Aleksander listened thoughtfully. For all of Ravka's many ills, people were free to love who they would. Objections were usually based on class, wealth and the lack thereof or the question of heirs but no outright discrimination. It was strange and sad that other worlds thought differently.

But being proud of one's identity and wanting to show that off? That resonated very clearly - it was a large part of the reason why he'd been so reluctant to give up wearing a kefta. It was the unmistakable sign that the wearer was Grisha. Whatever he had been, whatever he would be - he was always and forever Grisha first.

"I very much understand that feeling," he said. "To be proud of who you are and show that even in the face of people who would prefer you did not exist."