I am certain that there are those who would just as soon keep us apart, if not bring harm to- well, to you, but I am equally resolved that should that happen, I won't let them succeed. We are meant to be together, of this I have no doubt.

[ He tilts his head to one side as if pondering her words, and he repeats them: ] The life a knight lives... What sort of life is that, other than going where and when one is told? I chose it, of course, and I do not regret it, but I-

[ He had other dreams and aspirations once, and now he is unsure what has become of those. Perhaps a life alongside her is his new dream, but he can barely imagine what that sort of life might look like. If she imagined seeing him promise himself to another, and then marry her, that is a far cry from what he has imagined for himself.

He would have most likely remained a Temple Knight for as long as possible, and when time intervened, then he would retire to the family home and see to maintaining it and perhaps finding another trade or some other way of passing the time. ]

I had thought that you would not wish to be together. [ Now, in this life, given what he is. It still baffles him that she wishes to be with him, that she can even stand to touch him and offer her love to him. It is all more than he deserves. ]

You would be well within your rights to. And if you were to hate me, it would not be anything I am not accustomed to. [ He has had moments in which he felt nothing but hatred for himself, and so feelings of hate are no stranger to him. ]

I am undeserving. [ He knows she will say that it is not about deserving, but he believes without question that he has done nothing to deserve the unconditional love that she offers. Still, when she guides him into the kiss, he does not resist, leaning into it hesitantly at first, and then with more passion and need. ]