"Some of my heads weren't exactly level," he smirked teasingly. "And oof, Ivan? We will have to hide from him, wont we? Or--we can publicly declare a relationship now. The General won't be able to say no, and any move he makes to keep us apart would be seen as...problemmatic. But we wouldn't have to hide things anymore. And if he wants to replace me with the Tsar--well for my silence on the matter he better behave on certain things." Like allowing him to see Alina.