Chapter 30: Strong Aura
"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.
Sir Ralph instinctively steadied her by grabbing her hand more tightly. His face was pale, and he stared at her with his mouth open. He was barely blinking, and if not for the sudden, quick rise and fall of his chest, Soleia might have suspected he simply died while holding her hand.
"Sir Ralph?" Soleia asked cautiously as she waved a hand in front of his face. "Are you alright? Breathe for me."
Surely her touch couldn’t be so overwhelming, especially not to someone who prided himself on knowing lots of women! Soleia would have found it hilarious, if not for the circumstances. If Sir Ralph had taken leave of his senses, she might as well drown herself in the sewage waters.
Had Sir Ralph never held hands with a woman?
She hadn’t held hands with any man other than Orion, but even she wasn’t this overcome with emotion. Soleia tugged at him, trying to get him to move.