Chapter 360: Opinions of the court

Eilika reviewed the list of nutritious foods she had drafted following Doctor Vance’s advice. Although the royal physician had returned to the capital, he had left behind precise diagnostic protocols and dietary guidelines for the Duke’s estate physicians to follow.

"Mama, what have you been working on all morning?" Roman asked, bursting into the chamber while carefully holding a colorful kite in his small hands. "Aunt Iliana taught me how to fly a kite today! Will you come fly it with me?"

"Iliana was here?" Eilika asked, raising her brows in surprise.

"Yes! She came over to see Uncle Sylvian," Roman said, stepping up to her side. "She even dropped me to academy that day, and when I got home, she stayed to play with me. We had so much fun!"

"That is wonderful to hear, sweetie," Eilika said, smiling warmly as she set her papers aside. "I was preparing a nutritious food list for your grandfather. Now that I have finished, we can both go out and play. But before we do, tell me how your studies are progressing. Your exams are only a week away. Are you feeling ready for them?"

"Mama, rest assured! I revised Basic Governance this morning, and I plan to go over basic literature this evening," Roman explained proudly. "Since I have been practicing my art lessons lately, the drawing portion will be simple. As for mathematics, though... I do not know. That subject is terrifying."

"Now that I am back, I will teach you myself," Eilika said, running her hand through his hair with a gentle chuckle. She then held his hand and stood up. "Come, let’s go and fly this kite."

As they stepped into the corridor, Eilika asked, "Where did you buy this kite? Whom did you ask for it?"

"Uncle Louis purchased it for me," Roman answered cheerfully. "He always takes me outside whenever I ask him."

"Louis is a kind and thoughtful man," Eilika said warmly.

Hand in hand, they descended the grand staircase and made their way toward the estate gardens. Suddenly, Roman let out a sharp sneeze, making Eilika stop in her tracks.

"Did you catch a cold?" Her expression instantly changed to one of deep anxiety as she cupped his cheeks.

"No, Mama, it is not a cold," Roman said, shaking his head reassuringly.

"The weather is changing so quickly," she said, resuming their walk toward the sunny lawn. "You must tell me immediately if you feel a chill. Even if it seems warm under the sun, we cannot be too careless."

"Mama worries far too much about me," Roman declared, puffing out his chest proudly. "I am already a big boy!"

Eilika could not help but smile at his adorable bravado, her lingering worry softening into affection.

Once they were out in the open garden, Eilika tossed the kite into the breeze while Roman sprinted across the lawn, letting it soar higher using the clever technique Iliana had shown him.

"He truly is good at it," Eilika murmured to herself, watching his proud grin.

Hearing soft footsteps behind her, she turned slightly. "Prince Sylvian," she whispered, dipping into a polite bow.

He returned the greeting with a gentle nod and took a place beside her on the grass.

"Roman mentioned that Iliana visited earlier," Eilika said, her tone filled with curiosity.

"Ah, yes," Sylvian replied, a soft glint in his eyes. "She wanted to give me her answer in person and surprise me. We even traveled to the capital together to secure Father’s approval."

"That is wonderful news," Eilika said, her expression softening into a genuine smile. "What you have longed for is finally yours. Cherish her."

"I will," Sylvian replied quietly. "I intend to visit her this evening. I need to bring her back to the capital for our official engagement ceremony. It will be an intimate affair."

"So soon?" Eilika asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "But Damian has not yet returned."

"Do not worry. We shall not depart until Damian is back," Sylvian reassured her. "I want Damian and you to witness the engagement. After that, we shall prepare for the official wedding... unless, of course, we decide to hold it immediately following the ceremony."

"If I may offer an opinion, Your Highness, you should proceed directly to the wedding," Eilika suggested with a gentle smile. "Why wait for another day or days. Just marry her."

Sylvian hummed in agreement. "You are right. Why delay when I can marry her right away?" he murmured with a faint smile. "I will discuss it with Iliana first. Whatever she desires, I will follow her lead."

"That is a wise approach, Your Highness," Eilika stated gently. "Since the King has left the final choice to his son, you need not worry about satisfying the opinions of the court in the capital."

"I agree."

"Mama! Come, fly the kite with me," suddenly Roman chirped as he kept his focus up in the sky.

"I shall leave you to your play, then," Sylvian said with a nod of farewell, stepping back toward the main estate path.

"Mama! Hurry!" Roman called out again, his little shoes shifting in the grass as he carefully let out more string.

Eilika offered Sylvian a final bow before lifting the skirts of her gown and jogging over to her son. She reached for the wooden spool, tugging gently on the string to launch the kite higher into the clear sky.

After flying it together for a while, Eilika and Roman sat side by side on a carved stone bench to rest.

"Mama, you are the best mother," Roman chirped, leaning against her. "My friends always say their mothers never play with them because they do not have time. But you always make time for me. Thank you."

Eilika ruffled his soft hair and pressed a sweet kiss to his forehead. "Your words never fail to touch my heart, Roman. Truly, there is no son like you. You show me so much respect and love me so deeply."

Roman got on his knees on the bench and hugged Eilika, resting his face on her shoulder. "Mama, I am happy that you became my mother. My friends no longer tease me for not having a mother."