[ Nikolai, for his part, seems entirely at ease with being appraised. He matches Noah's grin, amusement sparkling in his eyes. ]

Do I?

[ It's the perfect opportunity for Nikolai to disclose that he is, in fact, royalty. But the fact of the matter is, he's been enjoying keeping that not-so-little detail a secret. Even if no one here knows anything about his country, it would change the way they treated him, wouldn't it? He's enjoying his vacation from being king, even if he knows it can't last. ]

Are there many princes in Henrietta?

[ Nikolai happily falls into step beside Noah, letting him lead the way to whichever furnished room they were going to liberate a bed from. ]

No, I don't imagine you are. When I was your age I think I could've slept on a pile of lumpy rocks and still felt spry in the morning.

[ Nikolai is not even a decade older than Noah, he's just an old man at heart. ]