[He was half-expecting it, but her matter-of-factness still makes him drop his eyes to his feet, unsure of how to react or which emotion to show.

There's, inappropriately enough, relief that here's someone else in more or less the same situation -- and no wonder she's willing to spend time here doing this -- and that this someone is an Empress... well, he's already met a Queen in the same situation, hasn't he?]

... I see, so milady is a noble spirit. There was someone in your home other than the gods who had the power to create such a form? [A brief hesitation.] If milady would not mind telling the story, I would be happy to listen.