"It's useful tactically. Terrible socially." She looked at the water. "People expect emotional responses. Crying after attacks. Fear. Gratitude. I know I'm supposed to perform those reactions, but I can't make them genuine."
"You don't have to perform for me."
"Don't I? You're sworn to protect me. If you think I'm broken or damaged, does that change how you perceive your duty?"
He considered that. "My duty is to keep you alive. Your emotional state doesn't change that. But personally..." He paused. "I find your clarity refreshing. Most royals are drowning in emotions—pride, anger, jealousy, fear. It makes them unpredictable. You're logical. I can work with logical."
"So my emotional void is tactically advantageous."
"For me, yes." He looked at her directly. "For you, I'm less certain."
Elara processed that. "You think I'm missing something important."
"I think you're surviving efficiently. But surviving and living aren't the same thing."
"Philosophical for a beast knight."
