NOVEL NEXT Chapter 350: Tired
Warlock Ch 350. Tired
"They'll clean up any evidence left behind." His eyes flickered back toward Damian. "We should get some rest."
Damian gave a small nod. "Yeah. Guess I'll head back to my room."
He forced a small smile.
The kind that didn't quite reach his eyes.
His usual easy, teasing energy was absent. His voice lacked the usual bite of sarcasm, the familiar arrogance that made him sound unbothered by anything.
He was tired.
More than he let on.
He pushed himself up from the chair without another word, turning toward the hallway that led to his room.
He didn't say goodnight.
Didn't throw in a last-minute joke to break the tension.
Just left.
The sound of his footsteps faded down the corridor.
Victoria tapped a single nail against her goblet, her crimson gaze unreadable. "He's thinking about it too much."
Cassius sighed, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Of course he is."
Evelyn folded her arms. "And we can't do anything to stop him."
The room fell into silence.
Because they all knew.
Damian carried things alone.
Even now.
Even when he had people who would burn the world down for him.
Cassius let out a breath, dragging a hand through his hair. "Let him be for now." His voice was softer than usual. "We've all had long days."
Evelyn didn't argue. Victoria just swirled her drink again, lips curling slightly.
Both of them had something on their minds, that much was obvious.
Cassius, who had been observing them from the moment Damian left, exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright," he muttered, standing up. "I'm heading to bed."
Evelyn stretched, rolling her shoulders. "Same. I need some actual rest."
Victoria hummed, finishing the last sip of her Crimson Essence before setting the goblet down with a quiet clink. "Agreed."
Cassius gave them both a look. A knowing look.
"…Just don't be too loud, okay?"
Evelyn blinked, tilting her head. "What do you mean?"
Cassius arched a brow. "That's not the direction to your rooms."
Evelyn and Victoria had already begun walking toward the hallway. But, yes—Cassius had a point.
They weren't heading to their own rooms.
They were heading toward Damian's.
Victoria grinned. "We'll keep as quietly as possible." She shrugged. "But no promises."
Evelyn huffed, acting indifferent, but there was a faint tint of pink on her ears. "We're just checking on him."
Cassius rolled his eyes. "Sure."
He didn't bother arguing. Instead, he waved them off and turned toward his own room, muttering something under his breath about damn warlocks and their absurd luck.
As soon as he was gone, Victoria smirked and leaned toward Evelyn. "You're blushing."
"I am not."
Victoria chuckled. "Oh, you definitely are."
Evelyn ignored her, pushing forward. "Let's go."
They reached Damian's door, the hallway dimly lit by the soft glow of mana lanterns. Evelyn raised a hand, hesitating for a second before knocking lightly.
No response.
Victoria's sharp hearing picked up the steady rhythm of his breathing. "He's asleep."
Evelyn sighed. "Of course he is."
They exchanged a look before quietly pushing the door open.
Inside Damian's Room. The air was warmer inside, carrying the faint scent of charcoal and spice, something uniquely Damian. His room was minimal—dark walls, a large bed, a window half open to let the night breeze in.
And Damian?
He was sprawled across the mattress, half-covered by a sheet, his hair slightly tousled from sleep.
His expression was unguarded—no smirk, no sharp wit, just… calm.
Peaceful, even.
It was rare.
Evelyn stepped closer, her fingers twitching slightly.
She wanted to touch him.
To make sure he was real.
Victoria, as usual, had no hesitation. She moved smoothly, sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing a hand through his hair.
Damian stirred, his brow furrowing slightly. "Mmh…" His voice was hoarse, but instinct had him tensing, ready to fight—until he recognized them.
"…Eve?" His voice was lower, softer. "Victoria?"
Victoria smirked. "Who else would sneak into your bed at night?"
Evelyn sighed, sitting down beside him. "You're exhausted."
Damian let out a quiet chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "Not really." He pushed himself up into a sitting position, resting his arms on his knees. "To be honest, I can't sleep."
Victoria arched a brow, shifting to sit beside him. "So you were thinking."
Damian huffed, rubbing at his temple. "Yeah."
Evelyn studied him, the dim mana lanterns casting a soft glow across his features. His face wasn't as sharp as usual—no smirk, no teasing glint in his eyes. Just a tired, distant look.
"About the past?" Victoria asked.
Damian nodded. "Most of my memory is back already." He exhaled slowly, staring at the faint patterns on the ceiling. "Which… makes everything hurt."
Victoria and Evelyn didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.
Damian ran a hand over his face, his voice quieter now. "I mean… I remember all of it." His jaw clenched slightly. "The pain. The betrayals. The constant running. The weight of it all."
A breath.
"And… the loneliness."
His fingers curled slightly against his knee, his throat tightening.
"I hate that."
He didn't even realize how his body had tensed until Evelyn reached out, pressing a warm hand against his back.
It was gentle, grounding.
"Damian." Her voice was soft. "You're not alone anymore."
Victoria moved closer, resting her chin lightly against his shoulder. "She's right, you know," she murmured, her cool fingers brushing against his wrist. "No more running. No more hiding."
Damian let out a quiet breath, his body slowly relaxing beneath their touch.
"…I know."
But knowing didn't make it easier.
Evelyn rubbed slow, soothing circles against his back. "Do you remember what you told me when you proposed to me in the past?"
Damian blinked, tilting his head slightly toward her. "…What?"
Evelyn smiled faintly. "You said, 'It doesn't matter how many people you have in your life, loneliness is a beast that creeps in when no one's looking.'"
Damian exhaled, shaking his head. "I said that?"
Evelyn chuckled. "You did. Surprisingly poetic for someone who throws sarcasm around like a shield."