[ It's hard to tell what Hubert is thinking at the moment, given the fact that he doesn't have, you know, eyebrows; but if he did, he'd certainly raise one at Patty's spiel. Honestly, even he is starting to wonder why he regularly subjects himself to dealing with this annoying little pest. It's a bit masochistic, really. Sure, Lady Edelgard has explicitly forbidden him from killing her, but it wouldn't be the first order of her that he's defied, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

Besides, what Edelgard doesn't know wouldn't hurt her. If there was ever a good time to dispose of Patty von Jungby, now would certainly be it. He could fabricate some tale about how they'd gotten ambushed in the forest by demonic beasts, and he was unable to save her. Or something along those lines. There'd be no way that Edelgard could know if he's lying or not; it's not like there'd be any witnesses to confess otherwise. It'd be so easy, and yet... ]

...

[ Siiiigh. ]

I do not appreciate being made a fool of. ...However. I am willing to turn a blind eye to your affront just this once, Patty. [ And it's not because of her puppy dog eyes. It's because, as loath as he is to admit it, she is essential if he wants to get out of this forest. ] But only on one condition: you lead us directly back to the monastery. If I suspect that you are misguiding me again, then there will be consequences.

[ Consequences that speak for themselves. ]