[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IvC7ksl.png[/img][/center]
[color=#D7CCC8][center]Written by [@Potter][/center][/color]
[color=gold][color=#D7CCC8]Location:[/color] Danrose Entrance Hall
[color=#D7CCC8]Interactions:[/color] [@Helo] Callum/Leo, [@ReusableSword] Roman, [@Rodiak] Nahir/Zarai, [@Silverpaw]Wulfric, [@Infinite Cosmos] Munir, [@Lava Alckon] Farim, [@princess] Queen Alibeth/King Edin/Princess Anastasia, [@Tae] Saiya [/color]
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[color=#D7CCC8]If the scenery before him couldn’t have become more idiotic, it had. He watched, one by one, the partygoers either began covering their tracks or flat out throwing one another under the bus. However, one person impressed him the most: his youngest and formidable niece. Mayet’s outburst delighted him. What a smart and ferocious young woman she had become. It was a shame she didn’t want the throne; she had the ferocity and her priorities straight regarding their kingdom. Still, he’d keep her in mind. He rolled his eyes when his brother motioned for her to calm down. With a quiet sigh, he gave her an approving nod with a grin in his eyes. 

Then, unfortunately, the youngest prince, Callum, spoke up, and his gaze flicked to him. The disappointment of the family was taking the blame. [color=gold][i]Fitting.[/i][/color] Hafiz sighed internally as he waited for the pitiful scene to dissolve. Fortunately, Duke Leo of the Varian kingdom spoke up next and was equally displeased by the result. Whether or not they were on good terms or not, he couldn’t decipher. His words were helpful, though; due to the discovery of some bumbling fool with a blonde cowlick had been named. The description did ring a bell, although. Despite his lack of attendance, he knew who it had been. He’d seen the good-for-nothing peasant dancing with Princess Anastasia yesterday. Hafiz’s cold gaze had rested upon each of them as they spoke while analyzing them. It was as if he could see through them to their core.

Hafiz was ready to interject when his [i]son[/i] - he shuddered at the thought - spoke up. He then inclined his head toward him to listen. As he rambled on, Hafiz felt his anger rising. Clenching his fists, he imagined pounding him to a pulp. How had he created such a [i]foolish[/i] son? The man was hopeless. Was he not furious with the treatment of their kingdom? He was as soft as his brother. It was an embarrassment to the old regime that, as royal guests, they would endure treatment like this. They had been humiliated as soon as they had walked into the door and now practically poisoned at a so-called party, and all Farim could think to do was smooth things over.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, he brought up [i]Esrin[/i]. 

He shifted his weight from foot to foot to try to contain it. [color=gold][i]How could that boy have my blood? I could rip him limb from limb! Does he not feel any shame? … The only beneficial thing that comes from you being my son is that you’re not Raif’s son… There will be punishment. For Farim and for these Caesonian bastards.[/i][/color]His head whipped to glare at his brother, disgusted with his calm countenance. 

As he readjusted his gaze away, Saiya crossed his mind. It was clear that Farim had been smoothing things over for her sake. She hadn’t remembered anything either, so what good was she? He knew she had been the one to escort him there and involve him in this mess.  He wanted to punish her, but it would invoke the wrath of the others. He hoped, despite his son’s wishes, that the Sultan would remove her head for her deed. She was as guilty as the servant boy Alibeth had presented after all. He would be out a spy, however, and quite the spy she was.

Suddenly, all hell broke loose when the Danrose daughter began her confession. Hafiz watched her break down and recognized the damage the girl had. It reminded him of…. His thoughts trailed away before he could finish that sentence. Her tears, panic, and then her rebelliousness made Hafiz want to choke her until she begged for mercy. He couldn’t [i]stand[/i] when people let themselves become an emotional mess. If it weren’t for the audience, he would have spoken to her and let her know what he thought. 

Unfortunately, the King of Caesonia spoke up and ushered her out. He blamed his youngest children and found it amusing how broken of a family they were. He noted it in the back of his mind while analyzing the situation. The eldest prince spoke again, and Hafiz felt his ears ringing with rage. Of course, nobody could remember! They had been practically POISONED! Hafiz let out a low growl, unable to fully contain it anymore. They wanted to investigate it? Was he SERIOUS? Did he truly think their family would feel reassured? They were incompetent! There had not been one hour while in Caesonia that something foul had not occurred! Hafiz stared icily back at Wulfric and gave no response or acceptance of his words.

Before he could begin, Mayet spoke up and gave his son a piece of her mind and he felt more pride swell inside of her. She was right on target and spoke the most sense. How was it nobody else was noticing that the Caesonia Kingdom was trying to make a mockery of them? He barely heard her sympathy for the princess.

Hafiz, however could no longer remain silent and, as such, finally began his tirade. [color=gold]"NO.”[/color] His voice came out low and cold as he marched forward. [color=gold]” We have been humiliated, our children poisoned, memories taken, and now we’re supposed to trust you? Do you realize how absurd that is? It was obvious that you were covering for your daughter and will continue to do so! Do you think your pretty words will reassure us that you are not trying to ruin our diplomacy? You have a lot of nerve asking for us just to wait and let you investigate. You were ready to throw the stable boy to his death to save your own skin! Unless…”[/color] He paused, and a calculated smile crossed his features.

[color=gold]“We will take the lead on the investigation and work with your people. Perhaps then we can start forgiving you for your insolence. I also demand that we be treated with more respect and hospitality during our stay. If one more thing happens to my family during our stay, we will not hesitate to take action.”[/color] He glared at them, his eyes moving across the crowd like a wild animal ready to pounce and tear them apart. He huffed as his breathing increased, and he scowled at them. [color=gold]” Your duke still needs to be punished for humiliating and injuring my family last night. My brother may be merciful… but I do not forget nor easily forgive my enemies.”[/color] [/color]