what andrei probably doesn't hear: the screech that comes after he falls. what andrei probably will hear: the soft blubbering from bernadetta once he comes to. she's fussing over his wounds, and while it had a mock battle for sport, bernadetta was never one to not be dramatic. then she realizes he's awake.
"andrei? andrei!" half relief and half snivel, she exclaims before popping a baked good into his mouth and fussing some more. "andrei! eat this! i made them fresh! and drink some water! bernie can't believe they all went after you! well, she kind of can, because you're super strong and they'd want to gang up on the biggest threat first. but that's because you were the threat. even with a lance! so, um—"
it's never been so much about class spirit for bernadetta. but she can't not recognize that out of all the houses, he'd still opted to represent the underdog; and while he surely hadn't chosen any banner with her in mind, the outcome had still been something warming. so she cups andrei's hand and blinks up at him with her bright, wide eyes. "... you were really cool! i'm glad you were on our side."
Andrei's first, hazy thought upon regaining consciousness is that he doesn't remember ever passing out at the end of the annual mock battle before. Though considering he was punched by a dragon, perhaps it's not that surpris—
Right, he fought a dragon. Andrei's eyes snap open, but before he could dwell upon his thoughts any longer, an exclamation, as well as a sudden movement by his side, grabs his attention.
She stuffs something into his mouth, and somewhere amidst her rush of concerned words he understands it to be a handmade snack. With some difficulty, he sits up, reaching to take the end of the pastry so that he could take a proper bite.
It's delicious and sweet, and Andrei couldn't help the upwards twitch of his lips. Even through the sharp ache radiating from his chest from the earlier hits, it feels warm, somehow.
"I had hoped to make a better showing, even with a weapon I am less familiar with," he says, "But if our team's efforts could aid your house's odds of a final victory even slightly, then that is all I can ask for."
He is not naive enough to make empty promises of continued loyalty, nor does he wish to lie to Bernadetta. In truth, if not for his obligation to his homeland and his monarchy, Andrei would have no ties to this house over any other. But still, in this moment, he too is glad he had been able to fight as an ally to her.