Before Eilika could say anything further, she suddenly felt a pair of small arms wrap tightly around her legs.
"Mama!"
Roman clung to her, pressing his cheek against her skirt as if he had been searching for her for a long time. The other boys quickly gathered around her as well, surrounding her in a lively circle.
Eilika looked down in surprise, but the warmth of the moment softened her expression. She gently placed her hands on their heads, affectionately ruffling each of their hair one by one. Their eager faces and bright eyes made her smile despite the heaviness she had been carrying moments earlier.
For a brief moment, the tension inside her chest eased.
"Mama, Father wants to say something to you," Roman said after pulling slightly away from her embrace.
At once, the boys turned their heads toward Damian, who was standing a short distance away.
