It's hard to watch Mildmay struggle with this. Hard to not try to intervene or maybe just look away. But he owes his brother his attention. In the very least, after everything, he can manage that.

He doesn't think Mildmay's assessment is fair. He didn't get to know Cardenio well, but he suspects his friend would have cared. But that isn't much solace. It's the same reason he's agree to binding by forms int he first place - he knows what Mildmay says is true. The Lower City was a harsh place for anyone without a somebody around to keep them afloat. That that person should be him was patently unfair to them both, but that's how it was.

It shows in his eyes, that he understands what Mildmay has told him.

"I really did miss you," he says, weakly.