"Mm. Believe it or not, I may know a little of how that feels." He knows, of course, that he certainly doesn't look it now - and he doesn't think he could rightly claim his charm was all he had left when he joined the Canaries.

In theory, he had his title, even if he was a bastard sent to die.

He had his brother, even if he was too stupid to appreciate Obrin's support when he could.

What he had then that Rosie also has now were others in the same position. The lucky ones of Mithrun's comrades never learned a single real thing about him. Rosie might do better, but he already knows she doesn't want to.

He wonders whether he should move closer or stay put. He isn't sure, so he stays put. "I'm guessing you've already noticed how many people here aren't concerned with that. I wouldn't have known how to respond, either."