No contest winner was ever ugly- the kingdom had aesthetic standards for candidates before they were even permitted entry- but by all accounts Rhiane Black was exceptional. Her fellow competitors had been more dainty flowers with alabaster skin, tiny waists, and slim figures that were pretty but were a more fragile definition of femininity. Rhiane Black was, by contrast, held none of these traits in the same way. The woman was taller by a few inches (not enough to threaten the height of a man however), with bronze skin that shimmered in the lights as if she had been shaped by precious metal, an athletic build, a large bosom and wider hips that gifted her an exaggerated hourglass shape, full lips, and long, thick, dark hair that flowed to her waist in a river of luxurious chocolate brown. It was hard for anyone to imagine how someone who was so sultry was ever born and bred on a farm in one of the most rural sectors of their empire.

To help accentuate her beauty, for she was to be paraded around as a prize of the kingdom, they had spared no expense in making certain Rhiane was appropriately adorned. Light make-up had made her dark eyelashes longer and curled, a cat's eye was painted on to extend the length of her eye, and eye shadow was applied to bring out the emerald color of her irises. Dark wine-colored lipstick had been applied for a dramatic flair. But it was her ballgown that made her impossible to be ignored. The top was sheer and formfitting with faux flowers and gemstones covering the bust in arcs towards her shoulders but leaving the space between her breasts uncovered without being scandalous. Silken fabric was snug at the waist and over her thighs, flaring at the knees and leaving a bejeweled sparkling train to trail behind her.

"She's ready," one of the beauticians told the bodyguard outside the room.

The man nodded and turned his head to speak into a microphone that was attached to the side of his mouth discreetly. "This is Lady Victor 1. Ready and awaiting escort," he relayed.

"Acknowledged Lady Victor 1. Awaiting confirmation of escort's location. Please prepare for arrival," a member of the royal guard positioned in the security center responded. Technically it was the prince who was expected to escort his fiancee to the ball but there had been conflicting opinions as to whether or not this would occur. A 'Plan B' had been created in anticipation that the prince shrugged off his duty.

"Dark Horse 3, please report in," another member in the security center called over the broadcast.

"This is Dark Horse 3," a deep masculine voice responded. The bass send reverberations that even the highly sophisticated equipment could not quite compensate for. 'Dark Horse 3' was one of the more handsome members of the guard whose voice alone had made it exceedingly hard to keep female staff members focused on their tasks at hand when in proximity. On most days he was assigned to patrolling the perimeter but today he was the back-up if his highness decided that Rhiane Black was not worth his attentions until absolute necessarily. 'Dark Horse 3' would be the most presentable of all the guards and made the best impression on the female sex.

"Is something wrong?" Rhiane asked her beautician. The man pressed his lips together in clear disapproval she was addressing him and gave no reply. Princess elect or not he knew she was a commoner of lower birth than he was. He was not beholden to answer her questions until such time she assumed a royal mantle. Then, and only then, would she wield the power to command him.

"You can't arrive at the ball yourself," one of the ladies in waiting advised quietly when it was clear no one else would give an answer. She took the platform stiletto heels that had been set aside for Rhiane to wear and slipped them onto the farmer's slightly calloused feet.

"Wouldn't want to make too much of a scene," Rhiane acknowledged as she flashed a charming smile to the lady in waiting. The other flushed a little as she helped the princess elect to her feet. Rhiane took a few steps to make certain she could walk in the shoes that made her nearly six feet tall. They were nothing like the heavy work boots she was accustomed to but she had enough coordination and balance that she did not feel unstable. At the end of the day she would undoubtedly be blistered from the impractical footwear- but becoming royalty was not without its own challenges.