It’s quite all right. [ This time, he didn’t even look flustered. Zechs gave him a tiny, rueful smile. ] I had plenty of admirers when I wore that mask and uniform, even if I think they mainly were drawn to the power behind my rank and the skills I possessed. Nonetheless. I was once quite appealing to many no matter their reasons.

[ Then, he frowned thoughtfully for a moment. ] I don’t wish to wear that mask again. When it shattered, I said it was the friendship between myself and Treize which shattered - in truth, it was the entire situation where I had to compromise my ideals by serving in Romafeller’s private army that shattered.

He no more believed in them than I did, and I am not angry at him for supporting them at that time anymore.

[ Soft snort. Even though he’s forced to tell the truth, this was also true; ] You likely don’t care about the political squabbles on my world. You just appreciate the uniform. It was well designed.