The marquis hesitated for a moment.
"Our kingdom is not doing well" he eventually said.
"While Trentove's might only grows we remain stagnant. Our rescources are dwindling, the nobles treasuries running thin and the poor are getting poorer by the day. The citizens in my fief are paying less taxes than ever, same goes for the rest of the nation, yet our king keep asking us nobles for more."
He sighed somberly.
"All this out of respect for those northerns, who raid our land and rape our women. Who do nothing with the plentiful land that they have at their disposal."
His expression turned sour, filled with both exhaustion and loathing.
"As if this wasn't enough, the king's most trusted vassal, our country's only grand duke of a questionable originin, dares to take and defile the noble daughter of a viscount?"
His eyes lingered on Amelias chest.
"Though I am ashamed to admit this, I only realised how wrong I had been when he took you. I cannot stand it to see you be harmed; humiliated, like nothing more than a whore."
As the man spoke Amelia wondered whether this narrative was simply a misconstruction that allowed the marquis to justify his actions in his own mind, or a blatant lie that he would use to ultimatly protect his own wealth.
Which ever one it was didn't truly matter to her though.
"Even if that is the case there is nothing that we can do, is there? Please my Lord, do not worry for me. I have brought this fate upon myself" she breathed, leaning her head on his chest.
"Your care for me alone fills me with new courage."
"Sweet Amelia" Radford said and stroked her hair.
"I know you are afraid to see the truth, but you needn't be. I am here for you."
Amelia knew that now was the time to get what she came here for. At the same time she was afraid to move to fast, come on to hard, and ruin it all.
She clenched her hands tightly against his chest. Her heart thumped in both fear and anticipation.
"Can you help me" she finally asked.
"I can help you help yourself."
"How?"
Her voice was almost completelty choked up.
"Our king has many flaws, but none are bigger than the Grand Duke he has appointed. A renowned strategist and fighter during the war, yet the situation by the northern border remains unsolved. Have you ever wondered why that is?"
Amelia didn't answer.
"Right, you are sheltered. You have not seen one of those savages in the flesh."
Radford placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it tightly.
"Large builds, dark of skin and eyes so light they are almost translucent. Does that remind you of anyone?"
Amelia flinched and pulled away from the marquis' embrace. Her eyes locked with his and she was unable to hide the shock.
It was now clear to her where he was going with this.
"Knowing this, do you think our Grand Duke is truly on our kingdom's side?"
She couldn't muster any words and only shook her head.
"This is only a theory of course. Who would truly believe such a preposterous thing, that our king appointed an enemy to protect our land? That is, without solid proof."
"And you would like me to get it" Amelia croaked.
"No, I could not ask you to take on such a burden. I already have someone tasked with this. But they are having a difficult time in getting close enough to the duke. He is a very... cautious man."
"Then?"
"Use your position to get this person close to you. That is the only thing you must do for me."
"How will I know who it is?"
"Someone will drop a blue handkerchief by your feet. In a few days, I'd suspect. I have to contact them first."
Radford couldn't conceal the glee on his face. To him, it must seem like the solution to his problems had simply just come to him on its own volition. Little did he know of Amelias detirmination to report this to Dario as soon as he returned.
"I will do it" she said, sounding more determined than before, and he grinned.
"Good girl" he said and caressed her cheek.
"I could never have asked this of you, had you come to me. I wouldn't ever ask of you to compromise your innocence further."
He took firm hold of her chin and forced her face closer to his. As he closed in the stench of his breath became almost unbearable and as to not reveal her disgust Amelia tried to picture Dario's face over his, knowing she mustn't recoil now.
Just before his lips met hers she jerked her head to the side, redirecting his repugnant kiss to her cheek.
"We mustn't" she whimpered. "If someone sees...!"
"I am sorry" Radford said, his eyes still greedy even as he let go of her.
"I did not consider the position that you are in."
Amelias hands quivered visibly even as she hugged her body tightly.
"I shall go. I wouldn't want to rouse suspicion by staying here for to long. You will be alright from here, won't you?"
"I will. Thank you my Lord. Thank you so much, truly."
She maintained a tearful smile until the marquis had closed the door behind him and she was sure he had gone far enough to be long out of earshot. Only then did her body relax.
As if she'd lost all strength in her body, her legs gave out and she tumbled onto the floor. She started heaving, clawing at the diamond necklace as if this would somehow clear her airways. Suddenly, the nausea that she'd been surpressing the entire day resurfaced and she felt like she would vomit any second.
Panicked, she pulled herself up, stumbled towards the window and opened it wide enough so she could lean her upper body out of it. She coughed and gagged, but only ended up dispelling bile.