[Another pause as he considers how to proceed, frowning. He's never spoken of it plainly to anyone. Not to Fran, not to Penelo, not to the Captain, not even to the girl in question. They had discussed it in their own roundabout way, where everything that needed to be said was kept between the lines. Basch knew. Perhaps voicing it for once would help.]

... it was a shock, to come to Gaia and find the Lady Ashe reunited with Lord Rasler. He's been dead two years in Ivalice. ... I felt guilt, when he left Gaia several months ago. As though some part of me had wished for it without my permission. In truth, I wish him no ill. With him, she is happy, and that means more to me than I can say.

A princess and a pirate would have been a poor match, anyway. [At last, he may be starting to believe it.]