She nodded in agreement. It definitely didn't feel like only a few weeks, it felt comfortable which made the time seem to fly.
She laughed " yeah, that's pretty sad" s





I feel like I've graded more papers than I've smoked, which is telling you something." He paused to take a puff and leaned back, relaxing into the pillows and contemplating his existence here at the academy.

"You know, I keep too busy. I know I've already said that but sometimes I wonder if Nik really needs me or if he's just keeping me here to keep an eye on me. He must worry that I'll go and do something to shame the family name. I don't think that's Zina's influence on him, that's just the way he is. He's a respectable man. He is a prince, you know. It makes sense the way he is. I just wonder why he can't be more relaxed towards me like Raphael." Basil sighed and turned to Kyrie, handing her the pipe for whenever she felt like using it.

"Perhaps he cares and is just worried the government will catch me and do something horrible. I like thinking that - that deep down the reason I'm here is so he can protect me, and that he's hard on me because he loves me and all that. Sometimes I feel like I'm failing him though. He is a hard ass, don't get me wrong, but he's done so much for me. I'm not saying I'm about to change my ways - I'm far too old to change. Besides, I don't want to. I'm quite happy with life the way I've chosen it. I love working with all you young people and I adore tending my flowers everyday. And nothing beats sneaking around Nik and still having my fun, in good measure, of course. But I don't know. I'm not saying I regret who I am or the way I live, but I feel like I haven't really expressed how grateful I am to Nik. I hardly act like an Uncle. I don't really know what I'm saying. I'm sorry dear, you'll have to forgive this old man for rambling about his feelings. It's just, you're really the only one who would listen, and sometimes we just need to get things off our shoulders, even if there isn't much we can do to change things. I wouldn't really want anything to change anyways. I just worry that I'll die and Nik will think ill of me instead of knowing me as you do. I mean, I treat you more like family than I do my own nephew. It's just all so strange, you know - he's always been more mature than I am." He gave a little giggle that showed he wasn't depressed and was coming back to himself. "Goodness knows he's more of a man than I. Poor chap. He really needs a girlfriend. I don't think he and Zina ever... You know. I just think he needs a bit of release. Maybe he'd be a bit less touchy and snappy and moody all the time."