[ A hesitation as he thinks that over. ]

Maybe.

[ He tilts his head a little further towards Bastien, eyes thoughtful. ]

There are plenty of bastards who have to take care of others. So it's not like caring for someone keeps you from being a bastard. But without me, I imagine she'd have been a lot harder. And without her, I don't know if I'd ever have cared for anyone aside from myself.

[ He frowns very slightly. ]

You were the oldest, right? In your family?