“I know that.” Duke Astor rose and started pacing. “But it’s hard to convince my court when reports say the imperial seal was real, and no one will tell us how that came to pass. And the memory of Ardence is long. No one has forgotten Raverra did this to us before, when it conquered our city and absorbed it into the Empire. Besides, everyone knows Raverra is hardly innocent of claiming one thing publicly and doing another privately. Like when my great-great-uncle had a boating accident after he tried to stay out of the Three Years’ War due to trade pacts with Vaskandar. The Empire extended its condolences to my great-grandfather, but he nonetheless understood the message and threw his full support behind Raverra in the war.”

“This isn’t like that,” I protested. But Baron Leodra had willingly put his seal on those documents. If the Ardentines knew that, they might not see much difference.

“Some of my nobles understand that. But some are quite willing to believe the worst of Raverra.” The duke leaned on the ornately carved chair he’d vacated. “Others might see reason, if they were thinking clearly. But their children are gone. Have you ever dealt with a parent whose child is in danger, Lady Amalia?”

I remembered what had happened to my would-be kidnappers when a political rival attempted to have me abducted when I was thirteen. My mother had ruthlessly tracked down every single individual involved in the attempt, no matter how large or small their role, and had them all summarily executed.

“Yes.”

“Until their children are safe, they will see no reason. They will brook no peace. They would rather watch the city burn to the ground than bow down to the ones they think stole their heirs.”

“I want to avert war and find the children as much as you do,” I assured him. “That’s why I’m here, believe it or not.”

“Then help me. I’m a proud man, Lady Amalia; it isn’t easy for me to ask. Do not refuse me this.” His pointed beard jumped as his jaw tightened. He’d probably grown it to look older.

I spread my hands. “What do you think I can do?”

“I can’t yet receive the Serene Envoy at court again. The Council of Lords wouldn’t stand for it. Ignazio Cornaro is the one Raverran my nobles trust; they see his removal as the turning point when everything went wrong. But I can’t hold diplomatic talks with the old Serene Envoy while refusing the new one. That would compound the insult to the Serene Empire.” The duke dropped back into his chair, leaning his elbows on his knees. “You, however, I can talk to all I want. The Cornaro name and your connections to Ardence leave you in good standing with my nobles, despite being a representative of the Empire.”