Upstairs, right after flashing that terrifyingly lewd grin, she had explicitly told him her request: she wanted to be called names and dragged out in front of everyone.
She wanted to be publicly humiliated by him. He really didn't mind doing it… acting like an arrogant jerk cost him absolutely nothing, and it kept the overpowered royal happy and compliant but he seriously had to question if Zephyra was actually alright in the head.
The stark contrast between her terrifying strength, her noble upbringing, and her overwhelming desire to be publicly degraded was highly jarring.
It was a completely bizarre dynamic, but he played his part flawlessly, entirely committed to the bit since she did pay for the place.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and began crossing the tiled floor toward the heavy front doors.
Zephyra continued to play her role perfectly, letting out a convincing pathetic whimper as she stumbled behind him.
