Rose nodded and didn't try to push him away. Rather, she let him cling to her, holding her close. She could feel his hurt, and Rose had to keep reminding herself that this was necessary, or she risked turning around and hugging him while yelling that it was simply to make sure Caius meant his words.
He held her for quite some time without saying anything, and Rose let him hang on for as long as he needed. He pulled her tighter as though he wanted to absorb her.
Caius didn't want her to leave. He wasn't ready yet. He needed to clear up a lot of things. There were too many things she didn't know yet. As much as he wanted to blurt them out, Caius was willing to adhere to her request to let her leave.
However, it hurt that he couldn't ask where she was going or how long she would be away, and worst of all, she didn't say she would write to him. She just thanked him for letting her go and for his apology.
