Nyx is so ridiculous and awkward that Laurent can't help but soften, reassured by Nyx doing his best to be truthful despite whatever restrictions Auguste put on him.

"I want to leave now," Laurent murmurs to him, ceasing the dance and starting to move toward the door, trusting that Nyx is coming with him. He doesn't care about the murmurs when he doesn't finish the dance. They've got people murmuring plenty already.

His eyes meet Nyx's briefly once they reach the relative safety of the hallway. Laurent's expression is defensive and wary, but his trust of Nyx has returned. Whatever is happening, he doesn't think it's Nyx's doing.

Making his way down the hall to his brother's room, Laurent nods to the guards and waits for them to open the doors for him. He knows perfectly well that Auguste is still back at the court, and may not be back for hours. "Send for wine," Laurent orders one of the guards as he heads into Auguste's private antechamber to wait. He knows perfectly well that no one else would be allowed in to Auguste's rooms without invitation and that Auguste will be informed at the door of his visitor.

Flopping down onto a couch in the semi-formal antechamber that Auguste uses for only his most private audiences, Laurent's eyes fix upon Nyx, studying him carefully. "Auguste told you--what, not to let anyone speak to me privately? Is he out of his mind?"