[center][color=9AF781][h1]Lord Leo Smithwood[/h1][/color]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/OEh1rTU.png[/img][/center]
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[color=9AF781]Time:[/color] 6 pm
[color=9AF781]Location:[/color] Castle Dinning Hall
[color=9AF781]Interactions:[/color] Thea, Drake, Ariella, & Momma Smithwood
[color=9AF781]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/oKdesJw.jpeg]“Why was I not told red was the color for tonight?”[/url]

[color=lightgray]
[color=035E7B]“Sometimes you act just like Mother.”[/color]

Confusion flashed across Leo’s face, although he didn’t take that comment as an insult; it was clear Thea intended it as one. Over what? Trying to make a good impression on the family of the guy she couldn’t stop talking about over breakfast? [color=9AF781][i]Only trying to help,[/i][/color] but he didn’t say that. He only smiled like it was a sincere compliment. 

[color=9AF781]“We [i]are[/i] both exceptional speakers with a talent for leadership.”[/color] His confidence didn’t waver. 

Then, as if the mere mentioning of her had summoned his mother, she spoke. 

[color=BCC6D0]“How many times must I remind you that your name carries weight? Must you embarrass this family every time you enter a room? And now you embarrass the Edwards. This is why I [i]thought[/i] I sent you home.”[/color]

It saved him from having to say anything about the spilled wine—certainly not an accident—but her words caused Thea to immediately leave the table. He looked at his mother, eyes holding only disappointment and masked with the most insincere smile. [color=9AF781][i]Really? Must you? On her birthday?[/i][/color] 

[color=9AF781]“I asked her to stay, and I have never been embarrassed by Thea.”[/color] Leo’s tone was light, cheerful even, as he dared his mother to press this issue. He would love nothing more than to discuss whose actions truly embarrassed this family, but that would not be a public discussion. Leo was not about to air dirty laundry in a public forum, the way so many Caesonia nobles were doing. 

The Edwards were entirely too comfortable being messy in public. Gideon lacked any real backbone and allowed a knight to mock his wife right in front of him. Victoria was like a caricature of vanity, it rolled off her in such excess that it wasn’t hard to see why she was universally disliked. Easy to win over, at least, the slightest bit of flattery and some gossip had her eating from his palm. Drake, however, left a strong impression. His ability to handle the situation impressed Leo, who shot him a quick nod of approval for how he handled the situation. 

And Ariella reminded him so much of Thea that when she got up to go after his sister, he mouthed a sincere [color=9AF781][i]thank you[/i][/color] to her. It was a good opportunity for the two to bond, and he had no doubt the pair would get along. 

But the Edwards weren’t even close to making the biggest scene in the room. The Damiens took that dishonor. From the bits and pieces he heard, it sounded like some tryst between Roman and Violet was becoming a heated topic. He glanced over as Roman handled the situation as cool and collected as any true Varian. Never sinking to the lowbrow tactics that Damiens clearly reveled in. 

Cassius spoke out of turn, all the subtlety of a blunt instrument, but what more could one expect from a man who literally slithered out of the gutter? If anyone deserved to be on trial, it was the idiot who thought insulting royalty, and their religion, in the same breath was a wise move. Perhaps if Edin wasn’t such an easily manipulated fool, the bastard would be rotting in a dungeon - [i]where it belonged[/i] - instead of trying to dig his claws into poor Lottie. [color=9AF781][i]How can she be as smart as she is, and still not see what that bastard’s up to?[/i][/color] He wondered as he watched her embrace the spawn of Calbert. 

But even as Alibeth rose to her feet, fury in her eyes, no real consequences came for Cassius. Edin’s love for Calbert was dangerous, it was going to make it incredibly difficult for them to take that man down. 

Lorenzo’s voice soon filled the room. Leo sighed. It seemed it was time for the Vikena House to join the drama. 

[color=9AF781]“Well, I’m sure no one is paying any attention to our corner of the table with that mess going on. Seems the Damiens have quite a bit of favor here, to be able to speak like that in front of royalty. Even Ana’s upset, but who can blame her? What an awful thing to say to Prince Callum.”[/color] Leo addressed Drake, his voice low. Did he care about Callum, not at all, but maybe he could get some information about the Damiens from Drake. Surely, there had to be a touch of rivalry there. 

[color=9AF781]“To let what Cassius said slide when they threw your sister into a jail cell over a painting.”[/color] He whispered so low only Drake could hear. [color=9AF781]“Quite frankly, it’s appalling. As appalling as Cassius himself is. But you…”[/color] Leo paused and smiled at Drake. 

[color=9AF781]“You seem like an honorable man, Drake. I hope your intentions with Thea match my impression of you.”[/color] He added, entirely sincere. [color=9AF781]“I can see you know what it's like to worry about your sister. And what you'd do if anyone approached her with the wrong intentions."[/color]Leo continued, and it wasn't a threat, it didn't need to be, just an understanding. A viewpoint they shared. [/color]