[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HKFkRri.png[/img] [color=4C93C2][h3]Count Calbert Damien[/h3][/color][/center] [color=gray][color=4C93C2]Location:[/color]Edwards Estate Backyard [color=4C93C2]Time:[/color] Morning [color=4C93C2]Mentions:[/color][@PapaOso] Cassius [@Potter] Olivia [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@JJ Doe] Ryn [color=4C93C2]Flashback Mentions:[/color][@ReusableSword] Roman [@Potter] Olivia [@Samreaper] Kazumin [@Conscripts] John [@Helo] Leo [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@JJ Doe] Ryn [hr] Calbert could feel the slow burn of anger intensifying as Lorenzo’s words reverberated in his mind. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white. What stung the most was Lorenzo's audacity to bring up the one thing Calbert had no control over—his lack of time with Cassius. Since when did Lorenzo [i]dare[/i] to speak back to him, let alone in front of the likes of the Duke of Soralia? To point out, so publicly, that Calbert had been separated from his son for most of his life, as though that diminished their bond? It did not matter if he had been apart from Cassius for fifty years, he'd love him just as fiercely as he did now. It made Calbert seethe that Lorenzo so boldly had drawn attention to that wound in front of everyone, to question Calbert’s role in his son’s life... It was an attack on his pride, his authority, and everything he had worked to build. [i][b]And for that, Lorenzo would pay.[/b][/i] But it could wait. Calbert was not a man driven by impulse. His ambitions ran deeper than that. As Lorenzo and Charlotte retreated, Calbert’s eyes flicked to Cassius. As his son moved his arm around the girl, the very sight of it churned his stomach. Charlotte Vikena, a criminal by Calbert’s estimation, had no place near his son. And yet, Cassius was putting an arm around her as if he had not cautioned him to avoid her within the last week. And it was certainly not the first time. He had not missed that little dance at the ball where he watched the criminal bury her face into her son's chest. Cassius wasn’t just being careless, he was doing this to spite him. The realization only stoked Calbert’s anger further. Cassius was defying him, deliberately ignoring his warnings as though testing the limits of his father’s control. Before he could react to the scene, Prince Callum’s voice broke through. Calbert’s eyes flicked to Callum, his expression unchanging, though the slightest twitch of his jaw betrayed the simmering irritation beneath the surface. His lips curled into a thin, polite smile as his mind refocused. As directed, Calbert remained silent and redirected his attention back to Cassius. For a moment, it seemed Lorenzo was actually unhappy as well with the situation given his facial expression and Cassius had reacted with seeming indifference. His son had put his arm back around Charlotte as they had sat down at the table. It seemed Cassius was going to continue the temper tantrum then. Calbert’s attention snapped to Victoria as her words. He could feel the familiar burn of irritation rising once again, but he kept his expression calm, his features set in a neutral mask. [color=4C93C2]"Indeed, my son has a flair for the dramatic,"[/color] he replied smoothly, his voice carrying none of the tension that lurked just beneath. [color=4C93C2]"Though I must confess, Cassius’s current…attachment is less a matter of his own choice and more an act of rebellion."[/color] He paused, allowing his gaze to linger on Cassius and Charlotte, his eyes darkening slightly as his true feelings on the matter simmered below the surface. [color=4C93C2]"I cautioned him recently quite strongly to stay clear of Lady Vikena."[/color] His tone remained calm, though there was a deliberate edge to it. [color=4C93C2]"It seems, however, that my son is keen on making his own decisions—if only to spite me. Charlotte—"[/color] He broke off, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips, though it was devoid of warmth. [color=4C93C2]"Let’s just say, I’ve made my stance quite clear regarding her."[/color] Calbert had noticed that Victoria's sly smile had deepened, clearly enjoying the revelation. [color=4C93C2]"He'll be done using her when his tantrum ends."[/color] He paused as he noticing Prince Wulfric approaching. [color=ab274f]“Good morning,”[/color] came the prince's greeting. [color=ab274f]“Duchess Edwards, I greatly appreciate the obvious care with which you organized this event. The splendid arrangements, strategic placement, and delicate balance are all the hallmarks of your touch.”[/color] Victoria’s eyes had sparkled with delight, her earlier smugness replaced with the warmth of a noblewoman receiving such praise. She extended her hand, which Wulfric took gently, kissing the air above her knuckles. Calbert stood, offering a deep nod to the prince, his demeanor composed but respectful. [color=4C93C2]"Your Highness,"[/color] he greeted smoothly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. [color=4C93C2]"It is always a pleasure to be in your company, and as ever, I admire your keen eye for the finer details. You honor us with your presence." [/color] His voice carried the practiced elegance of a man who knew the importance of every interaction. As the pleasantries hung in the air, Calbert's gaze shifted, and he let it travel across the scene in front of him. His eyes landed on Cassius, arm still around Charlotte, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his face. From Cassius, his attention drifted to Charlotte, then to Ryn, and finally to Olivia, where it lingered. His gaze narrowed slightly as he studied Olivia, the wheels of his mind turning. [color=4C93C2][i]Everything I want will come into place. And you'll see just why you should always listen to your father, Cassius.[/i][/color] [hider=Saturday Night - Sola 22] Calbert felt the familiar shift in the air—the transition from the city above to the cold, quiet depths below. His polished shoes clicked softly against the worn stone steps as he made his way down, the faint echo of his footsteps filling the narrow passage. The cold dampness of the tunnels immediately wrapped around him, but he barely noticed. His mind was consumed with thoughts of vengeance. The tunnel walls had a damp sheen from the underground moisture. A torch flickered as Calbert's hand, its light reflecting in the cold glint of his eyes. He walked with purpose, his long coat brushing against the stone as he moved swiftly through the winding pathways, retracing a route he had come to know well. The air grew colder, and the faint, distant sound of dripping water echoed off the walls. The walls were lined with ancient glyphs, and Calbert’s eyes skimmed them with disinterest—he knew their power, but tonight, they were irrelevant. His thoughts were elsewhere. As he walked deeper into the network, the atmosphere felt heavier here, as if the very walls whispered warnings of what was ahead. Finally, he reached the large underground chamber that served as the last stop before the mansion’s entrance. The chamber was dimly lit by lanterns casting long shadows across the walls, but Calbert’s eyes focused on the ornate door ahead. It stood at the far end of the room, embedded into the stone like a secret waiting to be revealed. The Black Rose’s symbol was etched into the surface of the door, and as Calbert reached into his coat to retrieve a pendant. His fingers closed around the it, and as soon as it came into contact with the door, the magic activated. The door shimmered briefly before swinging open with a soft creak, revealing the darkened interior of the Black Rose mansion. Calbert stepped through without hesitation, the tension in his posture only growing. He had come with a purpose—to see those who had crossed him and his family suffer. The tunnel sealed behind him with a quiet hiss, leaving only darkness and silence in its wake and Calbert followed the familiar route to Marek's office. Instead of knocking, he simply barged through the huge wooden doors. The faint scent of burning mingled with the musty aroma of ancient tomes and parchment, filling the air with an oppressive atmosphere as he stepped into the room. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with thick, leather-bound books that bore no titles, their spines etched with cryptic symbols. A few ancient scrolls, crumbling with age, were carefully placed in glass cases. Skulls of various sizes—human and otherwise—adorned the shelves, their empty eye sockets gazing out into the room, silently watching. The large mahogany desk at the center of the room was the focal point, immaculate and orderly except for a few scattered documents, and a single candle flickering near the edge. Behind the desk, Marek sat in a tall, high-backed leather chair, his hands folded and his gaze fixated on Calbert. [color=#B22222]"Count Damien,"[/color] Marek greeted as he spun around in his chair to face him, his voice smooth as silk as he spoke.[color=#B22222]"A late-night visit... I assume this isn't a social call?"[/color] The dim light cast heavy shadows across his face, accentuating the hard lines of his features. His dark, unruly hair framed an intense expression, his piercing eyes glinting. Calbert stepped into the room, his jaw set as he approached Marek’s desk. [color=4C93C2]"I need your help, Marek. There are people—[i]criminals[/i]—who need to be reminded of their place."[/color] he began, his tone low but vibrating with restrained malice. [color=4C93C2]"They've crossed me, my family, and I want them broken. Not arrested, not brought to justice. I want them to live in fear—unrelenting fear. I want them to dread every flicker of a shadow, every creak of a floorboard, every whisper in the dark. I want to drive them into the corners of their homes, terrified, trapped, curled up in terror, unable to even breathe without wondering what comes next."[/color] Marek’s smile widened, a slow, predatory curve as he gestured for Calbert to sit. His voice dripped with sinister amusement as he spoke, the flickering candlelight casting deep shadows across his face. [color=#B22222]"Ah, revenge. Such a lovely thing. Tell me, Calbert, who are these individuals that have dared to cross the great Count Damien?"[/color] [color=4C93C2]"Kazumin Nagasa... A crazed psychopath with no emotions. He laughed in the face of a gun, and dared to stalk my innocent Crystal."[/color] Calbert's disgust was palpable. [color=4C93C2]"And a blonde woman... unidentified, but I need that rectified. She had the audacity to attack my home, firing arrows at me while I was dealing with Nagasa. Then, as if that weren't enough, she had the gall to cast an invisibility spell to escape. I am certain the blonde woman is the one who tried to murder Violet."[/color] He paused, his gaze hardening as he continued, the intensity of his anger growing with each name. [color=4C93C2]"Next, I want Dr. John Williamson dealt with. If killing him isn’t an option, then silence him permanently. He saw Violet with that axe in her head before she was cursed. And finally, Roman Ravenwood... I know he's involved as well. He needs to be kept far, far away from my daughter."[/color] Marek raised an eyebrow, amusement barely concealed. Calbert watched Marek intently, awaiting acknowledgment. [color=4C93C2]"I trust you can handle it quietly."[/color] He said, his tone authoritative. [color=#B22222]"Of course."[/color] He replied with sinister amusement. [color=#B22222]"Fear works best when it whispers through the shadows, doesn’t it? Rest assured, they will all be reminded of their place. Consider it done."[/color] He grinned devilishly, before adding, [color=#B22222]"But... there is something else you may want to know."[/color] Calbert raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder. [color=4C93C2]"Go on."[/color] Marek took a step closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper, relishing every word. [color=#B22222]"That blonde woman you spoke of... She’s casting more than just invisibility spells."[/color] Calbert's eyes narrowed, his mind already racing to fill in the gaps. [color=4C93C2]"What are you getting at?"[/color] Marek’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the suspense. [color=#B22222]"She’s now parading around as someone else entirely. A red-haired girl. She calls herself Olivia."[/color] Calbert’s breath hitched. [i][color=4C93C2]"And how exactly do you know this?"[/color][/i] Marek grinned. [color=#B22222]"Kazumin and the girl did not go very far to find a hiding place... They went into the Vikena estate. "[/color] [i][color=4C93C2]"The guards searched the estate,"[/color][/i] he ground out, though his anger was palpable. [color=#B22222]"Yes... but Lorenzo deterred them from going inside. They’ve been spending time with Charlotte. The stepdaughter,"[/color] Marek added with a chilling smirk, his voice heavy with implication. Everything clicked into place. His fists slammed onto Marek's desk with a thunderous crack, his face contorted in rage. [color=4C93C2]"That girl—she’s harboring them... shielding these criminals! After everything!"[/color] Charlotte was leading them, rallying against him, seeking vengeance. She was scheming, playing a far deeper game than he had anticipated. [color=4C93C2]"She’s behind all of this... They’re all working together against me."[/color] The revelation dripped with fury as he paced. Marek leaned back, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Calbert unravel before him. Calbert’s fury had only begun to take shape as he continued, his voice a dangerous growl. [color=4C93C2]"It’s not just her... I want Count Fritz Hendrix and Lord Leo Smithwood included in this."[/color] [color=4C93C2]"They’ve been spending too much time with her. It’s no coincidence. They’re all part of this scheme. They’re working against me... against my family. They need to be reminded of their place."[/color] His tone was thick with venom, his paranoia evident. He leaned in toward Marek, his fists still pressing hard against the desk. [color=4C93C2]"Make them understand the price. I want them isolated, terrified. Count Fritz, Lord Leo... no one gets off easy. They’re in this just as much as Kazumin and the girl."[/color] [color=#B22222]"As you wish, Count Damien,"[/color] Marek replied, [color=#B22222]"Count Fritz Hendrix and Lord Leo will know the weight of your wrath. They, too, will learn to fear the shadows, to question every step they take. Their punishment will be as thorough as you desire."[/color] Calbert nodded, his anger still simmering but satisfied with Marek’s assurances. [color=4C93C2]"Good. Make them suffer. Let them regret ever thinking they could cross me."[/color] Marek leaned back in his chair as he studied Calbert’s furious demeanor. He allowed a moment of silence to pass, letting the weight of their conversation settle in the dimly lit room. Then, with a casual air, he leaned forward again, his fingers steepling beneath his chin. [color=#B22222]"Tell me, Count Damien,"[/color] Marek began, his voice smooth and almost curious, [color=#B22222]"Do you still have the globe?"[/color] Calbert's eyes flicked toward Marek; his response was immediate. [color=4C93C2]"Yes, I still have it."[/color] Marek's grin widened. [color=#B22222]"Good..."[/color] he said, [color=#B22222]"I have a plan."[/color] [/hider] [/color]