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[He's clearly vexed a moment. J-Just Ai. It's informal. It's terribly, horribly informal. She's a pureblood princess, and deserves all the respect. She herself has earned it, at least in his eyes. But she's requested it, and he respects her-- enough that he shouldn't just question her decision on this, after all. Especially when it involves her to begin with.]
Ai... then...
[It's a little awkward, but he stumbles through testing it out on his tongue. It's a beautiful name, or so he's always thought. When she looks back up at him, those thoughts disappear almost at once. He doesn't have to be an expert to realize how truly troubled she is. She's upset. And it's any wonder why. His eyes widen at the revelation.]
La-- [Already he stumbles, but corrects himself almost at once.] Ai... [Chest tightening, it bleeds for her. His mother died while he was very young, and his father and him never have gotten along. But he does know what it's like to have someone important. His Granny, in his case. And to be forgotten or left behind... would be an excruciating thing.]