Roland is only momentarily taken aback, but recovers quickly, shaking his head in small motions. "Not at all." The hand that wipes Inigo's tears move to the side, as if brushing wayward strands of hair away from the dampness on his cheeks. Kneeling still, as if making an oath, another promise in another world, just as he had before. It comes easy to him too, to protect them. It's why he bought it for them, why he had pleaded to both higgledies to do what Roland probably could not, in the end. What he doesn't trust his destiny to fulfill; to stay and do the task that is asked of him time and time again.

He takes only a second to respond, not lacking in earnest or affection as he says the words. "I wanted you to know that you're not alone. Not anymore." Never again. And that even if Inigo thinks strength is to stand through the harsh test of time all by his lonesome, Roland thinks otherwise. Believes otherwise. Whether through his gift of a higgledy born of pure happiness and light, now bound to Inigo through an irrevocable connection of the heart, or by the unsaid, existing only between the lines. Even if Roland would be the next to leave, and he'd never go by choice, always willing to stay behind such as he had resolved in the second world too; a part of him will always remain. The ties that bind them all, indelible and true.

"Plus, Jumblie reminded me of you." Roland stands, a hand on Inigo's head for a moment before he folds his arms against his chest once more. His smile, unwavering. "Always ready to make people happy. Won't stop until they see a smile." And jokingly, just to add a touch of humor to it all, Roland shrugs with one shoulder, expression just a bit mischievous. "Or in my case, won't stop until I promise to come down for dinner. Heh."