His declaration leaves a ringing silence that circles the space between them. Once upon a time they would've been impressed. Loyalty. Chara understood loving their precious little family more than anything in the world. Devotion. He wouldn't let himself be intimidated. Determination...

Those qualities aren't forgotten, but they're definitely overshadowed by an extra realization: there's a she involved, not just a 'someone'. Peter's being overprotective of 'her'. He's always been unreasonable, but now it's especially bad.

It all makes sense, now. Sort of. Actually, they hadn't seen this twist coming at all, but books said that it happened all the time, and it would explain why everyone older than them was being a complete moron. But this...?

"Peter... You're in love with Alice?!"