The next morning, Eilika woke up early and freshened up. Once she was ready, she checked on Damian, who was still sleeping peacefully. Last night had been one of the most difficult of his life; the truth had dismantled the world he had built around Liliana’s memory, leaving only wreckage in its wake.

As she gently touched his forehead, his eyes moved instantly. Eilika pulled her hand back quickly as he blinked awake.

"I didn’t want to disturb your sleep," she whispered.

Damian propped himself up on his elbows before sitting up fully. "The King is heading back to the capital today. It’s good that you woke me," he said, his voice thick with sleep. He rubbed his face and lowered his feet to the floor.

"Are you alright?" Eilika asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Yes," Damian replied curtly. "Don’t be worried for me."

"How can that be possible?" She took a step back as he stood up, his towering presence filling the room.

"Eilika, it is not your burden to carry. That is why," Damian replied, his voice distant, as if he were already retreating behind a wall.

"Yes, I know. But I vowed to share your every burden," Eilika explained, her voice soft but resolute. "So, if you find it tough to cope, just tell me. Come to me. Do not try to fight this alone."

Damian gave a slow, solemn nod before turning to head toward the washroom.

Eilika watched him go, letting out a sigh. "It is now tough for him to even trust anyone," she murmured to the empty room. "I think that includes me."

She turned and stepped out, asking the servants to clean the Duke’s room before heading to see her mother-in-law.

~~~~

Damian ran his fingers through his hair as he wiped the steam from the mirror, gazing intently at his own reflection. "I need to end every memory that includes even the tiniest part of her," he murmured to himself.

Stepping out a moment later, he found Roman sitting on the bed, clutching a soft toy in his hands.

"Father, good morning! Uncle August gave me this!" Roman said excitedly, holding the toy up for his father to see.

Damian froze as he recalled his conversation with August from the previous night. *She refused to terminate her pregnancy. What if Roman is August’s and not mine?* The thought hit him with a cold sting.

He quickly shook his head, forcing the doubt to recede. ’I raised him as my son,’ he told himself firmly. ’If I start dwelling on that fear, our relationship will never survive. Roman is just a child. He knows nothing of this, and it isn’t his fault in any way.’

"Father, you look upset," Roman said, leaving the toy in the center of the bed and scooting to the edge to climb down.

"I’m not upset," Damian replied, shaking his head as he moved toward the cupboard. "Did you meet your uncle just now?"

"Yes," Roman said, trailing after him. "Father, when will I start school? I’m so excited. Are we going to the academy tomorrow? Adrian told me it’s so much fun there."

"Eilika will be the one to decide on that," Damian answered distractedly, pulling an ironed shirt and a pair of trousers from the cupboard. He disappeared into the dressing chamber, leaving Roman alone in the bedroom.

The boy could feel that his father was deeply troubled. To Roman, the cold distance felt all too familiar, it was just like the times when Damian would ignore his presence entirely. Pouting his lips in disappointment, he turned and ran out of the room to search for Eilika.

By the time Damian returned to the bedroom, he found it empty. He barely had a moment to register his son’s absence before the valet knocked on the door, carrying his official overcoat. The valet bowed respectfully and helped Damian into the heavy garment.

"Where are they? In the main hall?" Damian asked, adjusting the fit of his overcoat.

"Yes, Your Grace. The Duchess is already there, and everyone is waiting for you," the valet replied.

Damian hurried toward the main hall, determined not to keep the King waiting. However, when he arrived, he found the King had not yet made his entrance. Instead, his eyes met August, who was draped across a sofa in a nonchalant manner, looking entirely unbothered by the morning’s gravity.

Damian greeted his mother first, then turned to the rest of the room. "Did you all have breakfast?"

"Father needs to leave immediately," Sylvian replied, standing near the window. "So, we will not be having any breakfast."

"There are matters to handle in the court," King Nyxen’s voice echoed through the hall as he finally came into view.

"Your Majesty," Damian bowed and stepped forward. "But it would be wrong for you to leave on an empty stomach. It won’t take long to serve you."

"Damian, I don’t mind. It’s not like I won’t ever return here," King Nyxen affirmed with a warm smile. He then opened his arms. "Come here!"

Damian stepped forward and hugged the King, who patted his back with fatherly affection. "Take care and cherish your current wife. I saw something different in her," Nyxen whispered into his ear, low enough that only Damian could hear. "Also, forgive August for whatever he has done."

"I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty," Damian said, pulling back.

"Roman, Eilika, come here!" the King called out.

The two of them moved forward, and Nyxen dropped to his knees to be at eye level with Roman. "Come to the palace for the upcoming vacation. My blessings are with you." He pressed a gentle kiss on the boy’s forehead.

Roman beamed as the King stood up. Nyxen then gazed at Eilika and signaled to his personal attendant, who promptly placed a small token into the King’s hand.

"For you, dear," King Nyxen said, extending the gift toward her.

"Wh-what is this, Your Majesty?" Eilika stuttered, her eyes wide and clearly stunned by the unexpected gesture.