Hn." Crix merely grunted as Violette snaked her arms under his. Well, what was he suppose to say? 'You needn't worry about your ability to charm men because you already did when I first laid my eyes on you'? Not a chance. The duo began their slow journey towards the castle gardens, Crix's eyes surveying the landscape of a place which he never had explored before. Upon reaching the gardens, Crix couldn't stop himself from smoothing his fingers over the live petals, enjoying the sensation of authentic flowers for once. The flowers back home are synthetic, designed to bring beauty without maintenance; a logical invention but there's just something that is missing if the concept of 'life' is not added. It's never truly beautiful if it's not alive in the first place. "We rarely have these back home." Crix remarked, his face relaxing upon seeing the bright and colourful flowers, their petals flourishing in the warm sun. There were a lot that Crix could think to improve the Freyean courtyard. An automatic watering system for the plants via pipes that collect rainwater and other used water from the different sections. Of course, some filtering systems could be implemented to make sure that the water is safe for the plants. This would not only reduce workload but it would allow the kingdom to recycle water over and over again. Still, there was no rush.
The prince led his princess to a small bench that overlooked the magnificence of the Freyean gardens, the tulips, daisies and sunflowers cascading perfectly to create the vivid appearance of an even larger flower. As the sun's rays moved, so did the flowers, shifting the collage of petals into a plethora of further colours that would put a rainbow to shame. At the princess' mention of her not being fond of such parties, Crix tried to stifle a chuckle. "You are right. I don't fancy parties as well. I'd rather build something than attend frivolous gatherings with no other intentions than to garner allies and fortune. It seems that a lot of them have degraded social gatherings to a mere tool instead of what it actually is: human need." The prince spoke coldly, remembering how he was left in the castle walls, imprisoned by parapets of stone while his brothers were enjoying themselves out there. Still, as time passed by, Crix began to find solace in his solitude. No, if he didn't invent countless things, he would still be in the castle walls, not being able to meet princess Violette or any of his counterparts for that matter. He was a skeleton in the closet, a shame of the Atrox bloodline. However, whenever he saw Violette look at him without prejudice, without judgement, without disdain, Crix knew that everyone was bound to find something for them eventually. Her smile contradicted his, for Crix never smiled unless he really meant to. Smiles were sacred things, for him.
"You don't have to keep smiling, you know?" Crix remarked, suppressing some coughs here and there. "In Paplia, princesses are taught that for them to appear perfect, they need to keep smiling even if they are tired, hurt or sad. I don't believe in such nonsense." Crix gazed at his cane, the paplian emblem of royalty branded at the hilt. "If you're hurt, frown. If you're tired, sigh. If you're sad, cry. It is simple. When you keep smiling, that grin loses its meaning: happiness. People will think that you're always happy, that you don't have the right to feel anything else but happiness." he was talking longer than what he was used to. Still, it might have stemmed from the fact that he was talking to nothing but screws, bolts and metal for a good part of his life.
Crix was surprised that he wasn't coughing hard like usual but, when the thought entered his mind, immediately, his lungs began to tighten as his coughed voraciously. Finally, after what seemed like decades, his illness abated in its assault. Crix hastily wiped his lips with the cloth, straightening himself so that he wouldn't look too weak. "Pardon me for my illness. It has been plaguing my health for the entirety of my childhood." Crix shook his head. "My parents are scum for marrying me off without a thought for my bride. You're an honest person, Violette. Tell me, do you honestly think I'll last long?" Crix bluntly asked. Most people would find the answer disconcerting but, for Crix, he valued honesty above all else.