[ The worry crosses his face and she smiles gently at him. The hand with her mastery ring raises to rest against his cheek, fingers brushing along his cheekbone. Hopefully, soon, all of this will be behind them. He will go back to simply being the Lord Commander and their new system of government will take the decisions from him. She knows it has been a struggle for him, even with how he has risen to the occasion.

She leans forward to press a kiss to his cheek once more. ]

You have always met my needs, Aymeric. You don't need to strive so hard to impress me. [ Her smile spreads against his cheek. ] We may have come here out of necessity, but we chose to stay out of love. We truly do love Ishgard and her people. Sometimes, the best things can be born of necessity.

[ She smiles at his concern, head tilting with his hand to encourage him to touch the scars. The drive to comfort and mend runs deep within her, and she certainly would not shun him for wishing to return the notion for scars since healed. ]

I wouldn't stop you if that is something you would wish to do. Simply know that you needn't make yourself responsible for the scars and being able to prevent them. They are a small price to pay to keep all of you alive.