Oh, if he'd said that aloud, declared just how old he was and that he was far, far too old to cuddle close like this, Lilia would have more than a few words for him. To claim that would be to suggest Lilia himself was too old for it, that he was acting childish, and Seven knew that there was nothing that would make Lilia pout and complain more than that suggestion from Malleus. Anyone else, anyone who didn't know how old he was, would get a pass.

At least Malleus was smart enough to conceal his words in a way that wouldn't suggest that. Putting the blame onto Malleus as being grown rather than too old for this. But, that little pout was enough to remind Lilia that this boy was still just that: a boy, still growing and learning about the world around them.

"You are still my ward, still someone who I care so much about. You've never complained in the past when I've asked for attention, when I've all but taken it from you without asking." His words ring as true as they do teasing, taunting, pushing those little buttons. "You might be grown, but that does not change any of the facts."

Tilting his chin up, Lilia practically looks down his nose on Malleus, despite still being so small in comparison to him, even in his lap like this.

"How is this unbecoming or inappropriate? You're not small enough to still sit in my lap, my dear Prince, though I wouldn't complain if you wanted to switch positions. Would that be more comfortable, more familiar?"