Nickoladze exchanged his glances back, sending her small smiles. Antony watched them, confused...

Lyra smiled a bit, but glanced at Antony. "So have you practiced anymore yet this morning?" she asked curiously.

Antony nodded slowly. "I drew Lain." He said softly. "She likes it and she hung it up in her room." He grinned.
"That's wonderful." Nickoladze said. "Care to draw me next?"

Lyra smiled at him and nodded a bit to Antony. "I'm glad she liked it," she said. "See? I told you you were good."

Antony was beeming at the praise. "I'll draw you next dad! I will." He grinned from ear to ear. Nickoladze was excited to his his boy like this.

Lyra smiled and finished eating quietly, sipping at some tea. After a little while, Lain came out and started clearing plates.

Nickoladze took this opportunity to help Lain and follow her into the ktichen. "Lyra told me you wanted to speak with me." He said softly.

Lain slowly put the plates down before turning to face him. She took a slow breath before raising a finger at him. "You know that girl has no mother to teach her about these things," she said quickly, her voice hushed so it wouldn't carry. "And now she has no father to make sure you're a gentleman. But by the gods if you touch that girl before you marry her I will cut it off myself, duke or no."

Nickoladze turned pale. "You...you do not have to worry about that." He assured Lain. She scared him a little.

Lain glared at him for a moment before nodding. "I better not," she said. She turned around and quickly set about cleaning up.

Nickoladze frowned. "Do...do you think she wants to get married? To a man like me?" He asked softly.

Lain turned back to him. "She would be stupid not to," she said bluntly. "But. Like I said, duke. You better treat her right. Or else." She moved back into the dining room, grabbing the last few dishes there.

"Stupid not to?" Nickoladze asked himself outloud. Honestly he wasn't sure how to take it. It sounded like a political choice....
He was a politician, but still. He wanted her to say yes because she loved him. For now she only 'really really cared about him'.

Lain busied herself with cleaning, the conversation over in her mind. Lyra got up from the table and found Nickoladze. She smiled a bit and gently pulled him into the hallway. "Are you alright?" she asked quietly.

"She's a very scary woman." He whispered. "She threatened to cut...you know. Cut...it off if...I touched you before a wedding night." He swallowed, still pale looking. "Please make sure I don't make any mistake..."