[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RsPNCur.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/TdjdX26.gif[/img][/center]
[color=lightgray][color=#6C72C6]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=#6C72C6]Location:[/color] The Ball
[color=#6C72C6]Interactions:[/color] [@Remram] Nolan
[color=#6C72C6]Mention:[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo, Charlotte, [@Oso] Cassius
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The movement of Nolan’s thumb against her hand caught Marina by surprise.

Her gaze dipped toward their joined fingers. She had not realized she had been touching him that way until he returned the gesture. Her cheeks warmed, and she struggled to bite back the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Still, Marina pretended not to notice.

[color=#B3EBC0]“I only hope that she’s met someone nice.”[/color]

Marina followed his gaze toward [color=#D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], her expression turning thoughtful. [color=#6C72C6]“I think she may have,”[/color] she said slowly. Her eyes searched the room until they found [color=lightsteelblue]the man with the gray-streaked hair.[/color] [color=#6C72C6]“That one standing near her looks as though he would kill for her.”[/color]

She paused, considering him more carefully. [color=#6C72C6]“Which is not the only quality one should seek in a gentleman, of course,”[/color] she added. [color=#6C72C6]“But it is not a terrible place to begin.”[/color]

Her thoughts wandered, and the amusement faded from her expression. [color=#6C72C6]“Her mother only died last year,”[/color] she added, her voice lowering to a whisper. [color=#6C72C6]“Her aunt, Countess Diana Cristian, wrote to me about it afterward. She lives up in Krasivaya, the really cold area of Varian.”[/color]

Her thumb moved once more against Nolan’s hand, this time with slightly more awareness than before. [color=#6C72C6]“So yes,”[/color] she decided, looking back at him. [color=#6C72C6]“I hope she has found someone nice too.”[/color]

Then Marina studied Nolan’s face and tilted her head.

[color=#6C72C6]“You look worried,”[/color] she observed. [color=#6C72C6]“Is whatever is happening over there a big deal?”[/color]

Nosy as ever, Marina pursed her lips and craned her neck, trying to take another peek at the commotion.

Just in time to catch sight of [color=#FA8072]Duke Vikena[/color] swinging his fist.

Straight toward King Edin!

[color=#6C72C6]“OH, MY GODS!”[/color]

Marina gasped so sharply that she lost her place entirely. Her foot tangled with Nolan’s, and a moment later, she went crashing straight into him.


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