( ☆ ) He tilted his head, a smirk dancing across his lips as he finally relaxed his fist, letting his hand fall to his side. “The feeling is mutual–in fact, I suppose you can say that I am honored,” he drawled slowly as his superior approached from behind, hiding a very wide smile behind one ringed hand. “I have heard much about you, from all sorts of people. I never thought I would meet the ‘legend’ himself.”
Hasan stepped forward once again, but his hands were loose and relaxed. Slowly, he inclined his head towards Mondego, reaching out for him once more–but he did not strike once again; instead, his hand grasped the other man’s jaw roughly, craning his neck in trying to get a better look at him. “And to think you were once nobility. Says quite a lot about the French aristocracy, if you ask me,” he muttered after a moment, letting go of him. “My Pasha–forgive my impunity, but if I may, what is his purpose for being here?”
Haydée waved her hand, dismissive of his apology. “My sanjak-bey, he is here because, as much of a waste of air and space as he is, he refuses to die, for some reason that I doubt he himself knows–he never knew much, you know? And besides, if he is going to survive, it would be best for it to be under my watchful eye, trapped in the pashalik he ruined. Does that not sound fitting, Count Mondego?” The title was spoken slowly, mockingly, as if the Pasha was adding another large handful of salt to the mountain already burning his wounds. ( ☆ )
Still dazed, his body visibly tensed as his jaw was clasped between his fingers. Being examined like a racehorse for auction wasn’t an odd feeling, but it was very much unwelcomed. He retained some of his former ego, pulling his jaw free and taking yet another step back. “I wouldn’t judge a whole class of men on my actions alone, monsieur. There are people actually worthy of their title.” he retorted, having moved his focus to keep his anger from doing anything stupider than what he already did.
Their words no longer hurt; he has convinced himself of worse things in his own mind. The only reason he hasn’t died yet is probably because he acquired the skill to ignore both the antagonists in his mind and the ones who relished on reminding him of the past. "As a man whose fate currently lies in your hands, madame Pasha, I have no other choice but to agree.” Especially when my other option is rendering the armored guards defenseless.
“I’m relieved of all other duties, which renders me avaliable for whatever you would require me for.” he added, dropping to his gaze to the ground.
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