Ardyn would be concerned at first. It brings back memories of when he himself was a healer of the people, he understands the strain of putting down everything for the sake of others and he also remembers how it felt when all the good that he did was shoved back into his face. To him, the wounds are still fresh and that is a fate he does not wish his s/o to feel let alone endure. He never reveals his past to them, but every now and then he hints at the downside of being a healer, to encourage them that they shouldn’t be so kind to a people that has no consideration of the negative effects of their generosity: that healing them is slowly wearing on their own soul.
Ardyn: “You need to rest.”
S/O: “The people need me.”
Ardyn: “The people can wait.” (he takes them by the wrist) “I need you.”
Even with this, the s/o still continues on with their duties. As time passes, he was awaiting for a turn for the worse. For the strain to overwhelm his s/o so much that the people would turn on them. If it came to that, he would have defended them and their honor. But it never happened. As soon as they were showing signs of fatigue from their duty as healer, while Ardyn went to take care of them, he was surprised to see the people visit the s/o with gifts and curatives (although Ardyn had plenty stock to take care of the s/o 2000 times over) to help them get by. The people visit almost every day with glad tidings and prayer in thanks for the healer. By this, Ardyn was moved. It made him wonder what things would have been like for him then and why the people of this time are so different now. These questions had a common answer. The first question he dashed away immediately, he didn’t even want to think of a time without the s/o. The second…
S/O: “More gifts?” (as Ardyn enters their room)
Ardyn: “At this point, I may need to make an expansion of our storage room.”
S/O: “And you just took them all? I thought you did not like the constant reminders of my duty.”
Ardyn: (chuckles) “Your duty is a part of who you are. The people love who you are. As do I. So long as we have that in common, I can live with this.” (kisses the s/o on the cheek affectionately)
S/O: “Are those letters of admiration within the gifts?”
Ardyn: “………..Excuse me, love. I remember I had to check our fireplace.” (picks up letters and leaves quickly)