Mildmay didn't flinch when Felix raised his voice. He didn't respond at all. He sat very still, and thought about how he could reply. There were a few poor choices that sprung immediately to mind, but, again, Felix had asked Mildmay to be honest about himself. So... well.

"I mean... I know how to deal with it. What I ain't never figured out, though, was how to deal with folks poking at my face and asking me to frown so that they could see what it looked like." 'They', of course, being 'Kolkhis'. Mildmay hopes he doesn't have to say that plainly. He hopes Felix will just understand what he means, and further, Mildmay hopes Felix will see the point of his words. His attempt to impart his thoughts on the subject in the form of a story from his past, to show he understands that it's harder on Felix than Mildmay, and that he trusts him with a gentle divulging of sensitive details.

One thing he does know, how Felix always remembers ways to insult and wound: Mildmay has given him a weapon in good faith. He hopes Felix's mood isn't quite so bad as to use it.