[ Even a neutral reaction is somewhat telling and he resists the urge to groan his frustration with himself, instead back to avoiding eye contact as he indulges in a quiet exhale that's a little too close to a sigh. Fuck. Sure, he hasn't been as subtle as he's wanted to be. That hurts his argument that this was a precaution. Now? It's as if he lied for nothing.

Like he distrusted Markus for nothing. ]

You got pretty close to it before, so...

My full name's Noctis Lucis Caelum. Crown prince... or now, only living heir to the throne. Calling myself a king still doesn't feel right.