[Marianne is likewise glad, believe her. She winds up holding him a bit tighter at that and it'll definitely feel like she's burying her face in his back. Just a bit; enough to ensure that if anyone sees, they won't see how bright red she is.]

I...I didn't, too. It was, um... [...] You were always very imposing. When Claude introduced us to Edelgard. You were with her there, and it was a little...

[...Scary? Frightening? Awkward? All of the above work, but Marianne trails off.]

...But I'm glad you chose me. And I chose you, too. You're really nice.

[you know, under the five million layers of vampire aesthetic and being an intimidating, looming man]