Estinien grunts in soft acknowledgment, not the sort to insist upon his worries in the face of reasoned opposition. He's seen Alphinaud's growth in bits and pieces, sometimes from a distance, and sometimes from up close. He trusts Himeka's judgment and, more importantly, he trusts Alphinaud.

"I suppose I can take your word for it, can't I? You've seen so much more of the man he's become."

There's a longing, there, but if he's honest with himself, it's more based on his own selfish disappointment. Some part of him had been relieved to finally acquiesce to the Scions, and to be such a clear source of comfort to Alphinaud in his time of need. He had hoped to see more before parting ways again. He had hoped to allow himself to be a part of something.

But it's neither here nor there, now. He doesn't need that comfort, even if he thought for a moment that he might want it.