[Cid gently strokes her hand, a clear display of affection but it's also a touch of reassurance for her.]

While I am happy to have her with me at all times, I do regret that I can't have her travel as much as she used to. She's the one who helped find a number of materials I use in my inventions.

[Half truth, half lie.

Sebastien eyes him for a moment before he smiles. "And with a growing family, it's no wonder you seek more clients."

To that, Cid just raises a sheepish hand.]

Caught me.

[Just playing along with the farce since it, too, is half truth, half lie.

But this is also better. Putting him in a "weaker" position may hopefully lower their guard.]