[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RdOdqDC.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/iKr5p7E.png[/img][/center]

[color=BF2236]Time:[/color] During the second dance
[color=6881CC]Mentions:[/color] [@Helo] Leo [@Tae] Thea [@Mole] Felix [@Rodiak] Nahir

[hr]

Valerie wrapped her arms around the blue-eyed duchess, her arms around her waist as the soft sound of the piano caressed their ears. The lovely brunette had her hair in a bun and wore a red dress that complimented her eyes ever so well. Yet no matter how well she looked, glares were cast in her direction. It had not taken long over the last year for rumors of what had happened to go from one kingdom to another. The ever opinionated Duke Feralt was difficult to forget. He had always made his appearance well known at every ball. His absence as well as the Duchess Emina's was a looming feeling that all the guests could feel in their bones, even a year later. Valerie, a lady-in-waiting who had been there in Duchess Alice's grief, was the victim of rumors. Valerie had heard the whispers all night long.

[color=fdc68a][i]"She murdered Duke Feralt to be with Duchess Alice."[/i][/color]

[color=f9ad81][right][i]"That Valerie does not even yearn for women I'm certain, she's just a power-hungry snake."[/i][/right][/color]

[color=f7976a][i]"Alice better keep watch over her offspring before Valerie kills them too."[/i][/color]

[color=BF2236]"Such a pretty little song. Are you certain you do not long to dance with me?"[/color] Valerie had asked softly in her ear, leaning her on Alice's shoulder.

Alice pulled a hand that was about her waist up to her lips to give the back of it a gentle kiss. She then held the hand close to her body as if it were the dearest thing in the world.[color=6881CC]"My love you know I'd dance with you as even the world crumbles beneath our feet... but I want tonight to be about my children. I want to see that they are happy tonight. "[/color]

 [color=BF2236]"Is that why we let Thea dress like that?... [i]Again[/i]?"[/color] Valerie comfortingly gripped the hand she held,  [color=BF2236]"You're an incredible mother, Alice, but I am afraid you can only let this go for so long. "[/color]

With a sigh, Alice shook her head, [color=6881CC]"I've been letting things go with the both of them. I had been possibly overbearing, controlling their every move and making sure they did not have even a hair out of place. But once Feralt disappeared... It feels as if I lost them too. I have dreams of them running away from me as I reach out. Further and further away..."[/color]Her voice cracked and her eyes brimmed with tears. Valerie hugged her close, [color=6881CC]"I thought maybe if I give them their space, go easier on them, that with time they'd heal but my sweet Thea just seems to drift more and more away every day."[/color]

[color=BF2236]"Thea..."[/color]Valerie breathed her name with sadness as her eyes fell on the beautiful yet underdressed woman as she danced with Prince Felix. She watched Alice's head turn in the same direction. [color=BF2236]"He'll be good for her, Alice. She just needs someone to fill the hole in her heart."[/color]

[color=6881CC]"...I know he would have loved the kind and gentle girl I raised, but I worry that he will misunderstand her current behavior and not see that girl."[/color]Alice told her wife, [color=6881CC]"With her fragile disposition of late, I dread what a heartbreak could do to her. "[/color]

[color=BF2236]"If Prince Felix does not see how wonderful Thea is, then maybe he is not worth his salt."[/color]Valerie gently took her shoulders and turned her around about by her shoulders to meet her gaze. She smirked at Alice, [color=BF2236]"Thea is stronger than you think and she is also stronger than she thinks. Like mother like daughter, you both have a fire within that cannot be put out so easily... She's going to be okay, Alice, you just need to reach out and...perhaps lay down some boundaries once again. She may be an adult now, but as long as she's under your roof, you have the right to set rules."[/color]

Alice looked over Valerie's shoulder at Thea. She seemed to actually be enjoying the dance with Felix more than she had expected. [color=6881CC]"But if what setting rules pushes her further away from me?"[/color]

[color=BF2236]"Give a little, take a little then. Set some guidelines and offer some freedoms. Everyone loves a compromise."[/color]

The Duchess exhaled her stress. [color=6881CC]"She has taken upon all the freedoms she practically could. I have no idea of what to offer her."[/color]Her tone became a bit of a groan. [color=6881CC]"I'll have to think on this."[/color]She turned about to the dance floor once again and let her eyes search for her son. 

[color=BF2236]"I will think on it as well. With my miraculous, one-of-kind brain, you have nothing to fret over."[/color] Valerie managed to get a giggle out of Alice with that one. 

[color=6881CC]"Look, there's Leo."[/color] Alice nodded her head in her son's direction, [color=6881CC]"He's with Lady Charlotte."[/color] If Thea had been hard to reach, Leo had been perhaps even harder. He had been cross with her for moving on after his father's disappearance and she could understand why. Still, her heart ached to have a relationship with her son again. 

Valerie looked the black-haired girl up and down for a moment, [color=BF2236]"That's the girl from earlier right? Daughter of Duke Lorenzo? I recall he had stood up to join her side to introduce himself."[/color] She nudged Alice,[color=BF2236]"The question beckons: is she worth her salt?"[/color]

[color=6881CC]"She was very close with both my children when they were all young. What a bundle of sunshine she was, always so polite and full of energy...Thea and her were certainly the golden girls. Then just as my children had when their father passed, she changed. Though she still spoke to my children from time to time up until a year ago, when her mother also passed away."[/color] Seeing confusion cross Valerie's face, Alice further explained, [color=6881CC]"Duke Lorenzo is her mother's second husband."[/color]

Valerie could not help but grimace, [color=BF2236]"Yikes. Does she have any siblings? Do not tell me that poor soul was left with only the company of that [i]Duke Lorenzo.[/i]."[/color] Alice nodded and Valerie sighed, [color=BF2236]"How bizarre children born into such wealth could live such tragic lives....I understand her backstory and all but still the question... Is she worth her salt...?"[/color] 

Alice glanced at Valerie and shrugged her shoulders, [color=6881CC]"After seeing how much my own children could change, I have no idea what kind of person that young woman is or if my son even is looking for a wife in her. All I know is that they are friends and despite her little display earlier, I might even prefer it be kept that way."[/color]

[color=BF2236]"...Really?"[/color]Valerie asked.

[color=6881CC]"I feel certain that Prince Felix will provide Thea with stability she needs. Leo also requires stability and..."[/color]Her voice lowered as she met Alice's eyes, [color=6881CC]"He requires power and opportunity. Charlotte cannot provide him that in her position. Her hands are tied until the Duke dies. However, he danced with a Shehzadi from the Alidasht earlier and that... That is more promising. Leo is similar to his father. He will be happier doing what benefits his status. "[/color]

Valerie was silent a moment before asking, leaning over and getting in Alice's face, [color=BF2236]"So is the Sheh-za-whatever worth her salt?"[/color] 

Alice pushed her face away with a laugh, [color=6881CC]"Stop with that already!"[/color]