"You are right," Damian said.

Eilika flinched internally. A cold pang of doubt struck her; she couldn’t help but wonder if this was merely a strategic move, a performance for the world to see, rather than a gesture from his heart. She tightened her grip on the edge of the bed but decided not to challenge him.

"You said you would not leave me," he continued, his gaze narrowing as he recalled her own words. "You said you wouldn’t find another family like this, or another man like me."

Eilika looked up at him again, her breath hitching. The arrogance that usually laced his tone was gone, replaced by something much more vulnerable.

"I think... even I don’t want to let you go anymore," Damian admitted. "I want to do this. For you."

Eilika searched his face, seeing the slight tension in his jaw and the way he avoided her eyes for just a second too long. She could feel it then. There were words he was still unable to say to her face, truths he wasn’t yet ready to bridge, but the offer of a wedding was his first step toward her.

Eilika’s lips curved up into a smile. "It is true that I would not find another man like you, Damian. No matter the circumstances of our meeting, you have been considerate toward me in your own way. That is what I have come to admire about you," she stated softly.

Damian watched her for a moment. "So, when should we have the wedding?" he asked.

"You shall decide," she replied, leaving the choice to him.

"Roman’s birthday is still a week away," Damian answered, his mind already shifting into a more decisive mode. "We can have the wedding this week. It will be a prelude to the celebration. I will speak with Mother and ensure the preparations are handled immediately."

Eilika nodded her head, agreeing to the sudden but welcome plan.

"A week is not much time," she noted, though the challenge didn’t seem to bother her as much as it once might have.

"Eilika, I want everyone to start respecting you, not simply because you are the Duchess, but because you are a wonderful woman," Damian stated, his voice carrying a silent admiration that made her heart skip.

"Thank you, Damian," she said, touched by the sincerity in his eyes.

"I also have one more thing to ask of you. From what I have gathered, your family was not kind to you," he continued, his expression hardening. "Roman was asking about his ’aunt.’ I told him that only you could speak of her. This woman, Rosaline... she does not seem to look up to you. If you believe she will create trouble, tell me now. I will restrict her entry and ensure she is never allowed near you or Roman again," he asserted.

Eilika had never intended to bring the shadow of Rosaline into this house, but she realized there was no other way to protect Roman.

"She is my stepsister," Eilika began, her voice steadying as she made her decision. "She was very harsh with her words while I was growing up in that house. I don’t want Roman to even speak with her; she has a way of hurting people, and I won’t have him targeted."

Damian’s jaw tightened at the confirmation of her mistreatment. "A stepsister who acts like an enemy is no family at all. Consider it done. She will not set foot near this estate or the boy again."

"Also, Damian, if my father approaches you for any favors, do not grant them. I refuse to be a woman whose family benefits simply because she married a Duke," she stated her request.

"May I know why?" Damian inquired, his gaze sharpening.

"He is a greedy man. His demands will never end, and he will use my name to gain everything he couldn’t achieve on his own," she explained. "When the proposal first came, I was confused. I know I am beautiful, but I didn’t understand why a Duke would want me. My father didn’t give me a choice to find out. He told me I had to marry you, or he would kick me out of the house."

Damian’s jaw tightened at her revelation. "Rest assured, I will not allow you to be used as leverage. Your father will get nothing from me."

Eilika hummed in response, a small weight lifting from her shoulders.

"I simply agreed to this for Roman," he mumbled, his voice dropping as he looked toward the window.

"Yes, you told me that. You didn’t even look at my portrait when your mother mentioned me?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"I wasn’t interested. You already know why," Damian answered bluntly. He paused, his expression softening slightly. "But Roman was excited. He was upset by the fact that his father didn’t even attend his own wedding. He had already formed a connection with you before you ever set foot in this mansion."

Damian looked down at the wine-colored shirt still draped over his arm. "Would you like to accompany me to the piano recital in the music hall this evening?"

"I would love to," Eilika answered, her eyes brightening. "Do you play, Damian?"

"I learned the basics as a boy, but my interests always leaned more toward swords, arrows, and firearms," he admitted with a small, genuine smile.

"In that case, you haven’t forgotten our deal, have you?" Eilika reminded him, a playful glint in her eyes. "We said we would have an archery contest."

"What about now? That is, if you aren’t too tired," Damian challenged.

"I’m not sleepy at all," Eilika replied, rising to her feet.

Damian stood as well, carefully laying the silk shirt across the edge of the bed. "I will collect this later. Let’s go to the grounds."

He then led her way to the training grounds. Joanna followed the Duchess closely, keeping a five-foot distance.

"If I win, I will ask for a present. Be ready to give it to me," Eilika told Damian with a confident gaze.

"Let’s see if you’re capable of defeating me," he chuckled with a challenging glint in his eyes.