A silver lining then, if Emet-Selch can recognize the emotion in others even if he himself seems utterly allergic in expressing any that's not exasperation or fatigue. Goodness, what is she ever going to do with them both...

"He was not present the evening of that party due to the Regent's orders." She reaffirms with downcast eyes, easily believing Emet-Selch to be genuine in his admission. Isn't the irony palpable though, that Howl may have found out about Emet-Selch's position in a much less explosive way if he was present for that speech? Yet he couldn't because he was facing disciplinary actions, and Venera likely presented the worst stage for revealing that information in a most visceral and personal way.

"He may be very emotional, and it must be all the more frustrating to be unable to speak of things he wishes he could. But I don't think he would feel this hurt and betrayed either, if your companionship isn't of great significance to him."

It's not the most compelling case, she's painfully aware, but the fact that Howl is emotionally fickle and volatile is a well known fact, one that she can at least attempt using for this argument's sake.