[ There’s something in her voice that pricks against his awareness and he almost presses, tries to pry more understanding beneath that mask he’s always believed she wore.

But it’s a moment gone too quickly, and then her voice is light and playful again as she smiles up at him, all innocent and seemingly without a care in the world.

Sometimes, he thinks, she plays that role better than he does. Always has. And he wonders how many times in the past she’s fooled him with it?

But right now, he reaches up to catch her hand in his and offers her a small chuckle, conceding for the time being. ]

I’ll do my best, Princess. Come on, why don’t I take you exploring? We’ll see if I can find some places for you to enjoy yourself while you’re here, hmm?

[ He knew there would be places she’d like, already cataloguing a few of them in the back of his mind, but moreso, it would be a distraction, one that would hopefully help that carefree air be a little more genuine.

At least for a little while. ]