Alexei felt his heart hammering as he saw the docks looming in the distance. He mentally snorted, realizing that his comment about going to the gallows earlier, felt almost prophetic. He had spent most of the journey thinking about Pavel and Liz. Part of him wanted to remain angry, having his life turned upside down like it was. But he meant what he had said to them. If his life being thrown into turmoil was the price for getiting that pig Brogin and his cronies off their plots to get rid of Liz, he would gladly pay it. Taking a deep breath, he sat up straighter on his horse, his blue eyes immediately locking onto the small crowd that seemed to be assembling by the largest ship. As they approached, he felt his breath freeze in his chest.<br/><br/>He had thought that the Princess was beautiful in the miniature Pavel had shown him. But seeing her here, in person....she was breath taking. His intense gaze stayed on her face, trying to guage how she felt about all of this. Pulling Thor up to the gathering party, he dismounted and waited for Pavel and Liz. He hated protocol, but it demanded that the Czar officially introduce them. The girl was sure to have documents for their head of state.<br/><br/>Pavel smiled at his wife as he held his hands out to help her from the carriage. They wanted to leave the carriage and cart farther back, not wanting to distract their General from the first gaze of his bride to be. Taking a deep breath, he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.<br/><br/>"Princess Ingrid, I trust you are well?" Pavel greeted her as they stopped in front of her party. "I am Czar Pavel Romanov, and this is my wife, Czarina Elizabeth Romanov," he added, smiling down at his heart before focusing his attention on Alexei. "And may I introduce the man you have come all this way for?" He waved Alexei forward. "This is our General and my cousin, Lord Alexei Gregor Romanov." He was surprised to see Alexei actually bow. For a man who made no secret about how much he hated pomp and circumstance....he certainly was good at it.