Chapter 362: Easily misjudge him

"I will defer to your judgment, then," August said, agreeing to her. He glanced at Samir and added, "Escort Miss Xenia back to her home."

"Your Grace, since Miss Xenia has traveled all this way, she should not depart on an empty stomach. She will stay for lunch," Eilika insisted gently.

"Your Grace, how—how could I possibly dine here?" Xenia stuttered, her eyes widening at the unexpected invitation.

"And why ever not? Come with me," Eilika said, offering her a warm smile.

Xenia looked instinctively toward August, who offered her a quiet nod. "You cannot refuse the Duchess her hospitality," he said softly. "Go with her," August added, looking at Xenia. "Since you will be a part of this plan, you will need to frequent the estate anyway."

Xenia offered a quiet nod and stood up. Eilika gave a slight bow to August before leading Xenia out into the corridor.

"It seems Prince August trusts you implicitly," Eilika remarked, a gentle smile gracing her lips as they walked side by side down the hall. "How did the two of you first meet? You must forgive my curiosity, but the prince is not a man who bestows his trust easily."

"It was merely a chance encounter in the village where I used to reside, Your Grace," Xenia admitted softly, nervously twisting her fingers together.

"How should I put it...? Seldom do nobles, let alone royals, stand up for common folk like us," Xenia continued, her voice softening.

"He did. He saved my brothers from a false accusation that would have ruined them. Afterwards, we moved to Varos because my brother always dreamed of starting a business here, never imagining I would cross paths with Prince August again."

Eilika listened with surprise, gaining a newfound appreciation for the depth of Xenia’s loyalty to the prince.

"Forgive me, Your Grace," Xenia murmured with a small, self-conscious smile. "I fear I have spoken far more than I ought to have. It has been a long time since I had to mind my manners around highborn ladies."

Before Eilika could assure her, Roman’s excited voice echoed through the main hall.

"I caught a butterfly!" Roman shouted, racing inside with his hands cupped tightly together.

Eilika turned toward him, her eyebrows raising. "Roman, what on earth do you mean?"

The boy skidded to a halt right in front of her, proudly holding his closed palms upward. "Mama, look!"

"Why would you capture a butterfly?" Eilika scolded gently, her tone laced with mild disapproval. "Release it this instant. You will suffocate it if you hold it like that."

Roman’s face fell slightly, but he immediately turned on his heel, ran out to the open courtyard, and opened his hands to let the insect flutter free into the air. He hurried back inside a moment later, casually wiping his dusty palms against his trousers.

"I only wanted to show you, Mama," he mumbled, looking up at her with big eyes. "I thought it was beautiful."

Eilika softened, placing a gentle hand on his head and smoothing down his hair. "It is very beautiful, my sweetheart. But delicate things are easily hurt, which is why we must let them fly free. Now, go upstairs with Joanna."

She glanced over at the attentive maid waiting nearby. "Ensure he washes his hands thoroughly before coming to the table."

"Understood, Your Grace," Joanna replied, bowing her head before taking Roman’s hand and guiding the young boy toward the grand staircase.

Xenia watched them go, a soft look appearing in her eyes. "My youngest sister must be around the young lord’s age," she remarked.

"You have a young sister as well?" Eilika asked, turning to her with a genuine, warm smile.

"Yes, Your Grace," Xenia answered softly.

"Bring her to the estate with you someday, then," Eilika suggested comfortably as they resumed their stroll toward the dining hall. "Roman would welcome the company, and they can play in the courtyard together."

Xenia paused in her tracks, looking at the Duchess with wide, stunned eyes. "Can I... can I really do that, Your Grace?"

"Of course!" Eilika answered with a warm smile. "Let us sit for a while. It will still be a short wait before lunch is served."

She gestured toward a set of plush armchairs situated in the sunlit parlor nearby. As Xenia took a seat opposite the Duchess, she let her eyes wander across the high ceilings, ornate wood carvings, and tall windows.

A nostalgia tugged at her heart. The grand surroundings reminded her of her own family’s earlier days, back when they lived in an estate that, while not as sprawling as this one, had been grand and comfortable enough to shelter their name before misfortune struck.

"Prince August is a remarkably kind-hearted man," Eilika began softly, her gaze growing thoughtful. "He helped me at a time when I truly believed I was trapped with no way forward."

Xenia looked up, listening intently.

"The trouble is that people so easily misjudge him," Eilika stated. "His intense emotions and sudden temper often drive him toward reckless decisions that inevitably backfire on him. That is precisely why I intervened earlier. I could not allow him to rush you into such a dangerous assignment without a proper strategy and proper protection."

"You are right, Your Grace. I completely understand your stance," Xenia answered, her tone filled with quiet respect.

"I suppose you wish to aid him now out of gratitude for the help he once extended to you," Eilika remarked softly.

"Yes," Xenia asserted, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "I owe Prince August far more than I can ever repay."

Before Eilika could offer a response, a maidservant entered the parlor with quiet, practiced footsteps and offered a deep bow. "Your Grace, lunch has been prepared and is ready to be served," she announced.

"Please have the dining table set. We are joined by a guest today as well," Eilika instructed with a polite smile. "And kindly inform Joanna to bring Roman downstairs to join us."

Rising smoothly from her armchair, Eilika turned her focus back to Xenia. "Come, follow me to the dining room."