"Ah, um! Damien, please don't hold back!"
He was startled.
Theo, who had not even looked at him, stood up as if he were about to topple his chair and shouted loudly.
There's no need to push the sugar so desperately…
He briefly considered what to do, thinking that if it really was a problem, someone would stop him, so he decided to speak up.
"Um, Sir Sebas…"
"Please just call me Sebas, Sir Damien."
Being the only one addressed with a title felt awkward, but… well, he decided to follow the request.
"Uh, Sebas… could I move to the seat next to Theo? It feels a bit too far apart to have a casual conversation here…"
Glancing at Theo, he noticed he was still standing there, looking completely bewildered.
"If that is what you wish, Sir Damien, I will arrange it immediately."
"Thank you."
Thinking he had received permission, Damien moved from the honored seat to sit next to Theo.
Taking Theo's hand, he consciously tried to smile as gently as possible, aiming for a kind expression.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Theo. But I truly prefer my tea without sugar… I really don't like to add any."
This was the first strategy he had come up with yesterday.
"Pets need charm and body touch," he thought as he implemented it.
Whether it was an experimental animal, a slave, or a pet, it was best for the master to feel some affection for them.
It was pathetic, but this was the only survival strategy he had in this world.
"Ah, yes, I understand…"
Theo didn't pull his hand away; instead, he sat down in his chair, appearing somewhat subdued, as if the tension had dissipated, and he gave him a stiff smile.
Returning his smile, he then sat down in the chair next to him.
In the meantime, Sebas had not brought the tea set over to him.
Instead, a completely new tea set and tarts had been prepared.
What will happen to the original ones?
"I'd like to have some of those over there too since it seems such a waste…"
"Eh?"
Damien realized, startled, that he had spoken aloud at Theo's surprised response.
He couldn't resist the temptation of the sweets he hadn't seen in a long time, especially since they looked so delicious.
How embarrassing… no, how pathetic.
"I-I'm so sorry! They just looked too delicious, so…"
"...Hehe, hehehe. Sebas, please bring those over in front of Damien. Please, Damien, eat as much as you like. Natasha's tarts are exquisite."
Finally, Theo had smiled genuinely at him.
It seemed that his moment of embarrassment had been worth it.
"Damien, are you feeling okay?"
This was already the third time he had asked.
The atmosphere had become somewhat relaxed, and thanks to the clearly superior taste of the tea and tarts he had never eaten before, their conversation had somewhat flourished.
However, it was still just somewhat.
"Yes, thanks to you, Theo, I'm feeling much better now."