You have my apologies for not realizing sooner, I didn't think...
[???????????????]
I... never would have thought you were talking about me.
[????????????????????????????????????????]
Ah, that's not to say—
[Okay, okay, hang on, he can't stand here and stare blankly forever, she's going to get the wrong idea and run away and that'll probably make the petals worse. He's still sort of staring with an expression that's somewhere between completely baffled and openly concerned (because how could he miss something like that) but he's trying to get himself under control quickly so she doesn't get the wrong impression.]
I'm surprised by it, but I'm not upset, Marianne. It's... quite the opposite, really. I'm afraid you've mistaken my devotion to Lady Edelgard as... something else. It's a common problem.
[He could try to explain that he does love Lady Edelgard, but it's easiest just to skip the explanation and jump straight to the point.
The point.
Which is a bit hard to articulate.
Oh come on, now is not the time to freeze up—]
I've grown very fond of you during our time together and I... [come on] The ah... The flower petals are still fairly new and it's been a bit... difficult to examine my emotions and determine how to proceed. [almost there] I hadn't thought things would turn out like this. As I said, I was under the impression that you were interested in... [claude???] ...someone else.
[Okay. Okay, so far so good. Explanation's done, time to just say it. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.]
...These petals were never for Lady Edelgard. They were for you.
[He manages the words surprisingly easily, but he's starting to turn pink and can't look at Marianne anymore.]
no subject
[NO HE THE FUCK DOES NOT]
You have my apologies for not realizing sooner, I didn't think...
[???????????????]
I... never would have thought you were talking about me.
[????????????????????????????????????????]
Ah, that's not to say—
[Okay, okay, hang on, he can't stand here and stare blankly forever, she's going to get the wrong idea and run away and that'll probably make the petals worse. He's still sort of staring with an expression that's somewhere between completely baffled and openly concerned (because how could he miss something like that) but he's trying to get himself under control quickly so she doesn't get the wrong impression.]
I'm surprised by it, but I'm not upset, Marianne. It's... quite the opposite, really. I'm afraid you've mistaken my devotion to Lady Edelgard as... something else. It's a common problem.
[He could try to explain that he does love Lady Edelgard, but it's easiest just to skip the explanation and jump straight to the point.
The point.
Which is a bit hard to articulate.
Oh come on, now is not the time to freeze up—]
I've grown very fond of you during our time together and I... [come on] The ah... The flower petals are still fairly new and it's been a bit... difficult to examine my emotions and determine how to proceed. [almost there] I hadn't thought things would turn out like this. As I said, I was under the impression that you were interested in... [claude???] ...someone else.
[Okay. Okay, so far so good. Explanation's done, time to just say it. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.]
...These petals were never for Lady Edelgard. They were for you.
[He manages the words surprisingly easily, but he's starting to turn pink and can't look at Marianne anymore.]