[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/H0jWy99h.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray]
[color=slateblue]Time:[/color] Dinner Time
[color=F0E399]Location:[/color] Banquette
[color=slateblue]Mention:[/color] Victoria, Gideon, Clarence 
[color=F0E399]Interactions:[/color] Victoria, Gideon, Leo, Thea 
[color=slateblue]Appearance[/color]: Light blue gown with Silver accents


Catching his eye across the room, Ariella’s breath caught for just a moment. Cal blew her a cheeky kiss followed by an exaggerated wave. The familiar glint in his eyes clashed with his new persona, and the sight of him dressed differently, bearing Cal’s face but not his mannerisms, sent a ripple of confusion and amusement through her. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she let out a quiet laugh, one that she quickly masked behind her hand. He had just publicly called out her mother, no doubt in retaliation for her usual stuck-up attitude, and the boldness of it made her want to clap. Instead, she shifted in her chair, subtly smoothing her dress as she composed herself trying not to burst out laughing. 

“Yes. I also saw her come in—glowing like the sun through the trees,” Gideon said, his voice gentle, his eyes still fixed on his daughter.

Ariella turned toward him, catching the way he looked at her—like she was something extraordinary. Something cherished. Her heart softened.

[color=slateblue] “Thank you, Father,”[/color] she said, her voice quiet, touched with warmth.

“You look beautiful, little star,” he murmured, his tone thick with affection. “And quite honestly, I’m proud you didn’t fall. You had us all on the edge of our seats.”

Ariella laughed under her breath, the blush deepening slightly on her cheeks before beginning to fade. [color=slateblue] “I know!”[/color] she whispered back, her voice threaded with a bright, excited energy. [color=slateblue]  “It was rather slippery, and my foot gave out—honestly, it was embarrassing.”[/color]

From beside them, Victoria lifted her wine glass with practiced grace and took a slow sip. Without meeting Ariella’s eyes, she muttered beneath her breath, “We’ll be speaking after dessert. And you will wish you had fallen.”

The comment sliced through the pleasant warmth like ice through silk. Ariella’s smile faltered, her face twisting with a momentary flash of disgust. She turned her head toward her mother, gaze sharp and cold. This was the same woman who had stolen her memories, who had robbed her of choices and kept her under lock and key with nothing but veiled smiles and false kindness. A shadow passed through her eyes, something hard and old rising in her chest.

But then—her father’s voice again. Soft and grounding.

“Welcome, my dear. I missed you.”

The darkness in her expression flickered and faded. She leaned back into her chair, exhaling slowly, her arms crossing over her chest—not defensive, but gentle, like she was holding herself together.

[color=slateblue] “Thank you, Father,”[/color] she said again, her tone quieter, steadier this time. [color=slateblue]  “I’ve missed you as well.”[/color] She reached for her fork, idly picking at her plate, the food suddenly less important than the moment that lingered between them.

One spell. One spell and she could rip the venom from right under her mother’s nose. Her eyes fixated on Victoria with intensity as her mind concocted all sorts of delicious ways she could get back at her. Change her wine to poison? No that’s too simple… it would draw too much attention to the King and his wait staff.  A curse to make her shoes uncomfortable so she would walk around undignified and barefooted…Funny but not serious enough. Ari’s fork stabbed into some meat on her plate as she took small bites while her mind continued to plan. 

Her eyes glanced over to Callum who seemed to be enjoying his newfound confidence with his crown and smug expressions. Clarence was certainly making himself known. She envied his confidence. Turning her attention back to the table as Lord Leo spoke to her father, Ari reached for her glass of wine finishing the glass before she could even catch her breath. 

There was something far greater of punishment for Victoria, something that didn’t need a spell or a curse. 

[color=slateblue]"Forgive my mother,"[/color] she said smoothly, leaning forward across the table with casual grace her voice loud enough so the table could hear. She gestured toward Victoria with her empty wine glass, her serene smile painted perfectly across her lips—though it never quite reached her eyes. [color=slateblue] "She often mistakes cruelty for conversation. We're still working on that little habit."[/color]

As an attendant stepped in to refill her glass, she turned her gaze pointedly toward her mother, the fire behind her calm facade flickering just beneath the surface. [color=slateblue] "Honestly, Mother,"[/color] she continued, her tone light but laced with steel, [color=slateblue] "it's rather unbecoming for a lady to harbor so much hatred. One might even say... embarrassing, especially in front of the king. And under the Edwards name, no less."[/color]

She brought the glass to her lips and took a long, deliberate sip, the rich red wine staining her mouth like a secret. Then, with a soft exhale, she sank back into her chair, swirling the wine in her hand with an air of quiet defiance.[/color]