"
Excuse me, Princess Erin. Aqua-Aqua keep her company-" he said in startled befuddlement as Aqua begin to push him towards his younger sister, her betrothed, a beautiful young woman and an estranged prince. He couldn't help but find the strange prince to be somewhat beautiful himself but he made good on not commenting, there were plenty of beautiful people here and now was not the time to become entranced by some foreigner. He wasn't of the kingdoms and that much was certain, he hadn't been paired with any of the ladies and yet he had interrupted as if he belonged here. He'd made a show of his entrance and Marion had settled for ignoring him until Aqua had darted over like a bat out of hell. Aqua was only looking to keep Ares from being foolish but he never cared much for how foolish Ares wished to be.
It was in her nature to fight and challenge and he knew that. Who was he to challenge her nature?
It wasn't his concern if Ares wished to battle with the strange man, he wasn't responsible for her actions and he hated when he was counted on to try to hold her back. Ares could tear him apart if she wished to. He really hated going toe to toe with his sister and it took all of his willpower not to blow Aqua's suggestion off. He really wasn't in the correct emotional set ever since he decided his distance from his family bothered him, but he got over it in a moment of consideration. He liked Blind Maurice better anyhow, who needed family when all they did was cause him trauma and anger him lividly?
He collected himself under a cold facade again and smoothed his shoulders so that he wasn't hulking like a frightened weasel. He still didn't feel like trying to make his sister calm herself because he was more than sure that she wouldn't be willing to listen to a word he said.
He'd just have to talk over her until she got so mad that she focused her anger on him. It was a sound plan, she'd been angry at him before.
With reluctance, he strode over with the practiced gait of a royal at heart and he pressed a hand to Ares' arm, eyeing her with disapproval. It was a look that cleanly seemed to demand that she stop while she was still ahead. It was as if to challenge her and he so rarely ever tried to challenge her, his gaze moved to the stranger. He stared at the out-of-place prince and he drew in a deep breath, sighing lightly through his nose. It made him seem irritated, as if he'd decided to hate everything right there or as if he were disappointed with what he saw--he wasn't, in fact he was somewhat intrigued by the man but that didn't show anywhere on his impassive expression.
"
Prince Marion, heir of the Erendale throne. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance and our kingdom gives regard. My father should be done with royal business soon, so if you would rather wait for him, I do understand." he stated calmly, his voice even and soft before he leaned closer to Ares and spoke in an undertone.
That undertone was more of a hissing whisper against her ear.
"
Ares, please remain calm and do not start a fight. Blood shed is not today's goal and if Father or Mother hears of any unseemly manners, they will be very disappointed in you and me for not stopping you. Do not make our kingdom seem less than savages, we've only had the finest royal training, we are not a group of drunken knights."
The knight noticed the entrance of the foreign prince and rose his eyebrows when Marion was pulled over to speak with him. It confused him for a moment and he wondered where the man had come from, he seemed older than even Prince Marion, nearly as old as Aspen himself. He turned away from the scene, he'd intervene if it seemed to get heated, sometimes he had to just let things happen instead of shifting around like an overbearing parent. Though it was more often than not that Prince Marion needed an overbearing parent, he could be very quick to challenge under his calm face.
Watching the Princess curiously, he wondered how much that he should share with her before nodding slightly and offering a friendly smile. "
Princess Isabelle, I'd love to tell you of the Charra's." a slight gesture to Prince Marion, the dark haired prince looked as confident as a war horse with his straightened spine and tilted chin. He had a slight curl to his upper lip that was very arrogant. As if he believed himself to be much better than all who surrounded him. "
Prince Marion is the epitome of royalty, it's all he's ever wanted. He takes his responsibilities very seriously and he adores giving orders. I believe he would be so treasonous that he would murder the king if he was sure he could get away with it," a nervous laugh and a shake of his head. "
Princess Ares is battle ready, I helped train her myself. The knights used to adore her! I recall that my father said she would make a lovely addition to the guard. She's very much a force to be reckoned with. Princess Aqua is a darling, she seems to care very much for the both of them,"
He looked thoughtful for a moment, his blue eyes glimmering. "
I think both of her older siblings care deeply for her, though the Prince would rather choke on his own pride than tell her."