Noctisardor Bypass I can't turn back around and doubt my destination

"i care for all of rivenvood, laurel, not just you."
mahler's voice was heavy and wounded as he spoke once more, chastised. and rightfully so. what had moved him to argue with her at all? the graf was ashamed, mind adding it to the collective lists of reasons as to why he should not act in this way.
it chafed him also that she should have been so correct about wylla. they had not even met and laurel had humbled him.
mahler was embarrassed and frustrated and helpless beneath the weight of his own self-righteous indignation.
it hung about him like a cloak as he cleared his throat and stood.
mahler wanted to tell laurel that he did not think she had long to suffer in his company.
he wished to wait and be an escort all the same, but the firelick of her tongue had singed him clean through. mahler turned, as he had done many times before, turned and departed the lagoon, soon disappearing among the treeline.