Klavier froze completely. For a moment, he was sure his heart actually stopped along with the rest of him. That... didn't just happen. No. None of this was happening. Albedo hadn't just blurted all of that out so carelessly to his brother. Klavier was still sedated and lying in a catatonic state in his room and was imagining all of this. He had to have been.

Exposing that Klavier had actually been frightened and had blown into a burst of anger was bad enough. Men of their calibur have enough self control to keep their emotions in check and to do otherwise was embarrassing. But revealing what he'd said about Kristoph?! Telling him that he was still so completely overridden with guilt even now? Admitting that despite everything... Klavier couldn't and wouldn't do anything to help?

The apprehension he'd felt before was absolutely nothing in comparison to that very moment. Any and all composure fell to the wayside, and Klavier almost looked like a child waiting for some kind of imminent beating. He felt like he was going to be sick. There was no way in hell he could possibly stomach looking at his brother head on, so he simply stared at Albedo, openly flabberghasted. His mouth opened as though to say something, but no words came out. He tried again. "Ah... N-... He..."