Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 170: Dragonewt Bonds

The doctor had advised them against intense physical activity, but they had argued that their training didn’t count as "intense." When Damien suggested they at least avoid daily sessions, they compromised by alternating days for training and bodyguard duty.

Though Damien found their stubbornness frustrating, it wasn’t a bad arrangement. Being accompanied by a Dragonewt made it easier to pamper them individually—a little indulgence he thoroughly enjoyed.

In the past few days, Damien had discovered that each of the Dragonewts had their own unique way of seeking his affection.

The youngest, Tis’a, and the next eldest, Sitta, were the most straightforward about it. Both of them frequently found excuses to cling to Damien whenever possible.

Tis’a loved to snuggle and rub his face against Damien, while Sitta seemed to enjoy burying his face in Damien’s scent. Though Damien had grown somewhat accustomed to Theo’s similar behavior, it still made him a little self-conscious.

Tis’a’s attempts to cling to him were far more frequent, likely due to his young age. Whenever Damien let his guard down, Tis’a would be latched onto him in seconds. While Damien sometimes wondered how effective this was for a bodyguard, the mansion was safe enough that he didn’t mind.

Sitta, on the other hand, clung to Damien far less often—usually just once or twice a day. However, when he did, it lasted much longer.

Once, during a break, Sitta had hugged Damien and refused to let go for the entire rest period. No one had interrupted them that time, so Damien had taken full advantage, stroking Sitta’ hair to his heart’s content. It had been a peaceful and pleasant moment for both of them.

Unlike the two youngest, Sitta and Tis’a, Arba’a never clung to Damien.

This hadn’t always been the case. Once, a servant happened to walk by and witness Arba’a hugging Damien, and since then, Arba’a stopped entirely—apparently too embarrassed to continue.

Instead, he began sneaking into Damien’s room at night.

The Dragonewts typically shared a larger servants’ room, all five of them sleeping together. But whenever Arba’a wanted Damien’s affection, he would wait until everyone was asleep and then slip into Damien’s bed.

The first time it happened, Damien woke up in the morning to find Arba’a curled up between his legs like a cat. While the other Dragonewts profusely apologized for failing to notice, Damien couldn’t bring himself to be upset. It reminded him of a pet cat he used to have, and he found it endearing.

However, Ithnan the Dragonewt on duty that night, was devastated that he hadn’t noticed Arba’a’s departure. In fact, none of the brothers had realized he’d left the room.

Since then, a guard began standing outside watching Damien’s door during the night, though Damien had protested it was unnecessary. He didn’t mind if Arba’a came in and was more concerned about when the guards managed to get any sleep. He planned to try convincing them again soon.

Now, Arba’a didn’t visit every night but came when he felt lonely, often after Theo had left for the day. He always informed the guards beforehand, so while their role seemed redundant, Damien appreciated that at least Arba’a never accidentally bumped into Theo during these visits.

Thalatha, the eldest of the younger Dragonewts, had been a challenge.

At first, Damien assumed that, as the oldest, Thalatha simply didn’t feel the need for comfort. That illusion shattered when Damien found him silently crying in a hidden corner of the mansion.

Panicked, Damien immediately comforted him, hugging and stroking his head without hesitation, ignoring Thalatha’s embarrassment.

Since then, Thalatha occasionally retreated to secluded places to cry, but Damien had made it a point to preemptively lead him to quiet areas to hug him. Though Thalatha didn’t resist, Damien was relieved that he seemed to cry less often after that.

However, Damien’s frequent secret meetings with Thalatha didn’t go unnoticed. Theo had once teased him with, "So... did you make a move?" Damien immediately denied it, explaining he only wanted to help the lonely Dragonewt.

But what if Thalatha claimed that physical comfort would make him feel less lonely? Damien sighed. He’d cross that bridge if it ever came to that.

...

Surprisingly, Ithnan, the eldest Dragonewt, was the easiest to read.

"Master, it’s almost time," Ithnan said, politely but firmly.

"Got it," Damien replied, stretching. "Let’s head back to my room." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

While Damien stood watching the training in the backyard, Ithnan, who had been guarding him from behind, stepped closer to inform him of the time.

This was Ithnan’s way of seeking affection. When he felt a little lonely, he would inch closer to Damien. Normally, Ithnan kept a polite distance, about three steps diagonally behind him. But when he wanted attention, that gap would steadily shrink.

Now, as Damien walked back toward his room, Ithnan was practically by his side, the closest he ever got. It was clear he was craving attention.

Ithnan’s duties often meant standing alone outside Damien’s door while he worked, which made him feel lonely. Lately, with Damien being too busy to check in on him, it had been especially hard.

During these moments, Damien would subtly brush his shoulder or arm against Ithnan’s, which always brought him quiet joy. His serious expression never faltered, but the slight relaxation in the corners of his eyes gave him away.

Today, sensing Ithnan’s need for comfort, Damien kept their arms lightly touching as they walked. Though Ithnan’s expression didn’t change much, his face seemed a bit brighter. He was clearly content.

But Damien knew not to overstep—no arm-linking or hand-holding. Once, when he’d tried that, Ithnan had abruptly retreated back to his usual three-step distance, as if startled. It reminded Damien of coaxing a skittish stray cat—endearing, but delicate.

"Master, I shall remain stationed here. Please call if you need anything," Ithnan said as they reached the door.

"Thank you," Damien replied with a smile.

As Damien entered his room, Ithnan stood rigidly at attention by the door. Even the youngest, Tis’a, performed his guarding duties with the same disciplined posture, which had once surprised Damien—Tis’a’s usual adorable demeanor vanished in those moments, replaced by a strikingly cool presence.