I shouldn't have lost my temper that way. It just pricks his pride, makes him dig in his heels.'So why did you?' I asked, genuinely curious. It was rare for Nikolai's emotions to get the best of him. 'I don't know,' he said, shredding the leaf. 'You got angry. I got angry. The room was too damn hot.'I don't think that's it.'Indigestion?' he offered.'It's because you actually care about what happens to this country,' I said. 'The throne is just a prize to Vasily, something he wants to squabble over like a favorite toy, You're not like that. You'll make a good king.'Nikolai froze. 'I…' For once, words seemed to have deserted him. Then a crooked, embarrassed smile crept across his face. It was a far cry from his usual self-assured grin. 'Thank you,' he said.I sighed as we resumed our pace. 'You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?'Nikolai laughed. 'I'm already insufferable.