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[img]https://i.imgur.com/fRRq4zL.png[/img]
[color=BBC7E1]Time:[/color] 5 → 5:45pm
[color=BBC7E1]Location:[/color] Vikena Estate
[color=BBC7E1]Mention:[/color][@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo
[color=BBC7E1]Attire:[/color][url=i.imgur.com/AbAdjzB.jpg]Dress[/url], [url=https://i.etsystatic.com/11992444/r/il/202edb/1547641752/il_570xN.1547641752_f5gx.jpg]Hair ribbon[/url] → [url=i.imgur.com/R0Bp8Cm.png]Bun[/url], [url=i.imgur.com/VLoLGta.png]Dress[/url], [url=https://i.etsystatic.com/12443370/r/il/453c4f/3928939420/il_1588xN.3928939420_tmsy.jpg]Gold haircomb[/url]
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The dark-haired girl in the white gown stood in Lorenzo’s room, her eyes fixated on the trio of objects laid out before her - a bullet, a flask, and a bottle. She reached for the bottle, cautiously unscrewing the cap and taking a whiff. The pungent herbal aroma of the gun reached her nostrils, and she recoiled slightly. Her gaze then turned to the flask of opium. She picked it up, studying it carefully, her mind swirling with concern. [color=BBC7E1] “Is he mixing these?”[/color] She whispered to herself in despair. As for the bullet, Charlotte could deduce that Count Fritz had discharged the pistol into the wall. She furrowed her brow, wondering why it had been loaded with only one bullet. Her anxiety surged as she heard the front doors of the house opening, and Nathaniel's voice echoed dimly in her ears. Time was running out.

With a sense of urgency, Charlotte approached the gun and retrieved the spent bullet, swiftly reloading it back into the chamber. Her eyes then fell upon the other two mysterious items in the room, the opium flask and the gin bottle. She racked her brain trying to figure out where they could have come from, but she had no time to dwell on it. Quickly, she moved over to the gun and took it back down, reloading the bullet inside. She mounted it back where it had been, her eyes thus falling on the other two items in question. 

The problem at hand was certainly that Charlotte had absolutely no idea where they had come from. Alas, she had no time to think about it. It was possible Lorenzo would simply think he misplaced it when he was drunk. Hurrying over, she picked the two items up in each hand.

[color=BBC7E1][i]Not under the bed. I doubt he’d leave it somewhere it could roll out into sight. I am not sure it would fit in the night table… The closet or the chest?[/i][/color]
 
Charlotte thought quickly, her eyes darting between her options. She decided to go for the closer option and picked up the two glass containers, placing them inside the chest and closing it quietly. As she rushed to her own bedroom, Charlotte pressed herself up against the door, her breathing heavy with a mix of adrenaline and apprehension. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to collect her thoughts amidst the chaos swirling in her mind.

[color=BBC7E1]"Prince Wulfric was right... About all of it," [/color] She whispered to herself, the weight of the situation sinking in. She knew she would have to confront Lorenzo, but doing so before the high-stakes dinner with the sultan was not the best timing. Charlotte let out a deep sigh. 

As time ticked on, the preparation process had been another whirlwind of rushing. She had initially picked out a sweet feminine lilac dress with a matching lace bow, but then Delilah intervened and steered her in a more mature direction. Charlotte soon found herself now staring at her reflection in the mirror, adorned in a stunning dark-red velvety dress with intricate gold details at the waist and cuffs. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places yet remained appropriate by all means. Her hair was styled up in a neat bun, with a few stray strands framing her face, adding a touch of softness to her regal appearance.

[color=7ea7d8]“Spitting image of your mother, my Lady.”[/color] Delilah's voice came from over her shoulder, a note of warmth in her tone. [color=7ea7d8] “She was perhaps a lot of things, but beautiful was one of them.”[/color]  Charlotte’s expression softened only slightly. 

Delilah had long noticed her unusual behavior over the past hour, ever since they had begun preparing. She had barely been speaking and had even wanted to get ready alone. Delilah insisted, of course, as dolling up Lottie was one of her favorite activities. 

[color=7ea7d8]“Oh, but it's missing something,”[/color] Delilah observed, moving behind Charlotte. Charlotte watched her reflection in the mirror with a perplexed look as Delilah worked on her hair. After a few moments, Delilah held up a hand-held mirror, and Charlotte saw that a subtle [url=https://i.etsystatic.com/12443370/r/il/453c4f/3928939420/il_1588xN.3928939420_tmsy.jpg]gold haircomb[/url] had been embedded into her bun. [color=7ea7d8]“...It was my mother’s,”[/color] 

At first, Charlotte started to smile, impressed by the beautiful hair ornament. However, her smile quickly faltered as a wave of mixed emotions washed over her. [color=BBC7E1]“Delilah... I can't wear this,”[/color] she said softly, her voice filled with conflict.

The blonde maid grinned at Charlotte's reflection in the mirror, her eyes gleaming with a hint of chaos. She suddenly gripped Charlotte's arms and gave her a small shake, eliciting a surprised laugh from Charlotte. [color=7ea7d8]“Yes, you can, you silly girl! And yes, you will! [i]I want you to,[/i]”[/color] Delilah exclaimed with determination.

Charlotte tried to turn around, but Delilah quickly turned her back, refusing to let her see what she was up to.  [color=7ea7d8] “Nope. Oneee mooore thing.”[/color] She informed her in a singsong voice and then moved to retrieve something off the dresser.  [color=7ea7d8] “This one was [i]your[/i] mother’s, right? ”[/color]  Delilah pulled a gold chain around her neck and clasped it. A small heart-shaped locket hung off it.   [color=7ea7d8] “Take her with you.”[/color]

Delilah rubbed Charlotte's arm affectionately as they both looked at her reflection in the mirror. [color=7ea7d8]“Now, you really look like her,”[/color] Delilah said with a smile. 

Charlotte touched the locket gently, her heart swelling with emotion.  She then gave her a small smile and nodded.  [color=BBC7E1] “… Thank you, Delilah.”[/color] She finally was able to spin and face the maid. She took her hands. [color=BBC7E1] “I’m grateful for you.”[/color]

Delilah wiped away her own tears and looked at Charlotte with concern. [color=7ea7d8]“And I for you, Lottie... Now, are you going to tell me what's wrong before those tears ruin my makeup?”[/color]

Charlotte's gaze averted as she struggled to find the right words. [color=BBC7E1]“I... I'm scared, Delilah,”[/color] she finally admitted, her voice betraying her vulnerability.

Delilah frowned and quickly brushed away the tears brimming in her eyes.  Delilah was struck by how much Charlotte sounded like the little girl who used to ask her to sit by her bedside after a nightmare; it was a tone she hadn't heard in a long time.

[color=7ea7d8] “Don’t be. You can handle this. I know my Lottie and she never gives up, ‘even in the face of danger’!”[/color] Delilah grinned at her and picked up a nearby book and wiggled it. [color=7ea7d8] “Finally read it. You’re right. It’s fun reading about female heroines for a change sometimes. Now hurry to meet your father before you’re late.”[/color]

Charlotte considered her words. Perhaps she had let her mind wander too negatively after a long day. It was a good thing she knew about Lorenzo after all, as now she could actually help him. Additionally, if they were going to get out of this dinner unscathed, she was going to need to bring all her focus. She nodded and smiled more genuinely this time.  [color=BBC7E1] “You’re right. I can handle this.”[/color] 

As Charlotte had moved out of her room and down the hall, Delilah called down, [color=7ea7d8] “Don’t forget to keep bringing pretty boys home for me to look at!”[/color][/color]