No, that was never my—

[ He cuts himself off with a sigh. Somehow, her taking umbrage against a clumsily worded yet genuine sentiment is almost nostalgic. In the very worst of ways. ]

I meant everything I said previously. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable or push you to show more than you'd otherwise prefer. [ An honest statement, if not a complete one. ] But... Edelgard, you deserve better than being bound by hypothetical fears.

[ Of his reaction or anyone else's. ]