His carriage was drawing ever closer to the Winter estate. If he looked out of his window. He could see the large structure of the house looming overhead. He never really paid much attention to the Winter house before. But now that he did, it seemed less like a house and more like a- prison. No, that wasn't the right way to describe it. It looked like a golden cage. Very daunting. He wondered if Faolan had felt the same, when he was first summoned to the Winter estate. It was something Alexander would definitely inquire about when he saw the man next. Despite the young lord's feelings of dread. He wouldn't turn around now. He had already come so far after all. And he didn't want to disappoint, Maybel. No, he made her a promise, and he would hold to it. No matter what. Alexander turned his head away from the small window that was built into his carriage and instead focused his gaze on the assortment of gifts he had brought with him. He hoped she would like them, she would have to, right? There was so much on offer, she was bound to like at least one of them, right? 

Suddenly, his carriage came to a stop. And he heard his driver and step down from his seat to open the door for him. Oh, gods, they were here already? That was-fast. Alexander thanked his driver when he helped him down. But when he looked around the inner courtyard, he was amazed. It was beautiful here. The winters seemed to spare no expense. If the outside looked like this, what would the inside be like? It would probably be the best designed house he had ever set foot in. Alexander didn't feel as intimated by the grandeur of the estate like he did before. But it still didn't go away entirely. But then he saw her. Maybel. Looking even more stunning than she did when they first met at the gallery. He gestured for his servant to fetch the prepared gifts from the carriage as he approached the woman. Quickly, he checked his pocket watch to make sure he was on time. And luckily he was. "Miss winter." He bowed to her. Like she was royalty, though in a way he supposed she was. "Its so good to see you again." He said as the straightened himself once more. Alexander smiled at the woman before his attention was snapped to the approaching coachman. Carrying the gifts. "I didn't know what you would like. So you brought you a little of everything!" He laughed as the servant showed the lady the gifts. Chocolates, flowers, and even jewelry. Though, Alexander picked one item from amongst the bunch that he was most proud of. "This is my favorite" It was a music box, not something revolutionary all on its own. But this one was special. "I modified it, so you can change the song it plays anytime you like, in fact you can even make your own melodies with it!"

Alexander chuckled when Maybel told him she had been waiting for their "meeting" all day. She was probably just saying it to be polite. Just like when she dropped to a curtsy. Or when she used the appropriate style to address him. But still, it did cause his heart to skip a beat. "Please," he said with a playful tone. "Just call me Alex, all my friends do." Well, most of them did, anyway. Some also called him Prinny, but he didn't really like that one as much. Since it was the one nickname his parents used to call him when he was younger. And while he had come to terms with the death of both his mother and father. It still rubbed him the wrong way that people used that form of endearment. Perhaps he really should say something about it- but setting clear boundaries and actually reprimanding others when they crossed them was something that he had trouble with.

Alexander shook his head, he shouldn't think about his failings at this time. For the gifts he had brought were about to be presented to Maybel. And when they were, she seemed to like them very much. She stated that he shouldn't have gotten her anything, since she had nothing for him. To which the nobleman could only shake his head. "That's okay, I didn't get you all this just because I expected something back." Well, that wasn't entirely true. He did want something from her in the end. But nothing like clothing, money, or whatever else. He really just wanted to please her, make her happy. See the wondrous smile she had. Really, that was enough. "I just, wanted to spoil you a little." He joked. Though really, he was no "sugar daddy" In fact he was quite sure that Maybel money than he would ever have. But he supposed you didn't always have to spoil someone with expensive gifts, well-thought-out ones could work too, right? Well if that was the case then perhaps he could pass for a Sugar daddy after all. "But if you don't like that, then next time my presence will be your only gift." 

Maybel really seemed to like the musical box, and he was glad of it. Tinkering with it was actually time-consuming. It took him at least three days to get the damned thing to do what he wanted. But really, even if it took him months to complete. It would have all been well worth it. Especially since she seemed to happy with it. The lady even said it was wonderful-no, beautiful. Alexander laughed but waved his hand in the air dismissively. "It was nothing really." The man responded when the blond woman started to thank him for the gift. But before he could say more, a servant approached him. They had to set off if they wanted to reach their destination in time. Oh, shoot! The dinner, he almost forgot! He wouldn't mind coming late himself, really he could stay here in this exact spot. Chatting with miss winter all night. But he had promised her a dinner, and he would never go back on a promise. Besides, it was rather difficult to book the renovation for the restaurant he there were going to, so it would be a shame to let that go to waste. "I believe we must be going now." Alexander gestured to his carriage. "Will you be riding with me, or would that be too inappropriate?" He tried his best to play it off as a joke. But he really had no idea. He wasn't really well versed in the art of "picking up girls" especially not girls like Maybel winter.

‘Well then you should have called me Maybel,’ Perhaps he should have, it suited her so well after all. Much more so than "lady winter." Not that she didn't deserve a title, but-She was just so down to earth and friendly. Not at all what a winter ought to be. At least not in his mind. They were always such distant people. ‘‘But I like the idea of us being friends, Alex.’’ She then said. With a playful look and a teasing tone. See? That was what he meant. Were all winters secretly like this? Or was she just a special case? In a way, Alexander wanted to find out. It had piqued his interest. But curiosity wasn't the only sensation he felt wash over him. "I like it too," She said, softly. Giving her a tender look. "And perhaps one day we can be something more-close friends perhaps?" He smiled at the idea. He really would like that. But he would also like to be even more than that. But he was getting a head of things. They had only met twice so far and, well. He didn't want to get his hopes up. For he was quite sure that a man like him was not good enough for a woman like Maybel.

Seeing the woman smile surely was a sight to behold. But seeing her bite her lip and trying to stop a blush from painting her cheeks red. Was even better. It was just so adorable. He couldn't really describe it. But he was glad she was reacting this way. And didn't- laugh at him. Because while his words were genuine, they were also kinda cheesy. The blond girl asked if he was already thinking about a second time. Which he did allude to in his earlier comment. Without even thinking about it. Just another testament on how quick-witted Maybel was. Alexander thought for a moment and then shook his head, smiling. "Well, of course I am." He wasn't lying. He really would like to see her again. Many times, in fact, if she allowed it. "You can't expect me to have enough of the most brilliant lady Winter after just one meeting." The lord teased back playfully. Though with a certain truth to his words.

Her attention shifted to the music box one again. Playing with it. And Alexander watched her. It was a sight that he could look at forever. The girl of his dreams enjoying the gift he especially made for her. The other presents didn't even seem to matter at this point. But he did not mind that. As along as Maybel was happy with one thing he had brought for her. Alexander was more than satisfied. ‘‘Oh it was more than something,’’ she countered when he tried to be modest about the hole thing. Something that made him blush even more than she did before. He moved his hand over his face in an attempt to wipe the red tint of his face. But naturally, that didn't really work. He started to get nervous now. Something that he had under control before, but. It was starting to get just as bad when they were at the exhibition.

But then he was snapped out of it. It felt like a bubble he was trapped in popped, and he was freed from his own self-imposed prison. But really it was a servant. Reporting on the time. It was something so simple. But if presented, the man with an opportunity. For he could move things along now. And by doing that, find his confidence again. Alexander told Maybel they should be heading off now. Something to which she responded with a simple  ‘‘Of course,’’ A servant belong to the Winters came forward. Who was tasked with handling the gifts. For a brief moment Alexander wondered if these presents would have betaken to Maybels apartments or if they would be simply thrown out. The young lord shook his head. No, she wouldn't do such a thing. She liked him and his gifts. She would surely keep them. Alexander asked if she would be riding with him. Questioning whether or not it was the proper thing to do. ‘‘HIghly inappropiate,’ She said that. But that wink, and the fact she took his arm. Made it clear it wasn't. He laughed and places his hand over hers when their arms locked. She was so warm. Like a burning oven. But it didn't make him feel hot at all. No more like- comfortable. 

Alexander helped the girl into his carriage, because of course he did. He was a true gentleman, after all. Besides, it felt proper to do so, Maybel deserved all the attention in the world. No matter how small. When they were both seated. The woman brought up a subject he hoped she would have forgotten about. The secret project. Alexander started to feel himself become all fidgety again. "Now now." He said, trying to rack his brain for a suitable answer. He had come prepared. For this senarior. And so he would have an answer for her if she pressed on. But if he could avoid the matter all together, then he would. "I can't tell you that now, so early in the evening." The lord tried to come across as suave as possible. "I'l tell you at the end of our little adventure- It'll be a good way to close it, no?"