[Well! Now they're both awkward, aren't they! It could be a worse outcome than that. Nikolas holds Winter's gaze, and then he can't help himself: he laughs, gently, shaking his head and breaking the spell. It isn't one of his mocking laughs, any more than it was one of his mocking smiles. He can only hope that Winter will see his feelings for what they are, as much as Nikolas would deserve it if he didn't. Which is entirely. He would entirely deserve that, and he knows it.]

—Ha ha! I would apologize for being forward, my dear, but seeing as I am myself, you might go thinking I've fallen ill if I ever apologized for such a thing. Well. I will take that risk anyhow, in telling you that I meant no harm saying it.