Marie and Nixa did become emotionally attached and exchanged poetry during the engagement. Nixa and Sasha were complete opposites: Nixa was intellectual and refined whereas Sasha was "bear-like" and less educated (since he wasn't expected to be Tsar). Nevertheless, Marie and Sasha complemented one another and had a very happy marriage.
I am not surprised that Sasha fell in love like Nixa did, even if he had loved someone else before. Marie (along w/ her sister Alexandra) was probably one of the most attractive and charming princesses of her generation. And her social and glamourous personality made her very suited to the Russian court, especially as its Empress.
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