[An indulgent chuckle, as if to say of course you weren't, dear.]

That's all I ask.

[Despite her acid tongue, Zoya can play the diplomat perhaps half as well as Nikolai himself, and that half is quite a lot. Hopefully, there could be some measure of peace.]

I'm sorry for understating us. [Their relationship, in whatever strange shape it takes.] Seeing Zoya just reminded me of everything that's waiting for me back in Ravka. It made it almost palpable how different my life here is.

[He is rambling a little now, sorting through his head as they continue along the beach. His feet have no destination, no goal other than to keep moving. It's a mark of how close they've grown that he allows her to be privy to his thoughts before he's had a chance to line them up in order and polish them.]

Zoya is...rather involved in my personal life. You may recall that I was looking for a bride, or more accurately, she was looking for a bride for me.

[His sigh contains the bulk of his feelings on that. His fingers curl idly around the belt loop situated just above Alina's hip. His voice seems to sag, like a white flag of surrender.]

Evidently, the endeavor has been a success. [His eyes flick away from Alina, pointing straight ahead.] She brought me news of my engagement.