Bastien twists his mouth to one side, at that—a little puzzled, a little amused—and then nods. "My fault," he reiterates.

He's not remotely fooled, but he didn't endear himself to dozens on dozens of noble marks by refusing to go along with people's pretenses. Especially not in public. He drops his hand from Allumin's back and eats the bite he'd delayed to ask, watching the young man's face while he chews and swallows.

Then he smiles.

"What was it for, then? The kidnapping."