[He doesn't look back at her. Perhaps that's cowardice. Perhaps it will make it somewhat easier to bear when she pulls away and stutters out an excuse and flees from the Goddess Tower. At the very least he expects the first one, but when she says his name firmly, his gaze is drawn back to her.

Her grip is tight and she looks... sad? Sad. He isn't sure what to do with this and as she continues he only ends up even more confused.]

I...

[What would he call that? None of it has been necessary for Lady Edelgard or her plans, he knows that. It's why he's had such a hard time with all of this, after all, because in the end he doesn't know how to pursue anything he wants for himself. That's what Lady Edelgard has been trying to get at this whole time.

So if none of this was necessary and he was doing it just because he wants to, because it will make her happy and because he loves her, then what does that make it?

"Kind" may not be the exact word for it, but it's pretty damn close.]

I see.

[He sort of doesn't?? But his gaze darts and he can feel himself flushing.]

You have my apologies, then. For... For speaking so cruelly about my actions. Everything I have done for you is because I want to please you and help you.

[And that's perhaps too true.]