Chapter 372: The false rumors

Sylvian stepped out of the bathhouse wearing the robe Iliana had provided for him. Running a hand through his damp hair, he headed back toward the room, stopping when he spotted his bodyguard standing near the stairs.

"Your Highness," Cameron said, bowing respectfully as he stepped forward. "Here are your clothes."

"Thank you," Sylvian replied, taking the neatly folded garments from him.

"It would be advisable for you to return to the palace tonight," Cameron urged gently. "The public and the courts are already restless, curious to know how you came to select Miss Martinez as your wife."

"I am staying here for the night," Sylvian pronounced, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Iliana still needs time. As for the people’s gossip, you already know how to put an end to it."

"Shall I issue a formal statement that Your Highness will address the court and the whispers regarding the marriage once we have returned to the palace?" Cameron inquired, weighing his words carefully.

"Do so," Sylvian replied, his gaze drifting toward the heavy wooden door beside him. "And see to it that false rumors are stamped out immediately. Let it be known that anyone caught spreading malicious rumors will face strict disciplinary action."

"Understood, Your Highness," Cameron replied with a bow, and left to carry out the command.

Sylvian stepped back into the room, locking the door behind him. He changed into the fresh set of clothes Cameron had brought and picked up a small hand mirror, checking his reflection as he rubbed his damp hair with a towel. Seeing that it would take a bit longer to dry completely, he set the towel aside.

He picked up the empty bucket to return it to the wash area, but as he stepped into the hallway, he caught sight of Iliana carrying the bucket out.

"Your Highness, I have prepared breakfast. I will serve it to you shortly," Iliana said, attempting to walk past him.

Sylvian reached out and gently caught her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "Let me take that. And why don’t you call me by my name when it is just the two of us? You always address me so formally. I don’t like hearing ’Your Highness’ from you," he murmured, his mouth curving into a subtle pout.

Iliana carefully slipped her hand out of his grip and looked up at him. "Sylvian... breakfast is ready. Why don’t you wait for me at the table?"

Before he could say another word, she turned and hurried down the stairs, her cheeks slightly flushed.

A fond smile spread across Sylvian’s face at the sound of his name on her lips. Pleased, he followed her downstairs and paused beside the small round table.

When Iliana walked into the room carrying the food, he stepped forward immediately and pulled out a chair for her.

Iliana smiled softly and sat down as he held the chair for her. Sylvian quickly took the seat opposite her.

"You should have waited for me," he said, watching her attentively. "I could have helped you prepare breakfast."

"By then, it would have been late, and I did not want to keep you waiting," Iliana answered, setting down a platter of fresh omelettes alongside toasted garlic bread and a bowl of rich dipping sauce. She carefully served a generous portion onto his plate.

"You prepared so much," he whispered, a warm smile breaking across his face as he picked up his fork and began to eat.

~~~~

"Look here," Eilika instructed quietly, guiding Roman’s attention toward the parchment spread across the heavy oak table in the palace study. She wrote out a fresh calculation, breaking down the addition of larger sums step by step.

Roman watched in silence, his brow furrowing slightly as he grasped the logic behind the arrangement of the numbers.

"Now, try this one yourself," she said, tapping the tip of her quill against the paper.

Roman nodded, humming softly as he lowered his gaze, his small fingers moving in a rhythm to count out the sum.

Five minutes later, he stopped. "I am finished, Mama."

Eilika leaned over the wooden table, scanning the column of figures before looking up with an approving smile. "Quite right. Every sum is correct."

A flush of pride brightened Roman’s face. Pleased by his focus, Eilika dipped her pen and quickly drafted a fresh row of calculations onto the parchment. "Now, work through these on your own. I shall return before you are finished."

"Yes, Mama," Roman replied, his attention immediately tethered back to the page as he squared his small shoulders over the desk.

Eilika rose from the bed and stepped out into the antechamber, pausing to instruct the personal attendant stationed outside to keep a vigilant watch over Roman while he finished his studies.

Moments later, a guard approached, bowing low. "Your Grace, the carriage is prepared for your departure."

"We leave in fifteen minutes," Eilika replied.

As the guard withdrew, she turned her attention to Joanna, who stood waiting quietly near the doorway. "Your leave has been approved, Joanna. You may gather your things and set out for home. Ensure you collect the bundle of provisions and dry goods I had the other maid set aside for your mother and father. Pass along my regards to them."

Deeply moved, Joanna dipped into a respectful curtsy. "Your Grace... thank you for your boundless generosity."

Eilika offered a gentle smile, stepping forward to place a reassuring hand on the girl’s shoulder before pulling her into a brief embrace. "I shall likely be late returning this evening. Travel safely, and be sure to send word by courier once you have reached home."

"Of course, Your Grace."

They both pulled away. "I will write to you. Before the snowfall, I will return."

"It’s alright. You can take your time. I wanted you to take a month off. But you don’t agree," Eilika stated. "Ah, I almost forgot to give you this." She took out a pouch from the side of her gown and handed it to her. "You can’t refuse for it. It’s for your expenses. And also, buy some sweets for your parents and younger siblings."

"I–I am truly grateful for this," Joanna said, her eyes turning watery.