[Color=silver]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HSVJtD7.png[/img]
[Color=gold][sub][u][url=https://youtu.be/RnKR66yaqdc?si=9fM5_NpZUQ6fUWvd]Lorexander Deakena[/url][/u][/sub][/color] [/center]
[Color=gold][b]Time:[/b][/color] [color=red][b]6 p.m.[/b][/color]
[Color=salmon][b]Location:[/b][/color] Entry Hall, The Castle Dining Hall
[Color=gold][b]Attire:[/b][/color] [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1288647225571807274/1341215972287320154/remix-6b91c8ee-fee6-4534-8423-84a51496b106.png?ex=67d81ff6&is=67d6ce76&hm=a3f9916378ac693915b982cb0eced024d3d833f232375d29bb36598e047fe5fa&] Alexander's suit[/url] and [url=https://i.imgur.com/aqfNx2y.jpeg]Lorenzo’s fit[/url]
[Color=salmon][b]Interaction:[/b][/color]
[Color=gold][b]Mention:[/b][/color] [hr]

The entrance hall. Cold, quiet, and empty it was as the two men briskly stepped through its doors. Lorenzo was still leading Alexander who took a watchful look around for anything unusual upon entry.

[Color=gold]“Here?”[/color] Alexander offered but he phrased it like a question. He felt almost bored about how easy it was to control this man.

[Color=salmon]“Here?!”[/color] Lorenzo questioned, whipping around to face Alexander who simply wore his signature grin.

[Color=gold]“Yes… here,”[/color] he replied, tempering his frustration. Lorenzo narrowed his eyes and appeared as if he was thinking a little too hard about the placement.

[Color=salmon]“No!”[/color] he refused, taking a single step back. [Color=salmon]“Here!”[/color]

[Color=gold][I]You fucking dolt![/I][/color] He took a step forward Lorenzo. 

[Color=gold]“Perfect. Now, what exactly is our issue, Duke Vikena?”[/color] Alexander wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible but unfortunately, Lorenzo wasn't of the same mind. In fact, he wanted to be as thorough as possible about this whole situation regarding Charlotte. Whether he’d actually accomplish what he wanted was truly up to him. This was Duke Lorenzo Vikena after all. He gave Alexander a good once over before adjusting his own posture, straightening up, and holding his head high.

[Color=salmon]“Don’t pretend to be foolish! You know exactly what this is about!”[/color]

[Color=gold]“I… I don't, your grace… If it's about your shares with the Black Rose Trading Company, your hefty investment is more than secure, I assure you.”[/color] Alexander figured he could lighten the tension by changing the subject entirely to something he figured the Duke might be drawn to. A gamble but the slight glimmer in Lorenzo’s eyes brought forth optimism in his decision.

[Color=salmon]“Oh!”[/color] Lorenzo’s demeanor shifted sharply. [Color=salmon]“Hmm… let's discuss [I]this[/I] matter quickly and then we can talk about you and Charlotte.”[/color] And just like that, Lorenzo was disarmed.

[Color=gold][I]What about her? What did she tell him?[/I][/color]

[Color=gold]“As you wish, your grace. You see, the company has seen nothing but rapid growth since its humble beginning, all thanks to you. And even now, despite our main office relocating here to Sorian, Veirmont’s beautiful ports are still filled with vessels waving our flag. Lord Delronzo is quite grateful for your many contributions.”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“Oh… is he?”[/color] Lorenzo questioned, recalling the businessman being far too busy to arrange an official meeting with him in the past.

[Color=gold]“Of course! We're even thinking of naming one of our vessels after you… [I]The Lorenzo[/I], just picture it.”[/color] He said as if there was magic in the words. Sure, it was a lie, but this was beginning to become rather fun for Alexander.

[Color=salmon]“Hmm… [I]The Duke[/I]!”[/color] Lorenzo offered the name with weight in his voice.

[Color=gold][I]Is he..? The Duke?[/I][/color]

[Color=gold]“The Duke! A perfect name! I like it. I will ensure we have one of our ships bearing that name… Now, is there anything else we need to discuss? Perhaps your medicinal shipments?”[/color] Alexander inquired which caused Lorenzo to raise a brow in suspicion.

[Color=salmon]“You know about my shipments?”[/color] Lorenzo questioned with a scrutinous glare. He didn't think Alexander would know something so personal, yet Alexander’s expression didn't waiver against his.

[Color=gold]“Naturally, yes. We, The Black Rose Trading Company have to ensure we keep our investors happy, so we make sure any [I]laudanum[/I] with your name on it gets priority. Even if the King were to declare it an illegal substance, we'd surely find a way to smuggle it over to your doorstep. Just for you, Lorenzo.”[/color] He shot the wink before walking over to comfortably lean his back against the wall, arms crossed.

[Color=salmon]“...Thank you.”[/color] He still didn't know how to feel about the invasion of privacy but having a reliable flow of his medicine seemed worth it for the time being. [Color=salmon]“Now… ehem… Now that we have gotten that out of the way… [b]Lottie[/b]. Why did you reject her today? And don't you lie! Don’t. You. Lie.”[/color] 

[Color=gold]“I think…”[/color] Something imaginative seemed to click deep within the confines of Alexander’s mind. Something devious. [Color=gold]“I think I know what you're referring to. How is she?”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“Terrible. Absolutely terrible! She came back home with her eyes low and barely able to sit down to listen to how my performance went at the theater! I'm sure you heard. I won the damned thing! No contest!”[/color] A potent aura of cockiness enveloped Lorenzo for but a moment. A moment that nearly made Alexander burst into laughter but he kept his composure as difficult as it was.

[Color=gold][I]What is wrong with this man?[/I][/color]

[Color=gold]“And… what about now? [I]Lottie[/I]. I she doing better? I believe I noticed her spea-”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“DON’T YOU!”[/color]

Lorenzo’s voice cracked as he nearly pounced on Alexander who jumped slightly from the sudden action. Lorenzo’s face was mere inches from Alexander’s now, his eyes fiercer than before 

[Color=salmon]“Don't you dare say it, Deacon! Don’t you dare tell ME what you saw! Are you blind?! Do you not see that I am her father?! The only parent she has left…”[/color] And slowly Lorenzo’s tone began to weaken while his expression softened. [Color=salmon]“I saw everything she did tonight. I saw how she slowly crumbled away… She crumbled away and lost her self-worth while staring at her reflection in her wine glass… Do you want to know what else I saw, Deacon..? Hm?!”[/color] Alexander just kept quiet to avoid triggering the Duke any further. He figured if he refrained from talking too much, Lorenzo might run out of steam. Yet, this was Duke Lorenzo Vikena after all.

[Color=salmon]“What I saw was the moment my Lottie decided [I]any[/I] man who could so much as breath… was worthy enough for her embrace.”[/color] Lorenzo huffed and looked down and away from Alexander in an attempt to calm himself. Perhaps if he didn't look at the man, he could return to civility. [Color=salmon]“And it's all because of you… isn't it?”[/color] his hands closed into fists, believing the worst of the entire situation. He felt a firm hand land on his shoulder but still, he refused to look at the man in front of him.

[Color=gold]“Lorenzo, I’m sorry. Truly, I am…”[/color] He lied easily as he had waited for a moment like this to return. [Color=gold]“...but I am not the man who wounded her heart. That dove is too precious. A rare soul that young woman is... In truth, Charlotte was in a similar state at the art gallery as well. One moment, she was wallowing in something deep. Drowning in it. The next, she was preening over me. She even attempted to kiss me…”[/color] Alexander felt Lorenzo quiver beneath his grasp. [Color=gold]“...but it was our first outing together and in the public eye… you and I, we both know how such an intimate exchange would look… with a married man at that.”[/color] Lorenzo slowly but surely faced Alexander, his visage sad and pitiful as if he could shatter if he decided to simply squeeze his shoulder in comfort. 

[Color=gold]“I was only trying to protect her in my refusal but… I do wonder now, Lorenzo. Who could have hurt her… Twisted her mind in such a cruel and awful way?”[/color]

[I][H3]TO BE CONTINUED…[/h3][/I]

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