<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0080FF"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">House of D'Aries</span><br/><span style="font-size: 130%; line-height: 116%;">Castle Asture</span></span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o793/Galvin_Fugazi/4d346bf9-c817-405c-b853-1d680fc1dba7_zps5271719f.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Lord Alexander D'Aries</span></span></div><br/><br/>Alexander had been waiting for Lady Marina when he had accidentally happened upon Gregorio and Danielle speaking to one another. He had not planned to eavesdrop, but the idea of Gregorio speaking to Danielle did not sit well with him. For obvious reasons he was curious as to if they were plotting together and it seemed that they weren't truly plotting maliciously against him, but rather speaking about the idea of Alexander still desiring Danielle for his wife.<br/><br/>Gregorio, he was surprised to see, was very honest with Danielle. Gregorio was accurate in his assumptions of how Alexander felt, but now Alexander questioned himself--should he give Danielle another chance? And what of Marina? He could not lie, he worried greatly for Marina with Gregorio at the opposite end, but he also knew that much danger would come of him falling for Marina. Could he really handle that sort of guilt? To be the reason Marina was in danger? To be the reason her lands would be taken violently? And what of Danielle? She faced her own demons in the form of her father's wrath. Alexander was no hero and perhaps neither girl was an option for him as he would only bring them grief.<br/><br/>He cared for Danielle, deeply. He always had, but she had always been a cruel woman towards him. He didn't blame her, his reputation was not that great, but it wasn't as tarnished as Leon's--only because he was not a rapist. Marina's sweetness, her obvious intelligence, her clear strength--it pulled at Alexander. Called to him louder than Danielle's loveliness ever did. He did not want to admit to himself just yet that he liked Marina--that he could see himself with Marina until his last breath. He didn't want to admit it to himself or anyone for that matter because it was unfair to Danielle and Marina, and Marina had things to worry about other than whether a man cared for her or not. She had troubles and he did not wish to add to it.<br/><br/>Danielle and Gregorio soon left and Alexander walked down the stairs slowly just as Marina came out. Alexander wiped his troubled expression off and gave a small, apologetic smile to Marina. "Not exactly how I had hoped this morning would go. I apologize, Marina. I had not foreseen these events and I would understand if you wish to cancel our ride through the meadows..."