Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 105: A Fragile Promise

"A-ah, Sebas," Damien ventured. "Would it be alright if I checked in on Leonide and Lucian? I know I can’t really do anything for them, but... I just want to see their condition now."

He felt foolish and weak for asking, but at that moment, being around people he knew would bring him some comfort.

Sebas considered this for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Neither of them is in a life-threatening condition, so I believe there’s no issue in visiting. However, the doctors are still monitoring them, so if they request anything of you, I ask that you comply."

In other words, Sebas didn’t think Damien’s presence would harm the two of them, but should anything arise, he was to follow the doctors’ instructions and leave without question.

"I understand. I’ll follow the doctor’s instructions," Damien replied, bowing his head in gratitude, still leaning on the guard for support.

"Please... take care of Theo," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. Sebas simply returned the gesture with a deep, silent bow.

...

Leonide and Lucian had been laid in a now-unused servant’s quarters on the first floor.

The guard who had escorted Damien to this room introduced himself as Svetozar and he’s a human—something that was rare at the estate. Svetozar explained that he served as Theo’s squire, a position distinct from that of a servant. Apparently, like Sebas, he was a retainer of Theo’s family, and the other people who wore full body armor in the mansion were also Theo’s retainers. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Damien realized he still didn’t quite understand the social distinctions in this place; he gathered that a retainer was of higher rank than a servant, but beyond that, it was still unclear. He’d have to ask someone to explain it to him properly one of these days.

After escorting Damien to the room, Svetozar stationed himself outside the door, stay on guard. Damien had insisted he didn’t need to stay, but Svetozar only replied that it was his duty, and besides, a replacement was already covering his previous post.

Maybe he’s here to keep an eye on me, Damien thought. He shook his head, dispelling the negativity that had resurfaced after so long.

The room was modest, roughly the size of Damien’s old room back on Earth. Inside the not-so-spacious quarters were two beds, a shared desk, a wardrobe, and a cupboard, all packed tightly into the limited space. From what he’d heard, Leonide and the others normally stayed in a room for four. He wondered how they all managed to fit.

The room’s only chair was attached to the desk, where Damien had insisted the doctor sit. Initially, the doctor had tried to offer it to Damien, but Damien refused, feeling he’d imposed enough already. The doctor sat reluctantly, looking uncomfortable, which made Damien think he shouldn’t linger too long.

Now, Damien was seated on the edge of Leonide’s bed, gently brushing his fingers through Leonide’s tousled, curly blond hair. He wanted to stroke Lucian’s head too, but Lucian, like Theo, had fallen into a state of mana depletion. Damien worried that even a touch could have adverse effects, so he held back.

According to the doctor, Leonide had also experienced mana depletion, but his unconscious state had been due to nearly drowning. Fortunately, because they’d been able to treat him so quickly, there should be no long-term effects, and he would likely wake soon.

On the other hand, Lucian, whose total mana reserve was larger, had lost consciousness directly due to mana depletion. He wouldn’t wake until his mana recovered to a stable level—probably not until tomorrow morning. Unlike Theo, however, Lucian hadn’t sacrificed any life force, so as long as he rested, he would eventually wake up naturally.

...Though apparently, he might feel sick and weak afterward.

Looking at the two of them sleeping peacefully, Damien felt a great sense of relief. He knew he should probably leave soon so as not to be a bother, but the sight of their calm faces was so comforting that he couldn’t bring himself to move. He’d found excuses to stay for almost an hour now, and he was sure the doctor found it exasperating.

It occurred to him that he should really get up, and his thoughts turned to Lysander and Lorenzo. He wondered where they were. He hadn’t seen them, but hadn’t heard of anything happening to them either. Maybe seeing their familiar faces would also bring him some comfort.

Just as he finally began to rise from Leonide’s bedside, he heard a soft sound.

"Mm..."

It was Leonide. Damien froze, his eyes fixed on Leonide’s face, watching as the boy’s brow furrowed slightly and his eyelids slowly fluttered open.

"Doctor! Leonide’s waking up! Leonide! Leonide, can you hear me? It’s me! Can you understand me?" Damien cried out, his voice bursting with emotion.

After calling the doctor over, Damien clasped Leonide’s hands, urgently calling his name. Leonide, who had initially seemed dazed, noticed Damien’s voice and turned his gaze toward him with a warm smile.

"Master, you’re safe... I’m so glad..."

Damien, overcome with relief, wiped away his tears as he held Leonide’s hands. Then Leonide’s gaze drifted past Damien, landing on Lucian, who lay unconscious in the bed nearby. A slight look of concern crossed Leonide’s face.

"Master, what happened to Lucian?"

"Oh, he exhausted his magic power in order to protect Theo and us, so he collapsed from mana depletion. Apparently, he didn’t ingest any water, so he’ll wake up once his mana recovers. He must have really pushed himself, so we’ll need to praise him later."

"So Lucian will be okay, then."

That’s what the doctor had said too, so Damien nodded, reassured, though Leonide’s certainty struck him as unusual. Perhaps Leonide was still a bit disoriented, having just regained consciousness.

"Are Master Theo and Lord Rostov safe? Was there any other damage?"

Damien hadn’t even thought of checking on the others—he’d been so preoccupied with Theo’s situation. He felt a surge of guilt at the oversight.