Alaera gave a sigh as she looked up at the palace. She ad been travelling for days now, she was heart broken, tired and angry. She really didn't want to be here, she had left her palace room, her things behind and the one person she actually loved, her brother. But he hadn't said a word to her when she left, since she had been promised to the prince he hadn't spoken a word to her.

She brushed her black long hair from her shoulders and straightened her dress. Determined to end this she rose from her seat in her carriage and let a knight help her down the steps. She was dressed in all red, including the gloves that covered her pale skin. She would win this prince over, wed him, take his child and then kill him. It was simple, or so her father claimed. Of course he wasn't the one who had to win the prince over and then kill him. She raised her head and started her walk up to the waiting guards to take her to the prince. Her heart didn't race like she expected, no it felt dull in her chest, she felt lonely like she had since her father made the agreement.

The palace of Prince Miguel Gentry of Barton stood a fair distance from his city which he ruled over with an iron fist, backed by the mountains to the east and defended on all sides by stone walls whose bricks were carved from the mountainside. He was widely rumored to be a a stern man who adored heraldry and ceremony and legends of great knights. He'd shaped up to be a fine knight himself before he'd overthrown his father, and pride, rather vanity, was his strongest and weakest point. He never appeared in public without a light suit of decorative armor and a beautifully-embroidered tabard over top. In his castle, he was always dressed to the nines and his style was impeccable but clearly displayed his ego. Some teasing rumors claimed that he'd nearly drowned many times staring at his reflection in lakes and rivers.

Alaera was met by two guards in full decorative armor who seemed rather uncomfortable in their attire, and they escorted her into the lavishly-decorated halls. Tapestries of great battles and heroes hung everywhere and many statues of mythical and historical warriors stood between columns on either side. Prince Miguel stood at the end of the Great Hall where his throne lay, standing beside it with his hands clasped neatly behind his back. He too was dressed in finery with a chestplate and pauldrons and hip guards for armor set with lovely engravings and etchings. He wore fine gloves and dark trousers and a tabard with a purple raven on the front, the symbol of his house. At his hip hung a sword in a scabbard more richly decorated than Alaera had ever seen even of her own father's collection. He had long hair but it was tightly tied back and on his brow sat a simple silver circlet that, despite being gleaming and polished, seemed a little too humble compared to the rest of his outfit. Perhaps he assumed that he didn't need to show off a crown for people to know he was their Prince.

"Lady Condenance," he spoke with a deep and smooth tone of an eloquent leader who knew how to put power into his words. "Welcome to Barton Castle."

Alaera curtsied low, knowing her place. "Your highness. Thank you for your welcome." She carefully moved closer and curtsied again, staying low, with her eyes on his shoulders not his face. She was wishing she had dressed up even more but she would for dinner with him tonight, he really was as vain as she had been told. She would have to be certain she could be looked at as an addition to his collection, something to be carried around just to have another jewel. That would be easy enough, she was a beautiful, a woman that any man could crave. She gave him enough time to look down upon her before slowly rising and finally meeting his gaze with hers. At least he was handsome, she could look him in the eyes and not feel her stomach turn. She would be able to bed him without cringing. She waited quietly though, letting him decide what sort of position she should take. here was only so much her father told her, the rest she had to learn on her own.

Miguel stroked his goatee with a pleased smile as he studied Alaera. "If I may be so forward, dear lady, King Milaeus hardly did your beauty justice in his letters. I've heard rumors, but nothing yet to describe what stands before me." He stepped forward and took her hand with an oddly gentle, but firm touch that told her he was definitely the leading man. Pressing a kiss to her hand without breaking eye contact, she could see just how intense his own brown eyes were, filled with cunning and majesty. He might've been quite attractive and desirable, but Milaeus had marked him for death in order to take his lands. And whatever Milaeus wanted, he tended to get with little delay.

"Come, I've arranged for tea in my private parlor and a small brunch," he quite boldly drew her hand to his arm and led her with all confidence off to one of the side. She'd met many stern and confident sorts before, but Miguel was like a lion strolling through his territory, king of all he saw. He made his approval of her quite clear as he made sure his servants saw to her every need and comfort, shooting a glare at one who wasn't quick enough for his taste. "I trust your journey went well. Tell me, what has brought the great King Milaeus' daughter's interest to my halls?" He wasn't going to bandy words about it.

Alaera let him guide her through the halls, observing everything with a silent and small smile. She boldly tucked herself closer to him as if she was a little frightened and that he were to be her protector. She was pulled from her observations as he spoke to her once again. She of course wasn't going to tell him the truth but she cowered a bit to show she was a bit frightened but nothing she couldnt over come. "My father has an heir your highness." She gazed up at him, she could now, since he had accepted her. "Milaeus is a clever man, he knows that my beauty and intelligence should not be wasted but be used a a gift to create an alliance between another land, a land that has equal to gain, and nothing easily lost should a war come. A good partner, such as one that you would seek at your side, intelligent but not one to push on your affairs too greatly." She smiled at him, squeezing his arm just gently as if to remind him that she was there.

She had been planning these lies for a long time, she almost believed them herself now. She had spent months studying his culture, his people, what his country had that they didn't, it was a bit of a stretch but not much. They would gain the resources of this land when she carried his child and killed him. She felt a little bad for him, but she knew if she didn't do this her father would find another way and then she would face something far worse than death.

"Milaeus is a very businesslike man. I honestly wonder why he bothers with my country. He disliked my father's love of ceremony and heraldry, so I'm surprised he doesn't mind my own." He pulled out a chair for her at the little parlor table and sat across from her. "I hate to think, however, that you're only here because your father forced you. I hope you find your own enjoyment in being here. It wouldn't do for you to be just a bargaining chip." As the tea was poured, Miguel sat back a bit, and she could already see his guard was falling not only because she was a beautiful woman, but because he'd already judged her, as he always judged quickly, as a calm and unthreatening sort of person. She'd certainly done well to convey such an air.

"I would've thought Milaeus would send you over the mountains to Prince Matthias, he boasts the most land beyond the more wild people who inhabit the mountain kingdom. Then again, no one here on the west side is on good terms with those ruffians in the peaks."

Alaera smiled a bit as they sat together. She sipped her tea before answering. "I had hoped to find a man I could share in conversation higher than every day chatter. I had my choices but you know as well as I do that no Princess can marry just a simple man, he must be a man worthy of the title land or not, the same for you." She pursed her lips for just a moment, "I don't want to spend my life worrying about savages coming to my bed either. Matthias has good land and an army yes, but I don't believe he can lead as well, and if he won't listen to a woman at his side there is little I can do." She tilted her head just slightly. "You lead with a firm hand Miguel, You know how to lead without making your people suffer but also to push their limits. Qualities I desire in a man."

Then she sipped her tea again. She wanted to blush a bit, but there wasn't much to blush about right now. She then gently set down her cup and nibbled away at the brunch like she was enjoying it very much. She started to let her mind wander then scolded herself and brought herself back to what they were into.

With his vanity came ego, and Alaera was doing a fine job of feeding it. His smile grew more handsome as she called his rule firm and mentioned her desire for such a man. "You know, Lady Alaera... I do think we'll get along quite well."

Miguel might've been prideful and a bit frugal about this and that, but he was all to glad to dole out money and finery for Alaera's stay. He'd spared no expense to make the guest chambers as beautiful and luxurious as possible. Even though it was nice for someone who enjoyed such things, it was a far cry from what she was more used to. Her own room back in her own country was fine enough, but growing up with her loving brother, they'd spent a lot of time in his own room. His was grey and black, sparsely decorated with a very simple bed and an ever-roaring fire, and shelves up high with curious findings and skulls from hunting in the mountains, his favorite place. The room, like Gauge, had always smelled of mountain air and rain with just a hint of smoke from the fire.

Alaera smiled to herself as she settled into the palace. She kept herself easily in reach of the prince, she didn't dare let him get bored of her. She sat infront of the mirror in her room and started to brush her hair. She let her ladies settle her things, but her brushing slowed as she thought of her dear brother. How she missed him, she had to close her eyes for a moment to regain her composure. She had spent some of the trip wondering if she had just told him, what would have happened. But she knew this was for the best, their father would just ensure to use that against them if he ever found out how much she loved her sweet brother.

Then she set her brush down and picked another dress from her wardrobe, this one was purple now to please the prince. She had her ladies help her with her hair and picked out a few new pieces of jewelry to wear. A few pieces he had given her to show her appreciation. She painted her lips herself, then paused looking out her window and into the mountains, again missing her brother. She scolded herself mentally, she didn't have time for such thoughts. Every step she took she had to plan, she had to scheme and ensure that she was pleasing her future husband. So she did. Now it was time to learn what he would do with her and what she would join or watch him do. She left her room and went to seek his company.

Miguel was out on the enclosed grounds galloping about on his horse with the Archduke of Barton, playing a round of polo between themselves and a few other prestigious people from the city. But when Alaera stepped out, a very reassuring sign of her tightening hold on the prince's affections came in the form of his entirely missing a shot when he saw her and was momentarily daydreaming. He trotted his horse out to meet her, sliding from the saddle with a smile to face her as he pulled off the riding helm. "Good morning, milady." He bowed before her and pressed a kiss to her hand. "I hope you slept well?"

"My prince, is the game still on?" The Archduke called.

"In a moment! Come over here!"

The other men gathered and Miguel introduced Alaera with a clear, silent message that they were to treat her as his honored guest. Each man introduced himself, but the only one worth remembering for the time being was Archduke Breven Bennett. He was a thin and fairly tall man, but not as tall as Miguel, and he had to be in his early fifties at least. He seemed wary of Alaera after hearing Milaeus was her father, but he gave her the most courteous welcome in deference to his prince and ruler.

"So, Miss Condenance... if you're here, is there any chance we might be seeing your brother?" The Archduke asked, and she could see in his eyes that he knew well that Gauge was an assassin and a very 'persuasive' diplomat for his father.

"Lord Gauge is indisposed for now, she's told me," Miguel answered. "But we'll see, if she does decide Barton is to her liking."

Alaera couldn't help but let a little bit of her true self show, giggling as Miguel missed his shot. He came up to a beautiful smile that she knew many men adored her for. She curtsied before him as he took her hand and kissed it. "Miguel, I didn't know you played." She said softly before he bellowed for someone who was clearly his friend. She looked to the Archduke as he approached, barely noticing the other, only letting her eyes drift over each of them to make sure none of them were worth her consideration.

As she was introduced she allowed them have her hand many times but her curtsy was small or not at all, just a simple wave of her dress skirts until the archduke where she gave him a curtsy that was just enough to show respect but a sliver of being above him. After the introductions she placed herself carefully on the princes left arm, her shoulder just behind his, it was a position she had taken with her brother before, not in the way of the hilt of his blade but still close. A place a man would have to trust the woman at his side to allow as she could easily take his weapon unhindered and strike.

"My brother is to be king soon so his duty resides at home, as you know there is a lot of work and schooling to be done to be a king." She shook her head and looked upset for a moment. "I'd rather not go back if it's all the same to you highness." She looked to Miguel as she gently squeezed his arm with her hand. "I've been rather lavishly spoiled here. Also, I must say the company is much better here." Then she let her smile return. "Family is family and I did not chose who I was born to, how ever the company I hope to keep here has more stimulating conversation to carry out with me." She looked up at the prince, gently pressing herself against his arm. It was another advantage to the place she had picked, his arm had become something to press against her breasts. "Perhaps one day he will visit but right now you needn't worry." She raised her hand a the Archdukes clear concern. "My brother is hot headed but I assure you he is a man of dignity and he will be on his best behavior should he visit. By then I should be a queen and he will be an equal to me. Do not worry so much." She raised her head. She looked at the prince again, waiting to see his reaction to her boldness.

Miguel nodded along to everything she said and he lifted his opposite hand to lay over her own with a smile to the others as if he was showing off his prize. "Now, if you don't mind, gentlemen... I think I'll let my horse turn in and let you all continue as you like. I have some matters of state to attend to, as well as entertaining a lovely lady." He enjoyed his friends' company, but he was always glad to abandon whatever he was doing to be on the receiving end of Alaera's affections. He had thus far proven to be a man who had a heart for romance, highly unlike most people Alaera had ever met in positions of power. He also had a tendency to figuratively 'place her on a pedestal' as a thing of beauty that was not meant to do any sort of taxing task. He'd long since ordered his staff to wait upon her just as loyally as they waited upon him.

As they re-entered his castle and retired to his balcony off his private parlor, Miguel sat down beside Alaera on the cushioned bench, holding her hand gingerly in his own. Even after so short a time, he knew he definitely enjoyed her. Being such a forward and blunt man, he made that perfectly clear to her and just about everyone without words. "I'm glad to know you enjoy my home so much, milady. In fact... I was hoping to ask you, if it's not too soon... if you'd like to stay. I'd like to properly court you, beyond all these diplomatic pleasantries." Again, being forward and entirely blunt about what he wanted.

Alaera was a bit surprised that the prince had turned his attention fully to her. Men in her life always feared her and worshipped her for her beauty and power. She had never been truly romantic with any of them. When he spoke of her staying her heart ached for a bit, she missed her brother still but because of who and what she was she could never admit it. She kept a soft little smile on her face as he spoke to her keeping her attention on Miguel as much as she could.

When he spoke of courting her she allowed her surprise to show. It was an acceptable reaction for the situation. She drew her hand up to the pendant around her neck and let her smile widen. Of course she was smiling because she was winning him over she would be done soon enough. She was happy this was going so well, soon she will be done and that made her heart race, freedom only a few years left. Less than if she was to stay with her father. She wasn't certain he would ever die, he seemed to never age. "I think I would very much adore that." She said after a moment of silence just staring him in the eyes. Then she leaned in like a little princess and kissed his cheek just softly and quickly enough for him to feel it. Her cheeks had turned red from her heart racing. She was putting on a good show for anyone watching. She bit her lip as she gazed at him through excited eyes.