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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3EdPgr4.png[/img][/center]
[center][url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/944424394804068392/1098811789078171698/httpswww.png]Red Duke Redemption[/url][/center]
[Color=salmon][b]Time:[/b][/color] 6 p.m.
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Guest House
[Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] [@princess] Hafiz, Raif, Charlotte, [@Lava Alckon] Farim, [@Potter] Layla, [@13org] Mayet, [@Rodiak] Nahir, [@infinite cosmos] Munir, [@Helo] Leo, [@Tpartywithzombi] Ariella, [@JJ Doe] Riona, and [@Inertia] Auguste.
[Color=salmon][b]Mention:[/b][/color] [@SausagePat] Ruby[hr]

[color=904342]“Why should he not sit there, uncle? Duke Vikena is the reason why we are gathered here, to enjoy each other’s company and learn from one another– Duke, please take a seat. I beseech you to forget his rude words. The Grand Vizier may have skipped breakfast after all.”[/color]

[color=salmon][i]Skipped breakfast?! I lost my breakfast! I lost my waffles! That’s no excuse…[/i][/color]

[color=F4BC5E]“Leaving so soon? Like a dog running with its tail tucked between its legs? What kind of example is that for Charlotte? You have shown us that not only are you a bumbling fool, but a coward at that. What a pity. Heed my Uncle’s words and give him his chair. He has well earned his spot; meanwhile, you should earn our respect after what you have done. You are also holding up our dinner and we could use a taste of Alidasht after the disaster you have bestowed.”[/color]

[color=salmon][i]And still they throw insults at me, the Duke of Veirmont. And that snake… with that bowtie…[/i][/color]

[color=d3c28b]"Remember why exactly you are here tonight. Recognize and accept your mistakes and face them with the respect and dignity of a noble of your position. If not for yourself, do it for your daughter. Lady Charlotte does not deserve to be punished for her father's words and actions any further than she already have."[/color]

[color=d3c28b]"If you truly want to become the noble and the man you wish to be, the father your daughter deserves then you need to remember one thing... Change does not come without a great deal of effort and persistence."[/color]

[color=salmon][i]Respect and dignity? Punished? Persistence? What… What is this tiny girl even rambling about?![/i][/color]

[color=9AF781]“...I can think of no better seat at any table for a father than beside his child.”[/color]

[color=salmon][i]Absolutely not! The head is the best seat, and I sat here first as the [b]guest of honor[/b][/i][/color]

[color=BBC7E1]“I… I am proud of my stepfather, and I do not want nor require anyone's pity,”[/color] 

[color=BBC7E1]“And I do not wish to see him disrespected.”[/color]

[color=salmon][i]Lottie, there’s no need to worry about me… I don’t deserve it but thank you, my beloved daughter.[/i][/color]

With everything said, Lorenzo had been prepared to leave. At least that is what he truly wanted. An escape from this hellish den of a dining room. Seated amongst devilish creatures that held their heads up so high their noses could graze the unblemished feet of the gods. It was almost like last night except Lorenzo felt he had better footing this time. He wouldn’t be on the floor crying and begging for forgiveness. Amongst devils, he had others on his side, and that was what steeled him for once in so long. Had it been years since Lorenzo didn’t have the entire room pointing at him with enmity in their hearts? Even so, the duke would not let himself be belittled here. To win this night, Lorenzo had to use the small advantage he had now. 

Unfortunately, Lorenzo was too daft to recognize any of this…

All the man knew was that he was in a difficult predicament. Emina had taught him that sometimes it was best to leave replies in the mind, which is the smartest thing he did at this moment. Coincidentally, he was not the only one in the altercation that remained silent. All eyes were on the head of the table and Hafiz who had been quiet all this time finally spoke. 

Hafiz doubled down on how he addressed him and no matter how much he decorated it with fancy explanations, Lorenzo hung on the word. [i]Fool[/i]. And the vizier had said it right after Charlotte expressed her desire not to see him disrespected. Lorenzo didn’t know if Hafiz was instigating him to do something that would ruin this evening but the way the vizier stepped forward to blind with his shining headdress made it feel that way. Bringing up the ball again was a low blow that Lorenzo was already getting tired of. It was the entire reason he was here after all. Attending this dinner was his atonement. [i]This[/i] was his atonement.

Lorenzo curled his toes in his shoes so he wouldn’t openly display his rising temper.

And then he said it again… With a smirk no less. The glance at Charlotte hadn’t even registered. All he witnessed was a smug Alidasht vizier calling him a fool for the third time tonight. It mattered little that Hafiz let him keep the chair now. [color=salmon][i]That smirk! THAT DAMNED SMIRK! ARE YOU CALBERT IN THE FORM OF AN ALIDASHT?! ARE YOU CALBERT DAMMIT?![/i][/color]

Lorenzo couldn’t help it! He glared at Hafiz with fire in his eyes as if he could will the man into oblivion! And then with a heavy exhale… He relaxed, shifted his posture so he was facing forward, and placed the napkin in front of him on his lap. He took ahold of himself before he sprung off the ledge. Perhaps if it weren’t for the little bit of gin, he may have. Then again, maybe it was the alcohol itself that was making his blood boil in such a situation.

[color=salmon]“Thank you, Hafiz. I see now why you are the [i]vizier[/i]. And knowing that, I think I know why you wanted this seat so badly.”[/color] Lorenzo nodded affirmatively, his expression neutral. [color=salmon]“Being second isn’t a bad thing, vizier. It’s almost as good at being first like the Sultan. So I thank you again for allowing me to earn my place here at the head.”[/color] Lorenzo gently tapped his palms on the table as his mind began to move on from the situation as it persistently did. [color=salmon]“Which reminds me! I actually met a young woman today who was so upset that she was just the runner-up for the hat contest I judged. She was so distraught about it and I couldn’t understand why.”[/color] Lorenzo shrugged after sharing the brief story. [color=salmon]“I guess people aren’t always quite satisfied if they simply [i]almost[/i] succeed. ”[/color] Lorenzo gave Hafiz a genuine cheeky smile. 

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