You are not even the first person to accuse me of that.

[ He says it like it's a surprise. How could it be, that people might accuse him of foolishness? But as good as he might be with his studies, he's at least aware that he's at least somewhat sheltered.

(He's much more than he realizes, but at least there's some self-awareness there.)

But the way Nikolas smiles distracts him in turn; he lights up further, nervous and eager. ]

But I do. I trust you, and as long as you give me reason to, I will continue to do so.