Cullen is not a fan of pointless, meaningless diplomatic bureaucratic... things. He feels a surge of irritation. Does his best to quash it.

Instead, he sits on the ground, and doesn't touch the food.

"I wanted to know," he says to her feet, "if you were safe, well, and happy. How you lived. I don't have the right to any of that information. And I understand that you don't wish to give it. Would you take my word that I mean you no harm so that I can ride out without any of this... mess?"

(If they can't speak less formally, he doesn't want to be there. He's been a burden, a threat, to her long enough without prolonging it further.)