Chapter 282: Their collapsing business
Susan was reviewing the household expenses for the upcoming month when a servant hurried into the room, out of breath.
"Madam, Her Grace the Duchess has arrived with Young Lord Roman."
Susan instantly rose from the sofa and hastened toward the entrance, arriving just as Eilika and Roman stepped into the residence.
She and the servant beside her bowed low in greeting.
"There is no need for such formality," Eilika said calmly to her stepmother. She turned her eyes to the young boy beside her. "Roman, greet your step-grandmother."
"Good afternoon, Grandmother. It is my pleasure to meet you for the first time," Roman said dutifully.
"Good afternoon, Young Lord," Susan replied, maintaining a careful distance. "Please, allow me to escort you both to the drawing room."
Roman looked up at his mother before following Susan into the residence. Once they were seated in the drawing room, Susan immediately began issuing orders to the servants to prepare refreshments.
As Susan spoke, Eilika’s gaze drifted to the open ledger left on the side table. Picking it up discreetly, she scanned the numbers, quickly realizing that the household had been aggressively cutting back on basic monthly expenses for over a month.
"Your Grace, your father is not home at present, but I have already dispatched a servant to notify him of your arrival," Susan said as she turned back around. By then, Eilika had quietly returned the ledger to its original position, leaving no sign that she had examined it.
"That is fine. I did not send formal word prior to my arrival," Eilika replied calmly. "Please, sit. Roman and I have already eaten, so we require nothing heavy. A glass of water will suffice. Isn’t that right, Roman?"
The boy nodded in agreement. A maid set down a tray, and Eilika handed a glass of water to Roman, who drank thirstily, before picking up a glass for herself.
Setting her glass back down after a few sips, Eilika asked, "Is Roseline out?"
"Yes," Susan replied, her tone hushed and measured. "She is assisting your father at the shop today. We are working to stabilize the business. Roseline deeply regrets her past conduct toward you."
Setting his empty glass down, Roman looked around curiously. "Mama, I want to see your old room."
Susan’s face paled. Eilika’s former room had remained shut and neglected for months, gathering dust ever since her departure.
"Of course, darling. We will go in a moment," Eilika replied.
"Young Lord, as this is your first visit, allow me to offer you some fresh milk cookies I baked yesterday," Susan interjected quickly. "Please wait right here."
Without waiting for Eilika’s response, Susan hurried toward the kitchen. Reaching the service area, she cornered a maid and whispered urgently, "Go and clean the Duchess’s former chamber at once. You have ten minutes, less, if possible."
"Understood, Madam," the maid replied hurriedly, rushing upstairs toward Eilika’s former chamber.
Meanwhile, Susan arranged the milk cookies neatly on a decorative plate and carried the tray back into the drawing room.
"There are no almonds in these, correct?" Eilika asked, her tone watchful.
"None at all, Your Grace. They are made purely with fresh milk," Susan assured her. "I am certain the Young Lord will enjoy them."
Roman reached out, selected a cookie from the plate, and took a small bite. He chewed thoughtfully before taking another bite, clearly enjoying the treat.
Beside them, Susan nervously fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze repeatedly darting toward the staircase, a detail that did not escape Eilika’s quiet observation.
"Mama, can we go see your room now?" Roman insisted, brushing a few crumbs from his fingers.
"Before we go upstairs, let me show you around the rest of the residence first," Eilika said smoothly, rising from her seat. "It is not as though we will be visiting again."
As Eilika stood up and took Roman’s hand, Susan let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Our house is quite modest compared to the grand estate where the Young Lord resides. I only hope he finds it pleasant," Susan said, offering a tight smile.
"My mama grew up here, so I like it very much," Roman replied brightly, looking up at Eilika with affection.
Susan silently observed the deep devotion the child held for her stepdaughter. It was clear to her in that moment. The boy’s adoration was the key that had opened doors for Eilika, earning her the acceptance, respect, and love of everyone within the House of Varos.
And perhaps that was where anyone else would have failed. It was never easy for a woman to truly love and accept the child of her husband’s former wife.
Susan followed quietly behind them, watching as Eilika pointed out every corner of the residence to Roman, who hung on her every word. ’She is truly a wonderful mother,’ Susan admitted silently to herself.
"Madam, the chamber has been cleared," the maid whispered discreetly into Susan’s ear, feeling extremely relieved.
"Master has returned with Miss Roseline," a servant announced from the foyer.
Eilika turned around, holding Roman close, just as Wilfred entered the hall. He appeared noticeably pale and thin, his fragile frame bearing the heavy strain of recent months.
Though she had seen him in the sports event but Wilfred hadn’t come near her probably because Damian was there too and he had warned him to be away from Eilika.
"Your Grace," Wilfred said, bowing low before her, careful not to omit the formal title.
"Father," Eilika spoke at last, breaking her own vow to sever all ties with him.
"Good afternoon, Grandfather," Roman greeted him politely. "I remember you well."
"Oh, Young Lord Roman. It is an honor to welcome you into our home. You performed magnificently at the sports festival," Wilfred replied, his tired face softening slightly.
"Thank you, Grandfather," Roman answered, turning to offer a courteous greeting to his aunt as well.
"Your Grace, you mentioned wanting to show the Young Lord your old room," Susan interjected hastily, anxious to redirect their attention.
"Indeed. Come, Roman, let us go upstairs," Eilika said, turning back to Wilfred and Roseline. "Please wait for us in the drawing room. We will rejoin you shortly."
Eilika led Roman up the staircase, guiding him toward the end of the hall. Opening the heavy wooden doors to her old chamber, she observed that everything remained just as she had left it.
Roman released her hand and bounded inside, his curiosity taking over. His eyes first landed on the tall wooden bookshelves lined with volumes of literature, before drifting upward to admire the delicate paintings hanging neatly along the walls.
"Mama, your room is really nice," Roman said, climbing onto the edge of the bed and sitting down.
"Is it? It is nowhere near as grand as your quarters at the estate," Eilika replied softly.
"Mama, is this you?" Roman hopped down from the bed and dashed over to a nearby shelf. He picked up a small framed portrait, holding it close to study the likeness of a younger Eilika.
"Ah, yes. I was seventeen when that was painted," Eilika said, kneeling down beside him. "Quite young back then."
Suddenly, Roman let out a small yawn, dutifully covering his mouth before carefully setting the frame back in its place.
"Are you tired, darling? You have been running about since early morning," Eilika noted, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
"Mama, I do feel sleepy," Roman admitted, rubbing his eyes with his small knuckles. "But we have just come here. I am not sleepy," he said, lowering his hands.
"Why don’t you rest on the bed for a while, Roman?" she suggested softly.
She gently slipped off his shoes and helped him up onto the mattress.
"Won’t Mama sleep too?" Roman asked, his voice thick with drowsiness as she tucked him under the fresh duvet.
"I am not sleepy, darling," Eilika answered, stroking his hair gently.
Within moments, Roman’s eyes fluttered shut, his small breathing growing slow and steady as he drifted off into a deep sleep. Eilika stood up, intending to head back downstairs, when a quiet knock sounded at the door.
"Your Grace, I—"
"Shhh!" Eilika hushed the maid, raising a finger to her lips as she stepped away from the bed. "Please watch over Roman while I am downstairs," she instructed in a quiet tone.
"Of course, Your Grace," the maid whispered, bowing low in agreement.
Eilika cast a gentle glance toward the sleeping boy before turning to descend the stairs, where her family waited in nervous anticipation.
At the sound of her footsteps, all three rose immediately from their seats.
"Is Father unwell?" Eilika asked, her eyes searching Wilfred’s worn face as she reached the bottom step.
"No, I am quite well," Wilfred replied smoothly, concealing the truth. He knew that revealing the anxiety behind their collapsing business might make it seem as though he was begging for financial assistance.
"You do not look well, Father," Eilika observed. "I have received the packages you sent to the estate from time to time. So, how is the business faring?"