[If it was anyone else, Aether would think it's a silly remark, nothing more but a "what if" scenario. But this is Childe. The prince throws him a baffled look and is very close to letting a sharp "What?" but he thankfully stops himself from doing so. Instead, he hisses to his knight, turning to him completely.]

...You can't be serious. You know that this won't work - she will never be able to marry him.

[That's exactly the part of the problem. Royals marry other royals and love has nothing to do with it. Marriage is like a contract between two countries, serving a diplomatic role. Even if Elise and Luke would get close to one another and love would bloom between them it would be as hopeless as the one that Aether harbours for his knight--

He suddenly looks away, face a bit flushed, when he realizes that he admitted his own feelings to himself.]

...I don't want anyone else to suffer like this.

[But won't she hurt either way? Aether will never give her love that she deserves.]