Chapter 352: Unwise for her

Roman closed the textbook on the Introduction to Governance, having finished reviewing the foundational history of the kingdom and its earliest principles of rule.

"Young Lord, it is time for your evening milk and snacks," Joanna announced gently from the doorway. She pushed the door open to find Roman carefully placing his study notebook onto the shelf before sliding down from his chair.

Joanna brought the silver tray inside and set it upon the small table beside the window. "The evening air has grown quite chilly, Young Lord. Allow me to close the window." As she latched the wooden frame shut, Roman lifted the silver glass into his hands, feeling the soothing warmth radiating through it. It was tempered perfectly—neither too hot nor too cold.

"There are only eighteen days left until my parents return," Roman said, glancing up at her.

"Yes, Young Lord. You have been counting each one so faithfully," Joanna remarked with a tender smile.

"Hmm. Counting them makes the time feel as though it moves faster, and soon they will be standing right before me. I have so much to tell them," he said, before taking a long sip. When he lowered the glass, he licked his lips to clear the light dusting of cream left behind.

Suddenly, the delicate chime of anklets echoed from the outside drawing room that belonged to only one person in the entire estate.

"Mama," he whispered, his eyes widening in sudden realization.

Without waiting a second longer, he bolted out of the room. Joanna rushed after him in confusion, trying to keep up with his pace.

"Roman!" Eilika gasped in joyous surprise, dropping gracefully to her knees with her arms opened wide.

"Mama!" Roman cried out, throwing himself into her embrace. He wrapped his arms around her neck as tightly as he could, burying his face in her shoulder and shutting his eyes, letting the familiar scent of her removed all the long days of waiting.

"Oh, my dear boy," Eilika murmured softly, caressing his back before cupping his cheeks in her hands to shower his face and forehead with affectionate kisses.

"You gave me such a wonderful surprise, Mama! Weren’t you supposed to return eighteen days from now? I have been counting every single day on the calendar," Roman babbled, his eyes sparkling with pure delight.

"Yes, my sweet boy, I managed to finish my affairs early," she replied, rising to her feet and offering a gracious nod to Joanna, who bowed respectfully in greeting.

"I was just drinking my milk and eating the cookies you sent with Uncle August," Roman added eagerly, tugging at her gown.

"Then you must go back and finish them every bite," Eilika urged gently, smoothing down his hair. "I must pay my respects to your grandmother first."

"Alright!" Roman beamed, dashing straight back into his room to finish his snack.

"Please stay with him, Joanna. I shall return shortly," Eilika instructed before turning down the grand corridor toward the main drawing room.

"My dear, Eilika," Georgia said, rising to her feet. She greeted her mother-in-law before hugging her. "Forgive me for heading to see Roman first."

"I understand. He’s missing you the most anyway," Georgia said, pulling away and asking her to sit.

"How is Damian doing?" Georgia asked, settling deeper into her seat.

"He is doing well, Mother. Though the climate in the Northern Province has turned bitterly cold," Eilika replied.

"Hmm. It is good that you have returned early. Your father’s health has taken a turn for the worse recently... at least, that is what I was informed. I have already dispatched our personal physicians to his house. You ought to visit him tomorrow morning. After such a grueling journey, you must rest first."

"Traveling by motorcar makes the distance far more bearable, Mother. I... I wish to go see him as soon as I have freshened up. I know I will not find a moment’s rest or sleep until I have set eyes on him," Eilika admitted, her hand pressing against her chest where her heart hammered with an unsettling dread.

"Very well. If your heart is set upon it, you should certainly go," Georgia stated gently, reaching out to pat her hand in reassurance. "Everything will be fine, my dear."

"I am praying with all my heart that it is."

"Run along to your chambers then. Freshen up while I instruct the attendants to prepare a carriage for your departure."

"Thank you, Mother," Eilika murmured, wrapping her arms around Georgia once more before pulling back and hastening up the stairs to her chambers.

"Why has Eilika returned so soon?" August asked, stepping into the room just as she disappeared down the corridor.

"Her father is ill," Georgia answered softly, turning to her head attendant to order a carriage alongside a escort of bodyguards for the night journey.

"I shall accompany her, then," August offered, his tone firm.

"Would that not seem unusual?" Georgia inquired, raising a brow in hesitation.

"It is already late at night. It would be unwise for her to travel to her family’s estate alone," August reasoned.

"Hmm. You make a fair point," Georgia agreed, nodding in approval.

August offered her a respectful bow before stepping out into the courtyard air. He surveyed the five bodyguards who had already mounted their horses, waiting in formation.

"Bring a horse for me as well," August ordered.

The guardsman acted instantly, leading a fine gelding over for August, who swung into the saddle.

After twenty minutes of waiting in the night air, the doors opened and Eilika stepped outside, her cloak pulled tight against the chill.

"Your Highness, what are you doing atop a horse?" she asked, her eyebrows drawing together in sudden surprise.

"I am escorting you to your father’s estate," August replied, pulling the reins to wheel his horse toward the front of the procession. "Get into the carriage."

Eilika climbed into the carriage and sat inside comfortably. The chauffeur locked it from outside before taking his position and driving the carriage out of the estate.