"Your wish is my command. Pardon me for my impertinence, Princess, but we must be on our way." Ralph gave a theatrical bow and held out his hand, as though he wanted her to shake it.
Soleia stared at the faint tooth marks dumbly for a moment before she realized she was supposed to hold his hand.
"Princess, with how dark and winding the tunnels are, it's best if we held hands," Ralph added when it seemed like Princess Soleia had frozen. "If I lost you in the tunnels, I wouldn't know how to live with myself. If it pleases you, I can lose my hand after."
"Don't say such ridiculous things," Soleia hissed out, quickly pressing her palm against his so firmly it felt more like a slap. However, the warmth of his palm seemed to flood through her body, like a river with a broken dam, causing her to stumble back at the sudden sensation.
