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

[color=9AF781]Time: Morning, 11 am
Location: Athletic Arena
Interactions: Mina [@Tae][/color]

[color=CBCBCB]Leo was caught off guard by Mina, and by her comment even more. He cringed momentarily before his jaw tightened as the words [i]or is it Duke Smithwood now,[/i] rattled around in his head. The immediate instinct to snap back and shout that his father was not dead, not until there was proof, still tried to claw its way out of him. But it had been over a year and every day it got a little bit harder to even hope there was a chance he was alive. Every time it was brought up, no matter how subtly, it cracked that delusional hope just a little bit more. 

[color=9AF781]“Lady Blackwood, your face is always a delight to see.”[/color] He spoke with a polite but hollow tone, bowed as was expected, and a polite smile twisted its way across his face. Leo took care to ensure nothing else beyond the image of a proper nobleman was seen. 

[color=9AF781]“Stravy remains in the capable hands of her Dutchess,”[/color] Leo said, purposefully acknowledging only the true Dutchess of Stravy as he spoke, [color=9AF781]“and after last night’s folly I’m more than sure my mother has pushed back any thoughts of retirement plans.”[/color] He forced a calm and friendly reply; this was not a bridge to burn over an imagined slight. He knew Mina enough to assume she wasn’t here to make light of his loss and he held no animosity towards House Blackwood. 

The issues between Leo and his mother were entirely personal, but in her duties as a Dutchess, he found very few faults and he was in no rush to be named a Duke. It felt far too soon to hold his father’s title and he wasn’t ready to accept it either. Going to late-night parties that draw ire from a foreign monarchy and nearly losing all composure with random servants was only proof that was true. His attention turned back to the execution as he thought about the other half of what Mina had said. He made no comment on the men who ended their lives before they could face the executioner’s justice, he figured his thoughts on that matter would be unwelcomed. 

[color=9AF781]“It is effective, for a while. All these people here to watch, get their fill of bloodshed, and they’ll all leave thankful it wasn’t them, thinking as long as they stay in line it won’t be them awaiting the executioner. Until it stops working and they will all look for a new way to satisfy a need for blood.”[/color] That was the way the cycle went; those in power used brutality to keep the order only to have everything fall apart beneath revolutions. Then came chaos and in that chaos, a new power rose up and the cycle began again. [color=9AF781]“Thank the gods Varian has moved beyond such displays.”[/color] He added with a smirk. He almost meant it but he was here all the same enjoying the spectacle of old-fashioned public execution. 

[color=9AF781]“This one already feels different, the man out there doesn’t look like a doomed man awaiting his fate. He looks like rage, like he still has something left to prove. Should be an interesting one.”[/color] Leo did little to hide his excitement as he spoke, they were both here to witness it, and he saw no reason to feign shame at that. [/color]