[color=lightgray][center][h3][color=Burlywood]Duke Gideon Edwards[/color] & [color=F0E399]Duchess Victoria Edwards[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/6yZrd18.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/QVcLBPe.png[/img][/center] [color=Burlywood]Time:[/color] 6pm [color=F0E399]Location:[/color] Castle Dining Hall [color=Burlywood]Interaction/Mention:[/color] [@TpartywithZombi] Ariella [@Lava Alckon] Drake [@Tae] Thea, Kalliope [@Apex Sunburn] Sjandehk [@Helo] Leo [@CitrusArms] [hr] [color=9AF781]“Oh, I don’t doubt it. Wherever that woman goes, drama inevitably follows…”[/color] [color=F0E399]“Hmm, I can almost relate, Smithwood. Except in my case, it’s not drama that follows—it’s obsession.”[/color] Victoria gave a lazy toss of her hair, her grin curling on her face. [color=F0E399]“It’s exhausting being everyone’s favorite fixation.”[/color] She winked and added unprompted, [color=F0E399]“Oh, don’t look so surprised. I didn’t ask to be adored, it just... happens.”[/color] She gave a theatrical sigh, fluttering her fan with mock exhaustion. [color=F0E399]“A burden, truly.”[/color] [color=#035E7B]“Duchess Victoria, I must say, it’s refreshing to hear your thoughts aloud. Most people wait until they’re alone to sound so terribly insecure.”[/color] Victoria glared at Thea venomously. [color=#035E7B]“You speak of dancers and desperation, yet I imagine it takes a truly gifted performer to balance so many masks at once. Jealousy disguised as concern, bitterness as etiquette, and of course, judgment wrapped in lace.”[/color] [color=#035E7B]“Though I do envy your confidence. It must take a certain kind of self-assurance to confuse a woman’s boldness with her worth, or a fall with a failure. But then, I suppose when one is so far removed from youth, passion begins to look like scandal.”[/color] The duchess's eyebrow twitched, but she feigned a saccharine smile. [color=F0E399]“Oh, darling.”[/color] She swirled her wine as she caught Thea's glance. [color=F0E399]“I don’t need youth to turn heads. But I understand why [i]you[/i] would confuse passion with scandal.”[/color] She gave her a cutting grin. [color=F0E399]“I know you’re new here, Thea, and bless your silly little heart for trying—but please, try using your brain before your mouth.”[/color] She gave a little sigh, as though she were exhausted by the very idea of being misunderstood. [color=F0E399]“Insecurity implies there's someone to be intimidated by. And I promise you, no one here comes even close."[/color] [color=9AF781]“The line between passion and scandal is thin. It takes wisdom and experience to know where that line lies.”[/color] She turned to Leo, her eyes roving over his face until finally, [color=F0E399]“Yes, precisely.”[/color] Victoria gave a dainty nod, eyes locked on Leo with patronizing sweetness. [color=F0E399]“Wisdom like mine is tragically rare these days. I'm glad to see you still recognize it when it enters a room.”[/color] She took a slow sip of her wine, her smile never reaching her eyes. [color=9AF781]“And when it comes to Kalliope, she is firmly rooted in scandal.”[/color] [color=F0E399]“Oh, I’m listening,”[/color] Victoria leaned in slightly, her fan fluttering lazily by her chin as her eyes sparkled with anticipation. [color=F0E399]“What exactly did that tramp do?”[/color] She sipped her wine delicately, then added with a faux-innocent smile. [i][color=peru] “is Victorria off on anothair tyrrade, Duke Gideon?”[/color] [/i] Both Gideon and Victoria's gazes rapidly shifted to Captain Durmand. [color=peru] “I s’ppose tae ken ‘ow ye should [I]nae[/I] be’ave is imporrtan’, too. a shame yerr good self ‘as tae sufferr thrrough ‘er strrange methods.”[/color] [color=Burlywood]“Captain,”[/color] Gideon said smoothly, his voice even, [color=Burlywood]“while I’ve never doubted your skill, I’d caution against charging headlong into domestic territory that isn’t yours to navigate.”[/color] He didn’t raise his voice as he continued, [color=Burlywood]“I appreciate frankness in the field—but in the banquet hall, we value decorum. Let’s keep the swords metaphorical, shall we?”[/color]He gave a slight, respectful nod: one that left no room for argument, yet didn’t escalate tension.Then, turning his attention subtly to Victoria, he added with a composed breath: [color=Burlywood]“Let’s both aim to set a finer example, shall we?”[/color] Victoria rolled her eyes, not impressed with Gideon's defense. Her attention returned to Leo. [color=9AF781]“You know, just the other day Lottie and I shared a table with Kalliope at The Royal Curd, a brunch to honor the generous and gracious King Edin.”[/color] Victoria’s wine glass paused midair, her expression tightening ever so slightly. The twitch at the corner of her mouth betrayed her distaste before she could mask it as her eyes dared to dart to Charlotte, who looked like a frightened mouse awkwardly lingering behind Leo and Thea. [color=F0E399]“A feud at that ridiculous brunch?”[/color] Victoria’s eyes lit up as she leaned in, fan fluttering with renewed interest. [color=F0E399]“How delightfully lowbrow.”[/color] She followed Leo’s gaze to Sjan-dehk and Iyen with visible scrutiny, lips pursed in theatrical judgment. [color=F0E399]“Mm. That one’s far too handsome to be as oblivious as he looked while she straddled him in the entryway. And [i]her[/i]?”[/color] Her fan snapped closed with a decisive flick as she eyed Iyen. [color=F0E399]“If that woman is a bodyguard, I’m the Queen of Caesonia.”[/color] She suddenly giggled, [i][color=F0E399]"Oh wait, I am!"[/color][/i] [color=9AF781]“But boy, did those three turn a whole brunch into an uncomfortable affair. It was downright embarrassing to witness such theatrics play out before a single plate of food was at the table. Then, I swear to the Gods, Kalli flipped her lid over every mention of cheese at a restaurant themed around the dish. Shouting and eventually brandishing a knife, the second someone mentioned a melty brie or sharp cheddar. Insanity. Clearly, the girl is not right in the head. Deranged even. Honestly, I’ve never seen such fear in Lady Morrigan’s eyes as i did at that brunch. To think that someone would dare grip a weapon in the presence of the king's cousin.”[/color] Victoria let out a soft, scandalized laugh. [color=F0E399]“A knife over [i]cheese[/i]. What a fucking lunatic. What's her childhood trauma?”[/color] She tilted her head thoughtfully, giggling, [color=F0E399]“Do you think she was dropped on her head as a child?” [/color] She gave a faux-pitying pout, then added with a conspiratorial whisper,[color=F0E399] “Either way, the damage is so loud. And all that over dairy. Imagine what she'd do at a wine tasting—bite someone?”[/color] Victoria sipped her wine slowly, eyes twinkling with malice. [color=F0E399]“I swear, if she gets invited to another event, I’ll need a bodyguard and a waiver.”[/color] [color=9AF781]“You know what else I’ve noticed. Never before have I seen any of this nation’s fine and aloof Princes so taken with a lady as Prince Callum seems to be with your daughter. But of course, if any family is worth royal attention, it would be one as distinguished as yours. You must be very proud of Lady Ariella.”[/color] Victoria’s smile blossomed with perfect composure, like a flower that only blooms in the presence of flattery. [color=F0E399] “Oh, Prince Callum?”[/color] she purred. [color=F0E399]“Well, of course he’s taken with her. She’s my daughter.”[/color] She took a sip of wine, then continued as though stating a universal truth. [color=F0E399] “Ariella was an absolute mess of lace and insecurity before I taught her how to hold a fan and shut down a room with a single glance. I said, ‘Darling, you're not here to be liked. You’re here to be admired.’ And clearly, it worked.” [/color] Her tone oozed sweet satisfaction.[color=F0E399] “I always said she had potential—she just needed the right molding. Like marble. Or wet clay.”[/color] She glanced toward Ariella with a distant, almost generous nod. [color=F0E399] “It’s very rewarding to see one’s efforts blossom into royalty-worthy appeal. Very.”[/color] Victoria’s hand flew to her mouth as Charlotte suddenly hurried away, though not quite fast enough to hide the glint of amusement in her eyes, and the laughter threatening to escape her lips.[color=F0E399]“Oh dear,”[/color] she murmured, just loud enough for those nearby to hear, [color=F0E399]“Did anyone else see that little exit?”[/color] She took a sip of wine, letting the silence sit a moment before twisting the knife with a smirk.[color=F0E399]“Honestly, someone ought to escort her back to the loony bin. "[/color] Gideon’s jaw tensed, and he leaned in with a glare. [color=Burlywood]“Don’t ever bring that up again.”[/color] His voice was quiet, but deadly firm.[color=Burlywood]“Charlotte’s been through enough without you turning her pain into dinner conversation.”[/color] Victoria scowled and turned on him, [color=F0E399]“Seriously Gideon? You're-"[/color] And then a sudden rush of cold hit her lap. Victoria blinked. The scent hit her next: deep, heady, red wine. The kind that lingered... [i]That stained[/i]. Her eyes dropped instinctively, and what she saw nearly made her scream. A river of crimson poured down her gown. It was soaking through silk. Time slowed, and her plate clinked faintly as the spill reached its edge, as if the very table was mocking her. A nearby attendant rushed in with a cloth, flustered and apologetic, trying to stanch the crimson tide as it spread. Her hands itched. Her jaw locked. Her heart thundered with the kind of fury that could end bloodlines. [color=slateblue]“Mother!”[/color] Victoria whirled her eyes on Ariella with what could be mistaken as murderous intent, her eyes blazing. [color=slateblue] “Oh gods, I’m so terribly sorry—I wasn’t thinking, I was just so rattled after that little scene earlier…Must have just been lost in my thoughts again…”[/color] She stood swiftly, plucking a napkin to dab at the mess, though her hand lingered a little longer than needed. [color=slateblue]“How foolish of me…”[/color] Her mouth parted, a retaliation ready to slice Ariella into ribbons, but then— [color=greenyellow]“Father. It might be best to find Mother a change of clothes so that you may both be back in posthaste. The sooner the better.”[/color] Gideon sighed, already waving over an attendant, his voice low as he whispered instructions—trying, somehow, to salvage dignity from the wreckage. Meanwhile, Drake had the [i]gall[/i] to boss around the infuriated Duchess.[color=greenyellow] ”Do. Not. I know what you are thinking. But do not. Not here.” [/color] Then Drake went on a tirade of a speech. Victoria sat stiffly, jaw locked, barely blinking as Drake’s words washed over the table like cold water. The absolute gall of being spoken to like a misbehaving child at a public banquet. Her fingers twitched at her sides. Her ruined dress clung wetly, clumsily, to her thighs. She was soaked, stained, and now—she was being [b]commanded[/b] by her own son, of all people, as if she were not the reigning Duchess of Soralia. She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. Her silence screamed. The attendant gently leaned in, murmuring about a change of clothes, and Victoria rose. Every step she took away from that table was a war march. And just before she passed Ariella, without even glancing down, she murmured darkly,[color=F0E399]“Enjoy your little moment, Ariella. But trust me when I say, [i]I'm the last person you want as your enemy[/i]".[/color] She hissed under her breath then vanished through the doors like a parting storm. Gideon let out a slow breath, his gaze shifting to Drake with a tired smile just beginning to form— [color=salmon]“ALEXANDER DEACON!”[/color] The shout cut across the hall like a thrown plate. Gideon winced. He rubbed his temples and muttered, [color=burlywood]“It never stops.”[/color] [/color]