With her hand on the duke's forearm he escorted her back inside the ballroom.
Amelia hadn't realized how cold she actually was until they returned back into the warmth. She shivered and pulled the jacket on her shoulders closer to her body with her free hand.
There was not as much attention on them as it had been before except for the occational glances. Perhaps the ruckus had died down after the nobles had gotten the chance to freely gossip when she and the duke were both absent, or maybe the intrest in them had simply cooled.
Although she tried to keep her eyes steadily on the door while they walked through the ballroom she couldn't prevent her attention from wandering. Her eyes unwillingly searched for the marquis among the crowd of dancing nobles.
She couldn't see him at first and reckoned that he had left, but just as she started to relax she locked eyes with him. He was conversing with three others in the furthest corner of the room. When he saw her he flashed a friendly smile and raised his glas towards her, as if they were close acquaintances.
His indiffererance was sickening.
As if Dario had noticed Amelias discomfort he suddenly pulled her closer to his body. In the corner of her eye she could see that he was looking over the crowd with a sharp glare.
Although his presence made her feel secure in that moment, Amelia couldn't shake of the tension in her chest as she could feel the marquis' predatory eyes in the back of her neck.
Only after getting away from the dazzling lights of the celebration and into the dimly lit corridor outside, with the door to the ballroom shut behind them, could she relax.
She sighed and let go of Dario's arm, slowing her steps as she suddenly felt very tired. When Dario noticed this he matched her pace.
'To think that I ever considered this man as cruel' she thought to herself as she looked at him, thoughtfully walking beside her despite her slow pace.
'Cold perhaps, but never cruel.'
"You know, I don't think that I've ever properly thanked you my Lord" she said.
"I'm very grateful to you, for sparing my life and for how well you've treated me thereafter. I just felt like I needed to finally tell you this"
She did not avert her eyes as she met his gaze. He appeared confused by her statement, or maybe troubled.
"It's nothing that you have to be thankful for. As I've said before this is a mutually benificial arrangement." He responded curtly.
"I remember. But I'm grateful nevertheless."
When they arrived outside her room she took the jacket off and handed it back to Dario. At first she expected him to want to come inside as it had been a while since she had visited his room, but seeing him just standing there that seemed to not be the case.
"Then I wish you a good night, my Lord. And happy birthday, though it might be late to say so."
"Thank you. I hope you have a good night as well."
Dario turned around to leave but as Amelia saw his back she thought of something.
"My Lord!"
He stopped his steps.
"Yes?"
"This might be preposterous for me to ask of you considering how much you've already done for me. It's just that, I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight. If it wouldn't be bothersome for you I would be very happy if you wanted to join me for dinner sometimes. When you have time to do so, of course."
If she wanted to protect herself becoming close to the duke was her best option. But even though she had an ulteriour motive for asking him this question she realised that the words she was saying were actually true.
She had truly felt comfortable with the duke that evening, comfortable in a way that she hadn't been with someone for long time.
Despite knowing better than to foolishly become attached she wanted to spend more time with him.
***
Dario couldn't fall asleep that night. Even though he was tired his thoughts did not want to rest.
'Why did I agree to dine with her?'
From the beginning he had set his mind on keeping his distance from Amelia as to not become greedy. He was painfully aware that someone like him didn't deserve to have her. If he were to somehow forget this, and get ahead of himself...
However he hadn't been able to refuse her request. It was the first time since he met her again that she'd asked for something so sincerily. The determination she'd had in her voice before had reminded him of how she used to be; stubborn, spirited and one of the bravest people he had ever met.
More concerning though was her behaviour on the terrace. Ever since he met her again she had been very difficult to read, always remaining composed no matter what the situation. Even during the night of her family's execution her face hadn't displayed any obvious fear.
'But back there, on the terrace, she was obviously terrified.'
Dario had been trying to figure out what had caused her to act like that. Even though she had seemed tense at times during the night there had been nothing noteworthy that had happened.
'Did it take place when I was talking to Marquis Radford. I wasn't away for a long time, so then...'
"Could it be the marquis?" He murmured.
Obviously a full investigation had been launched on the marquis since he'd had close buisness relationships to multible of the convicted traitors. Despite this nothing of importance had been uncovered, not even as much as a personal scandal.
Everything indicated that the marquis was truly the good person that he appeared to be, a rare quality amongst aristocrats. Despite this Dario had always had a bad feeling about the man, though he wasn't in the position to do anything about it.
"Your Grace." Gordons words sounded outside his room along with a careful knock on the door.
"You may enter."
The old man approached carrying a tray in his hands.
"I brought you some herbal tea. I have heard that it is good for sleep" he stated as he placed the tray on the table in front of Dario.
"You really think such a thing as leaf water will help me sleep when not even the doctors have been able to?" Dario noted sarcastically.
The butler did not respond, probably used to such comments by now. Dario sighed at the dull reaction.
"Anyhow, it is good that you came. I would like to assign a personal guard to Amelia. As quickly as possible preferibly."
"Did something happen during the banquet?" The butler asked so with a hint of concern in his voice.
"I'm not sure. But it would be for the best anyway considering that high society are now aware of her."
Gordon bowed his head, agreeing to Darios command without asking any further questions.
"Then I will see to it."
After he shut the door behind him Dario took a sip of the bitter tea.
He couldn't have Amelia leave the duchy if there was even the slightest risk that she would be in danger, he knew that. If she stayed he could offer her all protection that was available to him as the dukedom's lord.
However a part of him feared that he was only seeking for reasons to keep her by his side. He had after all felt himself becoming greedy during the banquet when noticing the hungry stares of the other Lords.
'If this goes on, will I be able to let her go in the end?'