[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lp7lay3.png[/img] [hr][i][color=LightSteelBlue]Time: Evening[/color] [color=LightSteelBlue]Location: Banquet Hall[/color] [color=LightSteelBlue]Mentions / Interactions:[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Alexander, Lorenzo [@princess] Charlotte, [@JJ Doe] Count Fritz[/i][/center] [hr] [color=lightgray] Cassius hadn’t even meant to listen, but he heard [b]everything[/b]. He had crouched there beside her, and beside Fritz, just to make sure she didn’t faint. He only wanted to ground her, or at least that was the reason he gave himself. But now he was hearing it too…The words and accusations, Lorenzo’s misguided idiocy, and Alexander’s fucking lies. Charlotte trembled beside him, he could tell that every fiber of her being wanted to burst through those doors. He wouldn’t let her, not like this. But thanfully, he didn’t have to stop her. Just in time, Count Fritz stepped in. Fritz took her hand gently, placed it against his chest, and began to walk her through the simplest, yet most powerful thing in the world. Breathing. And somehow, it worked. The tension in her shoulders loosened, if only slightly. The frantic look in her eye began to dull. When the Count revealed to Cassius that she had been cursed, he pushed the stress of the revelation out through a long exhale. [color=lightsteelblue]“Thank you.”[/color] He spoke it softly, genuinely. And then, his voice dropped just a little further. [color=lightsteelblue]“I’ve dealt with curses before... not quite like this, maybe... but enough to know that you’re right. For now, all she can do is endure.”[/color] He looked down at Charlotte again, still holding her hand with no intention of letting go. Her face was pale and tired, but calmer now. Maybe the worst of the storm had passed, who knew, but at the very least he hoped relief was imminent for her. He could see in her posture that her plans had changed. She no longer reached for the door…Good…At least that part was over. He rose slowly, guiding her up with him, his hand never leaving hers. [color=lightsteelblue]“Count Hendrix...”[/color] Cassius looked to the man, his tone respectful, [color=lightsteelblue]“...would you mind giving us a moment?”[/color] He didn’t wait for an answer. [color=lightsteelblue]“Would you do her one more favor and keep listening? If anything else comes through that door, anything important... let us know later.”[/color] And with that, Cassius turned, drawing Charlotte gently behind him. Their hands remained clasped as he led her away from the door, away from the noise and the rage and the pain of what had been said. They moved down the corridor, past tapestries and statues and all of the other fancy bullshit places like this were riddled with…through a small, arched alcove and into one of the old servant nooks just off the hallway. It was quiet, and that’s all that really mattered. Once inside, Cassius finally turned, his eyes sweeping over her with a quiet intensity that was unmistakable in its worry. [color=lightsteelblue]“You alright?”[/color] The words weren’t poetic or as charming as his usual fare. He watched her face, her body language, looking for the truth in all the spaces he could. He stepped closer, just enough to bridge the gap between them, his voice was gentle as he spoke again. [color=lightsteelblue]“You don’t have to talk yet if you’re not ready... but I need you to understand something.”[/color] His hand reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture uncharacteristically careful. [color=lightsteelblue]“No one gets to define you. Not a prince... Not a count... Not a prick like Alexander Deacon... Not your father... Not me… Only you get to do that.”[/color] He paused though his gaze never left hers. [color=lightsteelblue]“You hear me, Lottie?”[/color] The silence pressed in, but he didn’t shy away from it, instead he continued and his next words came out even softer. [color=lightsteelblue]“You are not weak.”[/color] He took another step closer. [color=lightsteelblue]“You are not shameful.”[/color] His hand found hers again, thumb brushing gently across her knuckles. [color=lightsteelblue]“And you are not alone.”[/color] He let those words hang in the balance of what little space remained between them. Then, quieter still… [color=lightsteelblue]“Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen. [b]Anything.[/b]”[/color][/color]