Rei's speech about women brings a small smile back to the prince's face and his eyes too, the sheer cultural difference that made Rei seem 'simple' in some ways was rather endearing and the misunderstanding between rhetorical and otherwise was always lightening. Why if there were a few more people like Rei around the Kingdom it might have been a tad more enjoyable here, of course his fluid grace and ability to master things rather quickly was a little grating but the fae child couldn't help the fact he was superior to most humans in that sort of element. He could almost imagine the fluffy haired fae out dancing the Queen and looking rather perplexed as her face soured, or out fence the swords master and ask the Prince why the man turned red and stormed off cursing. No doubt people would get suspicious though if he continued to be so adapt at matters of grace and poise and so it was in Alessandro's best interest to keep the fae from becoming too prominent in the eyes of the court. 

While he mulled over his odd thoughts he hadn't quite noticed the boys approach, despite the closeness and the lack of personal space the Prince didn't wholly sense the boy until his hand moved and the Prince involuntarily flinched. He didn't pull away however and allowed the curious fae to touch his lip where the indentation was already beginning to fade despite a slight darkening of the skin in that area. Alessandro was, perhaps, just as curious as Rei, wondering quite what the young man would do if given the chance. Oh surely the servants, had they seen it, would scold and screech for no one was allowed to lay hands on the prince aside the royal family but Rei was Rei. Out of many in the castle aside his sweet sister and the meister there weren't many he felt as close to as the fae man. While the bond with the former two was formed from love and respect Rei and he were bound by a different and perhaps stronger tie, death. Rei had held and still did hold Alessandro's life in his hands, he could end or save it whenever he desired and while the Prince was confident when he first struck the deal with Rei he knew full well should the Assassin decide that the money was better than the books there was nothing Alessandro could -or would for that matter- do to stop him from claiming his bounty. 

The fae's hand was surprisingly warm, Alessandro wasn't sure why he was surprised, fae, like humans, had beating hearts and blood in their veins -or so he thought- and so it made sense that they, as mammals too, were warm blooded. Yet he still was surprised, as he was at how soft the fae's finger was against his lip, perhaps it was only such a surprise as fair few ever gave such tender touches and while the fae's was a product of curiosity and not tenderness it was perhaps the most tender touch he'd experienced in a month or more. "I did." The Prince uttered quietly, steadying his breathing and his speech so as not to dislodge the fae's finger. When it slipped off naturally the Prince looked briefly to Rei and gave a sad sort of smile, "I shouldn't have, right? I feared if I didn't I'd say something that would have ruined the breakfast, or the day depending on my fathers mood. I promised to try hard this morning, as a prince I have to watch what I say, especially to the King." Alessandro reached out and laid a hand on a tuft of light blonde hair peeking from under the hat that Rei wore. "I'm fine, don't worry. The mark will disappear soon. Shall we go?" 

The prince released the boys hair and with as happy a smile as he could muster he lead the way from the eating quarters and out towards the castle front, his boy came running out with his riding cloak and gloves and the Prince thanked the boy as he was helped on with them and then handed over the scroll meant to read his 'speech' from. No doubt some jumped up words from the steward about how the royals were the town and they ought to be thankful, Alessandro would just wing it as he often did, the speeches were usually long and dull otherwise and honestly a royalist like the steward shouldn't be writing things to boost the ego of the civilians.

When he and Rei were ready he was escorted down the steps and helped into the carriage, it wasn't as fancy as one might expect for a royal, made of dark wood and with the King's sigil on the door, it had only the smallest amount of filigree at the corners and while the seats were soft plush material the small curtains were simple red velvet. The horse in front was a pair of beautiful pure white mares, gentle tempered but easily frightened. It was supposed to be a sign of good luck and purity, like the unicorns in the stories of old and it was for that reason that the white mares were made to pull the coach. They wore blinkers to obscure any frights, the driver was dressed smartly and richly and wore a stern expression and the footman was likewise dressed with a more aloof expression, giving a curious glance to Rei as he climbed onto the back but saying nothing and soon enough they were off at a trotting pace leaving the castle grounds and heading into the city proper. 

The Prince sat in the carriage, shoulders back and head up, once again the stern look on his face, one expected of a royal though he clutched the scroll in his lap and silently wished for the speech to be over so he could at least have a few hours before returning to the stiff and annoying countenance he was told to wear in public. Prince's weren't allowed to be seen as gentle or aloof, take his brother for example. Feared and respected, everyone loved or feared him and that's what a Prince needed to be, especially in this critical time, he couldn't show 'weakness' or he'd bring the ruination ofh is family, or so his father and his tutors constantly reminded him.