[Kratos doesn't flinch, at that tone, but he recognises it, nevertheless. Disappointment, frustration. The recognition that things aren't going to plan. It's Yuan's second line which makes Kratos flinch, turning his head away again. He looks about as beaten as he did when he came out of the auction-house -- if not worse, in a way. That had only been weariness. This kind of shame isn't something Kratos has ever experienced before, and it feels a lot like defeat.]

I understand.

[His voice is quiet. It is unacceptable. What kind of signal must it send about Yuan to his antagonists, that his slave can't even defend himself? Kratos has bungled this badly, and the worst thing is, he still not sure what he could have done to ensure they didn't come to this situation.

[It's not the first time he's had someone tell him his conduct is unacceptable, but there had always been something he could do about it. Even when it was his training master, telling him to do better -- Kratos could do better. This is ... this is just pathetic. He tried, and nothing he tried worked.

[And for whatever reason, he's finding he cares about Yuan's opinion of him. Enough that the next words slips out, like it never would have for the people pushing him to be the best.]

Forgive me.