It seemed at the very least this man was no fool, he watched Niko closely. He could feel his regard in every motion, that the Duke made. Good, perhaps he was not a complete fool, that Niko could work with. The only fear he had was this man would be ruin. That was his job to avoid.<br/><br/>Typically, Nikolas was far less crass in anything he did. He would never move further into another space without allowance. Yet, this was all had a point. This was his home, his country, his people, this man would know that fast. So yes, he took a moment to gaze upon a garden his mother planned and over saw, its beauty and yet tamed wildness was a glimpse into their unique world at Court.<br/><br/>The corner of hiseyes took the man in as he joined him a the window, taking in, closer, his rough life though the clear strength in his body, the tales his scared hands told. This was no Palace bird, he stood out, but maybe that could help. But then again maybe that could harm chances. It was truly such a gamble as to the future of Lysandria.<br/><br/>Hearing Arenor laugh Niko looked him head on and raised a brow questioningly at the man. Whatever could be so funny about what he had said. Was this man a fool after all? Niko didn't waver before the sudden hardness of the man as he turned to him and spoke. He simply lifted his chin a touch more and stood his ground, he faced worse than this man in his past.<br/><br/>Niko made to speak in his defense, looking rather disgusted at the idea of being sympathetic with traitors of the Court. Arenor made his job harder but that did not mean he would take such horrid steps to ease his path. However the child he forgot was present stepped to him in all his fury and instantly Niko's posture relaxed, eased, less authoritative and more unimposing. He had such a soft spot for children, a blessing he could never have. He stayed silent as he watched the father and child interact until Alain was sent away.<br/><br/>"I have no desire to threaten you. You are my responsibility, if you seek to take this path I only wish you to see how dangerous this is. My own life is in danger often, my mothers was, and my grandfathers was. Your family did not survive these snakes. It was only luck your mother was with mine that night and Grandfather had been able to get her out safely. My bloodline has a long history serving yours, rather faithfully I would say," Niko said calmly, his tone and posture a little calmer.<br/><br/>"Your Highness, I only ask to know what you seek here to know if you are worthy of the loyalty I can offer you, the vows I will give you are binding, and I wish not to bind myself to a fool who will not follow my advise and will destroy the country I have bled and suffered for. Surely that is a concept you can understand," violet eyes searched the man as he spoke, taking head of his mothers words from before, to not posture. Frankly, Niko had planned to, in hopes of scaring the man away, but he had seen compassion and gentleness in that moment with the child and a small spark of hope lightened his dread.<br/><br/>Niko hoped showing a few of his cards might help. He knew he came in like a cat looking for a fight, but then again who could blame him? The last 13 years this was his Kingdom, and suddenly its not.