Damian and Eilika returned to the estate just before sunset.
"I will see you in the evening," Damian said, nodding toward her before heading straight to his own quarters. Eilika made her way toward her wing, but paused when she heard a voice she hadn't expected to hear so soon. It was Rosaline.
As she stepped through the door, she found Rosaline and Roman in the middle of a game; Rosaline was chasing after the boy, reaching out to catch him as he ducked away.
"Mama!" Roman cried out in joy. He sprinted toward Eilika and threw his arms around her legs. "I missed you."
Eilika placed a warm hand on his head, gently caressing his hair as she looked up. Rosaline offered her a polite greeting— a gesture so uncharacteristic that Eilika couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
"Aunt brought handmade chocolates for me!" Roman said, looking up at Eilika with wide eyes. "She said they were special. And then we started playing."
