[ he tenses then -- and then there's a thought .. that's it? how poor of a temper this part of his heart must have, to be so enraged by such a minor thing. it's not as if he particularly enjoys being compared to him when he's in his right mind, but at the same time --

he's done far worse things than Somnus ever did, by a wide mile now. Ardyn exhales, heavily. ]

You need not apologise. My brother has been cruel, but I have been crueller at times. Far moreso than him. That aspect of me ... It is irrational, and it wronged you -- you know that, yes?