He hadn't realized? What, did he think Lilia kissed him and offered to 'take care of this' for him just to make fun of him? Where had his mind been, if he couldn't realize what Lilia had meant? Was he that overtaken by his own embarrassment...?

"Malleus... you are so very smart and yet so very dense sometimes." The complaint slips out before Lilia can even think it through, making a face down at Malleus.

How does he even begin to explain it without getting too technical or lecturing Malleus?

"Why in the world did you think I kissed you? Said those things about taking care of you? Yes it was an offer to help you. A foolish offer, I realize. I'd gotten ahead of myself. Did not even to think that this offer would be one you may not wish me of all people to make."

Yes, Malleus is a fool. A naive fool. Poor Lilia, having to explain every single detail of this.