One-Eyed Monster

Stanley didn’t care how Lord Quinn perceived him; as long as he could keep himself safe, nothing else mattered. As long as he wasn’t devoured by Lord Quinn, he could endure anything.

Following Quinn’s instructions, he opened the carriage window and shouted at Igor and Kadi, ”You two, get in!”

At this moment, Igor and Kadi were in a daze, completely unaware of what was happening inside the carriage. Although Igor was eager to hear what those two were discussing, he failed to break through the shield several times in an attempt to eavesdrop.

Of course, Igor and Kadi were already suspicious of Quinn. In their hearts, Quinn was definitely not normal.

After getting into the carriage, Igor and Kadi found Quinn curled up in a corner of the carriage, guiltily fiddling with his fingers, seemingly having just been scolded. But Igor and Kadi saw through it, knowing this was all an act for them, so they didn’t take it seriously. However, they displayed surprised expressions outwardly. After all, everyone was playing a different role, so they might as well continue the act.

”You wanted me to ask him what exactly happened, right?” At this moment, Stanley resumed his elder persona, finding it more persuasive in front of Igor and Kadi.

”Yes!” Kadi replied sullenly. Though he was acting, he truly couldn’t accept the notion of losing his memory.

”And I did ask what really happened.” The elderly-looking Stanley said slowly, which served as a cover for why he and Quinn stayed so long in the carriage.

”If the head of the circus knew the truth, what would become of us?” Igor expressed concern, demonstrating their attachment to the circus.

”What do you wish for?” Stanley used this opportunity to ask more. As long as Quinn didn’t speak or the matter wasn’t related to Quinn, he managed the circus comfortably.

”If we’re still expected to forget who we are, we’ll quit the circus right now!” Kadi replied firmly.

”Ha, I admire what you do for your brother, but sometimes you act too impatiently and often take extreme measures.”

”I guess that won’t matter to the head of the circus anymore,” Kadi said contemptuously, looking at Stanley.

”Heh, you’re indeed impulsive!” Stanley didn’t care for the words Igor and Kadi had just said; in his eyes, even if these two grew wings, it would be difficult to escape the circus.

”Look, you started all this!” Stanley pointed at Quinn, though he didn’t dare meet his eyes directly, fearing him a bit.

”Uh...” Quinn, aggrieved, pinched his fingers, an action mismatched with his bulky frame, making it look awkward.

”If it wasn’t for that letter of recommendation, I would have fired you!” said Stanley sternly.

Igor and Kadi understood it was all an act, but they purposely showed exaggerated expressions to match the performance.

”Do you know what you did wrong?” Stanley continued pointing at Quinn, his hand trembling from fear, though he could claim it was a result of anger.

”I...” Quinn hesitated to speak, intending to leave the next move to Stanley, trying to portray himself as pitiable.

”Seems like you still don’t know. Let me tell you, it was your first day, and you’ve already twisted my words, an utterly despicable act!”

Igor and Kadi exchanged glances, as if saying, these two can really put on a show!

Kadi shrugged, saying in a manner, since you’re acting, I’ll join in.

”Did he twist meanings again? I feel you’re telling us to forget who we are.”

”Hehehe, I told you, you’re too hasty, but you didn’t believe it.”

”Then the head of the circus must give us a reasonable explanation, or we really can’t stay here!” Igor joined in, marking a moment of performance, so he refused to lag behind.

”Forgetting yourselves is just to help you blend better into the circus. Why make newcomers clowns? Because their faces are covered in greasepaint, and people don’t know who they are.”

”What’s the connection? It’s unrelated to forgetting ourselves!” Igor continued, honestly wanting to know how they would connect these unrelated ideas logically.

”Others don’t know who’s behind the clown’s greasepaint; they just know it’s a clown, meant to amuse. If you still carry your past emotions, could you control yourselves when mocked?” Stanley asked slowly. He had practiced this line before, never expecting to use it.

”Uh, no.” Kadi answered honestly.

”So, being a clown and forgetting yourself is just about lowering your stature because everyone in our circus aims to entertain; no matter how the audience treats us, we must control our emotions.”

Igor and Kadi felt that Stanley’s explanation somewhat made sense...

”So, this guy totally misinterpreted our circus’s intention!” Stanley’s hand trembled yet again, pointing at Quinn.

Igor and Kadi looked at Quinn, realizing these two had a higher level of acting prowess!

”The event can’t be entirely blamed on him; you’re also responsible, and so am I!” Stanley began to mediate, evidently trying to resolve the conflicts.

”So, what should we do, head of the circus?” Igor and Kadi asked again.

”You just need to be less impatient! Everything is within the plan, proceeding step by step. I know you want to regain your memories and resume being wandering bards, but it requires patience.”

”This...”

”Take your time, and I’ll grant you the power to regain memories, but you need to be part of our circus. If you don’t want to be clowns, then return to your roots as wandering bards.”