[Though it's not as if he's been trying to hide it, he knows even if he had that Aether would see right through him and know that he was stressed. That the preparations asked of him went against every principle and moral he stood for, as strange and sometimes twisted as they could be. The knight's shoulders sag for a moment, hating the position he's been put in, but glad also for having someone to be able to vent his frustrations out with.

One that understands him better than anyone else, and one that he doesn't have to hide himself from.]

Haha, yes, it's been quite the opposite for me. The strings I've had to pull as part of the requests to set up the attempt on your father's life...it burns me deeper than I could ever describe. Every word I utter feels like treason.

[Childe's face scrunches up, trying to tell himself that all he does now will be undone by his own hand. That it's all for the safety of the king, and for Aether. He squeezes the prince's hand, letting a little more stress go with the action.]