"Mmhm." He strokes his fingers over Alfred's cheeks, nodding faintly, brushing their lips together lightly. "I saw you out there, with the snowflakes stuck to your beautiful lashes. With your scarf around your head to keep your ears warm, and all I wanted to do was bundle you up and take you home. But Father said I ought to wait, and invite you to the ball instead.

I'm so glad you're here, now. And I'm going to take such good care of you."