Cisco practically dragged Baelgor by the sleeve, eager to leave behind the clapping crowd and their embarrassing cheers. His face still burned red, his pride was in tatters, and every congratulation felt like another dagger to his soul.
"Damn it all, embarrassment alone might kill me today… but fine. Fine! I'll endure. If it means wealth, if it means milking this fool dry, I'll crawl through mud and smile through shame. One day, this humiliation will be paid back in mountains of gold."
At least, that was what he told himself.
Yet when Cisco risked a glance at his "lord," he froze.
Baelgor wasn't embarrassed. He wasn't irritated. He wasn't even confused.
He was… smiling.
Not the awkward grin of a man caught in a scandal. Not the fake politeness Cisco himself often wore. No, this was a calm, confident smile. A smile that said everything was going exactly as planned.
Cisco's heart skipped a beat.
