[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CUTniMd.png[/img]
[color=F0E399]Time:[/color] Morning 
[color=F0E399]Location:[/color] Edwards Estate Backyard
[color=F0E399]Interaction:[/color][@Helo] Callum, [@Lava Alckon] Drake [@TpartywithZombi] Ariella
[color=F0E399]Mention:[/color] [@Potter] Olivia [@JJ Doe] Fritz [@Funnyguy] Lorenzo [@Helo] Callum [@Lava Alckon] Farim
[hr][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMfIeDIcycE[/youtube]
[hr][/center]



[color=lightgray] Victoria snapped her fingers sharply, the sound cutting through the air like a command that couldn’t be ignored. In moments, two attendants hurried over, giant feathered fans in hand, and began fanning her with almost frantic devotion. Another servant fussed over her hair, ensuring every strand was impeccably in place. Her head barely moved, her posture regal as she surveyed the party like a queen on her throne.

[color=F0E399]"Honestly, Lily,"[/color] Victoria drawled, her eyes glued to the unfolding scene across the lawn. [color=F0E399]"Look at them—acting like they've forgotten they’re in public, fawning over each other like animals. Farim and the princess, no less. She’s practically using him as a cushion. What’s next? Is she going to ride him in front of us all?"[/color]

Countess Lily forced a nervous chuckle, nodding along with a tense smile. [color=teal]"Yes, Duchess. It’s... quite something."[/color]

Victoria let out a snarky laugh. [color=F0E399]"Him and Moonear or whatever—those princes."[/color] Her tone dripped with sarcasm. [color=F0E399]"They dress as if they've borrowed their clothes from peasants. Baggy and uninspired! Honestly, do they not realize they are [b]royalty[/b]?"[/color]

[color=teal]"And how is Ariella doing, Victoria?"[/color] Lily asked, eyes flicking nervously toward Victoria’s daughter.

Victoria’s gaze darkened instantly as her eyes followed Lily's. [color=F0E399]"How do you think she’s doing, Lily?"[/color] she retorted, frustration biting through her voice. [color=F0E399]"She’s obviously terrible."[/color] She pointed dramatically at Ariella, who was wiggling her toes barefoot. [color=F0E399]"Look at her—no shoes again! Of course, she’s decided to disgrace me at Drake’s party."[/color]

She huffed, crossing her arms. [color=F0E399]"Honestly, every damn time,"[/color] she muttered under her breath, finishing her cocktail as if that could erase the chaos she’d just unleashed.

Without missing a beat, Victoria cupped her hands around her mouth and barked across the lawn. [color=F0E399]"Ariella! Put your damn shoes on right now or so help me, I will come over there and smack you with one!"[/color] The party froze for a split second as her voice echoed through the garden, heads turning to witness the spectacle.

A servant approached then with a tray of sparkling cocktails, a tight, fake smile plastered on her face as she set one delicately in front of the Duchess. Victoria accepted the drink, lifting it slowly to her lips. [color=F0E399]"Mmm, delightful. At least someone here knows how to do their job."[/color] Her gaze slid over the rim of the glass to narrow at the girl. [color=F0E399]"I hope you aren’t expecting a thank you. Go away now."[/color] She rolled her eyes.

Her eyes slid to the next table, a cruel smile curling on her lips. [color=F0E399]"And would you look at that table?"[/color] she sneered. [color=F0E399]"Cassius, Lorenzo, Callum, and Charlotte—what an utterly predictable bunch. Downing drinks like common drunkards in a tavern. Have they never seen liquor before? It’s so... [b]undignified[/b]."[/color] She waved a hand, her cocktail shimmering as she took a delicate sip.

Her sharp gaze zeroed in on Callum, and she let out an almost bored laugh. [color=F0E399]"Should we even be surprised? Callum’s behavior never shocks me. He’s Edin’s worst mistake, after all. Living up to that legacy every day, isn’t he?"[/color] Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Victoria then flicked her eyes to Lorenzo, stifling a snicker. [color=F0E399]"And Vikena... in that ridiculous pale pink suit? Absurd. He looks like a child who wandered into his mother’s wardrobe. Pink! On him! It’s laughable."[/color]

Bored with them, her attention drifted back to the table with Anastasia and Farim. Her eyes locked on Count Fritz. She arched a brow, disdain evident. [color=F0E399]"And that one... the short one with the dark hair. What’s his name again? He’s so insignificant I can’t even bother to remember it. Why is he here? Practically invisible."[/color] She let out a soft laugh before her eyes landed on Olivia, radiant with ethereal beauty. [i]Not even one flaw on her face.[/i] The duchess’s jaw clenched involuntarily. [i][color=F0E399]"And who, pray tell, is that?"[/color][/i]

[color=teal][i]She talks way too much when she drinks.[/i][/color] Lily thought to herself, taking a steady breath before answering. [color=teal]"I don’t know who that girl is. I’ve seen her around the Vikena estate lately."[/color]

[color=F0E399]"Really! You usually know everyone."[/color] Victoria mused with interest, though her gaze remained narrowed in jealousy.

[color=teal]"She’s quite lovely, isn’t she?"[/color] Lily ventured.

Just then, Calbert rose from the table. [color=4C93C2]"Please excuse me, ladies."[/color] He left abruptly.

Victoria’s eyes stayed on Olivia even as Calbert walked away. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against her glass. [color=F0E399]"Lovely? That’s one word for it, I suppose,"[/color] she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. She took a languid sip, masking the jealousy bubbling beneath. Her smile toward Lily was sharp, devoid of warmth.

[color=F0E399]"And the Vikena estate, you say?"[/color] Her tone was dripping with fake curiosity. [color=F0E399]"Well, that explains everything. She could have been something—if only she wasn’t mixing with that lot. Even the most polished gems can end up in the gutter."[/color]

Lily's smile tightened, unsure what to say. [color=teal]"Yes... quite the pity,"[/color] she murmured, glancing toward Olivia, blissfully unaware of the venom being spat in her direction.

Victoria’s gaze darkened as she sipped her drink, the taste now bitter. [color=F0E399]"It’s like she thinks she’s [b]better[/b] than the rest of us, just sitting there with that face, as if she owns the room. It’s enough to make me sick."[/color]

The only thing that broke her deadly focus was her own son’s voice. Victoria snapped her fingers, halting the fanning and the servant fussing with her hair. Her eyes were glued to Drake as he prepared for his performance. A small, proud smile curled her lips—tinged, as usual, with self-importance. But as Drake continued speaking, she noticed the slight stumble in his movements, the slur in his words. He even ended up playing some awful song from the Vikena girl of all people. It quickly went downhill, ending with him tumbling off the stage in front of everyone.

A fire raged in Victoria’s eyes as she abruptly stood. Her perfectly styled dress rippled, and with a snap of her fingers, her attendants hurried to lift her skirts. She couldn’t sit by idly after this disaster—her son, falling like a [i]common buffoon[/i]! With her head held high, her features twisted in indignation, she stormed across the lawn toward Drake, her heels sinking into the grass but not slowing her determined pace.

As she reached him, her voice cut through the chatter like a blade. [i][color=F0E399]"Drake!"[/color][/i] she whisper-hissed, glaring down at him. [color=F0E399]"Do you have any idea how utterly embarrassing that was? Falling off the stage like a commoner who can’t hold his drink! My son, making a spectacle of himself at his own birthday party."[/color]

Her hands rested on her hips, venom dripping from her tone. [color=F0E399]"You are not some tavern drunkard, Drake. You are an Edwards. Get up and act normal!"[/color]

Before Drake could reply, her eyes flicked to Callum, who had been helping him to his feet. Without missing a beat, she sneered coldly. [color=F0E399]"Oh, look. I believe a flea just jumped out of your hair, Prince Callum Danrose. You might want to find a comb—though I doubt it’ll help with whatever’s going on there."[/color]

Victoria let out an exasperated sigh, smoothing her dress and waving her hand dismissively in Drake’s direction, forcing herself to maintain composure. With exaggerated grace, she climbed onto the stage, every step dripping with superiority. At the center, she flashed a tight, practiced smile, her voice oozing with false charm.

[color=F0E399]"Dear friends, please forgive the interruption,"[/color] she called out sweetly. [color=F0E399]"It seems my poor son, Drake, is feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing to worry about—just a minor spell of dizziness."[/color] She waved her hand dismissively and posed with a hand on her hip as if the entire backyard was admiring her. [color=F0E399]"I’m sure he’ll be back to his usual self in no time. Carry on!"[/color]

Victoria clapped her hands, her voice taking on a singsong tone. [color=F0E399]"Servants! Now would be a fabulous time to bring out more hors d'oeuvres, don’t you think?"[/color] she chirped, commanding beneath the sweetness. [color=F0E399]"And everyone, do help yourselves to the buffet! So much to enjoy!"[/color] Her voice rose with fake enthusiasm, teetering on desperation. She gave an exaggerated bow, performing for the crowd.

As she descended the stage, the tight smile remained. This party was supposed to showcase her family’s grace and superiority, and Drake’s stumble had nearly ruined it. But Victoria Edwards wasn’t about to let her family’s image falter. Not on her watch.[/color]