[The panic that sets in his mind is almost too much in that moment. Childe feels drunk, and their voices snap him back to reality so quickly that he doesn't know how to react at first. He's thankful that Aether seems to be able to gather his wits about him a little faster than Childe is- and he's cursing himself now because he has to wait to join them or else risk the two of them catching onto what they were doing.

After all, if he messes up, he could die. It's that easy.

The knight tries to fight down the blush across his face, purposely making some shuffling noises near the tree to make it seem like he's doing something before he appears from behind the curtain.]

You can place that blame on me, Your Highness, [Childe says, knowing his face must surely still be red.] I challenged Aether to a race here, so Elise is safely with Luke. I trust no one more than him to take up such a task, and I suppose it's a good time to tell you both.

[He clears his throat, cursing the fact that he's such a terrible actor sometimes...]

I've been training Luke diligently to become Elise's personal knight, farther down the line. I've taught him everything I know, and you can expect the same results from him as you do of me. Today felt like a good, safe trial for such an occasion. Does that please you, Your Highness?