Chapter 227: Test his patience
Chapter 227: Test his patience
Eilika gently caressed Roman’s head, watching his chest rise and fall as he slept deeply, thoroughly exhausted after their long day out together. The quiet of the room was interrupted only by the sound of the door opening as Damian stepped out of the washroom, vigorously drying his damp hair with a towel.
Once finished, he tossed the towel over the back of a nearby chair and glided over to the bed, sliding into the space next to Eilika. He leaned in close, resting his chin comfortably against the slope of her shoulder.
"Aren’t you tired?" he asked.
"No. Are you?" she whispered back, turning her head slightly toward him.
Damian shook his head, a slow smile touching his lips. Instead of answering further, he leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss against her earlobe.
"Roman is right here," she reminded him softly, casting a cautious glance toward the sleeping boy.
"He is fast asleep," Damian replied, his fingers tangling into the long, silky tresses of her hair to pull her gently closer. "I can easily carry him into another room."
Eilika turned around fully in his embrace to face him, a playful look in her eyes. "No. Roman stays right here. You need to exercise some self-control, Duke. You never used to be quite this shameless." A warm grin spread across her lips, which instantly made him laugh, a low, rumbling sound against her skin.
"That is because my romantic side was entirely dead back then," Damian answered, his eyes darkening with affection as he gazed down at her.
"Now, mine is," she countered playfully, a teasing smirk hidden from his sight. "Suddenly, I feel quite tired." Pulling the silk duvet up over her shoulders, she lowered herself comfortably onto the mattress and turned her back to him.
Damian stared at her retreating back, a look of genuine shock crossing his face. "But you just said you weren’t tired," he protested.
"Now, I am." She kept her eyes squeezed shut, desperately hiding her amusement as she thought to herself, ’Joanna told me not to give in to the Duke too easily. I need to tease him and test his patience until the very end.’
Seeing her completely silent and assuming she had truly drifted off, Damian sighed softly. Deciding it was best not to disturb her rest any further, he quietly slipped out of the bed and moved out of the chamber, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Downstairs, he found Maurice thoroughly enjoying a conversation with the staff. The moment the servants caught sight of the Duke, however, they instantly snapped to attention and bowed their heads in deep respect.
"Are you planning to take some rest?" Damian asked, his gaze fixed on Maurice.
"No, Your Grace. Is everything alright?" Maurice questioned, trying to read the unreadable, dark expression clouding the Duke’s face.
"Yes. I merely have something to ask you. Let us walk outside," Damian stated, already turning on his heel and heading out. Maurice followed him closely, matching his brisk pace.
Once they were a sufficient distance away from the doors, Damian spoke up. "What does it mean if someone’s romantic interest suddenly... Dies?"
"Pardon me, Your Grace?" Maurice blinked in sheer bewilderment, completely caught off guard. "I was under the impression that you and the Duchess were doing exceptionally well. Are you still confused about your feelings toward the Duchess?"
"No. I confessed my feelings to her," Damian replied, bringing his steps to a halt as they reached the cool shade of a massive courtyard tree. "I desire to love her even more fiercely. But tonight, she suddenly pulled away from me. What could possibly be the reason for such a sudden change?"
"Perhaps the Duchess is trying to teach you the meaning of yearning, Your Grace," Maurice suggested, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Why on earth would she do that?" Damian chuckled, shaking his head at the absurdity. "She has always wanted nothing more than to be loved by her husband."
"Why is the Duke so incredibly confident?" Maurice countered gently. "Have you already forgotten how you used to treat the Duchess in the beginning? It is true that a woman desires her husband’s affection, but sometimes she plays these little games simply to test the genuine devotion behind it."
Damian furrowed his brows together as he finally grasped the intent. And he once again realized his past mistakes, where he constantly used to hurt Eilika. Even Roman hit his legs once with his tiny hands when he made Eilika cry.
"Your Grace, let the Duchess take her own time," Maurice stated, a wide smile spreading across his lips. "Besides, you have already taken a massive leap by confessing your feelings to her. Now, you must pamper her even more. Try taking her somewhere private, a place where only the two of you are present."
"I want nothing more than that, but we are currently here with Roman," Damian replied, frowning slightly.
"Your boy is remarkably smart, Your Grace. If you tell him that you desire some alone time with your wife, he will understand perfectly," Maurice advised. "If you wish, I can easily escort him back to the main estate. His uncles are there, and even his grandmother is present, so you and the Duchess will have all the privacy you need."
"No. We will be heading back to the palace tomorrow anyway. I will find another day to spend quality time with Eilika. Besides, I already have an upcoming journey planned with her," Damian stated, his tone firm.
"Hmm." Maurice nodded thoughtfully, a teasing glint in his eye. "But I must confess, Your Grace, I have never seen you this desperate before. Not even with your late wife."
"Yes, you are entirely right," Damian replied, a soft, uncharacteristic smile gracing his features as he looked up at the night sky. "Eilika has managed to do this to me. And truth be told, I thoroughly enjoy it."
Maurice was happy for his friend, seeing that the darkness from Damian’s life had lifted.