It is notoriously hard to know other people's feeling, no matter children or adults, but especially children. It might be impossible to feel the same way as the other person does, but we can try of course, and sometimes it helps to "connect the dots" on an emotional level rather than intellectual.

To continue my previous comment, trying to understand the logic of your gifted child, and/or to know their feelings can be an exercise in frustration. Those gifted children may choose to live their lives in a bizarre way making very bizarre decisions along the way...