It was a little sad to see the way Alain reacted to his presence but he really couldn't blame the child. All he knew was Niko was a 'threat' to his father. That would change with time. He tended to be a favorite of the children in the castle, always having some sort of treat to slip without anyone seeing, not to mention how seriously he took anything they told him.<br/><br/>Still he watched his mother give a small smile at the little gathering they had as the children moved ahead, Lana making the effort to try and pull Alain from his shell, her caring nature she got from her mother.<br/><br/>A side glance at Arenor as he apologized for his distraction he glanced at the open door thoughtfully. All thoughts stopped as a warm firm grip squeezed his shoulder. His breath caught in his throat, not so much from surprise, but from the odd feeling that washed over him as pale eyes turned to the other man. Niko said nothing but offered a small smile and nod. "He will flourish here, we will be sure of it," he said voice lighter this time.<br/><br/>Nikolas seemed to be able to breath again when Arenor released him, he stayed back one stride before mentally shaking himself and following after, a pale hand reaching to thoughtlessly touch his shoulder which seemed far colder all the sudden. Catching himself he pushed a hand through his hair instead and moved to fall instep with Arenor with only one longer stride.<br/><br/>He stayed quiet as they followed the children and his mother along a hall and up a set of stairs and down another hall till they reached a large door. She opened it but Lana and Lucas hung back as Nikolas stepped forward and gracefully sink into a kneel before then and chuckled softly as they jumped to wrap their arms about his neck and he gave them a squeeze and a quick kiss on each warm cheek of a giggling child. "Go learn something new to tell me tonight. If you're well behaved I will take you to see the ponies tomorrow after lunch," he said and they perked up as they let him go and eagerly nodded. Violet eyes turned to Alain while he still knelt, he put a fist over his heart and bowed his head to the young prince. "That promise goes for you as well Your Highness," he added as he smoothly rose to his feet as the twins went inside the room with gentle colors where Violet was quietly talking to one of her Ladies waiting for the children to finish their goodbyes.<br/><br/>Nikolas waited until Arenor was ready as the door closed behind he children by a Lady with downcast eyes. Once they were alone he clasped his hands loosely behind his back to walk down the hall. "Some of the Council will not be present but you will get to meet those who regularly stay at Court. My advise would to be simply to let them see you, don't get pulled into a conversation or debate, not yet. I want you to be able to have all weapons available to you before you take those snakes on. Later this week I will try to introduce you to loyal members of the crown, and hope by the end of the month I will have given you enough to know who to watch your back around," he spoke calmly, side glancing at Arenor as he moved. "In three months time is Summer Solstice, often we have a ball in the palace, my mother takes joy in planning everything. So my goal for now is to get you ready enough for an official event to show everyone you are serious about your position. After that we can plan a coronation. So learning laws, politics, the people, and etiquette will be our focus. Speaking of I will have to see if you know proper dances, may need to add lessons to that list," Nikolas listed off everything, wanting to be up front about the amount of work ahead of them. "And any questions you have I will do my best to answer, so do ask them," he added as he climbed a set of stairs for the hall to the unofficial meeting hall. Trying to make it seem like he wasn't rambling out of nerves, but speaking from a place of knowledge and confidence.