Embarrassed of what, Lorenz? Nobody's watching or judging here but me, and you know I'm not the kind of guy who demands people keep up appearances. If you need to just let yourself be overwhelmed for a few minutes, then I'm here to help you with that, and I'm not going to think less of you for it. [Claude pauses, then huffs out a smile.] But it's not me that's judging you, is it? It's you. Although I'd say if it's only your own standards you're not living up to, you don't have to make any show of apologizing to me. I'm not the one you feel like you're letting down here, am I? You know me better than that.

[He shakes his head.] I think under the circumstances, you'd be more than justified in cutting yourself some slack here...but despite my sterling example, you've never really learned how to do that, have you? Not that you've had much freedom to follow that example, with Count Gloucester always looming over you. But now that we're here...just remember that you do have that freedom now, okay? I know you're not going to unwind all at once, but...you can still loosen a little.

[He reaches out to lightly touch Lorenz's wrist.] C'mon, let's go grab some food. I'm not feeling sick anymore, and you feel like you've missed a few dozen meals.