[ Her suppositions are accurate, as he still carries with him a considerable amount of self-blame because he has not been able to protect her in the ways he thinks he should. She is easily the most important person in his life, and the one that he has promised himself to. That promise, and the other promises that remain unspoken but no less heartfelt, is what drives nearly all of his actions, and causes him to feel as though he could spend the rest of his life trying to live up to what he has promised to do.

When she slides into her lap and straddles him, he instantly moves his hands to steady her should she need additional support. The smile she gives him causes him no small amount of worry, although he cannot be sure what is troubling her, but he means to find out. Little does he know that their thoughts are straying in similar directions. Of course, it would take quite the concerted effort to dislodge his belief in Alkaid and K'thisru as the celebrated Warriors of Light. There is no having one without the other, as both are needed and loved, and he has no doubts in either of them.

Still, he had wished that both sisters could have come to Ishgard to assist in the matter of the blasphemies, but there was nothing to be done about it. And perhaps it is for the best, as Alkaid has already supported him through difficulties before, and he would ask no more of her than she has already given.

Regardless, those events are in the past, even though both of them seem to carry them with them to some extent. He is content in this moment to simply hold her and relax with her, as best as both of them can. ]

Of course. I would have you as you are, as yourself, and it is high time that we saw you as you, still our savior, but our sister and our friend. [ He pauses for a moment before he adds: ] And, of course, my dearest.

[ His hold upon her tightens just slightly in response to her words and he speaks without hesitation. ] How could that ever be wrong?