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

[color=DDB775]Time:[/color] 9am
[color=DDB775]Location:[/color] Entrance Hall
[color=DDB775]Interactions:[/color] [@Rodiak] Lady Zarai [@Helo] Callum/Leo
[color=DDB775]Mentions:[/color] [@Lava Alckon] Farim [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@13org] Mayet [/center]

[hr]

King Edin had been booming with pride for his prized son Wulfric as he took the focus momentarily. He had always pushed Wulfric to take control of situations as he was the future King. He needed the practice and to understand that the pressure would be all on him one day. However, his smile had fallen when he approached Callum and Anastasia. [color=DDB775][i]Good God, Wulfric. You know better than to let those idiots speak.[/i][/color]

However, he raised interesting questions. The night prior was an embarrassment. It did not reflect well on their kingdom. Not only were his royal offspring expected to be well-behaved and intelligent, but he was certain the Sultan felt the same and would also feel embarrassed by this outcome. 

To his surprise, the Sultan's daughter Mayet was the first to voice her displeasure. King Edin found this extremely distasteful that he would let a young woman speak for the family. The girl thought she was very important, and King Edin shot the Sultan a glance. Did he really not keep the women in line in his family? Surely they must know their place was to remain silent while the men speak first. To think this was the girl who danced with Wulfric sent a shudder down his spine. He wondered if Wulfric would feel humiliated to have such an outspoken creature at his side. Edin sure hoped so. In fact, he hadn't even bothered listening to her words, his gaze moving to the tiger as she spoke.  [color=DDB775][i]If Wulfric continues to choose her, that vile animal will be the first to go.[/i][/color]

King Edin whirled immediately at the sudden sound of Callum’s voice. He had been about to shout over him and silence him when he realized the boy was being a decent individual for once, being honest and owning up to his mistake.  He glanced his way as he finished talking and addressed the Sultan. [color=DDB775] “Yes, my son Callum, well, he hit his head hard as a child and is often a little slow with his decision-making. Harmless, but very unintelligent. It can’t be helped. Please let us know how Callum can make things right with, Your Majesty.”[/color]
However, the Sultan had said nothing to that and had simply nodded with an unreadable expression. Obviously, no one was going to blame Darryn, especially because Shehzadi Mayet pointed out how nonsensical the idea was. They were going to have to try a new angle. 

It was getting difficult to have a smooth back and forth as all had something to add. Lord Leo Smithwood felt the need to bring up a “pertinent” detail and refer to a man with a cowlick. King Edin leaned over in his chair to scrutinize Leo. [color=DDB775]”[i]Who?[/i] What cowlick man? Describe him with more detail.”[/color] He had read all about the cowlick man in the morning paper and knew whoever he was, he was bad news. Perhaps he had been to blame!  Again, before King Edin could have a productive conversation, somebody else started talking. With a incredulous look on his face, he turned his gaze on a young Alidasht man. The first thing he noticed as that Farim had a superior fashion sense, something King Edin could get behind. The next thing he caught on to was that this Farim guy was trying to keep the peace, which was helpful though boring. He wanted to end this situation so if anyone had any means to smooth it over, it was welcomed. 

[color=DDB775][i]Ugh. Another claims the stable boy’s innocence. Why does anyone care about him?[/i][/color]

The Sultan stepped forward, heat finding his way into his voice as he addressed those words. "There is something very concerning happening and we simply want the truth."He whirled on Farim. "I have not called for anyone's death so there is no need to guilt me with such. Yet it does seem this boy had a part to play in putting royal offspring in danger, and for that, he should face punishment for his crime. I will leave what punishment is seen fit up to Her Highness Queen Alibeth and King Edin. In order for my family to feel comfortable remaining here further, I demand candor." 

The Sultan suddenly moved forward and spoke, seemingly unhappy with Farim’s many statements so he clapped his hands and moved forward. [color=DDB775]”Yes! Eyewitnesses! I believe we need to ask the young here to describe just what happened leading up to this party. Everyone, we need to give the immensely merciful and kind Sultan the honest truth… Would anyone like to volunteer?”[/color]

As if on cue, a pretty young girl came forward and asked for the reconsideration of Darryn. King Edin looked down upon her. Though he firmly believed women should hold off on speaking unless asked to, he supposed he had called for it this time. Besides, she was well-spoken and polite. On top of that, she was familiar.[color=DDB775][i]Lady Zaroo. Zaraf. Zakai. Eh. Whatever. Noble from the Varian Kingdom. I should be kind to keep relations with them well. They must be tense with us as well after last night. [/i][/color] Nonetheless, King Edin gave her a smile, [color=DDB775] “Hello there. Your kindness is admirable. We’ll see what we can do about Derek over there… But first, please give your full statement of last night’s events… As much as you can remember.“[/color]

From there, King Edin thought things might run smoothly. This graceful Lady of the Varian Kingdom surely would be careful with her words. If she managed to impress him enough, he’d ensure she had a chance to convene with his sons later in the day. Perhaps they’d appreciate a woman like her. He certainly did.

That was when his absolute mental case of a daughter started talking. He had never encountered someone who could make a situation go so wrong ever so quickly. She was now taking the blame out of nowhere when no one had called for it. If only she had been so apologetic when she had drained the kingdom of funds and got some of his best knights killed.  When she had been born, he thought perhaps they had been blessed to have a beautiful daughter that they could easily one day marry off, but she never could learn her place. When nothing else had worked, he had resigned to ignoring her. It soothed him to do so normally, but she was currently making herself very difficult to ignore. Did she not realize implicating herself could very well make it seem as if the whole family was in on this catastrophe? As if he was!? He feared the Sultan questioned her motive, and she could not be trusted to have an intelligent answer. 

[color=DDB775][i]Good friends with the man who held the event? Don’t tell me she thinks she’s in love again…[/i][/color]

He was at a loss of words, uncertain if it would be worse to silence her. On the other hand, his wife seemed to be attempting to halt the girl. Anastasia only worsened things as she now had made it seem like they killed innocent people regularly without investigation, villainizing them to the Sultan. King Edin thought he might hurl. He thought he had undergone enough humiliation with Lorenzo’s antics, but now his own blood was ruining everything. She had to be removed from the premise.

King Edin laughed nervously and gave the Sultan an apologetic look.[color=DDB775] “I’m deeply apologetic, Your Majesty. You see, she’s quite young and has a bit of a lying problem. I cannot tell you how embarrassed I am…”[/color]He stood without hesitation, calling, [color=DDB775] “Guards! Escort her to her room!”[/color] The guards looked at each other in confusion, then glanced at Queen Alibeth for confirmation. Unfortunately, King Edin caught sight of this event and scowled in reaction. In an attempt to push past what had happened, he returned his gaze to Lady Zarai and gave her that friendly smile again.