[The contempt Byerly is expecting never arrives: Benedict’s manner returns to one of dutiful wariness once Bastien points out his role in their scheme. There, you vicious egotist, he wants to be here.

He can’t help but flinch at least once as Byerly recounts the conversation, and at its conclusion finds himself staring down at the folio, empathizing far too deeply. To think he almost threw himself in front of them— how much worse that would’ve made things.

All that can be done now is to hope that somehow, the three of them can mend this.]