[ He can’t help a chuckle. How nice to make light of certain things which would have been spoken with a great deal more gravity within the somber Castle Krakenburg. Though lately, ever since their exploits at Valla, the whole kingdom seems to feel that much lighter, as if a great shadow has passed it at long last.

Maybe it’s thanks to his little wife, and how easily flustered she gets. That sort of innocence is rare, and for most of his adult life it seemed that only Elise had had it in her. ]

Forgive me. [ He doesn’t sound all that contrite, as he leans in, close—too close, even— ]

But your lips are already the most potent poison there is. I can feel my heart stopping every time I get a taste of them.