[He can feel how she resists him, as the wrought layers of a shield might resist the pitiless bronze of arrow heads that purpose to pierce through. He supposes that it is natural that a woman should honor her father so dearly that she doubts any man might match his worthiness, and that she should cherish her mother in equal measure, such that she wishes only for the fairest fortune to grace she who welcomed her into the world. For such stalwart fidelity he cannot fault Lucina. He can only hope to prove in word and in deed that his love for Olivia gleams as brightly as his honor as a man.

Still a smile shapes his lips yet its warmth does not quite fill his features.]

It is I whom fortune smiled upon when came your mother into my life.

[Or perhaps the Fates had lost sight of him for some time, and now at last has the sisters' far-seeing gaze settled upon him once more. Now at last they shall draw him back to the destiny that they had foreseen ere he was born, the destiny that he had fulfilled as water cannot help but fill a channel carved of the earth, which directs its course as it rushes onward.]

Thus it has been my pleasure to tend to Olivia in all the days we have together passed. Tell me, white-armed Lucina - how fare you in these circumstances so sudden and strange? Well do I recall the consternation which filled me when first I found myself in service with the house of ALASTAIR.

[This he asks for the sake of politeness, and because he knows not what other subject he might ask after.]