[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vHlk0a2.png[/img][/center]

[color=9AF781]Time: Morning, 9:30am
Location: Outside Danrose Palace
Interactions: A potentially interesting servant, [@JJ Doe][/color]

[color=CBCBCB][color=9AF781][i]The labor union? Had that collection of thugs extended their reach into Caesonia as well? Out intimidating slow-witted workers into laziness while offering up ridiculous demands and fouling up productivity. Half the reason Varian trailed behind Caesonia to be sure.[/i][/color] Leo found that statement almost as amusing as the servant did, for entirely different reasons. There were things that came before Leo and his pride, and above all things; there was family, Stravy, and Varian herself. It would only help Varian in the long run if Caesonia was forced to deal with the same demands, even out the playing field between the two neighboring kingdoms. He would enjoy seeing Caesonia trail behind Varian one day, to see things more in line with how they ought to be. Certainly, labor unions were not what was behind this servant's wild behavior but, clearly, they were ideas she possessed an inkling of. 

The servant certainly seemed pleased with herself; an unhinged theatrical performance of laughter and mockery that showed no regard for her own safety. He could bring this entire situation to the attention of Caesonia’s royalty, he doubted it would end well for the servant, but what good would that do Leo? To whine before royalty about insults hurled by the insignificant as if they were valid wounds? No. That was weak, not becoming of a Duke, and when his time came he would not be a weak, sniveling, poor excuse for a Duke. 

This servant was a ticking time bomb that had hurled herself in the wrong direction. Bold and carrying around treacherous notions, a potentially dangerous combination, and that made this far more interesting than he’d first thought. Some problems required no further escalation, simply redirection. She could ramble on about her thoughts on his character and education, but from a lesser, her opinion on him mattered less than the muck she’d smeared onto his shoes. What he gained from this was the suspicion that these were opinions not of just him, but of all nobles, for the two of them were not acquainted enough for her to know much about him to make such claims. 

It was those final words that crossed the line, the mention of his mother’s scandalous marriage. An idea a servant only could’ve picked up from the whisperings of her betters within this very palace. He would show no dissension towards his mother’s poor choices, and Leo gave no indication of how much those words bothered him other than the slight redding of his ears and a brief flash of anger in his eyes. He shook his head, reminding himself that he did not need to escalate this, she understood none of it, and he would not acknowledge that comment. Instead, Leo offered his own intervention. 

[color=9AF781]“Here’s your problem; you resort to mud-slinging and a temper tantrum aimed in entirely the wrong direction. Your problems are Caesonian, and you lash out at a Varian? Why? What good does that do you? Have you been to Stravy, anywhere in Varian? I think you’d find even the ants have a better go of it there.”[/color] He dropped his voice to a calm, cold, whisper and stepped closer. He placed a hand upon the servant's shoulder, a subtle reminder that only of them was untouchable and this was not a conversation between equals. 

[color=9AF781]“Not moments ago it was [i]your sovereign[/i] offering up the death of another stable hand, who only drove his betters to a party. This has never been an executable offensive in Stravy, nor anywhere in Varian that I know of. You speak of my house when the house you serve has rot within its own foundation. If you wish to be treated with dignity, act as if you have it. If you want respect, demand it from your own masters first. You keep this up, and all your intentions and grievances will fall upon the wrong ears and your lot, it will not change. If you are angry and ambitious, channel that in the right direction, or my premonition for you is very a bleak one.”[/color] Leo removed his hand and shrugged. 

[color=9AF781]“Either way, my lot is set.”[/color] He smiled, as he always did when looking danger in the eye. If house Danrose could not even manage to keep their servants in line then they should be the ones dealing with the consequences of that. It would certainly liven the summer up to watch them forced to deal with the rebellious peasants they’ve allowed to run loose within their own castle. [/color]