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[indent][sup][color=ab274f][b]Attire:[/b][/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/sTIjTiA.jpg]Banquet fit[/url], a simple princely crown
[color=ab274f][b]Date and Time:[/b][/color] Sola 28th, 6pm
[color=ab274f][b]Location:[/b][/color] Castle dining hall
[color=ab274f][b]Mention(s):[/b][/color] Count Blackwood, Victoria, Alibeth, Kazumin, Nahir, Kalliope, Sjan-dhek, Morrigan, Cassius, Milo, Calbert, Roman
[color=ab274f][b]Interaction(s):[/b][/color] Alexander, Drake, Mina, Violet, Farim, Edin, Callum
[/sup][/indent][/cell][/row][/table]His suggestion to Alexander was met with a smile. [color=ab274f]“You do that,”[/color] Wulfric retorted, smug grin in place. So, Deacon was not strictly against the idea. Perhaps he had ambition to take over? It was easy to believe. In fact…Even if that wasn’t true, he could use this. To make Delronzo doubt in his loyalty, to create discord within Black Rose – yes, there were many possibilities. 

Drake seemed to have caught the tail end of his chiding. As Wulfric shook his head, his friend quietly joked by calling him ‘sir’. [color=ab274f]“I fear I must reprimand you when you forget that Your Majesties rather than Your Highnesses is the proper form of address for the King and Queen,”[/color] he drawled. Unlike his tone with Alexander, he merely arched an eyebrow. [i]You know better[/i] was the implicit message. [color=ab274f]“You as well, Drake. May you find this evening agreeable,”[/color] he concluded with a courteous nod.

The count Blackwood and his niece took to their seats. [color=ab274f]“Good evening, Lady Blackwood. I am much obliged to you for the compliment.”[/color] A flicker of amusement coloured his expression. He was unsure why she and Deacon thought they were being clever by using his title, when it was, in fact, the proper form of address. [color=ab274f]“You seem…”[/color] he tilted his head, [color=ab274f]“A touch freer this evening.”[/color] The air around her and the count was so thick one could cut it with a knife. If the conflict brewing between affected the governance of their county, it would prove intriguing. Aside from its political implications, he could hardly care for their interpersonal drama.

There was minor flirting between Lady Violet and Lord Ravenwood. Yet, tension lingered due to Lady Mina’s and Deacon’s presence. Mundane trivialities. By proximity alone, he remained aware of the general thread of conversation. Lady Violet addressed him directly, confirming she was Deacon’s assistant. [color=ab274f]“Oh? I had not considered it news. The matter reached my ears as a rumour, originating from the Art Gallery,”[/color] he imparted. [color=ab274f]“Given the unsavory nature of some of the gossip surrounding that particular event, I remained skeptical as to whether you had indeed assumed the role of his assistant.”[/color] He paused, then added, [color=ab274f]“How curious – noblewomen entering into service appear to be becoming somewhat fashionable as of late.”[/color] He tested her mood with the verbal equivalent of a light prod. He did, of course, wish to uncover the nature of her dealings with Deacon. [color=ab274f]“Certainly, we may revisit this conversation in a more suitable setting.”[/color]

There were plenty of new arrivals, then. 

Callum had spoken out against Duchess Victoria’s lacking etiquette, after which she finally offered a reluctant curtsy. Edin crowed at his action, praising him. Callum – that incorrigible pacifist – preened, and spoke of public shaming as a light punishment. Spoke of correcting disrespect as if he hadn’t suffered for the very same at their father’s hands for so many years. A curse, to be sure. Of course, father noticed nothing strange about his youngest son’s demeanour. But Alibeth did. Unfortunately, the king’s pet peasant jester and [i]his majesty[/i]’s revolting behaviour distracted her, but he was certain she would not forget.

Kazumin Nagasa drew attention as he rolled a full cart to his seat, and proceeded to knock over plates and cups. Disgusting. It wasn’t even worth commenting upon that mess of an existence.

Shehzadi Nahir arrived, elegant as always. He caught her glance, and offered a nod. He thought it might be time to have proper conversation with her sometime soon.

Farim greeted him as well. Wulfric also overheard the mention of personal matter he had to discuss with the Caesonian rulers. Good. He intended to broch the topic of his sister’s courtship, then. [color=ab274f]“I thank you, Shahzade. You are eloquent as ever. May your conversations this evening proceed with as much elegance as you possess.”[/color] The Alidasht prince [i]did[/i] seem perplexed by Callum’s differences. So, he noticed. That was a mark in his favour.

Whispers rippled across the hall as their Viserjantan guest entered, carrying Kalliope Arden in his arms. That alone drew attention, but the ensuing tumble ensured it. Arden landed on the man’s lap in a manner that left little to the imagination. To describe her as a blushing maid would lend her an innocence entirely unfitting of their pose. Wulfric’s eyes met Morrigan’s, a silent agreement passing between the two.

[color=ab274f][i]Compromised.[/i][/color]

Because [i]some[/i] persons at the table might have missed the scene’s implications, he leaned subtly towards Edin. Even as he whispered to the king, his eyes flicked towards the queen; she was close enough to overhear, should she care to. [color=ab274f]“It appears one of our agents has forgotten she was meant to be the one doing the seducing,”[/color] he imparted, tone low and pointed. [color=ab274f]“With her focus so divided, it may be time to consider whether her continued employment still serves our interests.”[/color]

A minor scuffle broke out between Cassius and Milo, though Arden intervened before it could come to blows. He was too far to discern the details, only that the bastard was upset. It was an event worth remembering, and he filed it away for later use. 

With the scandalous display calming, Wulfric’s attention returned to the people nearby. Alexander raised to a minor bait from Lord Ravenwood. [color=ab274f]“Bored of the game you initiated, Mr. Deacon? Then you ought not attempt to play,”[/color] he scoffed dismissively. That such a self-aggrandizing, insipid man dared speak of boredom was the height of irony. [color=ab274f]“Weak and pitiful indeed,”[/color] he agreed with Callum, sparing his brother a glance. Did he favour Lord Ravenwood more than Alexander Deacon, then? 

He turned a stare at Alexander. Cool, haughty, the kind of a look he would give to an errant piece of trash blown across the marble floor. [color=ab274f]“This is why Royal Advisors are subjected to rigorous [i]examinations[/i] and [i]training[/i] before they are permitted to serve.”[/color] If Deacon was so gleeful at someone else’s trial, he might as well create one for the royal advisor to undertake.

Before Alexander could intuit the sinister turn his thoughts had nearly taken, the prince continued, voice as smooth as ever. [color=ab274f]“To speculate on a man’s violent inclinations when he is soon to stand trial for assault might be considered a tactic, were one feeling especially generous toward your attempt. A pity, then, that your outburst precluded a precise application of strategy.”[/color] He dissected Alexander’s bluster with impassive precision.

[color=ab274f]“Had you not been baited so easily, you might have provided evidence of your claim at the trial. But of course,”[/color] he added mildly, [color=ab274f]“one can always count on a father’s ire to lend weight to such words.”[/color] Count Calbert’s paranoia and overprotectiveness made that much certain. [color=ab274f]“Even so, Lady Violet may yet confirm, deny, clarify, or respond however she sees fit.”[/color] His gaze shifted to the woman in question. [color=ab274f]“A test to gauge her loyalty, perhaps?”[/color] He paused for effect. [color=ab274f]“My lady, what say you?”[/color] Lord Ravenwood was sure to lose esteem in Count Calbert’s eyes, if had he not already. Yet Deacon had taken a risk, as even Callum had berated him in Ravenwood’s defense. The crown prince was curious to see whether Lady Violet would tip the balance.[/color]