"I am aware of that, Ser Xellos," Miquel shakes his head. "I am not sure what could stop you, and I have a feeling I would not like to meet it. You ca nrest assured that I will do whatever it takes to keep Don Cesare safe. I have always done that."
Always? Cesare looks up. His expression is stricken. We wouldn't be here if you had. We'd be at rest in our graves. We'd behold the saints and the blessèd, or perhaps we'd writhe in Hell. We could sleep, Miquel, had you done what you just said. "Don Michele knows what pains me most, so he naturally makes use of that," Cesare says, intending to hurt. Then he sorts himself back into someone with authority, which sounds and looks ridiculous, coming from a boy. "And now please open the circle? I need to find my cellphone."