[h3][center][color=burlywood]Niklas Casimier König of Königreich der Welten, of the Bundeswehr Welt Armee[/color][/center][/h3]
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	Niklas greeted people as they came and went, easily, warmly, genuinely, always quick to give a compliment and a quick half-bow. 

	Then Mai walked up, that... other one flanking her.

	He knew what Mai looked like; indeed, he had heard of her a couple times over the years, and he had studied her profile extensively due to her betrothal status. But seeing her in person, especially with the way she was dressed... she was gorgeous, to be frank. All the women here were superb, beautiful, intriguing, but there was a grace and fluidity to Mai that surpassed them all on a totally different playing field.

	He nonetheless gave a deep bow when she stopped before him, and taking the proffered sword.

	Hells, this was nothing like he'd practiced with- this was a very real, and very different, sword, and it was no one's but his own. It touched him, slightly, to know that this was the first thing that wasn't his own earning, or his family's wealth, but rather a gift from... a person. A very real person, who might be a friend and likely would later be his wife. That's an odd thought.

	Nonetheless, he took the sword with near-reverent hands. He didn't dare draw it, not in the presence of so much royalty, and definitely not in the presence of the King and Queen of Aciras- no matter how friendly he was to them, it'd be a major breach in safety to draw a weapon in their presence without their explicit permission.

	Quickly, though, he took the sword in his right hand and took hold of Mai's retreating hand with his left.

	"My apologies, mi'lady Mei Mai. Allow me to formally introduce myself, even if you already know me- I am Prince Niklas König of Königreich der Welten, and I, as a good man, prince, and soldier, bear the unforgivable burden of having no gift in return to my betrothed. So, I can presently offer you nothing more than my genuine thanks and gratitude, and a token of such."

	With that, he leaned down, bringing her hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of her hand, before releasing her.

	Straightening, he continued- "No matter what may happen in this great collision of royalties, you have my gratitude, respect, and companionship, should you ever require it. And, more than that, I look forward to getting to know you."

	He smiled, then, a warm, sunny thing.

	Maybe all this wouldn't be as much of a drag, after all.

	With that conversation done, Mai went on inside, as he stood there, waiting to greet more people. He had some fluttery feeling, now, and he ruthlessly forced it down. He was just doing what was proper, what was just right and polite. It wouldn't be right to receive a gift and give nothing back. 

	He still couldn't help but stare a [i]tiny[/i] bit at Mai, as she retreated inside, but Kuhn's rumbling chuckle reminded him of his place, once more. 

	[i]"That was smooth, Prince. I don't think anything we could've advised you would've been able to top that."[/i]

	He silently vocalized back, [i]I hope no one else gives me anything.[/i]