Eilika remained on the balcony, the evening air doing little to soothe the sting of Rosaline’s parting shots. She kept her expression stoic, but the reminder of her father’s disdain and the scar she carried felt like a weight in her chest.

"I heard your sister was here," Damian’s voice broke the silence.

Eilika stood quickly, offering a small bow. "Yes. Rosaline stopped by."

"Who allowed her in?" Damian asked, his frown deepening. "I gave orders that she was not to return."

"Mother saw her at the gates," she explained softly. "She isn’t aware of my sister’s true nature, and I would prefer it if we didn’t enlighten her."

"Why?"

"Because she will realize exactly what kind of family I come from," Eilika replied, her voice trailing off. She looked away, trying to shift the focus. "Did you see Roman? I sent him to his room to rest."

"I saw him before coming here," Damian said. He walked toward the balustrade and leaned against it, his sharp eyes studying her face in the fading light. "What did Rosaline say to you? You seem upset. Don’t hide it from me, Eilika."

"Rosaline is interested in Prince Sylvian and wanted me to help her arrange a meeting. I refused, telling her she wasn’t a suitable match for him," Eilika stated. She paused, taking a deep breath to steady her voice before continuing. "She told me... that I only got lucky with this marriage. That otherwise, no one would ever have desired me."

Damian’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "She is truly a terrible woman," he said, feeling angry. He softened his expression as he looked back at her and extended his hand. "Come here."

Eilika stepped forward and placed her hand in his. He drew her closer, his touch gentle yet firm as he looked into her eyes. "She is wrong, Eilika. I have seen for myself how many people wish to be near you. Those who truly value your character want you close to them." He reached up, his thumb grazing her cheek in a slow caress. "Do not let her bitterness take root in your mind."

Eilika leaned into his touch, a small nod of relief escaping her. "I won’t," she murmured. "Ever since I became the Duchess, my family has been more interested in taking favors for me. When I was about to wed you, they thought I would not survive."

"I am sorry for causing you so much pain in the past," Damian said, the weight of his guilt evident in his voice. He looked at her, truly seeing the woman who had abandoned her own home for a life in his house, only to be met with his coldness.

"It is fine. I have come to understand why things were the way they were," Eilika replied softly, her gaze steady.

"But why are you so good to me? You have been, from the very beginning," Damian muttered, shaking his head. "You have no idea the regret I felt as I truly began to know you. You sacrificed so much for Roman and for me. Eilika, I don’t even have the words to thank you properly."

"But you have thanked me, many times over," she asserted gently. "And as I told you before, love wasn’t the only thing I sought when I came here. I found a real family here." A genuine smile finally touched her lips. "I already feel much better after talking to you."

She looked up at him, meeting a gaze that had shifted. There was a different glint in his eyes now, one that reminded her vividly of their intimacy earlier that day. A bold thought crossed her mind: ’Would he push me away if I started it? He was the one who led us this afternoon. I want to try, too. It felt so good to be that close to him.’

Eilika leaned in, her heart hammering against her ribs, and pressed her lips quickly against his. Almost as soon as the contact was made, she jerked back, her face flushing crimson. "I—I..."

The words died in her throat as Damian reached out, his fingers firm but gentle as he captured her chin and pulled her back to him. He met her lips with a hunger that stole her breath.

"Don’t hesitate to kiss me," he murmured against her mouth, his eyes fluttering shut. "Because I certainly won’t hesitate with you."

She felt his grip on her waist tighten, pulling her flush against him. Her own hands moved instinctively, sliding up his chest to anchor themselves on his broad shoulders as she lost herself in the kiss.

Damian shifted his weight, turning her until her back pressed against the cool stone of the balustrade. He nipped her bottom lip with a sudden, sharp intensity that drew a tiny bead of blood before he sought entrance into her mouth. The shift in rhythm caught her off guard, her breath hitching as her lips parted. He tilted her head back, deepening the angle of the kiss.

Goosebumps erupted across her skin as his tongue glided over hers, the sensation overwhelming and entirely new. Eilika opened her eyes slightly, finding his gaze fixed on her even in the heat of the moment. Feeling a surge of sensory overload, she pressed her palms against his chest, giving him a firm but gentle push to create a sliver of space.

She took a deep breath, centering herself in the cool night air. Then, finding her courage, she was the one to close the gap this time. She drew him back to her, her fingers sliding upward to tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck as she surrendered to the pull between them.

They kissed until they were out of oxygen, his forehead resting against hers. "Eilika, you are a quick learner." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Really? Did I do well?" She looked at him with a hopeful gaze.

"Yes. Even better than I anticipated," Damian replied. "Do you love me?" he asked out of the blue.

"I told you I–I love you," she admitted.