Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 193: An Unlikely Bond

Damien and Caius, who had been trying to enjoy themselves moments earlier, were now silent, their gazes fixed on the table as a heavy tension settled over them.

The source of the oppressive atmosphere was Caius’s mother.

They were seated at a large, lavishly adorned table. On one side sat two men with horse-like ears, likely retainers of Caius’s mother. Beside them was the lady herself, a stunningly beautiful woman who looked surprisingly young for someone in her position. Next to her sat a handsome young man, who also appeared to be a retainer. After a small gap, there was Caius, and then Damien.

Across from Caius’s mother sat Theo, flanked by two older retainers Damien vaguely recognized but whose names he didn’t know. Meanwhile, Sebas, Ithnan, and the other guards stood by the walls, silently observing the scene.

The table was laden with an array of tempting tea pastries, and the air was filled with the warm, inviting aroma of tea. On the surface, it could have been mistaken for a pleasant afternoon tea gathering.

But it wasn’t.

Caius’s mother was glaring daggers at Theo across the table.

Theo, for his part, was unbothered, sipping his tea with a serene expression, as if he were entirely oblivious to the furious gaze boring into him. Her glare, however, was so intense that Damien couldn’t help but wonder if it might cause some sort of incident by itself.

Despite her youthful appearance and delicate, almost doll-like beauty, Caius’s mother exuded a fiery and straightforward demeanor.

As a cup of tea was set before Damien, he quickly took a sip—not because he was thirsty, but to escape the unbearable awkwardness.

Raising his cup, Damien accidentally caught Theo’s eye. Theo glanced at him, smiling faintly, as if to say: You’ll explain this later, won’t you?

Damien subtly nodded his head in return, hoping Theo would also lend an ear to his side of the story.

Caius’s mother finally spoke, her voice cutting through the tense silence.

"Well, it seems Caius’s tardiness has thoroughly offended the esteemed Lord Theo. Not only has the atmosphere turned sour, but it’s clear Caius’s incompetence has embarrassed us all. Shall we just end things here for today? I’m utterly mortified by how poorly he compares to Lord Theo."

Her words were sharp, dripping with derision, and directed squarely at Caius, who looked as if he were sinking further into his chair with every syllable.

What is this woman even saying?

Damien shot a glare at Caius’s mother, who had just finished making Caius look utterly dejected. He silently cursed her with the kind of petty misfortune that would make her stub her toe on a cabinet corner. She was still droning on, but it was obvious she just wanted to get out of this gathering as soon as possible.

Given that Theo hadn’t summoned Damien to speak, it was likely that Caius’s mother had already been thoroughly humiliated by Theo over the matter of the embezzling viscount earlier. No wonder she couldn’t stand being in the same room as Theo.

Damien didn’t want to spend another second in her presence either, but once the meeting ended, he’d have to leave with Theo. The thought of leaving Caius behind with her made his stomach churn.

"That sounds reasonable," Theo said suddenly, setting his teacup down.

The smug expression on Caius’s mother’s face instantly brightened.

"I was just about to excuse myself," Theo continued smoothly, "but I think I’ll stay a little longer to speak with Caius."

The woman’s face fell so fast it was almost comical.

Serves her right, Damien thought, though he couldn’t help marveling at how poorly she hid her emotions. Could someone like this even survive in noble society? Theo had once assured him she wasn’t a dangerous person, and Damien had to admit she didn’t seem threatening. But likable? Not a chance.

"Caius."

Ignoring Caius’s mother entirely, Theo turned to Caius and addressed him directly.

"Y-Yeah?" Caius replied, instinctively leaning away from Theo—and closer to Damien—as if seeking protection.

Theo simply smiled warmly at him. "You seem to have good retainers."

Caius’s mother and her entourage exchanged confused looks. Thanks to Elyon’s enchanted bracelet, they likely had no idea what Theo was referring to.

"Uh... Well, he’s not exactly a retainer—he’s my subordinate," Caius stammered before hurriedly correcting himself, clearly mindful of Damien’s earlier point that he couldn’t technically be Caius’s retainer as Theo’s partner.

"Your subordinate?" Theo echoed with mild curiosity.

Damien ignored the condescending muttering from Caius’s mother about "childish nonsense."

"Yeah," Caius said with a nod. "He’s not a retainer, but he’s my important subordinate."

Important, huh?

Damien’s heart skipped a beat at the gentle sincerity in Caius’s voice. It was a tone reserved for something truly cherished, and Damien couldn’t help but be touched.

Theo, too, seemed genuinely pleased, his smile broadening. "I see. I also have someone I cherish deeply. Caius, will you promise to take good care of this subordinate of yours?"

"Y-Yeah!" Caius replied earnestly, his voice firm with conviction. "I swear I’ll take care of him, no matter what!"

"Boss!"

Without paying any mind to Caius’s mother or her confused entourage, Caius practically leaped out of his seat, passionately pleading with a fierce determination in his eyes. Damien’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of such intensity.

Theo, smiling warmly, nodded once and said, "In that case, let’s meet again sometime to talk about the people we each hold dear. I’ll invite you to my estate next time—please come visit."

"R-Really?! Yeah, I’ll come! Absolutely, I’ll visit!"

At first, Caius seemed unsure of what Theo meant, but once he understood, he leaned forward over the table, his hands braced against it, nodding enthusiastically.

Behind him, his mother looked visibly flustered, almost panicked.

You’d think she’d be glad to see her sons getting along, Damien mused.

What had started as a minor prank—a casual excuse for Damien to attend the meeting—had unexpectedly turned into Theo formally acknowledging the "boss and subordinate" relationship.