He stayed where he was as they spoke, simply looking at the floor and musing to himself about what the guard he had handed the reins of his horse to had done with them. In the midst of a King who most likely wanted him imprisoned, a Princess who held far too much trust in him, and a whole kingdom of people that would kill him for what he came to do, he was thinking about the horses. When Aria was granted the position of Alexander's babysitter he looked up and smiled at her, genuinely excited about this part of his mission. He was nothing if not a ladies man.<br/><br/>As they were waved off he stood and turned to follow Aria out of the hall, glancing back only to say,<span style="color: #BF0000">"Thank you, Your Majesty."</span>Walking out he had barely gotten a deep breath as the doors closed before he found Aria firmly attached to him in a hug. Almost reluctantly his arms went around her to return the hug. He had forgotten how willful and impulsive she was...<span style="color: #BF0000">"Ah...yes, im pretty sure that was my top fear too. I'm too young and lovely to look at to die...."</span>Xander grinned at her, as if he were joking.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">"I will gladly be shown around by you, Aria,"</span>Taking her hand he looped her arm through his,<span style="color: #BF0000">"but first I have to see what's been done with my horses and get them safely acclimated to their new surroundings."</span>