Dimitri raises his head to meet Dedue's eyes. His face is still blotchy, his eyes bloodshot. His voice rasps in his throat. "I wasn't be there for you," he croaks. "I swore I-i'd burn that House and salt the ashes if I ever, if He -- "

-- but he wasn't there. Again, he wasn't there, this time after he'd sworn an oath to be. Again, he can't even find any retroactive vengeance. And this time there is no help or comfort he can offer.