Alexei felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile when she blurted out her response. King Gustav must have had his hands full with keeping this precious flower pure. Even her innocence could be charming.<br/><br/>"Ingrid, it's natural to fear something that you do not know," he reassured her, his hand giving hers a reassuring squeeze. "I will be gentle until your body grows accustomed," he knew their wedding night would take a lot of work on his part. He did not want to tear his new bride. She would be naturally tight, and the fear she bore, it would make her even more so. "Yes, we do have an extreme amount of pressure on us. But we only have one obligation to meet." Reaching his free hand up, he touched her cheek delicately. "And we will meet it. And if we happen to find something extra for ourselves, so much the better." He had never felt such an instant attraction to a woman before. He wondered if it was his own subconscious forcing him to see her in a different light, knowing they would be tied to each other. Or if it was an entirely seperate attraction that was drawing his attention.<br/><br/>