[ he shakes his head immediately at the backtracking, jewelry chiming with the movement, smile returning for a moment. ] We did not feel offended. We simply.. [ he hesitates for a few quiet moments, searching for the words to explain. ] We wished to caveat that.. though we make strides toward change, it is sometimes slow-going. As in the case of our-- our impending marriage. [ his small smile widens by degrees, warming. ] Though we are heartened to hear that you will choose your own partner. We dearly hope that it will be someone you love.

[ he's not sure if he and csethiro will ever be in love in the way of a husband and wife, but he thinks that at the least, they can be friends. he thinks they'll be able to at least love one another that way. .. it would be good to feel that close to her. and he certainly intends for their relationship to lack the restrictions of his father's relationships with his empresses. he wants csethiro to be happy.

his expression smooths again at the sentiment, faintly puzzled and a little concerned. ] Truthfully.. we are somewhat embarrassed to say that we have grown so accustomed to them already that it is quite strange-- [ lonely, actually. ] --to be here alone. We think of them as friends. [ and he has precious few of those. ]