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[color=5F9EA0]Time: 6 pm
Location: Castle Dining Hall
Attire: [url=https://i.imgur.com/R61caal.jpeg]Winners wear red & black![/url]
Interactions: Mina, Count Calbert, Roman[/color]
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[color=#758173]“Oh, Prince Callum,”[/color] Clarence's full attention snapped to Mina as her voice purred his mortal host’s name. He watched her size him up, caught that hint of suspicion, and smirked in response. 

[color=#758173]“When I first looked up and saw you— I couldn’t recall ever seeing you in a crown before. You were striking. It made my heart flutter, I’ll admit. I forgot how to speak.”[/color] Her lashes fluttered in that way that made mortal men weak. He was no mortal; her eyes held no sway, but flattery, even touched by insincerity, was always appreciated. It showed she understood that he was owed praise.

As foolish as Callum Danrose was, the boy did surround himself with the most interesting allies. 

[color=#758173]“So you see, my silence was not insult, my Prince… only awe.”[/color]

[color=5F9EA0]“Awe is exactly what I hoped to convey. Thank you for noticing.”[/color] He held up his wine glass and nodded at Mina. He savored his wine in the same way he ate from his plate, with composed and precise movements. And to his food, Clarence’s attention briefly returned as the king shared his thoughts on the trivial matter between Roman and Violet. 

[color=#758173]“Goodness, Your Majesty, I do hope that was a jest. I'd hate to think a man of your stature still believes a woman can be struck into sense.”[/color]

[color=5F9EA0]“My father serves wit and wisdom in equal measure.”[/color] He commented, a perfectly neutral position spoken just loudly enough that Edin would surely hear it. Let the bloated monarch focus on the compliment and not think too deeply about the veiled insult Mina had spoken. 

He watched Roman as the man spoke, occasionally nodding his agreement with Roman’s words as the large nobleman did not falter. A smile danced across his face as Roman brought up Alexander’s wife, and for a moment, there was the hopeful anticipation that this feud might escalate into something more interesting. 

And escalate it did, but not into the delicious violence he had so hoped for. The situation unfolded as Violet and her father both turned on Roman. Clarence knew that Callum held no love for Count Damien but held Roman aloft as one of his most trustworthy friends. The side to choose was clear. The familiar’s loyalty did not waver. Clarence stood from his seat, chair scraping against the floor, and placed his full attention on Count Damien.

[color=5F9EA0]“Count Damien, amusing you should speak of houses burning while yours sits aflame. Who else here can say they’ve failed to secure their estate from common criminals? Ransacked one day. Pickpockets at your masquerade the next. Oh, and did I not just see your [i]bastard[/i] assault one of my father’s esteemed guests?”[/color] In the most condescending way possible, Clarence shook his head and clicked his tongue. 

[color=5F9EA0]“Dreadful behavior. Has your family forgotten where they are? This is the [i]royal palace[/i], not a tavern. We are here to feast, to enjoy my father’s generosity, and you seek to ruin this meal with [i]petty complaints[/i]. If you wish to moan about a lover’s quarrel, save it for the trial.”[/color] His voice was calm as he scolded the count, filled with a sense of authority that never came naturally to Callum, but Clarence delivered it without effort. He sat back down and looked at Violet. 

[color=5F9EA0]“Roman eats as our king does, like a man thankful for his blessings. Not just the meal itself, but for the work that went into creating it. He honors my family with his appreciation for this feast.”[/color] Without hesitation, Clarence lifted a rib from his plate, gripped it like a club, and took a savage bite of meat. He smiled as he chewed, mouth closed, but with vigor. 

[color=5F9EA0]“Perhaps you would like to subtract your comment about eating like a street dog.”[/color] He suggested, placing the rib back on his plate and wiping his hand clean with a napkin. [/color]