Maxwell added softly, "I'm really sorry about earlier… please, will you let me stay?"
Adrian looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry," he said finally. "I can't."
Maxwell hesitated, then clasped his hands together, his eyes wide with fear as he dropped to his knees. "Please… don't send me away. I'm too young to die, and my brother isn't bluffing; he'll really kill me if I fail. I'll do anything you ask… just don't reject me."
Adrian stared at the boy, his resistance wearing thin against the sheer absurdity of the situation. He let out a long, weary sigh. "Fine. You can stay. But you don't get to refuse a single task I give you."
Maxwell's face lit up with relief. He scrambled to his feet, threw his arms around Adrian, and impulsively kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much! Now, show me my room!"
Adrian gently pushed him back, his expression softening despite his exhaustion. "Wait for the maid. She'll prepare a room for you."
