**Chapter 6: A Twisted Proposal**

The soft glow of the dimmed lights in the room highlighted the cold, metallic bed Amalia lay on, her wrists and ankles securely strapped down. James entered the room, his footsteps light on the floor, and approached her with a gentle smile. He adjusted her pillow, making sure she was comfortable, and Amalia's eyes narrowed, trying to read his intentions. As he worked, James spoke softly to her, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Amalia. I know you're not happy, but I assure you, we're only trying to keep you safe." He checked her restraints, making sure they weren't too tight, and Amalia's eyes flashed with anger, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed on him. James's expression was sympathetic, and for a moment, Amalia wondered if he was truly as bad as Lucien and the others. But as he turned to leave, she saw the cold, calculating look in his eyes, and her doubts returned. Later that evening, James made his way to the dining hall, where his father, Lucien, and several other family members were already seated. The conversation turned to Amalia, and Lucien's voice was filled with excitement as he discussed her royal lineage. "James, my son, I've been thinking," Lucien said, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Amalia would make a perfect match for Cassius. She's royalty, after all, and it would be a great advantage for our family to have her as a part of our dynasty." James's expression faltered, and he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He knew Cassius's reputation, the way he treated women like animals, and the thought of Amalia being forced to marry him made him sick. "I couldn't agree more, Father," James said, trying to keep his voice neutral, but his stomach churning with disgust. As they finished dinner, Cassius himself appeared, a smirk on his face as he greeted James and their father. Amalia, still restrained and gagged, was on his mind, and James knew that she was in grave danger. The next day, Cassius visited Amalia, his eyes roving over her body with a lecherous gaze. He sneered at her, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're a little prize, aren't you?" he sneered, his hand reaching out to touch her. Amalia's eyes widened in horror, and she struggled against her restraints, but Cassius just laughed, his eyes glinting with cruelty. James, meanwhile, was in his father's office, his heart heavy with worry. "Father, I need to speak with you," James said, his voice low and urgent. "I want to marry Amalia, not Cassius. I know it's not what you had planned, but I couldn't live with myself if I let Cassius have her." Lucien's expression turned cold, and he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "And why, pray tell, would you want to marry this... princess?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. James took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Because I think she's worth saving, Father. And I couldn't live with myself if I let Cassius have her."