Scowling heavily now, he crosses his arms whilst refusing to meet her eye. "Have you not been listening? Every other word out of his mouth is one made in jest. His response just then confirmed what I have always believed - that his pestering me was only ever a game to him. I've no interest in someone who cannot take anything seriously, least of all affairs of the heart."

The words are harsh yet they seem to hurt him more to say. He slams down a stony mask, fingers digging in.