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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][hr] 

Lorenzo was completely unbothered during the brief discussion of whether or not he should be the one saying grace at the table this evening. [Color=salmon][I]This always happens hehehe. No one can ever decide who to choose to say the good word before dinner. Can't say I blame Hafiz and Mayet for trying to steal away my spotlight.[/I][/color] And then the sultan made his decision. [Color=salmon][I]But it won't happen today! I'm the guest of honor after all. Ha!”[/I][/color] He didn't even realize he was wearing the goofiest smile on his face.

Now with permission from Raif, Lorenzo was prepared to begin but a sudden hiss and a yelp from Charlotte drew his attention to his left. A single eyebrow raised in confusion as Charlotte was now standing up, yet the cobra was on the other side of the table. [Color=salmon][I]She didn't… did she?”[/I][/color] Lorenzo's confused expression slowly morphed into one of contempt as his gaze remained glued to the serpent and its fancy little bowtie. The duke was somewhat torn as he realized Layla had used the well-dressed cobra to terrify his daughter. He hadn't been the biggest fan of snakes but the sight of the classic black adornment tied snuggly on Zilal was one of his personal highlights of the night.

Still, no one attacks Charlotte. A young woman who's done nothing wrong! [Color=salmon][I]This truly is a punishment, is it? Was this…[/I][/color] He looked across the length of the table at Sultan Raif who was extremely aloof compared to the others. He wasn't hot-blooded like the rest of his family. Not speaking to be heard like his family or even like Edin but to bring forth action with his words. If this was a play, he was the director amongst turbulent actors. [Color=salmon][I]Was this all his intention all along?[/I][/color] Lorenzo's remembrance of the conclusion of the previous night's blunder struck deeply at his thoughts.

[Center][I][color=CFA36D]“Duke Lorenzo, you have humiliated myself and my family. This is something we do not take lightly and if this were in my court things would be ending very differently. We are not, however, so I must honor the court we are in. That being said, this is the judgment I pass on to you. While my family resides here in Caesonia, you shall come to the castle once a week…And you shall have dinner with my family and I.”[/color][/I][/center]

Coincidentally, at that very moment, Raif spoke, addressing and scolding his children. Not only that, he sent Layla to her room as if she were a disobedient child. He watched as she departed, surprised the woman had been sent away for her actions. And he thought these royals were untouchable within the confines of this space. He was just about to give Charlotte a look of assurance that everything would be fine but her eyes were looking across the table at none other than Mayet who was at the moment gazing directly at him. 

[Color=salmon][I]Is she staring at me? And did she say something about having patients? A doctor and a princess all in one, huh?[/I][/color] Lorenzo awkwardly turned to look behind himself to see if there was anyone else she'd be staring at in such a way but there was no one there. Again he met her gaze. It was a look he recognized far too well, especially during this past year while he resided with Veirmont. A look that could break a man's spirit and intimidate him into a state of freeze. He felt an unexpected wave of heat across his body as he took a shallow yet deliberate breath. With the most stoicism he could muster up, Lorenzo presented Mayet with a single nod before addressing the table.

[Color=salmon]“Just one moment, Raif. I need to sort something out very quickly. It's very important, my friend,”[/color] Lorenzo grinned before he leaned to his right to whisper to Farim.

[Color=salmon]“Sorry to interrupt but your cousin. Mayet. She's making eyes at me in an intense thirsting manner and I… Actually, I'll just address it.”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“Ahem. Raif, I humbly apologize for the sidebar conversation and for making you wait on your well-prepared feast but there is something I [b]must[/b] address and it cannot wait. I have come here as a guest of honor but also to repair the damage I have done to you, your family, and your culture. Leading with that, I want to express that I do not intend on courting, wedding, or bedding any of your daughters this season. Normally, I wouldn't state such a thing but Shezadi Mayet has been rather obvious with the type of eye contact she has been giving me. So, I must humbly decline her advances. You see, she is very beautiful but she's about Charlotte's age, a cat person… No offense Lottie But- Nevermind. And lastly, I don't believe I'm quite in the courting spirit as I am still grieving my late wife Emina. It just wouldn't work. But, I do have an olive branch I am willing to extend…”[/color] Lorenzo's stomach suddenly grumbled with hunger. 

[Color=salmon]“BUT that can wait! I think grace is in order. Uh, everyone, join hands. Come on, don't be shy. ”[/color] He surprisingly grasped Hafiz's hand with an almost unnatural accuracy and swiftness. [Color=salmon]“Now bow your heads in silence while I give thanks.”[/color] Lorenzo smiled with glee as he shut his and bowed his head. [Color=salmon][I]Shit! I know how to do a combined Caesonia-Varian grace but I don't know what the Alidasht people worship![/I][/color]

[Color=salmon]“Eh… Gods of Eromora, we of three peoples of three kingdoms are harmoniously joined here in your everlasting presence to give thanks for the sustenance you have provided us this evening. Gods of beasts and hunting have given us the means to use the creatures of our land, skies, and seas to fill our vessels. Gods of harvest grant us the means to take in the nutrients of Eromora's produce, grains, and spices. We ask that this meal be blessed with benevolence and for any gods of mischief, deceit, and death to stay your hand from this gathering of men and women seeking to find at least a semblance of unity amongst us as we pray and eat together this evening. We ask that you bring fortune and good health to not only us but those who have prepared this meal as their fingertips tingle with the touch of the Gods of creation. Just as you shaped and brought forth the life we now experience, the cooks and servers in this room created this moment where representatives of three kingdoms share a warm delicious meal. Allow fortune to find us all in the good that we do and love for those who seek to find their other half for as grand as your love is for us, it will never be enough… And I must not forget. Please forgive Shehzadi Layla Kadir and her snake as they do not deserve punishment but instead your guiding hands to place her on a more virtuous path. Again we, the Caesonian, the Alidasht, and the Varians give humble thanks to the gods we worship and revere. Amen.”[/color] Lorenzo finally lifted his head cheerfully, opening his eyes that let loose streams of tears as he was so moved by his own words. 

[Color=salmon]“W-we can eat now.”[/color] He said with his voice slightly cracking at the end.




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