Link needed that reassurance from Shadow because now he was just as flummoxed.

“What’s wrong? Why did you stop talking? I told you how special you are. That out of all the adults I came across you were the only one interested in me for my own sake……”

He looked from Clef to Leia and Shadow.

“I promised not to show your friend the fun stuff….I told you I had your back, just you didn’t always see it…….what’s wrong??”

Link sincerely couldn’t fathom what he might have said to get such a reaction.