[ For him, the fleeting memories of their past lives have to be hunted for and uncovered, but they still very clearly exist. It seems to him that the two of them were always missing each other, or finding each other only to be pulled apart for reasons out of their hands.

Perhaps that is why he feels more than determined to hold onto her in this life, even though his instincts tell him that he should not do so. ]

They do. [ He nods. While he does not discount the significance of the title, he does not use it to pull rank or anything of the sort. ] I have a family home, and a title... As for the rest, well- Being the heir of one such as me does not seem something to be desired.

[ Similarly, he thinks that she does not need to hate him, as he has enough hate for himself as it is. But he would not blame her if she did. Reason tells him that he should not allow himself such pleasantries as kissing her, but he finds that he is choosing to ignore reason so that he might lean into the kiss himself.

When she briefly breaks the kiss so as to inquire about his needs, he merely shakes his head and gives a shrug of his shoulders. ]

Whatever pleases you. [ He knows the answer will not please her, but he finds that it matters very little what she decides to do next. The wound on his back will heal with time, and he would not ask her to trouble herself with it more than she already has. ]