[ It's more than just a mark, it's a promise. A promise that for as long as he lives, she belongs to him. He wonders if it's any better, really, to be treated as a treasure than a fancy bauble... but what the hell, as if he cares about that.

What matters is that she's his. If she has any complaints, she should've thought of that beforehand. ]

...

[ For a moment, he's silent... cold blue eyes locked onto her own as she gives him his admission. Earlier than she intended, earlier than he expected, but hardly the worst time to do so.

For that brief moment, with his expression unchanging, it's hard to tell exactly what her revelation makes him feel... until— ]

Hah... hah...!! So that was it all along, then?

[ He laughs... and strangely, it doesn't sound like his usual jeer. ]

Hah... ahh, I see now... to think that it was that simple all along. How very human of you.

[ Is he... amused? ]