[center][h2][color=7bcdc8]Aspen.[/color][/h2][/center]

The knight had taken a stance with an erect spine and an hawk eyed stare into the crowd of royals interacting but when the young lady approached him, he smiled brilliantly to her. She was beautiful herself and he recognized her as Princess Isabelle, he had seen her at other social functions and the like, though he'd never spoken to her personally. There was never any reason to bother the royals outside of his own kingdom, he found that many didn't appreciate a knight who spoke out of way and without reason. He'd been reprehended a few times by his father for trying to speak with queens from other courts but since she had approached him by herself, he guessed it wouldn't hurt to talk with her. She wasn't any of the betrothed which meant she was either very young or very unfortunate as far as eagerness to marry off children went.

He was very close to the Charra's, absolutely loved them and held them to a much higher pedestal than his father. The king had only ever treated him kindly, especially when he'd been so willing to try to shape Prince Marion into a more humble prince. Though any and all of his efforts had been wasted on the prideful prince, he had cared enough to try and it had often gotten him into the bulk of the prince's wrath. Though Marion was not much of a talker when he was furious, he had blade edged words and he liked to break things, he'd once taken a swing at Aspen but Aspen had sidestepped it. The prince had never tried again but it was easy to see in his eyes that he wished to do much worse sometimes.

It was hard to tell with Marion, it was hard to tell anything with Marion. He was often very closed off and fuming, something was always irking him and his hatred for the poor was out of pure greed. He wanted everything but he hadn't worked for any of it. Marion was a selfish child and he always had been, Aspen had often asked the king if he was worried about Marion's reign but there had never been much comment. He supposed the prince would make a fine king someday but not a wise king or a fair king, he was too volatile and bloodthirsty. 

Shaking free of his thoughts, he realized the princess had gotten close to him. He found himself bowing fluently before her, he even offered her a slightly amused smile when she spoke. "[color=7bcdc8]My lady,[/color]" he greeted her warmly and gave a soft laugh. "[color=7bcdc8]The prince is um- rather nervous, I think. He's never been much of a socialite and the crowds might be causing him problems. I only came to offer him my company and to keep him from boasting of his ego.[/color]"

Ice blue eyes seemed to glimmer with amusement and he gave a shake of his head. "[color=7bcdc8]Though I fear that he may need protection from himself with that temper of his, I've been banished from his side until further notice.[/color]" he arched his eyebrows to the young lady. "[color=7bcdc8]My lady, I didn't even offer my name. My apologies, you can refer to me as Aspen or Sir Lyons, if you would be pleased to.[/color]"

[center][h2][color=9e0039]Prince Marion.[/color][/h2][/center]

The prince watched the princess before him, noticing every slight shift in her expression as he had been speaking with his knight. He noticed some kind of unease and he tucked it away for a moment, hid it behind his warm smile and cold eyes. He had always liked talking to some extent, found himself to be very social when he was feeling gracious but today he was sort of drained. It may have been the atmosphere, the nervous tension and the need to put on a mask of pure collection. Amongst royals, he had to be viewed as one of high status and maturity, one who could handle being smashed in a very small room with very many people.

He had to exude calm as well as arrogance, to never doubt himself and to appear like he took in everything that was said and gave away nothing. It was the only thing that had ever made people admire him, his silence and cold detachment made him appear as if he'd had years of training in royal etiquette and it made people fear him. He [i]loved[/i] to be feared more than anything and he [i]loved[/i] the looks that he got, as if people were angry that he'd gathered such confidence over the years. He found it utterly amusing and he tried to keep himself from laughing each time someone had told him that his arrogance was shameful. He couldn't help being proud.

[b][i]He was a prince, after all.[/i][/b]

"[color=9e0039]I write as well,[/color]" he spoke in a slight undertone, his writing embarrassed him, it was the only thing that he refrained from showing off. He'd never shown anyone in his family, he couldn't imagine ever trying to read those epics to Ares. He could nearly assure himself that she would find it hysterical and he'd never been very close to his younger sister, though Aqua was a darling and he knew that she cared for them all, he couldn't think of how to be brotherly. He'd never been a good older brother to Ares and he'd never been interested in her penchant for battle, he didn't understand why she wanted to go make a knight of herself but he respected her ambition. It was a trait they shared. They were both ambitious but his ambition was better put towards being a king someday.

"[color=9e0039]Poetry,[/color]" he admitted blandly and still looked embarrassed somehow, it was the first genuine humble emotion to flicker on his face but it was wiped away with a shrug. "[color=9e0039]I have a cat and I adore lore, there's something about old fables that intrigues me. I like the stories and the fiends. I used to like studying literature, though I don't do it much anymore. What is your family like?[/color]"