Despite telling himself he was not getting himself into a puckersnatch by wandering off, Bragi must’ve had a guiltier conscious than he thought, for he jumped a little when a voice hailed him along the corridor. The young Dane turned around shiftily, but matched the stranger’s smile as the reception seemed thankfully warm. He did not know the fellow, who was dapper with dark colouring.

Bragi felt a touch shy, but could not help chuckling lightly at the man’s remarks on the portrait, who gazed down at them both looking terribly austere. ”Really? No, so far he’s only frowned and goggled, though I can easily picture him looking a bit like an el — an eleph —“ Bragi trailed off, recoiling slightly under the Duke’s tremendously affronted expression.