[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 [@Funnyguy] Lorenzo [@Helo] Callum [@PapaOso] Gideon [@CitrusArms] Stratya

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[color=lightgray] Victoria's eyes flared dangerously the moment Ariella opened her mouth, and any semblance of restraint snapped under the weight of the alcohol coursing through her veins. She tensely leaned in and began to whisper. [color=F0E399]"Oh, Ariella, [i]darling[/i],"[/color] she spat, her tone dripping with venomous sarcasm, [color=F0E399]"since when did you become the expert on decorum? You can't even keep your shoes on for more than an hour. I can't imagine how much [i]dirt[/i] is stuck under your nails."[/color] She laughed mockingly, her eyes flashing with fury as she took a step closer, her gaze burning through her daughter. 

[color=F0E399]"Honestly,"[/color] she continued, her tone scathing, [color=F0E399]"if you ever want to be anything in this society, you’ll stop making a fool of yourself and start acting more like [b]me[/b]. "[/color]

She let out an exasperated sigh, glaring down at her daughter before turning on her heel with a dramatic flourish, her head held high. [color=F0E399]"I don’t have time for this nonsense."[/color]

Victoria's lips subsequently thinned as Drake tried to smooth over the situation with humor. He did a fine enough job, but she was too annoyed to properly award him. She found herself irked as he tried to claim he could hold his liquor after showing clearly that was not in fact the case to most of the nobility in the city. [color=F0E399]"Five scotches for breakfast?"[/color] she echoed, [color=F0E399]"You're kidding me, right? You better not become some smelly alcoholic."[/color] Her gaze flicked to the crowd, irritation barely concealed.  [color=F0E399]"Fine, I’ll refrain from further yelling."[/color] 

However, not everyone wanted to refrain from yelling. A female voice suddenly cut through the air, [color=peru]“[b]Take off yerr shoes![/b]”[/color]

Victoria froze mid-step, her head slowly turning back towards Stratya, her eyes wide with confusion. The confident demeanor cracked for just a moment, giving way to a bewildered expression.

[color=F0E399]"What did you just say?"[/color] she asked. It took her a few seconds to process the outburst, and for once, she was speechless. [color=F0E399]"Take off my shoes?"[/color] she repeated, almost incredulously, as if the very suggestion were the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard.[color=F0E399]"[i]Who do you think you are?[/i]"[/color]

[b][color=salmon]“She won’t do it! It would be a crime Knight Captain! Victoria knows she has the stinkiest feet in the Kingdom! Trust me when I say it would be easier to bury your face in WEEK-OLD ROYAL CURD CHEESE left in the blistering heat than to be subjected to the hell of her removing her shoes!”[/color][/b]

Her head whipped toward Lorenzo, her eyes blazing with fury. Her lips parted to speak, however, the least important prince spoke up with empty threats and even dared to jump on insulting her foot odor! He'd pay for that! [i]They both would.[/i]

[color=Burlywood]“Victoria,”[/color] Gideon's voice intercepted her raging mind, [color=Burlywood]“Why don’t you come back and sit with Lily and I? We’re all supposed to be celebrating together.”[/color] He placed a hand on her arm, [color=Burlywood]“Today is about our children, about Drake. Let’s not give him and Ariella any more reason to feel ashamed. It’s not worth it. We’re better than this.”[/color] 

Her lips curled into a tight, icy smile that didn’t reach her eyes as Gideon spoke. Instead of replying, with all the elegance and poise of a practiced noblewoman, she lifted her glass, as if in a mock toast, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around the stem.

[color=F0E399]"Enjoy the party, Duke Vikena,"[/color] she said softly, her voice carrying just enough edge for him to know the sentiment was anything but kind. As she lowered her glass, her eyes remained fixed on him. She didn’t need to say anything more—her look alone was enough to make it clear. Lorenzo had just made an enemy, and Victoria Edwards was not a woman who forgot or forgave easily. 

With one last piercing stare that could cut through steel, she averted her gaze and addressed everyone, [color=F0E399]"For the record, I bathe daily and apply only the finest floral-scented lotions to my feet regularly. I receive pedicures every week from the best in the kingdom. If anyone doubts me, you're welcome to sniff my feet yourselves!"[/color] With a huff, retreated back to the table, her head held high. [/color]