It was obvious that the host prince was doubtful of Crix's constitution.  Well, who wouldn't be?  He was the only monarch here with a walking cane for Maker's sake!  Besides, the other princes and princesses were all jovial and confident in their strides whilst Crix was coughing like he was on the brink of death... figuratively, of course (he hopes).  However, before he could remark on that thought, his attention was caught by an approaching princess.  Initially, Crix paid no real heed to her approach but as her visage grew more steadily clear, the paplian prince knew that it was a big mistake to not have noticed her earlier.  It was Princess Violette Moran, his betrothed!  As his eyes set upon her figure, Crix couldn't help but feel that his throat became dry, unable to spout anything of his calibre.  Although the aforementioned princess carried little elegance in her movements as compared to her counterparts, she was beautiful-- no, beautiful was an understatement, she was dazzling!  No, this wasn't desire or lust.  It was something more:  admiration.  

As he stared at her welcomed approach, a thought eased its way into the sickly prince's mind:  why wasn't he coughing yet?  Crix almost felt bad that he was to be wed with a princess of this level of beauty; she could have easily gotten to one of his brothers who could offer her more than what Crix was capable of.  Sure, he had seen her portraits in the past but those painted canvases could have never prepared him for such an alluring persona that now stood and introduced herself to them.

Crix nodded in response, doing the only thing he could do at the moment when all his senses, for the first time, were unable to keep up with his sight:  he smiled.  It took a while for the prince to get back to 'professional' mode but once he did, the cold visage of the paplian inventor returned.  [color=8dc73f]"Princess Violette."[/color]  Crix returned the greeting, taking advantage of the moment of peace where he wasn't coughing like a madman, and took the woman's hand in his before planting a subtle kiss on the back of her palm.  It was a good thing that he wasn't coughing because the last time he did that, he coughed on one of the visitor's hands... so, not the ideal event for an alliance.  Crix straightened himself once more, looking at his betrothed.  Supposedly, this was the part where he was suppose to flatter her but, to hell with that, Crix was not one for flattery.  [color=8dc73f]"You're beautiful."[/color]  he said, ever so straightforward and sincere.  He had been one to say things on his mind and he was not going to go back on his nature.  

However, as more and more people arrived at their location, his illness began to come back.  [color=8dc73f]"Princess."[/color]  Crix began with a small grin.  [color=8dc73f]"While I'd want to know you better, would it be okay for us to transfer to another location?  I don't really do well in a crowd."[/color]  the prince confessed amidst some small coughs here and there.  [color=8dc73f]"Besides, it might be a good time for me to explore my neighbouring kingdoms.  I haven't been to Freyea until now.  Or, rather, I haven't been outside of Paplia..."[/color]  his voice eventually lowered.  [color=8dc73f]"Actually, I haven't been outside the castle walls... until now."[/color]

He felt bad now.  Crix and Violette were polar opposites; monarchs living on the opposite ends of the spectrum.  He felt small compared to all of them but, then again, these thoughts were chained to his mind and no one could now that he was insecure.  Heck, even his own sister thought that he was as proud as his inventions were.  He had to be strong for his kingdom, for his parents, for his siblings, and for his own dignity.