Time: 9:30am
Location: Damien Estate
When Roman had announced who he was, the guard had opened the gate without hesitation for him to enter. When his back was turned, the guard nodded to another standing by one of the front windows of the estate. If one were to look closely, the window was open. The guard by the estate turned around to face the window. Roman would notice the home was unusually well protected. The fence was huge, and there was an abnormal amount of men with weapons positioned all over the place.
As soon as Roman had been about to knock, the doors swung open, and Count Calbert Damien stood before him, glancing up at the huge man unflinching. His blue eyes lit up, and he smiled.
”Lord Ravenwood!” He opened his arms as he greeted him, his tone warm,
“What a pleasant surprise. Please… Come in.” With a step to the side, he allowed room for entry.
The first thing Roman noticed was the metalworking of the gate and fence around the estate as he walked to the door. It was actually rather well made, and in some spots, spiked metal fences were sharpened at the top and the gate itself was reinforced. After a brief proof of credentials, he was let in, the brief movements from windows and the shadows of the building showed just how well protected this place was.
“Paranoia, perhaps lots of enemies, what did she say? Her family deals in secrets. So spy’s… best to keep my wits about me here” these thoughts were interrupted when the door swung open to reveal Count Calbert Damien with a rather chipper response to him. Roman nodded with a smile and stepped inside, his brow furrowing for a moment but his gaze lightened as he was able to admire the architecture of the entryway.
“Hello, Count Calbert Damien. It is a pleasure to meet you, Violet had nothing but good things to say about you and your family last night.”Slight flattery to show the other man that he was also in a good mood and thought well of them and their family. Anything to butter up a possible business partner and maybe just maybe a future family member. He could only wonder as to where Violet might be off too.
The flattery was welcomed; hearing that his daughter had said nothing but good things about them only caused his chest to tighten and his throat to constrict. Tears threatened, but he didn’t allow them to show and instead reinforced his expression with a genuine jovial smile. Nobody could find out, not yet… especially not dear Crystal, who had braved the ball yesterday. He took a deep breath, reminded himself of his remaining daughter, and nodded his appreciation.
“Thank you for your kind words, Lord Roman. Please, right this way.” Calbert replied and led him to a tea room. His walk was brisk and his tone pleasant. There, he gestured for Roman to sit down in a blue-cushioned chair. Everything around them seemed to be in cooler color shades and perhaps uncomfortably clean to some. The marble floors seemed almost reflective in nature, and most rooms had high ceilings.
A maid had followed them in with her head down. He nodded to her to begin serving them tea as he awaited Roman to take a seat. He wanted to make this quick and easy. He had Kazumin to deal with later, plus the grief of losing Violet to deal with on his own.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Roman walked slowly with purpose as he was here for a reason but not to intimidate, still even with this mindset he found himself looking at the artwork, building design, and even the polished floors. Everything is very neat and orderly, not so much a stark comparison to his own home in Emberstone but definitely different. Whoever made this definitely would have a challenge in the northern parts of the Varian kingdom.
Taking his seat across from the count with a smile and adjusted himself. Roman always found that his choice of clothes were always, as some of the other nobles have called it, of a lower class. Today he looked like more of a wealthy merchant than nobility. This was just fine with him as he wasn't showing off one of his weapons or a set of armor but jewelry. Simple yet complex, not unappealing or large and bulky but streamline and symmetrical. The small Ravenwood crest etched into the various metals making up his rings that rolled across his index middle and ring fingers on both hands.
With a quick thank you to the maid for pouring his tea he picked up the cup and took a sip.
“I'm not one to beat around the bush but I would like to say that you have done a marvelous job at raising both of your daughters. So first off, I would like to apologize for any trouble that I may have caused last night. I can assure you the rumors in that newspaper floating around are false. I am a man of honor, and to do something or allow something like what they said to happen would put a mark on that honor. I was simply admiring her beautiful scars.”He took another sip of his tea before continuing.
“So the reason for my visit. I found myself very much intrigued by Violet during the dance, and I believe that my feelings were reciprocated by Violet. So I am here to officially request your permission to court your daughter and see where that road takes us.”He finished with a smile and hoped he did not over or underdo his simultaneous apology and request to the man. Either way, this would be a good spot to learn how to gauge the count.
“Ah.” Calbert had been silently sipping his tea as Roman spoke, not uttering that final word until he had finished. He had usually had a good gauge on if someone was lying, and he felt Roman was an honest man if anything. It was completely inappropriate for Violet to have shown him her scars in such a manner, but he was glad it was not as lewd as the rumors had made it out to be. He had quite a few thoughts and concerns about the fellow already, especially with what had happened. However, he knew at this moment that the two of them were both at the loss of Violet Damien.
Perhaps considered a talent, Calbert was careful to keep a juxtaposition between his thoughts and outer expressions. He met Roman’s gaze and allowed a little of his emotion through as he smiled sadly.
”You seem like a good and traditional man, Lord Ravenwood… Though I’m afraid I have disappointing news.” He let out a sigh and covered his mouth. The body language of one with regret and something they did not want to have to tell another.
“ Lady Violet left with her mother early this morning to return to our hometown. She’s been getting into some troubles lately and, unfortunately, did not feel ready for a courting season quite yet. If you can understand, it is not my business to elaborate on, but I do feel this was all overwhelming for her and too soon.”He raised his gaze and met his eyes with a comforting smile,
“I am terribly sorry you came all this way. Please do not let this hinder your season here as it will be an undefinable amount of time before Violet is ready for such an adventure…” Calbert’s expression contorted with worry as if he had just been remembering an important fact, mumbling to himself in a manner that was still audible to Roman yet as if he had not meant to say it out loud,
“Not to mention the gentleman back in Montauppe she’s so enamored with…”Roman remained stoic as the count spoke, occasionally sipping his tea and giving the man a more somber smile when he finished. Due to his early teenage years of working the forge and industry and not wearing hearing protection, some mumbled words escape his grasp. If he remembered correctly, he said something along the lines of ‘i'm young I don't need protection for that’ it seems his sister had the same attitude when she was young as well now he's an uncle.
So the last few things he mumbled he had to strain to hear, yet all he picked up was ‘gentleman’ and ‘enamored’. Well, he was a gentleman and she did seem quite enamored with him, so if they can't be lovers, then maybe friends. Still, something tugged at the back of his mind, this didn't feel quite right. Either the man was extremely more protective and corrective of his daughters than he initially thought or something else. He needed more information but he did not believe that right now was the time for more questions.
“I see, that is unfortunate, but I will not stand in your way of whatever decision is best for your family. I hope I did not waste too much of your time.”Placing the teacup down on the plate, he gave a polite nod.
“I do hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”"Likewise." 
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