Ardbert slowly makes himself relax after she takes the necklace. He's known there hasn't been a clasp for forever. Era likely used aether to split the chain apart, and when he closes his eyes and focuses on sensing, he indeed can tell she's using aether to fuse and unfuse the chain.

When the aether fades, he opens his eyes with her so near to him. Ardbert slips both arms around her again properly. He's grateful for the weight on his lap as he smiles quietly down to her.

"Thank you, Era." He kisses the scales on the bridge of her nose. "But remember you don't need to invalidate your feelings to validate the feelings of others, all right?"