She was not expecting that.

Emiri's large, violet eyes blinked a few times, as if she did not understand the question. No, she understood it. She just couldn't believe that was what Savayna wanted to know. She would have expected her to ask Jaakuna this question, not herself. Once the shock faded off, however, she knew she had to give an answer, lest she suffer from the ice queen's wrath. Except...she didn't know the answer to it. Ever since he had confessed to her, she wasn't sure. No, it wasn't that she wasn't sure, she just...had a harder time putting her feelings into words. Hell, she had a hard time even accepting her own feelings. After years of feeling nothing, suddenly all these emotions are thrust onto her. And this was no exception.

The truth of the matter was, she did not know what love was. She didn't understand it, really. What, two people spend time with one another and then suddenly they love each other? How did it work? How did one person know that they loved another? The only relationship she had that was even remotely healthy was her relationship with Nadeline, but even then that was friendship. Not love. She did not love Grant, his idea of loving her was twisted. She did not love her mother, she doubted that her mother loved her. Everyone she was supposed to love did not love her, and in return she did not love them, either. It was a somewhat painful truth, one that she had been running away from.

Jaakuna loved her. Or...at least for the first time in a long time, she hoped so. Maybe his little admission for Savayna meant he still had lingering feelings. Maybe hearing him say that tortured her. She remembers the ship, where she admitted her jealousy. She wanted him all for herself. She wanted him to love her and no one else. And yet, when it came to how [i]she[/i] felt about him, she was just so scared and unsure. Yeah, she was just scared. Scared of him turning out to be like every other loveless relationship in her life. But what did she feel, really? Could she answer Savayna's question?

Her face was completely blank as she looked at Savayna.

"[b]Yes.[/b]" It was an epiphany for sure. Her admission was so quiet, like an accidental thought that had slipped from her lips. "[b]I love him.[/b]" She couldn't believe what she was saying, let alone to whom she was saying it to. But this time she was louder. "[b]No matter what. I will protect him from you and anyone else who wants to hurt him.[/b]" Because she promised that. She said she didn't care, and she meant it. At this point she stood up. "[b]And if I find that you've harmed so much as a hair on his head, may the gods help you, because I promise you, [i]I will make you regret it[/i].[/b]" She didn't even know what she was saying at this point, but her determination was clear.