[Color=silver]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HSVJtD7.png[/img]
[Color=gold][sub][u][url=https://youtu.be/RnKR66yaqdc?si=9fM5_NpZUQ6fUWvd]Lorexander Deakena[/url][/u][/sub][/color] [/center]
[Color=gold][b]Time:[/b][/color] [color=red][b]6 p.m.[/b][/color]
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Castle Dining Hall
[Color=gold][b]Attire:[/b][/color] [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1288647225571807274/1341215972287320154/remix-6b91c8ee-fee6-4534-8423-84a51496b106.png?ex=67d81ff6&is=67d6ce76&hm=a3f9916378ac693915b982cb0eced024d3d833f232375d29bb36598e047fe5fa&] Alexander's suit[/url] and [url=https://i.imgur.com/aqfNx2y.jpeg]Lorenzo’s fit[/url]
[Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] Callum Danrose, Wulfric “Royal Highness 🙄” Danrose, Lottie, Olivia, Alibeth Danrose, Edin Danrose, Kazumin, Fritz, 
[Color=gold][b]Mention:[/b][/color][hr] The animals in attendance

Queen Alibeth's criticism of Alexander's heavy-handed flattery had only served to provoke a slight and short-lived smirk. He kept his eyes on her in an attempt to read the regal woman but unlike others, she did not wear her emotions. She couldn't have been more different than her husband, and though on the surface the incapability appeared problematic, Alexander theorized it was in fact advantageous. It would be difficult to earn both their trust and both of their favor in a short time, and entertaining the whims of one could jeopardize a productive relationship with the other. Still, Alexander was fine with practicing patience, at least for the time being.

The couple expressed their thoughts on his offer, and he nodded affirmatively as he listened on, noting Alibeth's slight shift from identifying his ambitious nature to 

[color=a187be]“Offering to serve before proving you’re trustworthy is ambitious… Still… Caesonia does favor initiative. If you wish to take on responsibility, I trust you won’t fumble it. We’ll see what you're truly capable of soon enough.”[/color]

[Color=gold]“That is exactly what I intend to show you... And thank you for the demonstration of that subtlety you mentioned.”[/color] Alexander shot her a single nod before he finally raised his wine glass. He then took a humble sip of its deep red contents as more guests entered the dining hall.

Then, suddenly, Prince Wulfric’s words swiped at him, sharp and cutting.

[color=ab274f]“Firstly, the proper style of address for a prince is 'Royal Highness',”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Meanwhile, 'Grace' was historically used for monarchs but is now reserved for dukes,”[/color] 

[color=ab274f]“As a royal advisor, you must, at the very least, familiarize yourself with the basics.”[/color]

Any trace of Alexander's smugness vanished, leaving to only look upon Wulfric with an attentive gaze. He remained composed, despite a wave of heat course through his body. Edin flaunted, Alibeth kept a thick cold wall in front of her, and Wulfric… he might as well be swinging a longsword, except he didn't strike directly. It was as if he was simply displaying Alexander how lethal he [I]could[/I] be.

[Color=gold]“Apolog- No.  I will assure you of this, your Royal Highness.”[/color] Alexander’s gaze was without a blink as he watched the Prince eat between his given lesson.

[color=ab274f]“Secondly, I select all my servants with painstaking care, and you have yet to prove your worth.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“However, I suppose…I might be convinced...”[/color] The smirk from Wulfric forced him to avert his gaze… avert his true feelings. He just listened in, his sharp ears collecting Wulfric's every word.

[color=ab274f]“[i]If,[/i]”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“You bring me Marek Delronzo’s head.”[/color] 

Alexander was quick to return his gaze, a hint of a smile upon his face as Wulfric chuckled. He was on the cusp on joining in on the hysterics but that would only confuse the prince. It would incur too much thinking from the clever, and Alexander could not have that happen so soon. 

[Color=gold]“I’ll keep that desire in mind, your Royal Highness.”[/color] Sharing a smile, Alexander  delivered a nod before lightly tapping his temple. Wulfric proved himself to be formidable, but as much as Alexander wished to play such a dangerous game with the prince, his attention needed to be shifted elsewhere.

(Author’s note: Take that Silverpaw 😝. TAKE THAT!)

On the other end of the table, Lorenzo had been pondering some of what Charlotte had told him, even though something much more pressing plagued his thoughts as he glanced around the dining hall.

[I][color=D0B4EC]“Actually, Lorenzo, I am beginning to suspect that Alexander Deacon may not be the most good-hearted of gentlemen—”[/color][/I]

Lorenzo felt it was always the well-dressed ones that wound up being rotten apples, or perhaps he was just making that up so he could find an excuse to lump Wulfric in with Alexander. From where he sat, the two seemed like they could be good friends [color=salmon][I]By the gods! He made him laugh?! How the hell did he do thaaat?![/I][/color] Lorenzo stared their way longer than necessary before he replayed what Charlotte had said once more. He'd look away from now, and ignore the new friendship blossoming between them.


Unfortunately, that pulled his attention toward the pressing matter that plagued him. A malnourished bear, that pigeon from the theater, and an overweight dog. Lorenzo held a look of disgust but in truth he was extremely jealous that he had not brought Kier along. [Color=salmon][I]Damnit Nathaniel![/I][/color] His servant had urged and practically begged Lorenzo not to bring his ferret to this event specifically. He even mentioned that no one would dare bring their animal companions to an event where food would be the centerpiece!

[Color=salmon]“Ridiculous.”[/color] He commented as he shook his head before he continued to dig into his food. With more and more guests showing up, Lorenzo occasionally popped his head up to wave to acquaintances and friends while choosing not to even acknowledge those he did not like or was unfamiliar with. However, the back of Count Damien’s head received a good scowling from the Duke, not thinking about if anyone else witnessed it. Count Fritz managed to get a lively wave, since the man made an effort to wave first.

Things were going quite swimmingly, yet something was off. Charlotte and Olivia were too quiet for his comfort. Even when the talented puppet master showed up in his vibrant outfit that put even the Alidasht royalty to shame. Nothing. Not a peep.

[Color=salmon]“Lot-”[/color] She had already gotten up from her seat and beelined her way across the dining hall. He shot a look at Olivia with a raised eyebrow, silently asking her what was going on with his daughter. Naturally, his eyes shifted to Kazumin next. [Color=salmon]“That suit… I don't care what anyone thinks or says… [I]That[/I] gets my stamp of approval.”[/color] He nodded while considering him as a potential for courting Charlotte as a second option. Perhaps he could make her smile… unlike a certain someone. He glanced at Alexander once more, watching as the man conversed with those around him.

[Color=gold]“Lady Violet Damien. Beauty personified… and [I]Lord Roman Ravenwood[/I]. A true man’s man. You two make me feel even luckier about my assigned seating.”[/color] He showed off his pearly whites, smiling enthusiastically between the pair. [Color=gold]“The only person we're missing from the Art Gallery is Lady Vikena… A shame but we'll make due and- Oh! Lord Ravenwood, if you desire it, perhaps one of you could swap seats with myself. You two seem to be seated a space too far from each other. Then again, the powers that be…”[/color] He subtly nodded his head to his right. [Color=gold]“Might not allow that. Good thing it's just me. You can consider me harmless, right Violet?”[/color]


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