[his smile fades, but only in bemusement. his grip on her hand is as sturdy as ever, as though rooted in place, never letting go]

The rest. . . [a beat. I'm sorry he has to think about it]

[but]

[he. . . he gets there]

About-- [wanting to learn from her. . . to be a better king? gods. he had meant it, truly, and he had thought she would be complimented. especially in the wake of being told that she could add nothing to his cause. . . when she has done the most to build him up. but. . . actually, if she took it as him meaning he only wanted her around for that purpose, then. . .]

-- Anna, I'm so sorry.

[quickly, insistently, he takes a step forward, to close some of the space between them]

I should have. . . said it then. But the moment didn't feel right, and I hadn't finished my ballad, and--

[and!! he was an idiot!!!!]