Nikolai and Yelkin had quickly left the room together, leaving Alexei, Baba and Angelique together.<br/><br/>"Fine woman, your wife," Yelkin said dryly. "Fine...fine...woman."<br/><br/>"Tell me about it," Nikolai groaned. "Best you get to the princess. I think she has something wrong with the muscles in her neck and shoulders. Doesn't seem too serious, but you're the best judge of that. Don't drug her up too much. Girl needs to be awake for her wedding day."<br/><br/>Yelkin chuckled. "Sometimes, it's best if they're not."<br/><br/>"I didn't say you shouldn't slip something in Alexei's morning tea so he doesn't make a run for it," Nikolai joked.<br/><br/>"I don't think I need to do that, old friend. The threat of Baba boxing his ears in front of everyone in the cathedral ought to be enough to keep him from bolting from the alter."<br/><br/>"That and the sight of that pretty princess," Nikolai added.<br/><br/>"Pretty, is she?"<br/><br/>"He lucked out. He could have been saddled with a flat-footed, fat Bohemian princess. Those margraves believe in feeding their daughters well."<br/><br/>Yelkin and Nikolai shared a companionable chuckle and parted ways.<br/><br/>Nikolai approached the closed door of Pavel and Elizabeth's chambers and listened for a moment. He didn't want to knock at an...inopportune...moment. Hearing only low murmurs, he figured it was...safe.<br/><br/>"Your majesty?" he called after knocking out. "It is I, Nikolai."