Bound by Agreement

"More importantly, if you're feeling well enough, I was thinking we could move you from here to my estate—specifically to the room you'll be staying in from now on. But if you're still not feeling up to it, I can arrange for you to rest here a bit longer."

"No, I think it would be best if I moved to the estate," Damien said, even though his legs were still shaky and his body felt drained. He wasn't particularly hungry, despite having eaten only a piece of bread and some soup. His energy was far from restored.

For a brief moment, he considered stalling for time, maybe faking illness to buy himself a little more time to figure out what Theo wanted from him. But Damien quickly realized it was better not to anger Theo by resisting. Complying for now seemed like the safer bet.

"Good! I've already arranged for a carriage to take us there, so don't worry," Theo said, his face lighting up with excitement.

It was clear that Theo had been prepared for this all along. Damien resigned himself to his fate. Despite everything, Theo's bright and innocent smile was strangely endearing.

...

With the move decided, Damien figured he should pack. Not that there was much to pack—he only had the school-issued bag he'd arrived with. It hadn't been confiscated, probably because they suspected he might be a noble. It was still sitting by the bed, untouched.

Just as he picked it up, there was a knock at the door. Cedran entered.

"My lord, the paperwork for taking custody of Damien is ready. If you agree to the terms, please sign here."

"Understood," Theo replied, turning his attention to the documents.

Theo looked over the documents Cedran had brought, nodded, and signed them without hesitation. No one bothered to explain anything to Damien, despite the fact that these decisions concerned his life.

Damien could only sit there, feeling the weight of the realization: his rights were essentially nonexistent now.

"Very well," Cedran said. "From this moment on, Damien's custody is officially under my lord. Will you be departing tomorrow, or would you prefer lodging for the night? We can prepare a room immediately if you wish."

"No, we'll depart as soon as the carriage arrives," Theo responded confidently.

For some reason, Cedran glanced at Damien, who hastily nodded in agreement. That earned him a sigh from Cedran.

"Forgive me, but I don't believe Damien is in any condition to endure a carriage ride just yet. Might I suggest he remain here for one more day to recover?"

"I've made the necessary preparations, so he'll be fine," Theo replied.

"But—" Cedran started, and the two of them began to argue over Damien's condition.

Don't fight over me! Damien thought, feeling an awkward tension rising between them. He even thought of cracking a silly joke to ease the situation.

Theo was adamant about taking Damien back, while Cedran, wasn't willing to back down either. The pleasant atmosphere they had earlier, even during their debates about Earth, was now gone, replaced by a much more heated and tense standoff.