"They apparently thought so," he snorted, eyes showing brief sadness before he grinned at Alina brightly. "In any case, I was always glad to know I had at least one true friend in you," the smile oe offered her was bright and genuine as he laid out the picnic spread.
"I snuck my fathers best bottle of kvass. He'll likely blame Vasily," he winked. "Dare for a drink or are you still the generals goody two shoes?"