The unspoken words remained bitterly unvoiced as Kaeso simply offered a sickly smile and an uneasy shrug of feigned nonchalance.
Jaegar, however, seemed to pluck the true meaning from the strained ether surrounding them.
"I'd wager you're thinking that without these...talents, I'd be afforded none of the distinctions you now heap upon me. A hailed 'benefactor' one moment, a easily discarded relic the next."
Try as he might, Kaeso could not conceal the subtle wince that betrayed his body's reaction to Jaegar's cutting insight. Rubbing his hands together anxiously, he opened his mouth to formulate another paltry reassurance...
...only to find their path had led them to the entrance of the princess's personal pavilion. With a resigned inward sigh, he ushered Jaegar ahead of him, steeling himself for the confrontation to come.
