Friend, huh? That's... sweet, and perhaps Nyx shouldn't be surprised by the gesture, not with all that he knows of Laurent. Auguste's brother had never put on snooty airs to impress, after all, and the other servants of the palace adore their prince for his kindness. For Nyx's part, he's dropped his gaze once more, but there's no denying the affection hovering over his lips, in the quirk of his smile.

But if Laurent wouldn't look out for his own dignity and interests, then Nyx would just have to do it for him.

"As you command... Your Highness." He flashes Laurent a roguish wink as he slides into the seat across from him, plucking a tiny sandwich from the tray and polishing it off in two bites. "But at least let me stick to formalities when we're in court. Don't want Baroness Melva suffering from a stroke because His Majesty's pet barbarian is getting too familiar with both members of the royal family."