[The first part gets a nod from him; of course Lady Edelgard isn't interested in staying here. Her path forward lies back home, and there isn't anything this world can offer that will sway her from it, he's certain of that.
Her words aren't entirely surprising, though he does raise his one visible eyebrow. Lady Edelgard must be the Emperor as soon as she returns home. She doesn't have any other option; it was the title she has claimed for herself, and the person she has to be. He understands that much, and some part of him can understand the desire to want to have more time to herself, at the very least.]
There is much we could learn from the people here. [That's carefully-worded, considering.] Perhaps there could be some benefit to being dragged here.
[A brief pause. As he's described it, this makes it sound like the only possible benefit could be for intelligence-gathering purposes. That's not exactly the sentiment he's trying to express, but it's always a bit difficult...]
I... am pleased that you do have time to yourself.
[...Is that better...?? As important as Lady Edelgard's path forward is, she is still a person, and he does want what's best for her.]
Hearing about the possibilities of the future from those that come ahead of us also has given me much to think about.
[and gripping hubert’s hand a little more tightly:]
Not that anything about what I must do has changed. But in so many years, I’ve never been afforded such a respite, taxing as it has been nonetheless. No longer racing the clock or facing the pressures of those relying on me...It has put much in perspective. How long we’ve been moving forward without the opportunity to breathe.
Perhaps some time off could do you well yourself, Hubert.
[a quiet noise of amusement]
Not that I expect to see you relaxing any time soon.
[He can certainly understand the first part; hearing about their future certainly does give him a lot to think about as well. They have the time for it now, which is... something. He's not entirely sure he'd call it a good thing.]
At this point, I'm not sure I know how to relax.
[The words aren't quite sarcastic, but they're a touch too light to be serious. His expression is almost a smirk, but a bit too soft for that. It's the closest he gets to smiling, and Lady Edelgard is one of the few people who can ever earn that expression.]
I understand, however. Having time to collect ourselves and prepare for what's to come can only work in our favor.
[Yes, he'd prefer to be home and moving forward immediately. But he's fully aware that pressing onwards without any rest is unhealthy and potentially damaging to Lady Edelgard. It's a thought that does trouble him sometimes, knowing what she must do and the burdens she'll have to bear on her path forward. But he believes in her and her path, and has would never dream of asking her to slow or stop, even for her own benefit.
So this... while it certainly isn't ideal, it may actually be a blessing in some ways.
His grip tightens on her hand in return.]
Perhaps you'll be able to relax a bit more now that I'm here.
[...That sounds pretty full of himself, but you know what he means by it...]
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no subject
Her words aren't entirely surprising, though he does raise his one visible eyebrow. Lady Edelgard must be the Emperor as soon as she returns home. She doesn't have any other option; it was the title she has claimed for herself, and the person she has to be. He understands that much, and some part of him can understand the desire to want to have more time to herself, at the very least.]
There is much we could learn from the people here. [That's carefully-worded, considering.] Perhaps there could be some benefit to being dragged here.
[A brief pause. As he's described it, this makes it sound like the only possible benefit could be for intelligence-gathering purposes. That's not exactly the sentiment he's trying to express, but it's always a bit difficult...]
I... am pleased that you do have time to yourself.
[...Is that better...?? As important as Lady Edelgard's path forward is, she is still a person, and he does want what's best for her.]
no subject
[and gripping hubert’s hand a little more tightly:]
Not that anything about what I must do has changed. But in so many years, I’ve never been afforded such a respite, taxing as it has been nonetheless. No longer racing the clock or facing the pressures of those relying on me...It has put much in perspective. How long we’ve been moving forward without the opportunity to breathe.
Perhaps some time off could do you well yourself, Hubert.
[a quiet noise of amusement]
Not that I expect to see you relaxing any time soon.
no subject
At this point, I'm not sure I know how to relax.
[The words aren't quite sarcastic, but they're a touch too light to be serious. His expression is almost a smirk, but a bit too soft for that. It's the closest he gets to smiling, and Lady Edelgard is one of the few people who can ever earn that expression.]
I understand, however. Having time to collect ourselves and prepare for what's to come can only work in our favor.
[Yes, he'd prefer to be home and moving forward immediately. But he's fully aware that pressing onwards without any rest is unhealthy and potentially damaging to Lady Edelgard. It's a thought that does trouble him sometimes, knowing what she must do and the burdens she'll have to bear on her path forward. But he believes in her and her path, and has would never dream of asking her to slow or stop, even for her own benefit.
So this... while it certainly isn't ideal, it may actually be a blessing in some ways.
His grip tightens on her hand in return.]
Perhaps you'll be able to relax a bit more now that I'm here.
[...That sounds pretty full of himself, but you know what he means by it...]