[ the more she listens, the more that little knot of anger in her gut begins to grow. life can be unfair. alisaie knows that, accepts that. bad things happen to good people, there can be no preventing it, and bad things have happened to him as have happened to too many good men. but that doesn't mean she has to like it, and she certainly cannot help the protective flare in her heart that has her tightening her grip on him that much more. what in the gods' names had ardyn been doing? tormenting him simply for the sake of it? it's horrible. it's sadistic.

alisaie's jaw tightens, her eyes closing for a moment so she can settle herself down, quiet the rage in her heart, but when she opens her eyes again to find him looking shamefully away she finds her heart breaking.

she's quiet for a few long moments after his admission, to gather her thoughts as well as give the confession the gravity it deserves. it must not have been easy to say, knowing his soft heart, and how it must have weighed on him. slowly, she smooths her hand over his hair again, then presses a soft, warm kiss to his brow and drops her hand to lift his chin again, trying to meet his eyes. ]

It was justice, dearheart.

[ she says quietly, but forwardly, all sincerity. things might have been different on eos, she can't know, but hydaelyn has been war-torn for as long as she has known. people die. and if it makes him feel better to know.. ]

I have killed men as well. War is ugly, but you need not carry that weight with you. Doubtless you saved many more from a grim fate.