Holding her hand outstretched, Niko steps to the left, guiding Dorothea with him into a simple routine. It was a testament to his mind that he remembered the footwork in first place, let alone was able to perform it.

"... I'll swim and sail on savage seas, with ner a fear of drowning..."

He wasn't very confident in his dancing abilities, in all admittance. The last time they danced was... The Ball five years before.

Oh, the sneers he was given for asking her to dance, and the looks they both got when she happily accepted.

They've come such a long way.

"Follow me, dearest~"

And that he would.

"I wouldn't forgive myself if I ever forgot", he whispers.

He could swear that she was accepting more than just the offer to dance at that moment... Nonetheless, he didn't want to squander the moment now.

Pulling her closer to him, Nikolaos straightens his frame.

mind my inquiry."

The letter goes on to describe a certain 'gift' left hidden within the Goddess' Tomb. Lacking the proper pleasantries, it was obviously scribed in a hurry.

"I hadn't expected it to be such a long read."

He pauses, determining whether to say anything more.

"How have you been? If you do not

through ink and cursive calligraphy... I need to, as much as a starving man needs a hearty meal."

He not-so-subtly places his black-feathered pen at the side of his messy desk.

She can visibly see the mischief in his eyes, the unrepentant loathing he feels for the man-in-question as well.

"That's true, isn't it."

His signature belonged to House Terrowyn, and now House Riegen. Her name didn't have the same cage that his did.

"I want to see that man's ego decapitated

Acting upon a sudden, foolish idea, Nikolaos holds his lover by her hip. He takes her hand as well, holding her hand out with his.

His eyes shimmer as he stares into hers. He speaks with a whisper now that he's so close.

"Do you still remember all of the words?"

Despite his stresses, she forces a smile out on him.

"Your Hubert lessons are coming along well", he quips.

He rests his arms around her lower back, taking her into a tender embrace. It's crazy how much her presence alone has made him feel better.

"Well can do more than simply sing..."

"There comes a time when an arrogant, self-aggrandizing autocrat needs to be taken down a step...

But I cannot allow my personal whims to interfere with diplomacy... Can I?"

"They say they found it tucked away, hidden in her bedroom of all places..."

Watching her read the old letter, she leans against the doorway.

"I hate to add to your ever- replenishing pile..."

He holds up a letter between two of his fingers. The letter bears a wax seal, stamped with the archbishop's emblem.

"... But this *will* require your attention."

just for you."

He stares at the bouquet for a moment, bemused. So lost in thought, he's forgotten his reason for even being here.

"Oh! Of course, thank you dearly, my friend."

He takes the bouquet, admiring the menagerie of flowers.

"I hope dearly that she'll love this."

They do make a melodic percussion!