Nikolai looked thoughtfully at Alexei as the servants began to bustle about the banquet hall as the first lords and ladies of the court began to trickle in.<br/><br/>He nodded his head to Alexei, suggesting they slip out until it was time for the official, royal entry of the Czar, Czarina, Alexei and Ingrid.<br/><br/>Nikolai grinned as he thought of Ingrid. The princess seemed as irresistibly attracted to Alexei as he suspected Alexei was to the princess. Still, he knew his Alexei, and he was quite aware that the luscious little "cabin boy" would prove a heady temptation to him either now or later. Hopefully, Alexei and Ingrid would for a bond that would be strong enough to ward off any temptation, but that was in the good God's hands, not his own.<br/><br/>"Perhaps you'd like to escort your lady to dinner?" he suggested as they exited the banquet hall, cleverly staying away from prying too much further into Alexei's thoughts and feelings. Let the boy work them through. Nikolai would be there for him, no matter what.