[Claude chuckles, pleased enough with having been given an opening to imply. He didn't need to push it any further. He's not trying to be glib-- if anything, he's working up the nerve.

But maybe he's dragged this on too long, if Lorenz is falling back this far into their old bickering routine. He has earned that trust-- that Claude is even considering telling him is proof enough of that. Here goes nothing. He keeps his voice pitched low, private, overly cautious perhaps but, well.] I went back to Almyra... to petition my father for my position as heir to the throne. I knew Fodlan would be safe in the extremely capable hands I left it in, so... [He gestures vaguely, smiling.] it was time for me to get to work in my first homeland. I intended to write, after things settled down at home.