[ He doesn't flinch and he finds no satisfaction in having pushed her to that point, either, but something in him softens nonetheless to see this human side of her, to see her admit her flaws. Love for your brother. That - that he understands. His voice is gentle when he speaks after. ]

Love does not make you weak. It is not a weakness to love your brother so much, that to even consider doing what you did is more than you can bare. Love is your strength. It is why you endured so long after, despite on the verge of death.

[ He knows. For her, how many thousands clinging to that love? For him, a mortal, thirteen long years of love burning into desire of vengeance. The denial of who the real murderer was. ]

It is what kept us both going. I'm sorry. [ He means it, with every ounce of his being. ] I do not ask for your forgiveness in pushing into that wound... but it has given me some insight into you.

[ He moves to lift the rapier from where it was resting against the seat and stands. He salutes her with it as he did Joshua, the rapier pointing downwards towards the ground, the hilt clutched in his left as the right mimics the pose the best he can. Then he sets the rapier down in front of her, disarming himself. ]

And it is the you I know and understand who I would pledge my services to, if you would have them.