Alex did not try to interrupt.
After a long while, the old man finally spoke.
"Good, you concealed it very well."
"Master Sylra..."
"Let this old man be quiet for a while."
Alex stopped.
Sylra placed the basket on a nearby table, then turned toward the courtyard, a young disciple was struggling to carry a stack of bowls past him, the old man reached out, took half the stack, and followed the child toward the tables without looking back.
Nerin hurried after him.
Alex watched his retreating figure.
He had considered many possible reactions before revealing the truth, seeing the old man like this still made him uncomfortable.
On Broken Sword Peak, Sylra had treated him sincerely, Alex could tell the difference between someone flattering him for benefits and someone genuinely pleased because his disciple had done well.
But the things he had concealed were also real.
There was no sentence he could say that would make the old man smile again.
Aya remained beside him.
