[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/clIHoiY.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3wGoS7n.png[/img][/center]

[color=DDB775]Time:[/color] 6pm
[color=a187be]Location:[/color] The Castle Dining Hall
[color=DDB775]Interaction/Mention:[/color] [@Tpartywithzombi] Violet [@ReusableSword] Roman [@Silverpaw] Wulfric [@FunnyGuy] Alexander/Lorenzo [@Helo] Callum [@Oso] Cassius [@Tae] Mina
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[color=#758173]“Goodness, Your Majesty,”[/color] she said sweetly, lifting her goblet in a delicate toast. [color=#758173]“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]

Edin’s face soured mid-sip, as though the wine had suddenly turned. His jaw ticked, and he set his goblet down a little harder than necessary.[color=DDB775]“Of course it was a jest,”[/color] he said tightly, eyes seemingly fixed on Mina now, though if one looked closely, they'd notice he was roving her up and down perhaps a bit unnecessarily. He paused to lick his lips. 

[color=DDB775]“...Though if women [i]listened[/i] the first time, there wouldn’t be so much fuss over how sense is found.”[/color] He sighed, gesturing to his wife with meaty fingers, [color=DDB775]“You may be used to a looser tongue where you come from, girl,”[/color] he said, voice rich with condescension, [color=DDB775]“but this is Caesonia.”[/color] His goblet lifted slowly, fingers tapping along the rim. [color=DDB775]“Here, a woman honors her husband. She obeys her father. ”[/color] 

Alibeth bit her cheek, eyes averted, then only shifted her gaze once Mina addressed her. She assessed her with narrowed eyes, still perturbed by her earlier "flattery" of Callum. [color=#758173]“Her Majesty the Queen must have the patience of a saint. Or the reflexes of a swordswoman.”[/color]

[color=A187BE]“How gracious of you to consider the burden of royalty, Lady Blackwood.”[/color] 

[color=f26522]“...Their royal highnesses honor us with their words as their wisdom in these games far exceeds our own.”[/color]

King Edin let out a sharp bark of a laugh, shaking his head with a grin. [color=DDB775]“At least he’s got some charm when he talks back. I’ll give him that. And I'll also give him his kudos for appreciating my excellent food.”[/color]

 [color=f26522]“As for my freedom? I have faith in this great kingdoms' courts that they will be as just and fair as his majesty king Edin Danrose himself.”[/color]  

King Edin’s smile stretched just a little too wide at Roman’s remark, the kind that never reached the eyes. [color=DDB775]“Yes, Lord Ravenwood. I am very wise, and very just, as the Gods demand me to be.”[/color]

He leaned forward slightly, voice lowering in pitch, laced with something darker,[color=DDB775]“And we will indeed discover the truth together, won't we?”[/color]

He chuckled then raised his goblet in a mock toast, eyes glinting.[color=DDB775]“To justice. May it fall where it must, no matter how... heavy the blade.”[/color]

From there, Roman went on to defend his slap as a moment in passion while the two had been drinking. Both Count Calbert and Violet reacted none-too-happily. Then Callum stirred the pot, attacking Count Damien of all people. 

King Edin finally let out a low chuckle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
[color=DDB775]“Ah, young love and clumsy hands.”[/color] He lifted his goblet again. [color=DDB775]“A man gets drunk, a woman gets loud—it’s only natural things get... passionate during a lover's quarrel as Callum says. ”[/color] He waved his hand dismissively.  He glanced at Violet with a lazy grin, then he leaned in to whisper to Alexander,[i] [color=DDB775]“Women act like they hate it, but most come crawling back wanting more.”[/color][/i]

Edin’s gaze drifted toward Count Calbert, and with a sigh that carried the weight of reluctant finality, he spoke: [color=DDB775]“Count Damien has served this kingdom with tireless devotion and unshakable loyalty—more than any man seated at this table. "[/color] His then looked at Callum, [color=DDB775]“You will not disrespect him for his misfortunes again, Callum. He is a good man.”[/color] He lifted his goblet, as though to toast to Count Damien. [color=DDB775]“If he wishes that Roman give his daughter space, then let it be known: his word shall stand as law in this court. Let no man, noble or not, test his patience—or mine—on this matter again.”[/color]

Alibeth's gaze drifted to Violet with an unusual look in her eyes. There was the faintest softening in her expression, subtle enough to question whether it had ever been there at all. Yet the intent lingered behind her words. [color=A187BE]“One hopes,”[/color] she said gently, with a quiet sip of wine, [color=A187BE]“that Lady Damien will be met with the care her station—and dignity—demands, moving forward.”[/color]

However, Count Damien's son, Cassius, was speaking up as this occurred. The monarchs' attention turned to him as his words caught their attention. [color=lightsteelblue]“And even still…My father loves me more than our King has ever even pretended to love you.”[/color]

Edin’s expression twisted. He was no longer amused, and no longer indulgent. The room had quieted again, not out of reverence, but sheer disbelief. [color=DDB775]“The bastard dares,”[/color] he muttered, voice like gravel beneath a heel.

His goblet hit the table with a clang—not spilled, but loud enough to punctuate the tension.

And Alibeth? Her face had darkened more than it ever had in the public eye, her chin lifted, and her eyes set on Cassius with murderous intent.

[color=lightsteelblue]“That’s the difference between you and me, Callum. I was born a problem, and still, here I stand…as [i]his chosen son[/i]. And you? You’re just acting like a mouthpiece for a crown that’s too ashamed to be anywhere near your head....And speaking of shame,”[/color]

Cassius’s gaze burned even brighter as it met Roman’s eyes. [color=lightsteelblue]“You hit my sister...Let me be clear, Ravenwood. Just in case my father’s words aren’t enough. You don’t touch Violet Damien in passion. You don’t touch her in rage. You don’t touch her when drunk, when sober, when dreaming, or when dying.”[/color]

[color=lightsteelblue]“In fact, you [i]big son of a bitch[/i]…You never touch her again.”[/color] 

The noise of a laugh being stifled escaped Edin audibly. His hand clapped over his mouth, failing to mask the hoarse bark of amusement that escaped.

[color=lightsteelblue]“Because if you do…I swear to the cunts above you call gods, and to the very king sitting right here in front of us both, that you won’t even make it to your little trial.”[/color]

Silence.

...But if anyone had been listening closely nearby the queen, they might have heard the sharp, unmistakable sound of steel leaving its sheath. A chair screeched violently as the Queen rose to her full, imposing height.

She did not raise her voice. She didn’t have to.

Her presence [i]commanded the room like a stormcloud splitting the sky[/i] as her eyes locked onto Cassius, not with fear, but fury. Pure, maternal fury. [color=A187BE]“Speak ill of my son again,”[/color] she said, her voice low and sharp. One hand rested lightly on the hilt of the dagger she had drawn beneath the table. [color=A187BE]“[i]I dare you.[/i]”[/color]

Meanwhile, the King turned, half in disbelief, half entertained, eyes gleaming with dangerous glee. [color=DDB775]“Oh… You’re so lucky you’re funny.”[/color] Then, shaking his head, he warned, [color=DDB775]“You forget yourself, Lord Damien.”[/color] His voice was cold, dangerous. [color=DDB775]“You may be tolerated at my table for the sake of your father, but do not mistake [i]tolerance[/i] for favor. You speak to a prince, and still you yap like a mongrel who’s only just discovered his bark.”[/color]

[Color=gold]“Alright!”[/color] Alexander cut in energetically as if the group had just finished a productive meeting. All eyes fell on the King's advisor. [Color=gold]“I believe this has gotten way out of hand and now I feel guilty for even bringing something so sensitive up in the public light in such a way.”[/Color] Alexander turned to the count's son, then he commanded him to sit, which impressed the King visibly. He listened as Alexander spoke, happy to hear that he was eager to be trained to do even better. After all, he was the King. He deserved all his staff constantly working harder to appease him.

[Color=gold]“I won't apologize to you, as you seemed to have enjoyed every second of this. You should really-”[/color]

Edin's smirk barely had time to stretch before it was shattered by the booming bellow of a name that thundered across the banquet hall:[color=salmon]“ALEXANDER DEACON!”[/color]

[color=DDB775] "Oh, just what this situation needs!"[/color] It was impossible to tell if Edin was exasperated, or sort of excited.

[color=a187be] "[i]Back to your seat now, Duke Vikena![/i]"[/color] Meanwhile, Alibeth's tone was certainly obvious.

[color=E77298] "HEY!"[/color] Both monarchs froze and turned to their daughter, just in time to see Princess Anastasia Danrose rising to her feet like a war goddess armed not with a blade, but a half-eaten drumstick.

[i]The poultry was held aloft like a royal scepter of judgment.[/i]

[color=E77298]“CASSIUS!”[/color] she yelled with all the authority of a sister unhinged. [color=E77298]“If you bully my sweet little brother again—[i]THEN I WILL NOT BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE![/i]”[/color]

The room held its breath.

A single roasted potato rolled off someone’s plate.

Edin stared, dumbfounded. [color=DDB775]“…She gets it from my side.”[/color]

Alibeth, pinching the bridge of her nose, exhaled deeply. [color=a187be]“No one’s arguing that.”[/color]

The room hadn’t quite settled from the outbursts when another hush crept in. It began when Charlotte Vikena crossed the floor. Not with her usual grace, nor with her half-curtsied apologies.  She reached Cassius just as he turned back toward his seat, and before he could speak, before anyone could speak, her arms wrapped around him.

Even Anastasia, mid-bite into her drumstick, had glanced over.

Charlotte Vikena, standing in full view of the court, her head rested against Cassius Damien’s chest. And King Edin?

King Edin licked his lips.[i] Again.[/i]

His eyes roved across Charlotte the way they always did over women—uninvited, unapologetic. He leaned unnecessarily far over the table, goblet forgotten, to murmur toward Alexander with a grin that reeked of rot.[i][color=DDB775]“I bet I miss her mother more than she does.”[/color][/i]

Then, she turned, skirt swaying, and returned to her seat as if nothing had happened.

Edin cleared his throat loudly. [color=DDB775]“Well.”[/color] He shifted in his seat. [color=DDB775]“That was unexpected.”[/color] He glanced toward Alibeth, who said nothing. Nonetheless, his gaze wandered back to Duke Lorenzo Vikena, praying to the Gods he had something of importance to say... Or at the least, amusing. 

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