[He pauses, allowing her to have her moment. How must it feel to have a window to the future, to know how it all turns out? As Alina beams up at him and re-forges the link of their arms, half of him hopes for Zoya or Tolya or Tamar — anyone — to pop out from the crowd and tell him the same. That everything will be all right. He rescues Ravka from drowning, he finds a queen to provide an heir, he frees himself of the monster.

Of course, if any of them were stuck here too, his concern for Ravka's future would only double.

He returns her grin, continuing to guide her through the crowded street.]

If I knew how to leave, I would be far too busy for a stroll through the market. Ideally, I would be halfway back to Ravka. Not that I'm anything but pleasantly surprised to cross paths with you. Especially while you're in such an adulatory mood.

[He's as talkative as ever. That's one thing that hasn't changed.]

As for my accomplishments as king...well, I've been trying my damndest to pull Ravka into the modern era. Increasing trade, providing new incentives for farmers, granting increased rights to the peasantry, developing new weaponry to keep pace with Fjerda and Shu Han.

[Ticking them off on his gloved fingers, then waving his hand. He sighs. There's a hint of weariness in his expression that he can't quite conceal.]

Truthfully, it seems the harder I yank Ravka forward, the more she digs in her heels.