[ Though the respective threat and protectiveness the general is feeling rises up behind him as a metaphorical shadow, Nina just nods with military precision; she'd thought this through.  It was difficult not to be intimidated by so much power and so much influence when her defenses were already this far down, but she puts those thoughts to the side and focuses on her mission.  She'd acted how she had in making the best use of her resources, for the preservation of everyone she cherished.  If push came to shove, however, if Matthias had not acted as she'd believed he would have.... she would have stopped him.  And this would be a very different conversation. ]

I wouldn't have come to you with this request unless I'd already made certain disaster wasn't going to happen while we were speaking.  When I met Alina -- Miss Starkov, -- she was wearing your colors, sir. [ So who she is... would not have exactly been hidden. ] I wanted to carefully manage their meeting so that neither side would discover the other without me being present to step in.  The drüskelle will not attack anyone - although he will defend himself.  

[ There's a little twist of her expression at the end that indicates something of - and good luck defending himself against you, sir.

It completely covers the yawning mouth of fear.  What if he won't agree?  What will she - what can she do?  She'd already told Matthias that she'd never stand aside and simply let others come for him; she meant it. But it would kill something inside her to have to do it, and she's not entirely sure she'd be able to stop the general -- in fact, she is almost entirely sure she would not be able to stop him. Nina rather likes living. But she wouldn't be alive anymore if she turned her back on Matthias just to preserve her own life. ]

And I do not believe Miss Starkov will initiate an unprovoked attack either.