[exactly. which is why he will do his best to ensure this event and all that transpired during it reach as few ears as possible. heaven forbid were yuan or zelos to find out, that'd be an annoyance of divine proportions.

so yes, he is very much embarrassed.

but he will keep believing he's successfully hiding that fact. how understanding malon is acting causes some of the tension in his shoulders to ease. he finishes drying off his face before turning toward her and responding.]

No, I'm nothing of the sort. I'd been a knight once, but with no relation to any royalty.

[many knights were royalty but his family was not one of them. they were lower ranking nobility, nothing special.]

Currently, I'm more of a mercenary than anything else.

[and angel.]