He lets out a noise of sheer frustration - but this time, it's directed at himself, rather than at her. "Foolish," he bites out. "What a joke. A disgraced and disinherited scion of a family of no account at all. A scandalous no-ranker. Pretending that someone like me can play at any sort of heroism."

He looks down at their joined hands - his laying limply in hers - hardly even seeing them. His jaw works, but he's quiet a moment. Finally, when he does speak, his voice is low and choked. "Don't listen to this idiocy. I shouldn't. None of this matters."