Theo Caelum Rhys Dalehaven

He said something to the other man and then reached into his cloak, pulling out an ornate box.

From it, he took a simple yet elegant silver necklace.

He placed it around his own neck and asked, "Can you understand me now?"

Damien's eyes widened. Without thinking, he threw his arms around the beastman.

The man who had been standing beside them instantly reached for the hilt of his sword, but the beastman waved him off, stopping him.

Damien, however, didn't even register what was happening. Hugging the beastman tightly, he sobbed uncontrollably.

"I understand… I understand… I understand…" he kept repeating, tears streaming down his face.

It might have taken nearly an hour for Damien to stop crying.

Throughout that time, the white-haired man gently stroked Damien's head.

So kind. I like him.

When Damien finally calmed down, the white-haired man gestured to the other man, who then carried Damien over to the bed.

It was a gentle, princess-style carry.

Very strong. I like him too.

As embarrassing as it was to admit, Damien had been so weakened from hunger and exhaustion—not to mention crying too much—that he was at his limit just standing. He was grateful for the help.

Even though he tried to thank the man who carried him, they still couldn't understand each other.

"Would you like to rest a little?" the white-haired man asked, noticing Damien's worn-out expression.

Damien could understand him, of course.

It had to be the silver necklace. Maybe it was some sort of magical item?

"No, I'm fine. I'm sorry for lying down on the bed, but if you don't mind, please continue," Damien replied politely.

He figured that since he owed his life to them and would probably need more help from here on, he should be as courteous as possible.

Oh, right.

"First of all, I'd like to express my gratitude for saving me. And I hope you can forgive my earlier rudeness," he added.

It's important to give thanks.

Seeing how the man who carried him had been deferring to the white-haired man, Damien guessed this person was probably someone important. So, he made sure to apologize properly too.

Even though the white-haired man looked quite young—just a little older than Damien—he seemed to hold a much higher status than the other man.

A noble, perhaps?

"Oh no, please don't worry about it. If anything, I apologize that we haven't yet decided what to do with you. I have a few questions I'd like to ask, if that's alright?" the white-haired man replied, smiling kindly.

"Yes, of course," Damien answered.

Well, that's only natural. It's not like they could just welcome some mysterious person they couldn't even communicate with.

The white-haired man nodded once and, with deep, navy eyes that resembled the depths of the ocean, looked directly into Damien's eyes before speaking.

"Let's start with introductions. I am Theo Caelum Rhys Dalehaven, heir to the Dalehaven Marquessate and a theological priest. And you are?"

A marquess... That meant he was nobility, a high-ranking noble if it was anything like Earth.