[color=lightgray][h1][center][color=salmon]Duke Lorenzo Vikena[/color]
&
[color=0072bc]Count Calbert Damien[/color][/center][/h1]
[b]Location:[/b] Balcony
[b]Time:[/b] Dancie Time[hr]

Lorenzo had attempted to seek out Charlotte in the sea of people but the initiation of the first dance caused the duke to step aside and watch his stepdaughter drift further away from him.

[color=salmon]“Such poor timing.”[/color] He grumbled as he stopped advancing, so he wouldn't cause a mess equivalent to the one that occurred during his arrival. He took a few steps away while taking the moment to look around before he found something… until he found someone. Lorenzo's eyes again were locked onto Count Calbert Damien. His brow furrowed before he stepped off towards the man he considered a menace. 

[Color=salmon]“Count Damien! May I have a word?”[/color] Lorenzo didn't even bother to stop in front of Calbert and instead continued to the nearest vacant balcony. Like Calbert, Lorenzo had much to discuss. Calbert had met his eyes and smiled.

[color=0072bc]“Duke Vikena. Of course, you may.”[/color] He replied pleasantly and followed him out to the balcony. The night air was cool as he shut the doors behind them, the sound of the music dulling quickly. The bright light from the ball lit up the stone floor as he came to stand parallel to Lorenzo. His posture was very relaxed as he spoke first.

 [color=0072bc]“I hope you are faring well after all that transpired.”[/color] His long black hair billowed in the breeze as he took out a pipe and began to light it.

[color=salmon]“I- I am.”[/color] His simple and stuttered answer gave away his lack of confidence. [color=salmon]“You seem to be doing so…”[/color] he saw this as his chance to steer the conversation. [color=salmon]“...making your rounds, talking to many as a good count should… I saw you…”[/color] the duke cleared his throat as he faltered in his speech. It was pathetic. With a deep gulp, he wished were rich with wine, he continued. [color=salmon]“I caught- I mean, I saw you speaking to Lady Vikena earlier… What was that about?”[/color]
Count Calbert had allowed the amusement he felt to cross his expression as he smirked at the fumbling Duke. 

[color=0072bc]“Did you now? Are you certain?”[/color] He put the pipe to his lips and then exhaled smoke straight into Lorenzo’s face a moment later which caused the man to waft it from his face. Calbert's feet began to move as he began to pace around the nervous duke slowly, much the way a shark would its prey. Calbert set the pipe in Lorenzo’s palm firmly and suddenly as he was rounding towards his initial position. Lorenzo attempted to not look nervous but Calbert always gave him the feeling he could do anything to him. Eerily unpredictable. [color=0072bc]“You… aren’t mistaking someone else for me, are you?”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“I-”[/color] Lorenzo averted his gaze as he tried to think. [Color=salmon]“I am sure it was you. No one carries a presence like yours.”[/color] He gave a nod as he unconsciously fiddled with the pipe in his hands. It surprisingly eased his nerves.
Count Calbert nodded, accepting Lorenzo’s answer. 

[color=0072bc]“Yes. You’re quite right.”[/color] He watched him fiddle with the pipe and suddenly snatched it back, looming over Lorenzo and glaring into his eyes. [color=0072bc]“It was indeed I who spoke to her.”[/color] He finally confirmed. [color=0072bc]“I’m pleased you were sure. Men of our status should carry certainty with our thoughts and words, don’t you concede?”[/color] Lorenzo gulped and nodded. Not because he actually agreed. The duke hadn't even digested his words due to how menacing Calbert was. Nodding just made him feel safe from any wrath that could be inflicted upon him.

[color=0072bc]“I am also very sure about something, Lorenzo.”[/color] Calbert continued, his eyes narrowing. [color=0072bc]“I thought I told you that you’d only be attending events with my permission….I was very thorough in our prior conversations.”[/color]  Lorenzo flinched as Calbert tapped him on the forehead with the pipe.  [color=0072bc]“And you must recall I said something like this might happen. You could have been killed. Or worse… With all this in mind…”[/color] He stepped closer menacingly as his tone grew cold, [color=0072bc]“[i]Why did you attend this ball?[/i]”[/color] 

Where there should have been an answer was silence. The question that was so unreasonable, wasn’t. There had been an agreement. Informal, but an agreement with the devil need not be formal.  

[color=salmon]“I did it f-”[/color] He took a quick step back. [color=salmon]“I was just tired of being cooped up. A year… It’s been far too long.”[/color] His tone was almost a whine.

[color=0072bc]“You did it… for who?”[/color] The black-haired count leaned his face close to his, [color=0072bc]“For Charlotte?  For yourself?”[/color] He emitted a soft yet hollow chuckle, [color=0072bc]“Either one is an unfavorable answer. Considering both would mean you’re a self-absorbed imbecile. Charlotte was offered up like a lamb for slaughter, either because you forgot you came here for her sake and made an embarrassment of yourself… or … because you were [i]bored[/i].”[/color]

Calbert let his words sink in, giving him some space finally as he stepped back, [color=0072bc]“And what suitors will she now ever have now that she’s volunteered herself as essentially a concubine to the Sultan and his sons? The girl had no idea of what she was saying undoubtedly due to a lack of guidance on your part…We all know how it must have been interpreted.”[/color] Lorenzo couldn't look the count in the eyes as felt the immense shame weigh down on him. Lorenzo could take it if it was done to him, but anyone else…

[Color=salmon]“And Violet did better? Is that what you're inferring?”[/color] Lorenzo's timidness almost masked the insult. [Color=salmon]“I was… I was so sure Charlotte getting the attention of one of the Sultan's oldest sons might be a good sign.”[/color] He shook his head solemnly. [Color=salmon]“But I guess not…”[/color] His eyes finally met the counts with a tinge of fire in them. [color=salmon]“Who was that man she was with? Was he a prince? Maybe one that just simply escapes my memory, hm?”[/color] 

With a sigh, Calbert began shaking his head at the bold man. Did he truly dare to try and challenge him? [i]Fool.[/i] 

[color=0072bc]“Lorenzo, I do not mean my words to be cruel. I merely say them so that you think. Charlotte is in danger.  Her reputation is tarnished… All because she is willing to do anything to protect you.”[/color] He placed a hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder, face now displaying concern. He let go of the man and turned to look back at the dancing couples, silent for only a moment. Calbert finally gestured to his daughter once he caught sight of her dancing with Prince Callum. [color=0072bc]”Look at my Violet. She is dancing with a prince.”[/color] 

[color=0072bc]“Charlotte is a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul; she could easily win the heart of a prince.”[/color] He finally turned back to face Lorenzo. [color=0072bc]“How can she do that if you continue to be a black spot on her reputation?”[/color] Oddly enough his voice held a gentle tone to it. The man was a master at his craft and he secretly took pride in it.

[color=0072bc]“I’ll tell you what, I can help rebuild Charlotte’s reputation. I’ll take her under my wing, help her find a suitable match that will provide her with security and safety. King Edin respects me and he’ll listen to what I have to say on behalf of Charlotte. In order to ensure this, however, I need something in return from you.”[/color] He studied the man for a moment, trying to discern if he would be agreeable. From what he could tell, the duke was on the fence. Perhaps he shouldn’t have started off the way he had. Sugar after the salt wasn’t always the best approach.

[color=salmon]“I don’t know… She… She will be fine if I settle myself. I am not yearning for Charlotte to win the heart of a prince. I’m… I’m not like that. I just want her to do better than I did. I want someone who makes her look good. I want someone who will make Lottie happy.”[/color] His eyes watered as he spoke. [color=salmon]“I don’t know if you, the king, or even myself can find such a thing. Something that is truly beautiful… Love.”[/color] Count Calbert smiled at him, continuing softly. 

[color=0072bc]“One day she may be very well on her own without you. She needs a chance to find someone who can love her the way she deserves and I can very well provide that opportunity, set her up for dates with only the finest of men so they get a chance to know your little Lottie the way you do.”[/color] He then asked,  [color=0072bc]“Don’t you think it’s what Emina would have wanted? To know her daughter is well looked out for?”[/color] Lorenzo stood there, silent now and looking down and away. 

[Color=salmon]“I-I… I don't know. Only if she desires it. Just…”[/color] He took a deep breath. [Color=salmon]“Allow me to speak with my daughter, first.”[/color]

Calbert took a step back to allow him to go back inside, gesturing his arm to give him the right of way back inside, [color=0072bc]“Of course, my dear friend.”[/color] [/color]