[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YGxzxVR.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/YJB0hdq.png[/img][/center]
[color=D0B4EC]Time:[/color]10am
[color=D0B4EC]Location:[/color] Edwards Estate - Drake's Party
[color=D0B4EC]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.ibb.co/kyG8ft9/A2-D2-A381-EFF4-4-AF1-99-DB-F4-EDCC799663.webp[/url]Dress[/url], [url=i.imgur.com/2SBcciZ.png]Amulet[/url]
[color=D0B4EC]Interaction:[/color] [@PapaOso] Cassius [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@Helo] Callum
[/color] 
[hr]
[color=lightgray][color=D0B4EC]"Yes! I'd like to make a toast to all of you!"[/color] came Lottie's voice as she made her way over to the table. Her enthusiasm was almost infectious as she gazed at the vibrant drinks a servant had just left on the table. The assortment of bright, jewel-toned cocktails, with little garnishes of citrus and mint, sparkled like a rainbow across the table. 

As she approached, Cassius rose from his seat with a sweet bow, pulling her chair out for her with such charm that it made her blush ever so slightly. [color=D0B4EC]"Thank you, Cassius,"[/color] she said softly, settling into her chair as he placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close once again. She felt her heart flutter for a moment at the touch, but her attention was quickly stolen by Callum’s booming voice before her thoughts could even race.

When Callum rejoined the group, she met his lingering gaze with curiosity, but it didn’t make her uncomfortable. [color=D0B4EC] "Oh! Shots, yes—how thrilling!"[/color] she said with a little laugh, her hand instinctively reaching for one of the cocktails. But then, Callum’s remarks about Cassius and his father made her pause.

Her eyes shifted between Cassius and Callum. The directness of Callum’s statement caught her off guard. It was her turn for her gaze to linger on Callum. As she mulled over her thoughts, emotions of sadness and even moments of anger swam in her eyes. 

Prince Callum had always been different from his siblings. His short, tousled black hair and deep blue eyes rarely mirrored the familiar features of the royal family. Naturally, rumors had swirled around the kingdom when he was born; whispers of an illegitimate child with no place in the line could be heard in every corner. But to Charlotte, he bore a striking resemblance to the late King George, and she reasoned that King Edin must have simply passed down the recessive trait of those piercing blue eyes.

Yet, it wasn't his appearance that set Callum apart the most—it was the ever-present undercurrent of anger and melancholy she had seen in his gaze from time to time. Beneath that handsome face, there was always a trace of something darker, something unspoken. That bitterness undoubtedly had festered from years of living with a monster like King Edin. The way the King had spoken of him, the way he had treated his children in general, had not ever gone unnoticed by Charlotte, and certainly not by Duke Walter Vikena years ago. She could remember nights of him wistfully speaking of how sorry he felt for the royal children, and particularly for Callum. Raised by a man as venomous as Edin, it was no wonder he could recognize a snake like Calbert from a mile away.

She could still remember the quiet nights when her father, with a far-off look in his eyes, would sigh and say, [i][color=8882be]"That boy carries a burden far too heavy for most, one that I know all too well. He could use a friend like you someday, Lottie, someone to remind that his life has worth despite all that has been said. "[/color][/i]

Lottie thought back to what she had seen in the church and her shoulders slumped. Walter, who had suffered under the harsh cruelty of his own father, had seen in himself in Callum. She wished she could go back in time and hug her father just a little tighter, just one more time... Alas, she could not. 

But she could do today what she should have done a long time ago and show the Prince some much-needed kindness. Finally, she glanced at Lorenzo and smiled, the love she felt for him clear in her gaze. [color=D0B4EC] "He is rather splendid, isn’t he?"[/color] she agreed.

When Callum raised his shot glass in their direction, Charlotte’s cheeks flushed pink once more. [color=D0B4EC]"To us?"[/color] she repeated, glancing at Cassius. They certainly were not a couple but with his arm around her the way it was, she understood why Callum had mistaken them for one. 

[color=D0B4EC]"Well, Cassius and I are just—"[/color] she began, her voice light with a hint of objection. But despite her words, she found herself instinctively raising her glass, the motion so natural it almost escaped her own awareness.

As her sentence hung in the air, she froze, mid-gesture, her eyes widening slightly as she realized that the dynamic of the room had subtly shifted.

She was surrounded by completely different company.

[hider=A Memory]
Everything looked almost the same—perhaps there were less green decorations everywhere, but still, it was as if the world had been gently muted by time.  Her gaze swept across the gathering and then froze. Sitting across from her was a boy who looked no older than sixteen, his brown curls tousled in a way she knew all too well.

[i]Father.[/i]

Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the young man immediately—Walter Vikena. And sitting beside him, with a face so eerily similar, was a girl she had only seen pictures of-Aunt Willow. She had curled brown hair, loosely gathered, giving her a soft appearance. The hazel-eyed twins stood as near perfect reflections of each other. 

Walter was effortlessly entertaining the table, his laughter filling the air like music. Young Duke Gideon sat with him, looking as if he hadn’t changed much over the years, though his face was a touch softer, more boyish. And to her surprise, seated among them was a younger version of Calbert Damien, his usually sharp features softened by youth and an unfamiliar short haircut. Even Duke Laurent Petit was present, immersed in his religious reading, his demeanor serene amidst the lively gathering.

But it was Walter who drew her in completely. His vibrant energy was magnetic, and she couldn’t help but smile as he playfully teased Willow.

[color=8882be]"If you were any more girly,"[/color] Walter said, twirling a worm on a stick and waving it in her face, [color=8882be]"you’d start vomiting flowers."[/color]

Willow squealed, laughter bubbling up as she swatted at him in mock indignation. [color=lightpink]“This is why our parents never let you out!”[/color] she shot back, her voice a blend of exasperation and amusement. Calbert moved a hand toward her, as though to shield her from the worm. [color=4C93C2]“Honestly, Walter, some of us prefer not to be pelted with wildlife.”[/color] 

Walter grinned mischievously and turned to Calbert, offering the worm with a cheeky flourish. [color=8882be]"Care to meet Gerald, Bert? He’s very well-behaved, I promise."[/color]

Calbert’s expression soured, his lips curling in distaste as he swatted Walter’s hand away, though Charlotte noticed the faintest twitch of amusement at the corners of his mouth. Walter shifted his attention to  Gideon.

[color=8882be]"Here, Giddy! Meet Gerald the Worm,"[/color] Walter teased, thrusting the worm toward him with a laugh.

Gideon, with a dramatic roll of his eyes, caught the worm and played along with a wide grin. [color=burlywood]“Oh, Gerald’s mine now. I think I’ll marry him.”[/color] He winked, holding the worm as if it were a priceless treasure.

Walter raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. [color=8882be]"No,[i] don’t you dare marry that worm, Giddy![/i] He’s too good for you!"[/color]

Gideon, never one to miss a beat, clutched the worm close to his chest with a mock gasp. [color=burlywood]"How could you say that, Walter? Gerald and I are in love! We’re eloping at dawn, and there's nothing you can do about it!"[/color]

Calbert, shaking his head, muttered under his breath, [color=4C93C2]“You two act like children.”[/color] 

Walter, quick on his feet, stood up with a theatrical flair, wagging a finger at his best friend. [color=8882be]"You’ll have to pry him out of my cold, dead hands, Giddy. Gerald deserves better! You’d just tie him down with all your gods. damn. [i]bullshit[/i]."[/color] He was chaotically sneering at the end by the end of his statement.

Willow, stifling giggles behind her hand, couldn’t resist joining the fray. She dramatically clasped her hands together as if in prayer, her eyes wide with mock desperation. [color=lightpink]"Please, Giddy, I’m begging you. Make me your maid of honor!"[/color]

Walter, aghast, spun on his heel and turned his accusatory finger toward his twin, his jaw-dropping in exaggerated betrayal. [color=8882be]"Traitor!"[/color] he cried, his voice loud enough to startle the birds in the trees. [color=8882be]"My own twin! How could you do this to me, Willow? My flesh and blood! How will I ever recover from this vile betrayal?"[/color]

He placed his hand over his heart as if mortally wounded, staggering back with a melodramatic sigh, and then shot a glare at Gideon. [color=8882be]"This is all your fault, Giddy. You’ve corrupted my sister!"[/color]

At that moment, Laurent Petit, finally lifting his gaze from his reading, furrowed his brow and hissed, [color=green]"For Primitus's sake, will you shut up? You're attracting the attention of everyone! Even Prince Edin is staring."[/color]

Undeterred, Walter lunged forward, snatching the worm from Gideon’s hand. [color=8882be]"Gimme that worm!"[/color] 

Before anyone could say another word, Walter’s eyes landed on a group of girls giggling and whispering nearby, clearly watching the spectacle. Without missing a beat, Walter flashed them a charming grin and waved flirtatiously despite the worm in his hand. [color=8882be]"Ladies, don’t worry—there’s enough of me to go around."[/color] He winked, causing the girls to erupt into even more giggles.He turned back to the table. Calbert and Laurent looked incredibly confused, meanwhile, Gideon and Willow remained amused. [color=8882be]"What can I say? They love me."[/color]

Without missing a beat, Gideon shot up from his seat, flinging his arm out dramatically. [color=burlywood]"Back off, ladies!"[/color] he hollered in mock possessiveness. [color=burlywood]"He's mine!"[/color]
[/hider]

Then suddenly, everything changed again. Charlotte blinked, finding herself back in the present. Lorenzo sat nearby in his pink suit, and the warmth of Cassius's arm around her waist returned, grounding her. Her gaze found Callum's piercing blue eyes once more

[i][color=D0B4EC]I'm never going to get used to these sudden shifts in reality,[/color][/i] she thought to herself. her brows knitting in thought. [i][color=D0B4EC]Even if it was rather amazing to see everyone so young...[/color][/i] She glanced down at the drink in her hand, her fingers lightly brushing the glass. [i][color=D0B4EC]If I was shown that for a reason, it’s beyond me. Still… it did bring some comfort.[/color][/i]

Charlotte cleared her throat as she awkwardly realized she must have spent a good amount of time spacing out. She quickly raised her glass, hoping to smooth over the strange moment. [color=D0B4EC]"Right! A toast!"[/color] she exclaimed, her voice filled with a forced brightness. Her gaze flickered to those around her as she offered them a wide, warm smile.

[color=D0B4EC]"To wonderful company and a long life of prosperity for Lord Drake Edwards!"[/color] she declared, raising her glass high.

In her effort to quickly move past it all, she lifted the drink to her lips and began to sip. Caught up in her nerves and racing thoughts, she realized a moment too late that she had downed the entire glass in one go, gulping away. Eyes widening slightly, she lowered the empty glass and stared into it sheepishly. [/color]