One-Eyed Monster

”Become a wandering bard again?” Kadi showed a bit of disdain for Stanley’s suggestion, ”How do we become wandering bards again?”

This question made Stanley quite awkward as well. He couldn’t exactly tell Lord Quinn, ”Your idea isn’t working; they’re not buying it!”

Quinn didn’t expect Kadi’s reaction either, making it feel like Kadi had put them in a tough spot!

”Indeed, if the ringmaster wants us gone, we can just leave, no need for such roundabout ways,” Igor chimed in, feeling that the previous performance was just getting interesting and eager to continue.

”Well...” Stanley maintained his composure, being an old hand. Though he might reveal his true feelings in front of Quinn, he could still handle these two young men.

”You shouldn’t leave; I’m the one who should go!” Quinn shouted at this moment!

Igor and Kadi exchanged glances, feeling a bit thrilled inside, thinking, ”Finally, you’ve spoken up, not playing mute anymore.”

This made Igor and Kadi feel like the Circus wanted them to stay, which meant they had caught the group’s attention for some reason or another.

As for what that might be, they weren’t sure yet. Igor suspected it might be Kadi’s uniqueness that attracted them.

If someone really wants you to stay, they will try every method to keep you. If all else fails, they might even use force. Igor and Kadi understood this, so they behaved this way to see what methods these people would use on them.

Igor even thought if at this moment, he and Kadi directly told Quinn to go ahead, how Quinn and the others would react... The thought of it almost made Igor laugh aloud.

But Igor knew doing so might lead the other side to reveal their cards, and they still hadn’t figured out the full picture, not knowing how many in the Circus shared Brava’s state. They had to not only look out for themselves but also help Brava and others find themselves again.

Thus, Igor refrained from adding fuel to the fire by saying ”then you go.” Quietly, he watched Quinn and Stanley alongside Kadi to see what other shows they’d put on.

”Ringmaster, it’s all my fault; you mustn’t let them leave. They came to the Circus simply wanting to be wandering bards again. It’s my misunderstanding that caused them trouble... Alas!” Quinn started his dramatic monologue, determined not to let Stanley ruin his plans.

Stanley listened quietly, knowing he mustn’t interrupt Lord Quinn, as Quinn was signaling what to say and do next and from what angle to approach.

Clearly, the strategy was to play on sympathy and emotion, making these two truly feel it.

Igor and Kadi weren’t swayed by it at all, aware that it was all intentional. Displaying such sentiment here was indeed disgusting to them.

However, Igor and Kadi didn’t plan on leaving; they still needed to save Brava!

So, they quietly observed how this group would perform.

”It’s entirely my fault; I shouldn’t have misunderstood the Circus’s meaning. Since I made the mistake, I should bear the responsibility, so it’s me who should leave!”

Quinn’s words indeed played deeply on the situation, expressing his sympathy for Igor and Kadi’s predicament, as well as his concern for them.

Stanley understood and sighed, pretending to be troubled, saying, ”It’s not just your fault alone; as the ringmaster, I also bear responsibility. Everyone is accountable here, and mine is perhaps the greatest because I didn’t empathize with your plight. Thinking of all you shared under my tent yesterday, I gave only promises without substantial support, leaving this misunderstanding to escalate.”

Igor and Kadi exchanged another glance, internally admiring how much these two could stir things up.

”You make a mistake, you should bear the responsibility; there’s truth in that, so I apologize first to these two!” With that, Stanley bowed to Igor and Kadi.

”Ringmaster, what are you doing!” Igor and Kadi pretended to be taken aback, obviously invested in this act.

”Whether to stay or leave is up to you, but I must clear things up,” Stanley explained according to Lord Quinn’s intended statements.

”Ringmaster, this isn’t necessary. We had no other intentions. Since it was a misunderstanding, now that it’s open, let’s assume nothing happened,” Kadi whispered.

”What happened, happened; it can’t just be ignored,” Stanley continued.

”We can’t really force someone to leave!” Igor chimed in, knowing that nobody would actually leave here. Even if they did, they’d secretly follow the Circus. This whole act is just to hide certain truths.

”It’s all my fault; I’ll walk away,” Quinn puffed out his chest, ready to leave the carriage.

”Stand still!” Stanley shouted.

In Igor’s ears, there was a hint of fear in that voice... as if Stanley feared this Quinn.

”Ringmaster!” Quinn stood inside the carriage, his stature too tall to avoid bending down.

”Your recommendation letter is from Lord Bern. If I just let you leave, I can’t explain to Lord Bern. You stay here, but you won’t play the clown anymore; you’ll do odd jobs first and think it through before returning to the role of clown!”

”Yes, ringmaster!” Quinn acted with overwhelming gratitude, making Igor wonder if his acting skills were really that good, tears flowing so easily.

”If it weren’t for Lord Bern, I’d have expelled you already. Remember, it’s Lord Bern who allows you to stay here. Don’t forget Lord Bern’s favor!”

Stanley emphasized Lord Bern several times, piquing Igor’s interest. He wanted to know what kind of important figure Lord Bern was that made a circus’s ringmaster so respectful.

Actually, Stanley meant to say that keeping Quinn was a forced choice, not realizing the emphasis on Lord Bern resonated with Igor...