Vassily Vorsoisson, a cousin to Etienne Vorsoisson, became the officially-recognized guardian of Nikolai Vorsoisson upon Tien's death. He was content to leave Nikki's guardianship to Ekaterin at first, but when slanderous talk from the capital reached him, he and Hugo Vorvayne became frightened and tried to take custody of Nikki from her. Preventing this from happening required the personal intervention of Emperor Gregor.