Alex turned slowly toward Arthur, a glint of something unreadable—perhaps amusement, perhaps something darker—dancing in his eyes.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips, curling upward as if he were savoring a secret.
"Well?" Alex said, almost casually. "Are you going to prove your loyalty? Or are you just another coward standing in my way?"
He let out a low chuckle, one that seemed to vibrate in the air between them, amused not because the lie was clever—but because it was laughably transparent.
He knew Arthur too well—too deeply.
There was no move Arthur made that wasn't calculated, no action without motive.
And now, hearing him try to pass off his selfish decision as something noble only made Alex more amused. It was like watching a magician reveal a trick he never perfected.
"Well then," Alex said softly, letting the words hang for a moment before shifting his gaze.
