"But you did. Before you could not accept it because it was outside of your comfort zone as a retainer, even when I said it needn't be so difficult, because I'm not the prince anymore. Now, you say it is too much for you to handle. Likely for the same reasons as before," she leaned against the door, crossed her arms over her chest. "How is that not rejection if you would not even so much as give me room to have a chance? I tried to be gentle about it. Numerous times, in fact, but I cannot continue on with something that personal forever. I do not have eternal, limitless patience."

She sighed. "I can hear them. They don't know what they want. And that's just more pain waiting to happen.

I'm sorry, Futo. But I can't accept something without at least a little firmness behind the resolve. Too much risk, otherwise."