[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/iqSfS3U.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/vC25bML.png[/img]
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[color=4C93C2]Location:[/color] Ballroom
[color=4C93C2]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=4C93C2]Interaction:[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo [/color]
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[color=gray] Calbert released him.

There was no hesitation in it. His hand opened, and he stepped back far enough to grant the duke the space he had demanded.

For several seconds, Calbert said nothing.

He looked at Lorenzo’s face, then at the hand still raised between them, the finger pointed toward him. Then finally, the Count relented, imbuing soft regret into his tone. [color=4C93C2]“I apologize, Duke Vikena.”[/color]

Calbert lowered his gaze for a moment, as though considering the matter with the seriousness it deserved. [color=4C93C2]“You are right. I overstepped.”[/color]

He sighed. [color=4C93C2]“You and Lottie have only one another, and it has been a very long few weeks for you both... For us all, certainly. I wished to ensure that you continued looking after each other.”[/color] His eyes lifted to Lorenzo’s once more. [color=4C93C2]“But she is your daughter, not mine.”[/color]

He was quiet for a moment before he added, [color=4C93C2]“She ran to you, you know..”[/color] Calbert glanced toward the ballroom, eying across the room as Charlotte tugged on her heels. [color=4C93C2]“The moment you spoke back to the King, she ran to you without another thought.”[/color]

His attention returned fully to Lorenzo. [color=4C93C2]“That is what matters.”[/color] Calbert's expression was reassuring now, though his scrutiny remained exact. He watched every change in Lorenzo’s face. [color=4C93C2]“You need not decide what you think of me tonight. You have already made your opinion quite clear, and I assure you, I am capable of surviving it.”[/color]

Calbert smiled nonetheless and said, [color=4C93C2]“It's important to me that you two have each other, so I am glad I reached you in time. Please do not make another scene tonight.”[/color]

He paused before adding, very gently: [color=4C93C2]“Not for my sake...[i]For her sake.[/i]”[/color]

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