It wasn't long before Arthur found his wife, Lady Alexandra, in her personal meeting chamber.  It was not a place he went to often, and the young man standing just outside told Arthur that his wife had been warned of his arrival.  That mattered not to him in the least.  He was not a stupid person...not by any stretch of the imagination.  Before even coming to see his wife; Lord Arthur had summoned a half-dozen guards, and stationed them in the hallway.  If an arrest was needed...if his wife would not listen....then she would not be allowed to continue her treachery...one way...or another.<br/><br/>"Ah, M'Lord Arthur!  What brings my noble husband to me here of all places?" his wife asked sweetly, but there was an immediate sense to her tone that suggested she was both curious, worried, and even a bit annoyed.<br/><br/>"Alexandra, you have outdone yourself this time.  Our marriage is a sham...I am no fool to think otherwise, but this latest act is intolerable," Arthur began in a quiet, strong, and very angry tone.  "Your interference in House affairs on behalf of your own family against House Ambrosious will not be tolerated any longer.  I have your trader...the one from Marquis Bellamy, and he confessed that it was you who directly ordered him to purchase the grapes House Ambrosious was already negotiating for.  That contract already had a lot of wealth involved, and you dared to interfere.  You will apologize now and cease such activities to undermine the House you are now sworn to by this marriage....or, you will cease to be a Lady of this House."<br/><br/>In all their time of marriage, Alexandra had never once seen her husband like this.  She had slighted him at events.  She had deliberately danced with others in public.  She had even taken a couple of new lovers, and hadn't slept with her own husband in fifteen years.  In all that time, Arthur had never challenged her.  Indeed, the Lady Alexandra had believed her Lord was incapable of challenging her.  This, however, was clearly not the case, and her mind was whirling with doubt and a way out.  She could, of course, pretend like she had no idea what was going on.  She could even say the trader was slandering her name, but considering her husband had dared to challenge her at all made her suspect he was not likely to believe her.<br/><br/>Coming around from her side of the desk to him; she curtsied low with head bowed in respect and submission.  "I apologize, My Husband.  It would seem I have let my ambition get the better of me.  It will not happen again," she said with all the skill she could muster into a soothing voice with a touch of sorrow.<br/><br/>In truth, Alexandra was a bit proud of her husband for standing up to her.  She had thought he was nothing more than a worn out noble with a great deal of power, prestige, wealth, and honor, but one who no longer was really active.  That he had challenged her directly now gave her pause.  Had her family been wrong about Arthur?  Had she been wrong?  Was he stronger than they knew?  More perceptive even, perhaps?  Was it possible that House Dubois would fail to take House Ambrosious via her marriage to Arthur?<br/><br/>Either way, she was now wary of her husband, and kept her head bowed...remaining in her position.<br/><br/>Arthur, for his part, was still furious.  Oh, the trade with Bellamy was not super important in the grand scheme of things, but it had showed him just how far his wife was willing to go to undermine him...and that...that was not acceptable.  Out of sheer graciousness, Arthur took her left hand, and raised her up...his thumb tracing the dragon ring she wore for their union.<br/><br/>"Alexandra, this breech of trust is not something I can simply overlook," he warned her, and there was steel in his quiet voice...fire...the fire of the dragon of his House.  "I will be watching closely, now.  Pray I do not find any other hints of such treachery.  It will not go well for you...or House Dubois.  Am I clear, My Lady and Wife?"<br/><br/>She looked into his eyes after standing, and knew he spoke the complete truth.  It was one of the few things about her husband that she knew very well.  When he spoke the truth...it was in his dark green eyes for all to see.  This was no bluff...no idle threat.  Her Lord and Husband meant every word he had just said.  She and House Dubois would pay...dearly, and considering the power House Ambrosious had...she had no doubts he would do as he claimed.  It actually made her gulp hard for a moment as she stared into his green eyes.<br/><br/>"Completely, My Husband," she whispered back sincerely.<br/><br/>Arthur and Alexandra stared at each other a bit longer, before he nodded politely to her and turned to leave.  "Oh, and by the way, Alexandra, I will be replacing your guards.  I have six from my own personal guard that will be taking the place of your own.  I believe your own look a little...tired, My Lady, and as your safety is important...I believe you will find these six quite watchful.  Enjoy your day," Arthur added, and then left her office.  Once in the hallway, he nodded just once to his guards present.  All six moved as one, stepped up to the three she had on duty.<br/><br/>"You three are dismissed from service," Arthur ordered coldly.  One of the three looked ready to argue, but the officer in charge of the detachment simply let his hand drop down to his saber.  There was no question about what would happen next, and so the three were escorted away by the other six Arthur had hidden around the corner.  "Are the rest relieved, Sir Malcolm?"<br/><br/>"Aye, M'Lord, they are.  It was all done just prior to you coming to see your wife," the knight replied<br/><br/>"Excellent!  I am going to the Market Square.  It has been some time since I walked among the people, and I think it would be good to open up the library today for some storytelling.  Have my Steward, Lord Vincent, open it up for the day.  The people always enjoy when my library is open to them for stories and such," Arthur continued as he strode down the hall to the stairs.<br/><br/>"Very good, M'Lord," the knight answered, and went off in search of the Lord Steward to pass on his lord's message.