[ Nikolai doesn't answer Noah right away. He is deciding, at this moment, how far he wants the lie to go. It's his own doing, of course. If he'd dropped the subject, Noah wouldn't be asking more questions about princes.

It's not that Nikolai has anything against lying. The truth is a very malleable thing. He's basically lying all the time, sometimes in little ways, sometimes in huge ones. But it's not something he typically does without a reason. There's nothing to be protected or gained here, by lying to this boy. It's just for novelty and fun. And there is potential, when the truth comes out, of causing unnecessary hurt feelings. Best to avoid that. ]

Some are like that. My brother was. I'm doing my best not to follow in those footsteps.

[ He gives a slightly lopsided smile, admitting: ]

Although technically I am a king, not a prince. Coronation was three years ago.

[ Hopefully, if Noah comes from a world where royalty isn't a part of everyday life, his manner towards Nikolai won't change all that much. Hopefully. ]

I'm afraid you're going to have to explain to me what 'cartoon' means, because whatever lovely magic is allowing me to hear your words in perfect Ravkan does not, unfortunately, go so far as to define unfamiliar terms.

[ Nikolai nods at the explanation about the room, though he wonders what exactly makes it creepy. Perhaps Noah can sense something he cannot? Perhaps that impression is founded on superstitions entirely alien to him. Not worth making a fuss over. ]

Well fair enough, there's certainly plenty of rooms to choose from.