"I am quite the... kind to not speak so freely. Even amongst those I trust."
That much was easy to understand at least. Leovold was often brazen in front of his father because he often bore few tangible consequences for doing so, but even then, Eira was the only one who knew that Leovold's hatred of the man extended into plotting against him.
Then Eira took to speaking of her lover. He gazed down at her as she halted their progress, his eyebrows raising as she admitted to her paramour being...a marked one? Or perhaps a self-imposed exile...either way, this was surprising, and not at all the within the realm of taste that he'd thought Eira to bear.
Still...the heart often wanted what it wanted, or so his mother often told him. Leovold was smart enough to know that this was not the time to cast judgment, but to listen to his betrothed making herself vulnerable where she otherwise might not.
As he absorbed her solemn vow to him in thoughtful silence he felt an appreciation for Eira. And beneath that, a subtle sting, one which surprised him. The faintest hint of envy that he, the heir apparent of a great Thanasian noble house, might be offered only friendship where some cur marked by the traitors' brand held her heart. Beyond that, anger that he was not allowed the right to choose a partner for himself when he was ready. One that he loved, and could love him readily in return.
There was no logic in this sliver of thought, Leovold reminded himself. An arranged marriage would always have occurred one day. For the nobles it was tradition, done for the good of one's house. Friendship with Eira was more than he could ask for; by all rights, she could resent Leovold and his family, and he would be in no position to refute her enmity.
All these thoughts ran through Leo's mind in but a few moments, but even so, before he had the chance to respond, Eira stole the words out from under him as she placed her gift into his hands. He held the sheathed dagger in his hands for a long, awed minute, sliding the blade from its cover and admiring its craftsmanship.
"This is...beautiful," he stated simply, at last, looking from the dagger back to Eira and clutching the gift tightly, stunned and unsure of what to say or how to react.