Best weapon against dark thoughts? Was there such a thing anyway? At times Caliena couldn't help but think that she was just the tragic heroine of a story where dark thoughts were difficult to chase away. But in a way, it was a bit better in a way, even though Zera was drowning in awkwardness. Perhaps he felt that this assassination attempt was a bit of a bonding experience in a wicked way, she thought. Would he bother about asking such a question otherwise?
"No. Unless you can bring back the dead." she said, the bluntness of her answer was mitigated somewhat by her soft tone, though it probably felt like cutting this topic off before it could even sprout. Mostly because it would take longer than a night to dig through it, but... in a way, yes, most of her woes were stemming from the death of her loved ones from many years ago. When the scheming of her father's enemies robbed her of everything. Her family, their lands. Her Taint didn't help her either. Her potential suitor was likely lost somewhere at the front and a dark minded knight almost ruined her plans to strike back at her enemies. It was a long, complicated mess that was difficult to uproot with a simple question, no matter how direct it was.
Still, she was surprised that someone noticed it. Caliena noted to herself earlier that the duke was blessed with empathy. Or cursed, from a different point of view.
"No one should be concerned by it, though."
The sound of dripping water could be heard from her side as well as she stood up and reached for the towel to get dry. The duality of the conversation was difficult to handle, even though she knew that she should, for the sake of Amaril's plans.
"Forgive me, My Lord, but such a conversation..." she started a bit hesitantly. "Wrong time and space." she searched for the new dress that was no doubt brought here by the servant some time ago.