[Her words imply far more than she bargained for, but in this state she can't help it. The helplessness is too raw, as is the frustration, the anger. Howard says it feels like he's drowning and she can relate so much that it aches.]

... Yes. We are.

[There's defeat in that reply, like she's given up. With a tired sigh, Sakura buries half of her face in her knees]

I'm sorry, Howard-san. If I knew what to do, I would've tried already.

[Her voice is much quieter than before with the fire snuffed out of her.]

... I... I had wanted to go with Mateus-san, too. [Does he know that? Did he ever suspect? Sakura's refusal had not been a strength, just a fear of disappointing everyone. In terms of nobility, she never had the high ground.] But it seemed too good to be true, so I...