1.4 Freedom's Glow

Dorian strolled alongside Darius to his quarters. Upon reaching his room, he turned to Darius and casually mentioned, "I'll knock on your door at 6:40 pm for dinner."

Darius responded with a nod and a friendly smile. Dorian closed the door behind him, taking a moment to survey his surroundings.

The quarters, though compact, were thoughtfully designed for maximum comfort. A suitcase and backpack were neatly positioned near the entrance, maintaining an organized appearance.

To the right, a minimalist desk offered space for work or personal tasks. The bed, snugly fitted against the wall, served both as a resting spot and a casual lounge area.

A well-placed door on the opposite side led to the compact yet efficient bathroom, equipped with essential amenities.

Dorian wasted no time, shedding his clothes and stepping into the shower. He scrubbed himself thoroughly until he felt completely clean.

The original's attire found its place in the trash, replaced by a fresh set from CS. While not claiming to be a germaphobe, Dorian found it somewhat peculiar to inhabit someone else's body.

Grateful for full control of the system, Dorian marveled at the convenience it provided. Once dressed, he prepared for the trial by grabbing his backpack. In it, he carefully placed three plastic boxes and a box of floating lights.

Afterward, he included one Soldierskeeper in his gear and placed the other neatly on his desk alongside everything he intended to wear the next morning.

The Soldierskeeper, a game-changer in military uniforms, offered warmth when it was chilly and kept you cool when it was hot. What's more, this uniform was self-cleaning, ensuring it stayed fresh even after a year of wear.

While it's top-notch, not everyone can afford it due to its hefty price tag. Luckily, Dorian has CS, allowing him to acquire anything from any world or time. After finishing up, he settled onto the bed and pulled out a computer from CS.

Linking CS to the computer, he delved into investigating the extent of control the Zenos had over his fortune. After about thirty minutes, Dorian grasped the situation, tapping his fingers on the computer in contemplation.

Even if the Zenos couldn't touch his inheritance, they all had credit cards tied to his bank account, each splurging over 200,000 credits monthly.

The original, anticipating blackmail, stayed silent, fearing losing Aries. Dorian, with a satisfied smile, moved all his money to a different account beyond the Zenos' reach.

His satisfaction stemmed from wanting to humiliate them the next time they tried using their credit cards. Hacking into Micah Zeno's computer revealed their plan to manipulate him into transferring the deed of the house.

The original had purchased the house due to their complaints about cramped living conditions. Agreeing, they selected a lavish, pricey house, furnished it, and assigned the original the smallest room.

With the mansion being enormous, they had to hire a sizable staff, and naturally, the original covered their salaries and all the expenses for the house. They even brought in a skilled chef to cater to their needs.

Now, convinced that Dorian won't survive tomorrow, they aim to claim ownership of the house, previously featured in magazines and websites as one of the most incredible residences.

Their plan is to discredit the notion that the original footed the bill for everything, especially after Dorian openly discussed his contributions, making them more desperate for the deed transfer.

Despite Damian's claim that the Zenos provided everything, some people harbored doubts. Dorian felt irked with Damian for revealing too much. Regardless, he remained firm in his decision, refusing to give them another cent.

When a knock echoed, he checked CS to see who it was and invited them in, saying, "Enter."

Aries walked in, closing the door behind him, and seated himself on the bed across from Dorian. Despite being upset about Dorian's behavior, Aries recognized the need to mend things and ensure their private matters stayed private in the future.

Upon entering his quarters, his father promptly called, issuing a threat to bring Dorian under control. Although Damian salvaged the situation by portraying Dorian as ungrateful, it was crucial for people to believe in their close relationship before Dorian's anticipated demise.

"Dorian."

Dorian met Aries's gaze with a blank expression. Aries, tears welling in his eyes, pleaded, "I'm truly sorry for earlier. My emotions got the better of me when you decided not to join me in the trial. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Dorian replied, "I'll forgive you, but let's not dwell on the past."

Aries grasped Dorian's hand, solemnly promising, "I won't, I promise."

Dorian nodded with a friendly smile, and Aries responded with a warm smile of his own. Aries had felt optimistic about rebuilding his friendship with Dorian, then again he knew the enduring and desperate nature of Dorian's love for him.

As Aries withdrew his hand, he mentioned, "Father mentioned he's planning a surprise for us. He wanted it done before we return home for the second trial, but he can't proceed without you signing a paper."

Curious, Dorian inquired, "Why does he need my signature?"

Aries explained, "Since the house is yours, the contractor needs your written permission before he knocks down the wall between our bedrooms. Father thought it'd be convenient for us to share a room so I don't have to go back and forth every day. What do you think?"

Dorian replied, "Tell Uncle to send me the paper, and I'll sign it electronically."

Aries nodded, smiling. Knowing Dorian would be dying, he had the crew already demolished the wall between their rooms to create a suite. It wasn't about needing Dorian's signature; they just aimed to transfer the house deed under their name, especially after Dorian spilled everything.

Feeling the urgency, Aries stood up, stating, "I'll text Father to go ahead with it. I'm off to train; I'll catch you later."

"Alright."

Aries studied Dorian for a moment, then asked, "Aren't you going to train?"

"No need," Dorian replied.

Concern etched on Aries' face, he insisted, "Are you sure? You're not as strong as me, and I don't want anything happening to you in that forest."

Dorian met Aries' gaze, offering a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Nothing's going to happen to me."

Aries' eyes briefly lit up with amusement before he grinned and exited. Dorian, feeling some irritation, glanced at the closed door and promptly sent an email to his lawyer.

About half an hour before dinner, Dorian received the necessary paperwork, and a smile spread across his face. At 6:40 PM, he left his quarters and knocked on Darius'.

Darius opened the door with a smile, and they headed to the mess. Darius kept stealing glances at Dorian, indicating he had something on his mind.

Dorian observed him and inquired, "Got something you want to ask?"

Darius hesitated before looking at him and then ahead.

"Why did you invite me to dinner when you wanted to eat alone with Aeron?"

Dorian clarified, "I only invited Aeron for you. I noticed he liked you, and I thought you both could chat over dinner, and get to know each other better."

Initially wanting Aeron, Dorian later noticed him staring at Darius during the meeting, and it was evident that Darius felt the same way.

Since Darius had his back earlier, Dorian decided to reciprocate. Not accustomed to having someone by his side or even a friend, he aimed to savor this new life and embrace everything he had never experienced before, including friendship.

Driven by a deep yearning for connection, Dorian's intense desire to form bonds led him to the misguided attempt of seeking out his birth mother, resulting in the current predicament.

As he works towards freeing himself, he's determined to embrace all the experiences he's never had before. Despite initially planning for a casual relationship, he now desires to find someone special to spend the rest of his life with.

Dorian, constrained to live out the entirety of the shell's existence, aims to discover someone who appreciates him for who he is.

His goal is to share the next 300 years with this person, finally experiencing the warmth of someone's love and their willingness to go to great lengths to ensure his happiness.

Even before becoming trapped in the role of a villain, such feelings eluded Dorian. All he seeks is genuine kindness and someone who would stand up against anyone attempting to bring him unhappiness.

When Darius, feeling a bit stunned, voiced his uncertainty, asking, "Are you sure he likes me?"

Dorian responded with a smile, "Trust me, he kept looking at you during the meeting. He likes you."

Darius grinned, a warm flush coloring his cheeks. He wouldn't have mustered the courage to invite him, so he's relieved that Dorian took the initiative, even if his nerves are noticeable. Aeron, handsome and powerful, makes him a bit jittery.

"Thanks," Darius expressed his gratitude.

Dorian assured, "I've got your back."

"I've got yours too," Darius reciprocated.

Dorian smiled, feeling the novelty of having someone to rely on. It was an unfamiliar sensation for him as he had spent all his lives in solitude.

To make matters worse, he had no autonomy, forced to comply with orders through shocks if he resisted. Each day followed a strict schedule. Now, finally liberated, he relishes the newfound freedom and intends to savor every moment.