Oh... [ Indeed, there is another "I'm sorry," on his lips, but since he's been told not to say it, he just kind of pauses awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, he continues. ]

Well. The boy continued to think of her as a good friend but not in any romantic light, until one day, he met a noble soldier. This soldier, it turned out ... was in love with another man's fiancée, not knowing that she was already engaged in a similarly loveless, arranged marriage. When he found out, he was incensed at the unfairness of it all, of forcing people who don't love each other to get married simply for wealth and power. He raged and called the people of the city corrupt, to let such things pass unchecked.

When the young boy heard this, he felt insulted, too. "This city has plenty of good and honest people," he said. "Take back your words, or I shall challenge you to a duel."

And so they dueled. The young boy was holding his own until... one moment, when their swords were locked, he asked the soldier why he cared so much about this. The soldier replied with a question: "Is it true then, that you really do not love your fiancée?" The boy hesitated-- faced with such unwavering loyalty and passion, he was unsure how to reply, and in that moment he had lost.