As Isiah cradled the shivering child in his arms, he noticed with a sudden pang of concern how much weight Ciel had lost over the past few weeks. The boy had always been small and delicate, but his physical frailty had visibly worsened since their arrival in Emperium.
Ciel's hysteria did not abate immediately. He thrashed frantically within Isiah's grip, convinced he was suffocating, but Isiah utilized his physical strength to contain the wild movements without causing harm.
"Ciel, listen to me. You are not alone," Isiah murmured, his voice dropping to a low, soothing rhythm. "I am right here with you, okay? Breathe slowly... deeply. Everything is fine. Remember where we are. We are in Emperium. You made it. You are safe with me."
He deliberately avoided any mention of the boy's family, terrified of triggering another wave of trauma.
