Damian stated, his voice tight.

"Lady Charlotte," Georgia answered, her voice regaining its veneer of calm. "She possesses a vast knowledge of various herbal remedies."

"Mother, seriously?" Damian’s patience finally snapped. "There was an aphrodisiac in those drinks. What in the world were you thinking? How could you lie with such a straight face?"

Georgia’s eyes widened, her composure faltering as the mask of innocence slipped.

"We spoke only yesterday evening about allowing Eilika and me to move at our own pace," Damian continued, his anger boiling over. "I despise it when you resort to such petty, meddlesome schemes. Do not interfere in my marriage again. This is the last warning I’m giving you."

"And what, pray tell, would the Duke do otherwise?" Georgia countered, her voice sharpening with an edge of condescension. "Newlyweds are expected to provide good news before the year is out, yet you—"

"Mother, you already have a grandson," Damian interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "Let me come to know Eilika on my own terms. I intend for every moment we share to be intentional and special. I have no desire to burden her with another child so soon. She deserves to see the world, to travel and explore places with me, rather than being confined to the nursery. This is not the life I envision for her."

He stood up as he looked down at her. "We have both agreed to keep our focus entirely on Roman for the time being. Do not let me find you meddling in our private affairs again."

Georgia furrowed her brows, searching his face for any hint of deceit. "Will you truly care for Eilika in such a manner? If I have your word on that, then I shall not complain again."

"Mother, I am finally seeing her in a different light," Damian replied, his voice turning softer. "Eilika deserves much better than what I have given her thus far. That is why I am endeavoring to be a husband worthy of her. I want to be the reason she smiles, to ensure she enjoys her life. Furthermore, whether or not she chooses to have another child will be her decision alone, not mine. Please, do not listen to those gossiping ladies." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Georgia nodded and assured him that she wouldn’t do anything like last night in future.

"Now, drink your tea before it gets cold."

~~~~

Eilika waved a final goodbye to Roman, watching until he disappeared through the school gates, his satchel bouncing against his back. As the sight of him faded, a quiet resolve settled over her.

"I would like to go to my home," she said, turning her attention to Maurice.

"Yes, Your Grace." Maurice offered no protest and asked no questions regarding her sudden departure from their original plans. He signaled to the driver, who immediately steered the car away from the school and toward the residence of Eilika’s parents.

The vehicle came to a smooth halt before the familiar porch. Maurice was out in an instant, the heavy car door swinging open to grant her exit.

Eilika stepped out into the crisp air, her gaze catching the head maid and the gardener tending to the flowerbeds nearby. She offered them a genuine, warm smile and a polite nod in return to their respectful greetings before crossing the threshold to walk inside.

"This month... let’s not buy grains," Wilfred was saying to Susan when a sudden movement caught his eye. He looked up, his voice trailing off mid-sentence.

"Duchess?"

He was on his feet in an instant. Susan quickly rose from her seat, and together they bowed low to her.

"Bring water for the Duchess," Susan commanded a nearby maid, her posture stiff with respect.

"Please, take a seat, Your Grace. You too, Sir Maurice," Wilfred added, gesturing toward the furniture.

"I will remain outside," Maurice stated, offering a respectful bow to Eilika before stepping away.

Eilika settled onto the sofa chair, her presence shifting the atmosphere of the room. Wilfred watched her, his hands clasped nervously in front of him.

"Why did the Duchess come here?" he asked, his voice strained. "You should have sent word, and I would have come to the estate. Why did you trouble yourself with the journey?"

Eilika looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "Father, it is strange to hear such soft words from you."

Wilfred looked away, his shoulders slumping. "I am guilty about the past, dear."

Eilika’s gaze drifted from his face to the open ledger resting on the table, and then she glanced at Susan, noting the tension in the room.

"Rosaline has already gone to the administration center to fulfill the second day of her punishment," Susan asserted, her voice taut. "Why don’t you drink some water?" She quickly took the tray from the maid and offered it to Eilika.

"No, thank you. I am not thirsty," Eilika replied. She gestured toward the sofa. "You two shall sit."

Wilfred looked at the furniture and then back at her, his expression pained. "How can we even sit in front of the Duchess?" he muttered.