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[img]https://i.ibb.co/V0PfMhsf/8531-FC85-1297-4-C7-A-9-B65-C29409-E6-F295.webp[/img]
[sub][color=DDB775]Interaction:[/color][@FunnyGuy] Alexander[/sub]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/sPIxd99.png[/img][/center]

[color=lightgray]Edin’s gaze [i]snapped[/i] to Alexander the moment he approached.

In his moment of temper, he allowed the silence to sit there for a long while. Long enough to make sure his opinion on the advisor's lateness was tangible.

Only after a minute did the King speak, slowly and heavily.

[color=DDB775]“You arrive after the fire has already started, Mr. Deacon.”[/color]
His voice was low, but the irritation in it was plain. The apology that had unfolded from Alexander's lips had been exactly as it ought to have been crafted, but the anger in Edin’s face did not immediately vanish. [color=DDB775]“At least someone in this room remembers how to speak to his king.”[/color]

His eyes moved briefly toward the place where Lorenzo had been dragged away. The sight seemed to sour whatever pleasure Alexander’s flattery had managed to stir. After a moment, Edin beckoned him closer with two fingers.

When he spoke again, his voice had lowered. [color=DDB775]“Duke Vikena has already made a disgrace of himself tonight. He attempted to persuade me toward his daughter, and when I questioned his motives, he tried to make me out to be some kind of…”[/color]

[b][color=DDB775][i]“Pervert.”[/i][/color][/b] 

He had spat the word, literally droplets of saliva escaping his lips as his expression twisted. [color=DDB775]“Then, when I corrected him before the court, it appeared as though he meant to assault me. Count Damien intervened before the matter became irreversible.”[/color]

A muscle in his jaw spasmed, and he released an irritated breath through his nose. [color=DDB775]“The Varian royalty are arriving soon, and my court has apparently mistaken grief for permission to behave like animals.”[/color]

His gaze settled heavily on Alexander. [color=DDB775]“You are my advisor. Advise me.”[/color] The king tilted his head and questioned, [color=DDB775]“How do we keep control of the optics before the Varian King and Queen walk through those doors?”[/color]

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