Neither of the two moved. Both seemed to be frozen in place, each needing to contend with their own inner conflicts.
Dahlia was still trying to figure out exactly why she was reacting the way she was, while Valentina was doing whatever mental gymnastics were needed to prevent her from going further and scaring Dahlia away.
Both felt an innate draw to each other, and both were holding themselves back due to their own unspoken anxieties. Despite those lingering concerns though, they seemed to be content to stay where they were. With the archduchess' hands holding Dahlia's waist and caressing her face, there was something incredibly comforting to it all.
