It could only get further complicated if they continued this conversation. If it led to where it may lead, if it was something they fully opened themselves up about. Could they really accept whatever was in their hearts, to allow their own selfish desires to bypass what they were meant to do?

The ex-general, banished from the Capital despite being the only one to pour enough love into that little egg, to save Malleus from certain death. Looked down upon by those who remembered, erased from history in any way that mattered aside from rumors. None of that mattered, whenever Lilia got to see Malleus. Got to look into his eyes, to hold him, to watch him learn about the world around him. If he could protect Malleus, to continue to watch him throughout the years, to watch him grow into the great King he knew he would be, then Lilia would sacrifice even more. Anything, to be allowed that.

The truth still lay in the facts between them, no matter what anyone else thought, after all.

"You may very well be the only one who believes that regarding me," Lilia murmurs, shaking his head, before continuing, "... Your opinion is the only one that matters. What you want, that is the only thing in this world that matters. You know that, right?"