[he hesitates often, knowing how hard it is for Lorenz to really handle it all. he's a noble, after all—in spite of his good intentions, it's easy to feel anger and disappointment. that's true on both sides, of course, with one feeling as though they're trying their best and the other as though they're not trying at all.

Olivine may consider himself able to bridge the gap, but it doesn't make it less exhausting sometimes. he can only imagine how it must be for Lorenz, given the pressures he's under in addition to his wishes for the future.]

I understand your frustration, still. [warmly, as he always does, he reaches to take Lorenz's hand in his own. it's an action that took some time to get to, a gentle fondness that's far beyond what a servant "should" do. even now, it makes his heart skip to do it, but he focuses first on his charge's comfort than his own thoughts and feelings.] If ever there's anything I can do to help, you need only ask me. I wish nothing more than for you to succeed, my Lord.

[he's so... obvious, he feels, but maybe it's good enough. if they can't have anything, if he's the only one who feels this way... that's fine. it's fine. that touch doesn't linger long enough to be inappropriate either, and Olivine's gaze turns back to the pathway.]

Yes, that seems best. No matter what is or isn't happening here, I'd feel more comfortable if we weren't traveling too late into the evening.

[and maybe, there's a little bit of intuition at work there. Olivine doesn't think the people of the village would just make things up, even if what they were saying wasn't the whole truth of it all. so... dusk is perhaps the most frightening time to be out right now.

it's fine, though. he'll ensure nothing happens to Lorenz. somehow.]