[hider=Lorenzo and Charlotte flashback][color=lightgray][center][color=red][h1]FLASHBACK[/h1][/color]
[h3][color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color] & [color=Salmon] Lorenzo[/color][/h3]
[color=D0B4EC]Time:[/color] Morning after Ducal Meeting
[color=salmon]Location:[/color] Carriage Ride
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The carriage jolted gently as it pulled away from the palace. The seating was plush, and the paneling, once rather lovely, now felt like the walls of a confessional as Charlotte sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her eyes were fixed not on her father but on the blurred vision of buildings sliding past her window. She had not yet looked at her father. 
Not since they had entered. Not since the door had closed behind them like the drawing of a curtain.
[color=D0B4EC]“Someone cast magic on me last night.”[/color] She didn’t raise her voice; she didn’t need to. [color=D0B4EC]“I embraced my friends because I feared I had been poisoned.”[/color]

[Color=salmon]“Eh-”[/color] The short sound escaped Lorenzo as his head whipped toward her. There should have been words that left his lips but the revelation generated too many reactive responses at once to form them. [Color=salmon]“Wh-what?”[/color] He had no shame in his shaken reaction, for the things said by Charlotte were both alarming and something he did not wish to believe. 

[Color=salmon]“Someone cast magic on you last night?”[/color] He repeated her statement in hopes he had misheard her. 

Charlotte gave a solemn nod.  [color=D0B4EC]“I’m fairly certain. Last night was terribly strange... I suffered the most dreadful hallucinations and peculiar sensations. At first, I feared perhaps I’d been poisoned, but...”[/color]  Her voice trailed off, and her shoulders sank, [color=D0B4EC]“Well, seeing as I’m still here to tell the tale, I suppose that wasn’t quite the case after all.”[/color]

[color=salmon]“Lottie…”[/color] Lorenzo had gone from not knowing what he heard to not knowing what to say. There hadn’t been any jest in her tone or shakiness to her demeanor, which only served to make her statements more difficult to take in. Shaking his head with a wistful smile and denying it all was far easier. 

[color=salmon]“Lottie, it seems this talk magic has truly gotten to you.”[/color] The lightest of chuckles left him. [color=salmon]“And if anyone were to cast a spell on my dearest daughter, it would be a kind one. Like making all your least favorite vegetables taste like freshly baked bread! Poison? Magic? Occam’s razor tells me you were just having one of those womanly moments.”[/color] The more he spoke, the more he was able to minimize Charlotte’s suspicion. 

[color=salmon]“You know, your mother had moments like that when she didn’t eat or drink enough throughout the day. Dizz spells, haha, the irony of such a term. But she’d do it so there would be no doubt in her mind about her [i]looking her best[/i] in her dresses. And if you consider it, your date at the art gallery likely had little food to offer. Hordeaurves… Pretty, quaint, and tasty, but hardly fulfilling. In my opinion, they should serve them in threes… or fours even. Yes, four would be quite the treat! Which also reminds me! I told Gilbert to have some brunch prepared just for us. Nothing specific, really, but it will certainly be delicious as always. Just don’t let Olivia beat you to your servings, or you might find yourself dizzy all over again. And then you’ll believe you're poisoned. And then you’ll start saying someone cast a spell on you.”[/color] He grinned, making light of the whole thing.

Charlotte’s gaze drifted downward, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she brushed her palms soothingly against her thighs. A familiar ache pressed against her chest, subtle but unmistakable. She had hoped, if only briefly, that perhaps this once Lorenzo might truly listen. But his swift dismissal made it painfully clear he wasn’t ready to grapple with such uncomfortable truths.

She first eased her expression, pushing down the sting of disappointment. It was easier this way, she reminded herself; easier to believe she had merely overreacted. Arguing further would accomplish nothing. [color=D0B4EC]“Perhaps you’re right…”[/color] Her voice was subdued, wrapped in a false air of acceptance. Slowly, she raised her chin and offered him a smile. 

[color=D0B4EC]“Brunch sounds rather wonderful, especially after the meeting we just had.”[/color]

Charlotte turned her gaze back to the window, contemplating whether to warn her father about Alexander Deacon’s intrusion into her head at the museum. But given his reaction just now, she reasoned, perhaps Lorenzo wasn’t in the mood for troubling revelations. Still, she could not let the danger pass unmentioned entirely. Choosing her words carefully, she finally broke the silence once more:
[color=D0B4EC]“Also, I suppose… Considering Alexander Deacon’s connection to the Black Rose, and Prince Wulfric’s clear suspicion of them, perhaps it would be best if we steered clear of him. At least until we know more. I have an obligation to the charity event this week, but it does help that it is a public affair.”[/color]

[color=salmon]“Yes, yes, that is quite the conundrum. I mean, the Black Rose possibly being involved in all these dark things occurring in Sorian. I don’t doubt the prince, but it’s hard for me to believe one of the largest trading companies is involved in witchcraft.”[/color] Lorenzo frowned disappointedly. [color=salmon]“And this Alexander Deacon…”[/color] Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably in his seat and unnecessarily cleared his throat. 

[color=salmon]“I don’t want to judge the man based on these allegations, but it would also be rather blasphemous to undermine the crowned prince. I’m not sure if you saw, but I spoke to Mr. Deacon last night, and he didn’t strike me as nefarious. Sure, he’s probably a slimy businessman— they’re all slimy, but he managed to-”[/color] He couldn’t form the thought at first on how to describe the conclusion of their interaction.

 [color=salmon]“He helped me find reason in a moment when I may have been unreasonable… A moment when I had decided you and I would leave this place, and return to Vermillion.”[/color] Lorenzo admitted without looking her in the eyes. 

Charlotte finally looked at him with a flicker of unease in her eyes. [color=D0B4EC]“He is not a good man, Lorenzo.”[/color]   She told him outright, her voice unwavering. [color=D0B4EC]“Even if you can’t quite bring yourself to believe me, I beg you not to be  quick to trust him.”[/color]

[color=salmon]“Oh…”[/color] Lorenzo’s mouth was left slightly agape. Her adamance in her opinion of Alexander proved too strong for him to dare to combat. He had to trust her, but isn’t that also what Alexander told him to do? She left him wondering if Alexander was no different than Calbert and Hafiz— charming smiles hiding devilish intentions.

Charlotte let the silence settle for a moment before continuing. [color=D0B4EC]“And… I don’t think it was unreasonable of you to consider leaving.”[/color] Her countenance softened, and she gave him an understanding smile. [color=D0B4EC]“Truly, things have been unrelenting as of late. I don’t blame you for weighing what might be best for us.”[/color]

Her hands folded more tightly in her lap. [color=D0B4EC]“But I believe the Black Rose is already entwined in matters that affect the people I care about. I can’t in good conscience walk away, not yet. Not until I know the truth… If it ever becomes too much… we still have the option. But for now, I need to stay.”[/color]

[color=salmon]“The truth?”[/color] Lorenzo asked softly but quickly cleared his throat, this time deliberately. [color=salmon]“What do you mean by that, Lottie?”[/color] Lorenzo furrowed his brow in concern. 

[color=D0B4EC]“I-... “[/color] Her mouth parted momentarily. Her lashes lowered as she breathed in slowly. [color=D0B4EC]“I believe the Black Rose has taken an interest in some of the people I care about.”[/color] She explained calmly. [color=D0B4EC]“I don’t know why exactly. But I’ve noticed a pattern—things that don’t feel like coincidence anymore.”[/color]  She tapped her foot lightly against the floor of the carriage before adding quickly, [color=D0B4EC]“It’s nothing to worry about. I’m keeping an eye on things, and I’m being careful.”[/color]

Then she tilted her head up again and shifted the conversation.

[color=D0B4EC]“Do you plan to seek a new wife this season?”[/color] she asked, her tone curious, as though the question had been floating in her thoughts for a while, yet the concerned expression on his face told her that he was not so easily distracted. 

It would take a far thicker smokescreen to throw his attention away from Charlotte's wellbeing. He could already feel the slight rift between them— the impasse. Both striving to protect people they clutched so closely to their hearts. While their intentions were similar on paper, they couldn't be more further apart once said in the space between them.

Lorenzo gulped. The pause before a lunge. The rumble before the eruption.

[Color=salmon]“Charlotte…”[/color] His voice held steady, hiding- no, stalling what was to come. His hands balled into fists in his lap, as he prepared to put his foot firmly down on this matter. 

[I][Color=crimson]“Let her do as she wants. It's too late to change anything.”[/color][/I]

Gentle was the push of these words in his mind. Not forceful, but more like a supportive hand placed on his shoulder. The planted suggestion made by Alexander Deacon gently pulled him back, his voice, a soft caress and a warm reassurance.

[Color=salmon]“No...”[/color] He said quietly with a gentle shake of his head. [Color=salmon]“No, I hadn't considered such. I-I don't believe I’m quite ready for [i]that[/i] just yet.”[/color] He said weakly as his fists collapsed flatly in his lap. [Color=salmon]“Um, do you have anyone you fancy yet? Or who fancies you?”[/color] Again, his voice dripping with submissiveness.

Charlotte’s lashes lowered, and for a long moment, she only watched her thumbs brush over one another.  [color=D0B4EC]“I thought maybe…”[/color] she began softly, the words faltering. 

She stopped there, swallowing, her throat tightening. Her eyes drifted toward the passing streets beyond the carriage window, though her expression softened in a way that betrayed she was seeing something else entirely. [color=D0B4EC]“But… as it happens, such things do not always turn out as one might hope.”[/color] 

[color=salmon]“Oh, Lottie,”[/color] It took everything in Lorenzo to push past his desire to know more, but pushing for answers would only serve to make things worse. From what he witnessed last night, he was already aware of the rejection she had experienced that day. And whether it was by Alexander or someone else, the most important thing was to comfort her in the moment. [color=salmon]“Things like this happen. The best things one moment become the worst things in another, or what you thought you wanted for so long turns out to be the worst thing you’d ever had.”[/color] He placed a hand on top of hers.

[color=salmon]“Whoever that man is, is an absolute fool for turning his gaze from the only young woman I know who can be the best person one could ever have. No buts and no exceptions.”[/color] Lorenzo found his smile again as he was reminded where he truly found his joy. [color=salmon]“He will realize his mistake, and perhaps regret it for the remainder of his life, because for a moment, he failed to see and recognize you. A woman who truly cares for others in a way even her own father believes is too much, but she does so anyway.”[/color] He chuckled, squeezing her hand slightly. [Color=salmon]“But she's smart, graceful, sweet, and I would be more than proud to see her be my heir to the Vermilion Duchie.”[/color]

Charlotte’s throat tightened, and she blinked quickly to keep her composure. At last, she leaned forward, slipping her arms around his shoulders in a tender embrace. [color=D0B4EC]“Thank you, father,”[/color] she whispered earnestly. [color=D0B4EC]“For always being so good to me. Truly… and for being so good to Vermillion. I only hope that one day I might love them as well as you do.”[/color] She drew back and met his eyes, her own glistening with emotion as she added with a smile, [color=D0B4EC]“I shall treasure your kind heart for all my days.”[/color] Her hands closed gently over his, a sad yet wistful fondness softening her features. [color=D0B4EC]“I have missed our talks so very much.”[/color]

[color=salmon]“As have I, Lottie. I-”[/color] He second-guessed himself for a split second before he committed to his sudden idea. [color=salmon]“I think we should block off an evening every few days. Just us, the staff, cookies, and milk- or whatever we want, really. Nothing obligatory.”[/color] He shook his head.

Charlotte’s expression lit up. [color=D0B4EC]”I would love that.”[/color] She confessed and beamed softly at him. For just a small precious moment within this vast storm of troubles, the two found more than just peace— they rediscovered a feeling that had slowly slipped from their grasp during the course of this season. 

Their carriage came to a slow stop in front of their estate, and for the first time since the ball that kicked everything into motion, they walked feeling that they had each other to lean on. Even if the rest of the Sorian fell to ruin, they would surely have that.[/color]
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