Ros reaction to an MC that over works themself. Like to the point that their legs have probably given up on them a few times with how much they're moving. When asked they just say. 'Well I have to be some form of useful. Can't just do nothing".
This is a canon trait of MC, by the way, because this is exactly where their train of thoughts will bring them.
"Oh you absolutely can, my dear," they immediately answer, their voice soft as always but also quite direct. They gesture for you to sit down at their side.
"What makes you think you have to be useful?" they ask sincerely, resting their cheek on the palm of their hand, propped up by their elbow on the table. Even though Arthur's posture is relaxed, there is a sad kind of curiosity in his eyes.
Did he make you think in any way that you'd have to give something back to anyone? Maybe it's his spouse's upbringing, they were never allowed to rest, to just exist without any kind of expectation. Arthur asks himself if he did enough to subvert this.
Later, after you told him why you do need something to do, Arthur will assure you gently that you can do absolutely nothing and no one will think of you any less.
Their thoughts are all over the place, for a moment they just look at you, their gaze frozen. Did you just - did you just...
"Ah, MC..." they answer, their smile strained "that's not how it works."
Their throat feels tight, their thoughts frantic and heavy with guilt and panic. Did they cause you to feel that way? That you have to work until your muscles give out - to be useful at all times? That is so unhealthy, and that is why Evaine takes the time to distract Gwyar when things get too much, to nudge Yniol to bed and to coax their King to rest. Evaine will be damned if they won't do the same for you.
Bottling everything up for now, they extend a hand towards you. Their smile is blinding, all teeth and sparkling eyes even if there's something darker underneath "I'll make you see how useless we can be, you'll note that Arthur will keep us both even if we stay in bed all day. Let's do nothing together, shall we?"
"No," Yniol simply states, their face dangerously blank "that's not true."
They think about the times when they've had to see your legs tremble and give out, your arms slow and your movements measured to avoid the strain on sore muscles. That is not right.
"You can do nothing. You have to sometimes."
And they think about the horrible, endless days they spent unable to move, to even think after their body and mind just gave up on them. They understand the miserable realization of being unable to work and the dread of being discarded as a knight that followed.
"No one will expect you to be useful all the time, here," Yniol assures you.
Morien looks at you dead in the eyes for a long moment.
"That is the saddest fucking thing I have ever heard."
"And," they say, coming to stand in front of you with slow steps aided by their cane "very untrue."
They give you a pointed look, assessing your state as they talk "what do you think I'm doing when I've had enough of bandages and blood and I decide the tavern is a better alternative? Granted, drinking my problems away is not always my proudest solution, but you just need it sometimes. I know you do and you're very much allowed to take breaks. Hell, even if you suddenly became useless no one would bat an eye."
It's their way of saying that your value isn't measured by how much you do, that you don't have to hold in pained moans as you move to get to bed, that doing nothing here is allowed. Then comes their confession.
"If Arthur had decided to keep in the castle only useful people I would not be here now so don't overthink it."
"That's... is that why you've been doing all this work?"
What they don't say is that they do the exact same, they work until there is nothing else to think about, until their muscles are cramped and they fall asleep the moment they lay down. They do it to keep away the guilt of past mistakes but they can easily track your thoughts - if you're useful you won't give anyone a reason to reject you and you won't be alone again - and it breaks their heart.
"You don't have to be productive all the time" they whisper, maybe also to remind themselves the same thing "people will care about you all the same."
There is a weak smile on their lips when they talk again "do you remember what you told me when... when I didn't even manage to fold that one sheet and I was being useless for days?"
"It's ok, love," you recite.
"It's ok, love," Gwyar echoes back, their eyes full of care "let's take a break."