for all the times it seemed that others found wriothesley to be sly and untrustworthy, neuvillette failed to see the truth behind those words. a simple oversight, perhaps, but one that was no doubt damaging, no matter how much the duke tended to ignore their words. even now as he relayed his feelings, attempting even to assuage his doubts, the iudex couldn't help but find him exceedingly sincere despite the tension he bore, likely wondering if he would ever reciprocate such ardent affection in the same way he'd professed it. the truth was that despite his usual eloquence and decorum following most situations he was entrusted to handle, this was entirely out of his wheelhouse. even if he desired a more intimate relationship with the duke, he felt himself entirely detached from what that implication truly meant. would he be able to give wriothesley what he wanted out of this new relationship? of that, the chief justice was wholly unsure. a simple, cordial relationship he'd maintained over the years was something entirely different than what they now expressed they both wished to pursue, and it had been quite some time since neuvillette could say he felt such a strong pull toward another.
before he knew it, there had been a longer pause between wriothesley's most sincere promise and a timely response which would have surely eased his nerves. it wasn't without cause though, given that he was entrusted wholeheartedly with these precious feelings from someone whose presence he felt secure within. truthfully, the whirlwind of emotions this man managed to stir in him were exactly those which he struggled to express, but there was simply no shortage of warmth blooming throughout his body when he kissed his knuckles. such a complicated thing love could be.
' i.. ' a sharp breath was inhaled as he desperately wished to compose himself. surely the iudex of fontaine whose renown was so widespread because of his impartiality and steely expression in the face of many difficult cases could keep it together in a situation like this? it was difficult— as much as he wanted to, it was as if all the words he'd ever known simply failed to present themselves on his tongue. with a long exhale, neuvillette decided to allow his own candid response to shine through. ' please do not misunderstand— i do not need any more time to deliberate. in fact, i do not need to deliberate at all. i came to see you today to make that clear, but your candor has left me quite stunned to say the least. '
—that much was evident in the way the rosy color had left neither his cheeks or the tips of his ears, but neuvillette thought it best to be honest so that his intentions were not misconstrued.
' i'm afraid that even with some experience in the past, i cannot promise to know how to proceed, but i can promise that i will try. you are worth that much and so much more to me. ' & a slight maneuver would have their fingers laced together, the depths of the primordial sea staring perhaps a bit too genuinely back into those beautifully frigid eyes.