( she hovers indecisively for a moment, uncertain; looks up properly for the first time, hollow-eyed and pale, tired above all else. it is tiring just living, some days. a respite seems so often too much to ask - something she should be ashamed of even needing. )

If I went to the Duke, ( grandfather, ) he'd make it go away, but then I'd always -

I'd always have had to do that. I don't want to be a fucking child.

( she doesn't sit on the chair; settles beside him instead, rests her head against his shoulder. )

I'm just tired.