[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OEh1rTU.png[/img][color=9AF781][h1]Lord Leo Smithwood[/h1]
Time: 6 pm
Location: Guest House; Dining Room
Interactions: Duke Lorenzo, delayer of meals[@FunnyGuy], Grand Vizier Hafiz
Mentions: Mayet[@13org], Auguste[@Inertia], Charlotte[@Princess][/color][/center]

[color=CBCBCB]Leo watched and tried to hide his disbelief, as two grown men argued about who got to sit in which chair. He could understand that the Duke wanted to be treated with respect at this dinner, but to push back this far was only going to harm Charlotte. He could understand that the Grand Vizier wanted to be respected as well, but to continue to provoke things, it almost seemed like the Grand Vizier [i]wanted[/i] to find any excuse he could to turn a minor mistake into a disaster. So now dinner was being delayed with a pissing contest over a chair and the food might be getting [i]cold[/i].

Leo could only imagine how much this had to be stressing Charlotte out, to have the table talking about her and her father and her father’s mistakes like this. He said nothing, he was not going to interrupt or argue with royalty, that was a clear no-win situation. He only smiled and nodded as Mayet offered a wise stance on what being nobility really meant. 

[color=9AF781]“Grand Visier, peace be upon you. To be near your brilliance is an honor.”[/color] Leo spoke as he stood from his seat and offered the traditional Alidasht bow to the Grand Vizier. Then he looked at Duke Lorenzo and offered the traditional Caesonian bow.  

[color=9AF781]“And Duke Vikena, I have been looking forward to sharing a meal with you, may I offer you my seat? Right here in the exquisite company of Prince Auguste, with an unobstructed view of so many radiant smiles,”[/color] he paused as he glanced at the Caesonian prince who could probably help reign in the duke for the rest of the meal, and towards the collection of faces both Alidasht and Caesonian so easily viewed from the middle of the table. His eyes lingered on Charlotte who was seated beside him for a moment then focused back on Duke Lorenzo. 

[color=9AF781]“And, most importantly, next to Lady Vikena. I can think of no better seat at any table for a father than beside his child.”[/color] Leo pulled out of his chair and gestured for Duke Lorenzo to take a new seat, hoping that Duke Lorenzo could let this go if only for Charlotte’s sake. It was the best he could do; offer the Duke a way to take the peaceful compromise without making it sound entirely like a loss.[/color]