[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/clIHoiY.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3wGoS7n.png[/img] [h3][color=DDB775]Mentions:[/color] [@Inertia] Auguste [@Helo] Callum [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@mantou] Wystan [@Potter] Persephone [/h3][/center] [hr] [color=DDB775]"My God."[/color] King Edin was gripping the sides of his chair as he sat up to stare at his beloved, prized son Wulfric dance with one of their bodyguards. His expression betrayed his fury and disbelief. People were glancing with curiosity between him and Prince Wulfric. [color=DDB775]"I… can’t believe this… Who is responsible for this?!”[/color] He threw his hands up in the air in frustration. Queen Alibeth averted her gaze and leaned her chin in her hand to cover her mouth, her body subtly shaking with laughter. She did not dare let even a peep escape her lips. [color=DDB775]”He could have walked away. Why go forward with the mistake? Look! Everyone’s looking at them!”[/color] [color=CE944E]”You should not work yourself up dear. You remember what the doctor said about your blood pressure…”[/color]Alibeth’s voice came softly from his side, but she was still turned to face away from him. [color=DDB775]”Oh shut up.”[/color]King Edin grumbled angrily. His eyes narrowed on Wulfric, trying to catch his gaze. [color=DDB775]”He’s going to face consequences for this, Alibeth. Wulfric knows better than to embarrass me on a night like this. After what the moron Lorenzo did tonight. What do you suppose he’s even thinking?”[/color] [color=CE944E]”It’s a [i]dance[/i], darling. You are acting as if he is out there in his undergarments.”[/color]Alibeth said dryly. She glanced at King Edin finally, catching his angry gaze. [color=CE944E]”You remember who that is, right?”[/color] [color=DDB775]”Ugh… Mistman... Rooster... Roostan. Wutang. Whalestim…Woostin… “[/color] King Edin seemed to strain himself trying to recover the correct name, then snapped his fingers, [color=DDB775]“Yes, Woostin. Auguste’s bodyguard. Quite so. “[/color] King Edin said gruffly then shot daggers with his eyes at his wife, “ [color=DDB775]I certainly hope you do not think I’d ever forget a face or name. I am a highly intelligent man I’ll have you know. [i]I remember everything.[/i]”[/color] She forced a smile. [color=CE944E]”Simply brilliant.”[/color] She then continued before he started up again, [color=CE944E]”He is taking advantage of the situation to relay information to our son most likely. A strategic positioning. You will see later on that they will provide us a summary of their findings.”[/color]Alibeth this time narrowed her eyes at him, [color=CE944E]”Remember Edin…There may very well be more enemies than comrades in this ballroom tonight.”[/color] She did not stand up to Edin all too often, but when it came to her sons, she would sometimes push her luck. King Edin was silent. In fact, it did not seem he had even been listening. He was zoning in on someone else now. Alibeth sighed and followed his gaze to Auguste. He sneered after a few minutes, [color=DDB775]”[i]...What is that thing he’s with?[/i]”[/color] Alibeth rubbed her temples. [color=DDB775]”Auguste too! What insolence is this. I should those boys beat… This has to be purposeful. They are conspiring against me Alibeth- Having some sort of teenage rebellion in their twenties! Those bastards. After everything I did for them, all the help and kindness I gave them tonight… And they dare defy me. [i]Me![/i]”[/color] Alibeth hastily pointed at Callum, [color=CE944E]”Look. Callum is dancing with Lady Violet. Just as you suggested.”[/color] Edin visibly calmed down for a moment, peering at him. Then he said,[color=DDB775]”Eh. He’ll fuck it up, I’m sure…”[/color]His face twisted in disgust at the sight of Callum, [color=DDB775]”Fucking good for nothing little shit. That Callum. Ugh. To think my perfect Auguste and Wulfric would do this then Callum suddenly decides to do the right thing for once in his pathetic life..”[/color] King Edin was mumbling angrily now. It was barely audible to Queen Alibeth, but unfortunately she had to listen to it. He snapped his fingers again, [color=DDB775]”It’s a plot. This is all a clever rouse to make Callum look like he’s changed. Wulfric and Auguste have taken pity on him. They are trying to get in my good graces so I won’t notice Callum scurrying like the rat he is through a hole out of my castle tonight to some forsaken brothel! …Ohoho they thought their father to be a fool… No, no, no. King Edin is no fool… He is-”[/color] [color=CE944E]”Oh dear. Who is Anastasia twirling around the room with?[/color] Alibeth found herself genuinely concerned with her daughter but also wanted to change the subject. If she had to listen to him talk so awfully about their sons for one more minute… She shuddered to shake off her annoyance. [color=CE944E]” I worry for her. You know how fragile she can be and how easily trusting.”[/color] King Edin scrutinized Alibeth at first,[color=DDB775]”Huh. Who..? Oh. Yes. Anastasia…”[/color] He glanced over at her thoughtfully. The emotion fell from his expression and he fell silent, watching her and some funny-looking man twirl around as if they were a spinning top. Finally he said, [color=DDB775]”It’s fine... We’ll just say we don’t know her if anyone asks questions…The people forget about her all the time.”[/color] [color=CE944E]“For God’s sake, Edin, that is our daughter.”[/color] She looked at him incredulously. [color=CE944E]“Did you actually forget about her? Again?” [/color] [color=DDB775]”Noooo…”[/color]He drew off uncertainly, [color=DDB775]”Of course not. She’s my only daughter. How could I? Hmph. As you said she’s fragile, so chastising her could break her silly female mind. ”[/color] The dances finished after some time after that. King Edin kept grumbling on about his sons, but he was behaved for the moment. Though, it wasn’t long before King Edin was up in arms again. [color=DDB775]“Now Auguste is talking to the Vikena whore. He’s going to catch a disease! Someone go tell him to step back.”[/color] [color=CE944E][i]“Edin!”[/i][/color] Alibeth was a little shrill this time. [color=DDB775]”Oh please. We all heard her offer her ‘services’ to the Sultan…Hmph! She’s never offered me her services. Eager to please the Sultan but not-”[/color] He gasped suddenly, [color=DDB775]”That’s it. I know how to make myself look better against all this humiliation. I will call forth my concubines to come run their hands over me. Those Alidouche fuckers will see how beloved I am. The Sultan will seize up in jealousy!”[/color] He called over a servant and whispered in their ear. After a few moments, a few women in seductive gowns started moving to Edin’s side from the sides of the room. They were all over him, tickling under his chin and rubbing his arms as he chuckled in pleasure loudly. The whole ball needed to know how lucky he was. [color=DDB775]” Yes ladies! Come spend some quality time with your King! Haha!”[/color] [color=CE944E]”Kill me now.”[/color]Alibeth groaned to herself.