[Astarion huffs, making a face at the explanation. It's perfectly reasonable, of course, even if it doesn't align with what his paranoid mind is whispering to him.]

I feel as though I should be insulted on your behalf, darling.

[It's said without the biting edge that his nerves gave his earlier words. Gale knows his mother best. If he thinks that's a reasonable conclusion to draw, then why wouldn't it be true?]

Perhaps we'll have to make a point of telling her.