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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3EdPgr4.png[/img][/center]
[Color=salmon][b]Time:[/b][/color] Evening
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Caesonia Ballroom
[color=salmon][b]Interactions:[/b][/color] Sultan Raif Kadir, Mayet [@13org], Charlotte [@princess], "Fritz" [@JJ Doe]
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It felt like the weight of the world pressed against Lorenzo’s back. He couldn’t dream of raising himself from the floor. Not now. Now when he and his daughter could be sentenced to death by the king who ventured across the wide sea. Perhaps if he allowed all of the tears to leave him, he might be able to face the Sultan, maybe even with pride…  Even, he knew deep down that was impossible. Right now, he just wanted to disappear. Vanish from the ballroom. Vanish from the world. But…

The supple embrace against his body reminded him why he couldn't allow that, even if it were possible. [color=salmon][i]Lottie...[/i][/color] He couldn’t leave her, especially when she expressed her perseverance. She had faith in him that he didn’t have for himself. The young woman didn’t deserve him. Not as a father. To be tied to someone so awful was a curse, and it had not even been by blood! 

[color=salmon][i]If I died today, would she have a better life? Sure she would be sad at the start but in time… in time she would grow and blossom without an ugly black thorn protruding from her stem. A thorn that would leave untouched and unwanted. Perhaps dying in this court won’t be so bad. Maybe, just maybe my suffering would finally come to an end. I only hope it is a swift honorable Sultan. I only hope that there isn’t too much blood. That there aren’t too many tears. That… I don’t embarrass my precious Charlotte any further.[/i][/color] He balled his hands into fists, awaiting the Sultan’s verdict.

[color=CFA36D]“Duke Lorenzo, you have humiliated myself and my family. This is something we do not take lightly and if this were in my court things would be ending very differently. We are not, however, so I must honor the court we are in. That being said, this is the judgment I pass on to you. While my family resides here in Caesonia, you shall come to the castle once a week…”[/color] His stern face transformed into a small smile as he knew his next words would be unexpected. [color=CFA36D]“And you shall have dinner with my family and I.”[/color]

Lorenzo heaved a deep exhale as he had been holding his breath while hanging onto every single word the Sultan said. [color=salmon][i]Dinner… Dinner?[/i][/color] Lorenzo’s head craned up with a bewildered expression, his face and eyes still red from his sobbing. He didn’t know what to think about this. He wondered if the Sultan Raif Kadir was deceiving him before giving the true punishment but nothing else followed. 

[color=salmon]“Th-thank you, Sultan. I-I am honored. You shall… You shall not regret this.”[/color] He sobbed once more in gratitude before hearing the voice of the woman who had berated him the most after the horrific incident he had caused.

[color=d3c28b]"Dignity and pride aren't things that are given to you, nor they are something that you are born with and can't be lost or taken away. They are things one must earn and conquer. Both with their words and their actions."[/color] Lorenzo was afraid of this woman, yet he found her words to be constructive rather than destructive to him. Why was she giving him this? Why were these people sparing him?

[color=d3c28b]"Raise your head. Understand and accept your mistakes and face the consequences for them with dignity and pride. Nobody will ever respect you, Duke Vikena, if you don't learn to respect yourself first. I don't want to see such a pathetic sight again, are we clear?"[/color] 

[color=salmon][i]Her words… Harsh, but so familiar. Haunting almost.[/i][/color] Looked up as demanded, hoping to see the face of his late wife Emina, but instead caught sight of the bronze-skinned young woman that had been so harsh to him. He remained silent in her presence. He owed the woman that after the awfulness he had caused. He knew the woman was hurt by his actions, even if she reacted with such ire. It was the product of her feelings, and he would respect that. 

[color=d3c28b]"With that said, regardless of this 'punishment' that was decided for you..."[/color] She walked closer to him until she was just a few steps away from him. [color=d3c28b]"There won't be a second time, Duke Vikena. You should be [i]very[/i] mindful of your words around me and my siblings..."[/color] She said, looking directly into his eyes before she turned away. She would never know it, but he gave an assuring nod to her backside. If Lorenzo sought to keep his head, he’d have to do more than believe he was a better man… he’d have to [b]be[/b] a better man. How could he accomplish what a year’s absence from the royal court could not?

[color=9354FF]"If I may be candid, Your Grace, it may be in your best interest to wash up a little."[/color] The gentle voice of Count Hendrix was accompanied by a handkerchief of the purest white. He blinked up at the count for a moment, surprised by the man’s kindness. 

[color=salmon]“Charlotte…”[/color] His voice was but a whisper. [color=salmon]“Charlotte.”[/color] His volume was raised now. [color=salmon]“Thank you. I will be fine… We will be fine.”[/color] He turned his head to his daughter with a forced smile on his red tear-filled face. He then turned his head towards Count Hendrix once more and grasped the handkerchief with a nod. [color=salmon]“Thank you. I-I needed this.”[/color] He said just before wiping his cheeks and nose with the cloth. As he did so, he proceeded to pick himself up from the marble floor. [color=salmon]“I can have this cleaned off if you’d like.”[/color] Lorenzo offered as he held the used handkerchief up. His face still showed defeat, but it was dreary now thanks to the count, Charlotte, the Sultan, and even his ferocious daughter, Mayet.

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