[h1][center][color=BBC7E1]Charlotte[/color] & [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color][/center][/h1]
[center][color=salmon]Time:[/color] Early Evening
[color=BBC7E1]Location[/color]: Carriage outside the Vikena’s Sorian Estate → The Ballroom at the Castle[/center]
[hr]

Lorenzo alternated between a light jog and a brisk walk as he navigated the mansion of his large estate. Running was not an option because he would likely ruin his attire and hair with unwanted sweat. [Color=salmon]“Almost therrrre… just around this cornerrr!”[/color] Lorenzo uneasily cheered to himself as he pushed through the mansion doors and caught sight of a glorious straight-away path from his front entrance to the horse-drawn carriage. The desperate middle-aged man couldn't help but smile as he pumped his arms while he speed-walked in an effort to get a significant boost. He could see Nathaniel headed towards him which only told him that Charlotte was comfortably seated inside. [Color=salmon][I]I pray she did not have to wait long.[/I][/color] His desperate smile dropped at the thought.

[Color=limegreen]“Duke.”[/color] Nathaniel acknowledged with a nod. It would have been appropriate to inform him that Charlotte was inside but he was sure Lorenzo was aware. He was always last after all. Lorenzo returned the nod as he whizzed by.

[Color=salmon]“Lottie, I am…”[/color] He hopped climbed into the carriage, light beads of sweat on his forehead. [Color=salmon]“...here! I made it!”[/color] he was catching his breath as he scooched into his seat across from Charlotte. [Color=salmon]“Oh my… Lottie- Charlotte…”[/color] Charlotte was not the young girl he had met about a decade ago. [Color=salmon]“You look…”[/color] He fought back the tears in his eyes as he caught the resemblance with Emina. He now displayed a rare smile showcasing his pearly whites. The man could barely contain himself. He was just so proud but also saddened she was kept from these events for so long. [Color=salmon]“Absolutely stunning! Every flower in our garden might become green with envy, Charlotte. I mean it!”[/color] 

Charlotte had been seated in the carriage, her hands folded across her torso as she waited patiently, her grip on her upper arms tight. She perked up, glancing over to beam at her father as he took his place inside. She reached over to pull the door shut, then tapped her fingers on the back of the wall. The driver took the hint quite quickly, yanking the reins. The carriage started to shake with the movement as they began to traverse towards the castle.  Her expression softened at Lorenzo’s words. She could feel how proud he was and it warmed her heart. Though her parents had been loving in their own ways when they had been alive, she had always felt like nothing had been enough to ever make them proud. There had always been something more she could do, something else that could be criticized. With Lorenzo, to simply exist and be who she was was enough to light up his expression with pride and happiness.

She took his hand gently in hers and squeezed it, telling him, [color=BBC7E1]“Thank you, Lorenzo. Your kind heart is always a comfort. I know it’s not the traditional fashion but I do feel lovely in it.”[/color] After a pause, she gave him a slight smirk, [color=BBC7E1]” And look at you in this dapper attire. What a proper gentleman. You look marvelous! I do believe us Vikenas are making an entrance to remember.”[/color] She let go of his hand as a troubling thought crossed her brain. Charlotte moved her hand over to his wrist to lift his sleeve. She bent her head to get a good look, musing in a playful tone as she was half-joking with her words, [color=BBC7E1]“He’s not in there again, is he?”[/color] Lorenzo pulled his arm back, retaking his sleeve with a chuckle.

[color=salmon]“Of course NOT! I don’t think I’d ever even consider allowing King Danrose to lay an eye on Kier within the confines of our estate.”[/color] Lorenzo could recall the night as if it were yesterday. Other than the night of Emina’s death, it had been the worst night with the court he’d experienced as the Duke of Veirmont. [color=salmon]“However, you could probably use the company. He is far better company than- Nevermind… Let me not say. You may become friends with some of them after all.”[/color] Lorenzo briefly looked from one of the windows of the carriage. He hoped he and Charlotte wouldn’t be too late. 

Charlotte couldn’t help but giggle at Lorenzo’s answer, [color=BBC7E1]“Oh but Kier is darling company. I’d so like to let him wrap himself around my neck and bat away anyone who has something to say about it. He’s such a sweet little thing.”[/color] It was easier to speak in good regard over Kier the Ferret than to comment on the matter of [i]friends[/i]. It had been a long time since she had seen the small number of friends she did have. Certainly, they’d be at odds with her for not making enough effort besides the occasional letter she sent the Smithwoods’ way. She too averted her gaze to the window as they made their way.

Finally, after a half-hour trip, the carriage came to a halt in front of the grand castle of the Danroses. The coachman moved over to the door to escort the Vikenas down the step of the carriage. Those that were dilly-dallying outside the castle started to attempt to gossip in hushed voices over the surprise before them. Ladies cupped their hands over their mouths as they gasped and whispered. The Vikenas were actually making an appearance after all. 


[color=BBC7E1]“I suppose we remain renowned after all this time.”[/color] Charlotte commented as she stepped out. The crickets chirped in the ambiance of the night around them and the ambitious architecture of the Danrose’s castle remained the same as she remembered. Glancing at Lorenzo, she asked with a smile that juxtaposed how she felt, [color=BBC7E1]“Into the jungle?”[/color]

[color=salmon]“I suppose so.”[/color] Lorenzo commented as he stepped out of the carriage behind Charlotte. He pulled down on his jacket to straighten it out after sitting for so long. He tried to keep his eyes from those lingering outside of the castle, their attention to him and Charlotte being uncomfortable to give notice to. [color=salmon][i]Come on Lorenzo, be brave. Be confident. I am the Duke of Veirmont. I AM the Duke of Veirmont![/i][/color] Lorenzo raised his arm for Charlotte to take. He would not be discouraged by the riffraff, [color=salmon]“Lady Vikena?”[/color] He said with rare confidence. 

Charlotte took his arm without hesitation, [color=BBC7E1]“Duke Vikena.”[/color] She continued to smile at him and gave him some words of encouragement as she could imagine he must have felt as nervous as she felt deep down, [color=BBC7E1]“They’re going to love you once they get the chance to know the you that I know. You have a good head on your shoulders. Believe in yourself.”[/color] Her pleasant words made him beam. If he had felt ready for the ball before, he now felt as if he could conquer Eromora. With Charlotte’s faith in him, he couldn’t fail. As long as he kept her words in mind. [color=salmon][i]They’re going to love me. I just have to believe in myself. This is a new start. A triumphant beginning![/i][/color] 

[color=salmon]“You are right Charlotte. It’s time to show the world who Duke Lorenzo Vikena is.”[/color] The two entered the castle while following along the far-reaching green carpet. The vacant halls should have unsettled the duke. It was very apparent the two were late arrivals. However, Lorenzo did not let his tardiness faze him. [color=salmon][i]Fashionably late. Yes![/i][/color] As the two eventually approached the ballroom, Lorenzo noticed something. A good sign?

[color=salmon]“Charlotte, the grand entrance doors! They haven’t shut yet! Charlotte, do you know what this means?”[/color] Lorenzo smiled excitedly but didn’t give Charlotte a chance to answer. [color=salmon]“We’re not late after all! We made it [b]before[/b] the honorary guests have.”[/color] Lorenzo could almost jump and skip into the ballroom! The man would maintain his composure. He was doing so well already and a stroke of luck would only spare his image for being slightly tardy. There was a pep in his step that had been absent moments before and it was hard for Charlotte not to notice. The moment Charlotte and Lorenzo met the grand entrance doors, the smell of fragrant aromas nearly overpowered their senses but nothing could overtake the sight of the filled ballroom after an entire year away from it. To think Lorenzo used to despise this place, but now it would be his stage for a fresh start! 

To the duke, it appeared that King Danrose had cleverly hired a collection of different performers. Lorenzo wondered if King Danrose had finally decided to upscale the festivities or this was just to impress the Alidasht Kingdom. 

There was an unsettling silence in the ballroom as many eyes shifted attention from the Alidasht royalty to Lorenzo and Charlotte slowly walking through the grand entrance where the foreign kingdom had just made their entrance. The dancers slowed their movements in confusion as the unexpected duo interrupted their stage.

Charlotte paused and tugged at Lorenzo’s sleeve, suggesting quietly, [color=BBC7E1]“Umm maybe we should wait a few minutes to come in.”[/color] Anxiety built up inside her as she worried that Lorenzo wasn’t going to read the room quick enough. Clearly, they were walking where they weren’t supposed to. He shot her a pleasant smile. 

[color=salmon]“Worry not dear Charlotte.”[/color] He looked across the ballroom he would proudly navigate. He squeezed her hand gently and slowly pulled away from her. [color=salmon]“Go and mingle with the rest. I can do this. And thank you Charlotte.”[/color] He gave her a single nod as he felt more confident than ever. He could do this! [color=salmon][i]I am the Duke of Veirmont…[/i][/color] He took a deep breath and stepped forth. He was the center of attention now. Fashionably late and the center of attention.

Charlotte watched him go forward, trying to call his name in a hushed voice to object but it was to no avail. She cupped her face in her hands in distress then wove herself through those around her to a more polite position in the ballroom.

[color=salmon]“Greetings! Greetings! After an entire year's absence, The Duke of Veirmont, Lorenzo Vikena has arrived!”[/color] Lorenzo announced proudly as he walked past the performers and Alidasht servants flaunting valuable items. [color=salmon]“This! This is really a step up from the usual occasions, I must say! The Alidasht Kingdom will be quite pleased with you hiring so many performers! To dress these commoners in such flashy garb is… It’s quite incredible! Haha!”[/color] Lorenzo was finally making it closer to the chevron formation of royals. The Alidasht guards tensed as they found no comfort in some strange man being so close to the royal family. Lorenzo’s eyes spotted the exotic black tiger on the right side of the group and the cobra on the left. He was truly impressed and extremely excited. [color=salmon]“A tamer of large cats [i]and[/i] a snake charmer! Incredible!”[/color] He thought about how Charlotte was missing out on seeing everything this close up and turned around to catch where she had gone. He continued towards King Danrose and through the chevron formation but backward as he tried to find his precious daughter. He wanted to call her over or at least introduce her to King Danrose as it seemed that there was nothing to fear.

[color=goldenrod]“HEY!”[/color] One of the guards charged toward Lorenzo due to how close he was to Sultan Raif Kadir and Grand Vizier Hafiz Kadir’s palanquins. Lorenzo quickly turned and shifted his footing, accidentally tripping the guard who ran right into one of four men holding up the Grand Vizier’s palanquin. 
 
[color=salmon]“Excuse you!”[/color] The palanquin swayed as its holder, who was rammed into, lost his own footing and stumbled down. The Grand Vizier’s palanquin swayed left hard and fast into the Sultan’s to immediately tip to the left and topple over. Gasps were heard from all over the room. The Grand Vizier’s palanquin continued to sway with guards rushing in to save it from falling as well but they bumped and pushed each other in their desperate attempt. It was as if the palanquin swayed for minutes until the rear slammed down causing the Grand Vizier to slide backward off of it. The guards caught his seat, but the Grand Vizier tumbled over the back-rest of his seat and onto the ballroom floor. 

Lorenzo recoiled, finding the sight poor and embarrassing. He was just glad that it wasn’t him in those seats. [color=salmon][i]These lot will definitely not be hired for the next occasion… But perhaps for Charlotte’s next birthday. I will just do without the elevated chairs. Seems like a waste.[/i][/color] The guests were stunned silent and all were aghast. He skipped over a few of the fallen servants so he could advance to King Danrose’s throne. 

[color=salmon]“King Danrose! Your Duke of Veirmont is present for this special occasion. As always you look wiser each time I look upon you. And my queen, you are always a pleasure to look upon! You’ve aged like the finest of wines! A true delicacy indeed!”[/color] Lorenzo performed his customary bow before his king with the greatest pride. King Edin and everyone in the room had fallen silent. The music had halted. Finally, a voice rose from the other side of the room.


[center][sub][color=gold]“At least he didn’t bring the ferret!”[/color][/sub][/center]