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[indent][sup][color=ab274f][b]Attire:[/b][/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/DO7Iw9h.jpg]Outfit[/url]
[color=ab274f][b]Date and Time:[/b][/color] Sola 23rd, Late Morning
[color=ab274f][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Castle Gardens: Tea Party
[color=ab274f][b]Mention(s):[/b][/color] [@princess] Edin
[color=ab274f][b]Interaction(s):[/b][/color] [@Helo] Callum, [@Tpartywithzombi] Violet
[/sup][/indent][/cell][/row][/table]At Callum's disgruntled expression, Wulfric removed his hand. His brother was too slow, his arm flailing though the air ineffectively. Clearly, his brother was sulking about having his grand moment hijacked. [color=ab274f]“Energetic,”[/color] he repeated, chuckling lightly.

Really, didn’t he know this was for his own good?

Brotherly banter was all fine and good, but overt antagonism was terrible for public image. Never mind airing out personal grievances against the king. That hateful expression of his had had to go.

If he wanted to be taken seriously, his brother had to start paying attention. Not just to Edin; to all his audience, and to how he was perceived by it. After all, the only ones willing to back a fool would be those seeking to exploit him.

Callum still knew nothing about anything. 

No doubt his brother imagined money could be conjured from nothing, or perhaps suckered entirely from overly idealistic entities who thought they had the gold to spare.

No matter.

If he did not know, he could learn. He could be taught.

Even if his vision was utterly naïve and nonsensical, he could see realized a more grounded version of it.

If he was finally taking an active interest in at least one part of governing, he could yet be made into a proper prince.
 
[color=ab274f]“Excellent.”[/color] Receiving his brother’s affirmative, Wulfric smiled sharply. His piercing gaze was as intent as ever, but something strangely akin to enthusiasm gleamed within.

[color=ab274f]“Now then…”[/color] He took a step towards his seating area when Callum had another choice remark for him.

Wulfric turned an amused, haughty look his brother’s way. [color=ab274f]“Cute.”[/color] Evidently, the insult didn’t bother him at all. [color=ab274f]“Whoever cannot appreciate my priorities is hardly worthwhile, however,”[/color] he commented.

Since they were apparently exchanging unwanted advice, he imparted some of his own. [color=ab274f]“And [i]you[/i] should prioritize that charity of yours. I suggest you start by using this event to identify potential backers.”[/color] He took another step forward, eyes sweeping the crowd before settling on Callum one last time. 

[color=ab274f]“You’d best tone down on the pledges given in another’s name. If [i]you[/i] can’t ensure what you claim, it will be [i]your[/i] responsibility. Not the king’s. If your promises are vain, you will appear unreliable at best, a malicious liar at worst,”[/color] he stated seriously. Only in part was this a rebuke for Callum having neglected the promise he had given him. Mostly, it was a warning not to underestimate Edin, nor to take politics lightly.

After a respectful bow in his father’s direction to excuse himself from the scene, he returned to Violet’s side. [color=ab274f]“Again, my apologies for the abrupt departure,”[/color] he told her with a smile she couldn’t see, and took a seat. 

He motioned a nearby servant to pour him a cup of black tea. [color=ab274f]“You know, I did notice some guests giving you strange looks. Do you have a sixth sense for such things now?”[/color] he wondered, torn between curiosity and mild amusement.

[color=ab274f]“However, there is no need for you to pay them any mind. It is natural they would wonder, for there were no news nor public announcements of your attack. So, for you to suddenly appear injured is bound to rouse shock and speculation.”[/color] His cup had been prepared, so he dismissed the servant with a nod. He paused to sip at the tea, which was at the perfect temperature. He released a sigh of contentment, and after another sip, set the cup on its saucer.

[color=ab274f]“Returning to our previous topic…Do you have any suspects in mind? I am afraid that at the moment, there is mostly circumstantial evidence to base the investigation off of. So, if you can think of anything – anything at all – that would be helpful,”[/color] he cajoled. 

Wulfric had the suspicion that her reticence was not due to distress. In fact, so far, Violet had barely shown emotion at all. It was certainly possible that her injury had caused a localized memory loss or confusion, but he wasn’t sure if that was quite right either. As he’d told her, she functioned surprisingly well. It was almost as if she was avoiding the topic of her attack for an entirely different reason.[/color]