[ ...Oh. He'd struck a wrong note with that one. The guilt pangs his heart almost immediately after, and he settles back into his seat, any semblance of his former overbearing attitude all but gone. He puts a hand up. ]

I'm sure he's doing fine wherever he is. If he was a part of COST, that is. [ Eren brings his hands together on the table, looking perplexed. ] Like I said, don't think much of this. It's just temporary. And I have no intention of taking any husband's place.

[ Was that a joke? It was a bad one. ]