Etsuko's voice held all her unasked questions; questions he needed to address. He cleared his throat noisily, and, with nothing else to do, decided to try Jorick's approach.

Just say it.

"I've been thinking. It's-it's been two years since you came to be-since-I-I believe it's time to release you from your blood debt."

There, that was the softening up gift. Only instead of looking "softened", she looked confused.

"Oren-sama wishes to release me? I do not ...