บท 14: Reluctant Departure
"Um, I think I'll be fine…" Damien tried to interject their conversation.
"There's no way you're fine! You were on the verge of death!" Cedran snapped, his voice rising.
Wait, I was that bad off? Damien thought, shocked. Sure, he'd accepted the possibility of dying while wandering aimlessly, but ever since waking up, he'd felt somewhat okay. To learn that he had been so close to death left him stunned and speechless.
"Please, I beg you," Cedran continued, turning back to Theo and bowing deeply. "Let him rest here for at least one more day."
Theo watched him for a moment, then sighed.
"Cedran, I understand your concerns. But I don't intend to push Damien too hard either. My estate is better suited for his recovery, and I've made sure the journey won't cause him any strain for him. Is that still unacceptable?" Theo spoke calmly, trying to reason with Cedran.
Cedran, however, remained in his bowed position, saying nothing. This prompted another, deeper sigh from Theo.
"Let me be frank then, since we've reached this point. I'm concerned about leaving Damien here and whether the knights would be able to provide the proper care should his condition suddenly worsen."
Cedran raised his head, ready to respond, but Theo stopped him with a gesture.
"At my estate, I can have a team of physicians on standby to respond immediately to any changes in his condition. Can the knights offer the same level of care, or even something comparable, for just one person?" Theo asked, his tone gentle yet firm.
"...It wouldn't be possible," Cedran finally admitted, sounding defeated.
"I understand your concern for Damien, Cedran, and I appreciate it, truly," Theo said, offering a small smile. "But the best thing for him is to move to my estate."
Cedran looked like he was about to argue further, but Damien interjected before the conversation could escalate.
"Thank you, Cedran, for caring so much about a stranger like me," Damien said quietly. He was genuinely touched. He had suddenly become a burden on these people, yet Cedran had shown him nothing but kindness and concern.
Despite his gratitude, Damien also felt guilty. He didn't want Cedran to anger Theo by pushing back any more. While he didn't fully trust Theo either, the thought of what Theo might expect in return for all this generosity filled him with fear.
Real, palpable fear.
"At least allow me to carry him to the carriage," Cedran said, his voice low but determined.
"Very well," Theo agreed graciously.
Cedran bowed his head again, and Theo gave a regal nod. Damien couldn't help but feel like his own wishes were irrelevant in all of this.
"I'll summon you when the carriage arrives. Until then, please rest," Cedran said, helping Damien back into bed before quietly leaving the room.
Once Cedran was gone, Theo spoke softly, almost as if to himself. "Cedran had a younger sister around your age, Damien..."
Had. The past tense weighed heavily in the air.
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