[ He falls silent as well, as he continues to lightly twine his fingers in and through her hair, an action meant to comfort her but also to settle his own churning emotions. She might insist that he has not let her down, but he feels differently. Perhaps she will continue to insist that he did not hurt her, but he cannot see how he has not done so. ]

Mayhap I did not do so purposefully or with intent, but- can it be said that I did not cause you harm? Even if I did so unknowingly... even if you yourself did not realize it- [ And it sounds to him that she did feel no small amount of hurt, having to watch him be bound to another. ] That does not change the facts, and for that I apologize.

[ He would even offer a deep bow as a further gesture of how sorry he is if they were not positioned as they are. It might feel somewhat foreign to him, but it would not feel entirely wrong to do so either, as he is certain he can remember enough of his past lives to know that the gesture is one he has done before. ] I would not blame myself unnecessarily, but in this instance, I feel as though I must.

[ The whims of fate might be responsible for the turns their lives have taken, but he still believes he cannot wave off his own responsibility and blame it all upon fate. ]

I intend to make it up to you, as best as I am able. [ If he did not have to leave, that would make his resolve easier, but as that cannot be helped, he intends to begin making amends the moment he has returned. ]