"...?"
In truth, Valen was equally out of his element. It was incredibly unnatural for him, of all people, to just so openly 'chat' with anyone, let alone a stranger to his court, a spy, a variable capable of killing him in that very moment, or-- as was the case-- all three at once. The truth was simple enough, spoken plain enough-- He didn't feel in danger, despite the obvious risks he was taking at the moment. He hadn't felt in danger when they'd met in the swamps before, and he didn't feel in danger when she'd made her way into his room following his attempted assassination. If anything, with every encounter he'd had with the spy, he felt more and more safe... more free, perhaps, than he'd ever felt before.
It was an odd thing, truly; In his heart, he'd always felt as though he were locked away. Caged, perhaps, despite holding more political power, in theory, than anyone else. Worse still was the fact that he felt he needed to be there, locked away, for the sake of his people and his dukedom. But in these fleeting moments, he felt as though he could forget that, if only for a few minutes... and while he didn't have the courage to try unlocking that cage, he felt as though he could reach out of it a little.
As she came to rest near him, Valen observed with curious and bemused eyes as she, in response to his proposition, did anything and everything in his power to not display her own... hmm, shock? Surprise? Embarrassment? It was hard to tell just what was going through her mind as she took the book he'd been looking over and held it up to her face... upside down, but it was just as fun to watch all the same. 'Squirming' wasn't something he was particularly used to seeing someone do in response to anything that he said or did, in truth. He almost felt bad for asking, now.
"Just food for thought, so to speak. You don't need to give me an answer-- I feel better just from voicing my feelings." He explained with a kind smile, before continuing. "Though it would be nice to have an answer before--" He wanted to say 'before the council came looking for him', but he was interrupted by the book that unceremoniously fell into his lap.
Which was followed by the half-cup of tea he'd grabbed falling shortly behind it.
"H-haaaaa!" He wasn't sure whether to yelp from the heat or the pain-- the sharp exhale would have to do for both, as he instinctively tumbled out of the chair, and to the floor. Welp, there went any sort of control he had over that situation.