[color=darkgray] [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] 7 p.m. and beyond! [Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Vikena Estate, Sorian [Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] [@princess] Charlotte [Color=salmon][b]Mention:[/b][/color][hr] Lorenzo let out a big yawn within the confines of the carriage, feeling rather groggy all of a sudden. However, that is not all he was feeling. A sharp dagger of regret was piercing deep in his gut. It started the moment he shut the carriage door and failed to subside despite his efforts to ignore how unsettled he was. [Color=salmon][I]Perhaps I shouldn't have yelled… She just doesn't understand… No one does.[/I][/color] Lorenzo's head hung low for the rest of the ride and they reached his home, he, Benjamin, and Nathaniel carried the gifts inside, hauling them up to his room. [Color=limegreen]“Duke Vikena, I managed with much effort to capture a rooster while you were away and… wait, where is Lady Charlotte?”[/color] [Color=salmon]“Lottie… Well, she insisted on walking a little of the way back. She ate quite too much of the Alidasht cuisine and didn't want to gas up the carriage. Don't mention this, please. She's already quite embarrassed by it.”[/color] Lorenzo didn't enjoy telling a lie, even if it was a small white one but he wished to continue with the night without any more trouble. Nathaniel raised his brows briefly at the strange yet relatable revelation and was unwilling to ask any further questions on the sensitive topic. [Color=salmon]“But you caught the rooster? Hmm… Um, let him out into the gardens. I think everyone, including the feathered [I]priest[/I] will be happier if he isn't within the confines of the house.”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“I think everyone might be happier if I could serve it for tomorrow's lunch!”[/color] Gilbert injected from the first floor. Lorenzo chuckled but shook his head. [Color=salmon]“No need Gilbert! No need! But while you're still in the kitchen, can you make a batch of cookies for everyone? I won't be partaking so more for everyone else!”[/color] Lorenzo called as his eyes met Nathaniel who looked to be waiting for something. And he was. Waiting for Lorenzo to share how the dinner went. The fact that Lorenzo was alive and present was a good enough sign but Nathaniel wasn't so optimistic in believing nothing went wrong. He knew Lorenzo nearly better than anyone, and though Nathaniel hadn't enjoyed watching the late Lady Vikena physically and verbally abuse the man, she kept his innate ability to cause havoc in check to a certain degree. He wanted to know but didn't want to ask, especially if it was a sore subject at the moment. [Color=limegreen]“Are you calling it a night, my lord?”[/color] Nathaniel asked. [Color=salmon]“I believe so. I'm going to do some writing. Please ensure the rooster makes it out to the garden, Kier is comfortable, and that Charlotte makes it in. She shouldn't be long.”[/color] Lorenzo gave Nathaniel and smiled before taking a half step into his room before pausing. [Color=salmon]“Hmm… just a moment.”[/color] Lorenzo said more to himself as he stepped back into the hall. Nathaniel just stared not knowing what Lorenzo might be doing now. He watched as Lorenzo stepped to the nearest painting to his door and removed something from its frame and tucked it into his inner breast pocket. [Color=salmon]“That should do.”[/color] Lorenzo then continued into his room. [Color=limegreen]“Well, good night Lorenzo.”[/color] [Color=salmon]“You as well, my friend. You as well.”[/color] Lorenzo finally entered, shutting and locking the door behind him. He needed to unwind and he started by first removing his shoes. [Color=salmon]“Ahhh. Much better.”[/color] He then removed most of his clothing before getting a much-needed warm bath as he hummed a song he had long heard in his childhood. When he was done, he got into his favorite robe, which was dark green on the outside and a lighter green on the inside reminiscent of an avocado. He walked over to the mounted pistol and lightly brushed along it with his fingertips. [Color=salmon]“Beautiful as ever.”[/color] He commented before going to his chest, removing the bulb flask of opium and the gin. He opened them and took a generous swig of both. A big smile graced his face as he took in a deep breath. [Color=salmon]“Finally…”[/color] Lorenzo whispered before putting his “medicine” away. [Color=salmon]“Time to write,”[/color] and with that, Lorenzo retrieved his notebook and pen before plopping down on his bed. [Center][Color=salmon][I]The so proud and fierce desert kingdom Striped tigers and venomed snakes come from Cuisine of rounded bread and hummus These royal foreigners among us Some of them will fall… love or die Amora, Obitius, decide A chaptered season of blood and tears Tis season bring forth all of our fears…[/I][/color][/center] Lorenzo continued, writing and writing, letting the milk of the poppy and alcohol take him again this night. [/color]