[ Dear.

He lifts his brows, but Nikolai doesn't comment on it. Is there a point to it? She's just teasing.

Moving on. ]

Is she? [ He cocks his brow as he regards her curiously, the corner of his lips curved upward. ] Does she plan to be my doom? Because if so, perhaps she'd like to do so near another mud pit? There's one west of the Grand Palace. [ He extends his arm, pointing over her shoulder. ] It's a bit swampy. You could submerge my entire body in that one if you like.