Tension

"Well… um… ah, but before that…" Theo trailed off, clearly avoiding the topic.

Why is he changing the subject? Damien thought, becoming even more anxious.

"Damien… you don't have to be so formal when you talk to me," Theo said suddenly.

Wait, what?

What did he mean by that?

"As I mentioned earlier, I want you to feel at ease in this mansion, Damien. If you feel like you're forcing yourself to speak politely, you're more than welcome to just talk normally," Theo continued, his tone gentle but sincere.

...Was this because he had already started slipping up here and there?

Damien had cried openly last night, after all...

"Uh, no, I usually talk like this..." Damien tried to insist, forcing the excuse out, but then he froze.

Theo's face had clouded over with sadness again.

Oh, right. He'd know it's a lie.

"Um... yeah... okay. Sorry. I'll talk normally... But, uh, if I say something that annoys you, please let me know, okay?" Damien added nervously.

Honestly, speaking casually to someone who essentially held his life in their hands was terrifying. It felt *really* scary. But if this was what Theo wanted and there was no way to hide the truth, then he had no choice.

"Yes, I understand. But don't worry, Damien. I'll be fine with however you speak," Theo reassured him.

If only Damien could truly believe that... but this time, he chose to trust Theo's words.

"Good. Then, I'd like you to talk casually too, Theo," Damien said, trying to keep things light.

"For me, this *is* casual…" Theo replied with a slightly troubled expression.

Sneaky.

"Really? I just don't want you holding back either, okay?"

"Yes... I'm really speaking normally," Theo answered, looking a bit sulky.

Oops, did I come off as too pushy? Damien thought, though Theo seemed too shy to notice.

"So, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Damien shifted back to the main issue.

Talking casually to a high-ranking noble was proving to be far more stressful than he had imagined. It felt like he might come off as rude or disrespectful at any moment.

"Uh… well… that is… um…" Theo stammered, visibly nervous.

It seemed like Theo was too caught up in something serious.

Wait, what? Was it really that hard to ask? Was he about to request something outrageous, like a kidney?

"Theo… if you keep hesitating after bringing it up, I'm going to get curious."

"Well… but it might just be the doctor's imagination…"

Doctor?

Wait, what? Did they find something wrong with him?

"Wait, are you talking about my body? You can't just say something like that and expect me not to worry. What did the doctor say?"

"Oh, no, the doctor said your body is in perfect condition, despite the signs of dehydration."

Theo said it casually, and it didn't sound like a lie.

"Then what did the doctor actually say?"

"Well… it's just…"

Theo was still hesitating.

Damien was starting to get a little irritated.

"Alright then."

"Huh? Damien?"