[ That was it exactly. He wanted her to know at a time that he chose, and not at a time when he was forced to explain things because he had no other choice.

He'd gone through that already, at home. He'd had to reveal himself to her because the First Army had come upon them. She'd been furious with him. Some part of him hopes that it will be better this way.

Another part of him feels lighter, just because the secret won't be between them anymore. That part surprises him. He hadn't expected to feel that way.

He sighs. ]

I am Nikolai Lantsov. [ And then he spreads his hands, and recites the rest by rote. ] Major of the Twenty-Second Regiment, Soldier of the King's Army, Grand Duke of Udova, and second son to his Majesty, King Alexander the Third, Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne, may his life and reign be long.

[ And then, because he had been here before, he braces himself for the punch. ]