Robin doesn't see her attempt at a smile, but she can hear it in her voice. The reason Musse gives makes sense, but it feels like a half-answer at best. Again, she tries to remind herself that it's none of her business, that she shouldn't expect anything more, but it's clearly eating away at her. Seeing Musse like this... hurts a bit.

Robin slows her walk, resisting the urge to glance back at Musse. She wants to give her a comfortable distance, as much as she needs. "And that bothers you; that's understandable. I couldn't begin to imagine how you must feel." She pauses, choosing her words carefully. "But it's all right to feel that way. It's all right to say that you are upset or overwhelmed, or that you aren't dealing with the circumstances as well as you think you should. You may be a Duchess--but you're still only human."