[Byleth peered up at her. He was not very familiar with Hayame, though he knew Claude was close to her in some fashion, but he knew when to recognise discomfort in others. She was stiff-backed and awkward, and she couldn't quite hide the audible scrape of her hooves shifting restlessly amongst the roots. It was like a thunderbolt, then, why Hayame approached him, the purpose of this sort-of conversation - it wasn't just about the Slavery Discourse.

She was trying to thank him without actually thanking him. A strangely common occurrence amongst mercenaries, so Byleth rolled with it immediately. For someone as proud as Hayame, even saying this much probably hadn't been easy for her.]

I see. Thank you, Hayame. I appreciate it.

[Byleth was not held back by pride, and his social awkwardness didn't make him hesitate either. He was always earnest when trying to express himself, no matter how clumsily, and he even managed to muster a... sort of smile? Byleth's facial expressions were always so subtle, but the corners of his mouth were upturned into a very small, yet genuine, smile. It made him look far softer than his otherwise stony expression conveyed.]

It was kind of you to point it out to me and... I hope you'll find others that may have the 'proper sense' as well. Those willing to speak it, at least.