With the second kiss he inhales deeply and lifts his useless hand to do... what? Push her away? Pull this unexpected comfort close? It flaps about uselessly for a second and then he pulls away.

He can't look at her. He feels like a villain, as if this were some planned cruelty. But as much as he wants to indulge this - this rare display of someone caring him over his money, his lineage - it would surely be so cruel to pretend.

"We can't- I can't. I-I'll only... only hurt you. I don't want that." A sharp pain spikes from his heart and contorts his face for a moment, but he smooths it over and rubs at his brow with a shaking hand as he moves further into the room, away from Amelia. It takes all his energy to keep calm, and even then his voice breaks when he initially goes to speak. "I'm sorry. I... I wish it were different. My, uhm. My parents intend to arrange a marriage for me. I don't... I don't get much say in the matter."