It's not just fear. It's also the desire for Emily to grow up without such pressures. To not have to worry about her life, to grow without the weight around her neck and on her back. If this is how it will be, he's going to do everything in his power to take every pound he can from her. Protecting isn't just about knives and poison.

He'll nod to her question, though.

"I'd been captive to a wicked creature for longer than either of you have lived. The rage of that nearly ate me alive before" he looks to Jessamine and lets a bit of a smile crease his lip, "before our flickerbird gave me a place to let it breathe and stood by my side as no one had managed in all that time. He'll pretend he did nothing, but I'll say again that neither of us would be here if Corvo hadn't done his fair share for me as well."