Nicholas' cheeks reddened once he realized what Sophia had said and done.
One journalist, in particular, was taking note of everything the two royals had done the entire dinner dance. Sophia refusing to dance despite Nicholas wanting to, Sophia and Leonard leaving the ballroom to talk in private, etc.
"Why am I acting this way," he wondered.
"I've to stick to the plan, I can't - in any way - be derailed," he reminded himself.
He had a mission to do. He couldn't - by any means - let the plan go awry.
What he wanted was immaterial, it was what his kingdom needed that was the priority.
He couldn't let himself go unbalanced and distracted due to what Sophia was doing or did, and he himself knew it.
He looked at her woefully, watching as she and Julia engaged in conversation.
Julia nodded, and Sophia smiled, likely thanking her grandmother as she made her way back to Nicholas.
"Good news, Julia agreed, we're free to leave," Sophia declared mirthfully.
