As Aegon appeared, Soren lightly patted Cynthia's shoulder.
She understood immediately.
Carefully, she lowered him to the ground.
But the moment his feet touched the earth, Soren's body bent slightly. A sharp pain tore through his chest, and for a brief moment a trace of blood reached his lips.
He swallowed it back.
No one needed to see that. Besides, it was all coming together.
Showing weakness now would resolve the plan.
Instead, he straightened and looked at Aegon with a faint smile.
"I knew you would panic the moment we didn't go toward your territory," Soren said calmly. "You really can't afford to take chances with the bounty, right?"
Those words made Aegon pause.
For a moment, the smirk on his face stiffened.
Because what Soren had just implied was clear.
Even though he had been the one chased across the hunting grounds…
He had been the one leading Aegon here.
Aegon slowly raised a brow.
Then he chuckled.
