[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YGxzxVR.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/28lFG0t.png[/img][/center]
[color=D0B4EC]Time:[/color] Evening 
[color=D0B4EC]Location:[/color] Castle Dining Hall
[color=D0B4EC]Attire:[/color] [url=i.imgur.com/ErZIgzY.jpeg[/url]Dress[/url], [url=i.imgur.com/2SBcciZ.png]Amulet[/url]
[color=D0B4EC]Interaction:[/color] [@Potter] Olivia [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [@Silverpaw] Wulfric
[color=D0B4EC]Mention:[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Alexander
[/color] 
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[color=lightgray]Charlotte dipped into a graceful curtsy, her fingers clutching at the maroon folds of her gown as she lowered herself before the majesty of the banquet hall. Her raven hair cascaded softly in loose waves around her shoulders and down her back as if ink had spilled upon her. Meanwhile, her gown had a midnight blue bodice, embellished with black lace and subtle gold detailing.  A trim of soft white lace kissed the edge of her neckline while the flowing crimson fabric of her skirts and off-the-shoulder sleeves pooled like wine around her in an almost haunting way—much like the turmoil she carried within.

As she rose, Charlotte's thoughts spun uncontrollably while her heart pounded like a distant drum in her chest. Though her posture remained poised, chin lifted as she took her seat, on the inside she felt practically ill she was so overwhelmed. The hum of conversation, the clink of crystal, the glow of candlelight—it all blurred together like a fevered dream. She felt watched… and worse, she didn’t know by whom.

[color=salmon]“Girls, it looks like I have a twin- No… We’re TRIPLETS!” [/color] Lorenzo's boisterous voice suddenly pierced the haze of her thoughts, accompanied by a playful nudge [color=salmon] “Prince Callum and uh… who is he, Charlotte?” [/color] Her gaze followed her stepfather’s gesture, and her jaw immediately tensed. Her heart skipped sharply, a flush of discomfort washing through her as she hesitated a beat before replying.

[color=D0B4EC]"...His name is Alexander."[/color] She informed Lorenzo, her voice even and sweet despite the faint tremor she pushed down deep inside. [color=D0B4EC]"Alexander Deacon. Vice President of the Black Rose Trading Company... ”[/color] Her gaze flickered ever so briefly across the table—just enough to acknowledge the man in question, but not long enough to invite his attention.  Her hand rose to tuck a curl behind her ear as she added,[color=D0B4EC]“And—so I’ve heard—recently appointed as royal advisor.”[/color] Her gaze quickly retreated, focusing intently upon the empty plate before her

Before Lorenzo could respond, the herald’s voice rang out once more: [color=gold]“Presenting the crown prince, His Royal Highness Wulfric Danrose!”[/color]  The sheer power of the announcement led Charlotte to lift her head back up. Her spine instinctively straightened as her eyes were drawn to the Prince. As he passed, she inclined her head and offered him a graceful curtsy from her seat.

[color=D0B4EC]“Your Highness,”[/color] she greeted, her tone demure yet sincere.  Once Wulfric passed and the room resumed its murmur, Charlotte's gaze drifted across the table piled high with delicacies and landed on Olivia.

She smiled gently at first, however, the longer the moment passed, the more melancholy seeped into her expression, her smile saddening.  There was a faraway glint behind her gaze, as if her mind had wandered somewhere her heart wasn’t ready to follow.

For a moment, she simply watched her, her hands still in her lap. Then, as if a decision had bloomed quietly inside her, Charlotte’s fingers reached for the clasp at the nape of her neck. The amulet slid into her palm and without a word, she stood from her seat. Her gown swayed as she stepped around the table, stopping behind Olivia’s chair like a whisper. [color=D0B4EC]“You look lovely, dear, ”[/color] Charlotte murmured, as her hand gently swept aside a lock of Olivia’s hair. [color=D0B4EC]“Truly radiant... But…”[/color] she tilted her head with a playful note and smiled once more, [color=D0B4EC]“Something’s missing.”[/color]

She then lifted the amulet around Olivia’s neck. The chain fell with a soft click against her skin as Charlotte fastened the clasp, then she gently adjusted Olivia’s hair once more with a tender touch.

[color=D0B4EC]“There,”[/color] she whispered, [color=D0B4EC]“just perfect.”[/color] Her voice softened even further as she leaned in, her words warm against her friend’s ear. [color=D0B4EC]“Keep it safe for me please? Just for tonight.”[/color] And though the smile she gave was sweet, her eyes held a solemnity that said she wasn't simply passing a necklace, but a prayer.[/color]