After a few songs, rotating between youthful men of status who were fascinated by the commoner curiosity, Rhiane had found herself at the edge of the dance floor to refresh with a glass of water and small cracker adorned with a foreign delicacy. Her partners had noticed her distinct lack of classical training in the art of dance. None complained, however, as she knew that nobility thrived on gratuitous praise. The princess elect had lavished them all with compliments tailored to their specific physique, skills, and whatever she gleamed from their brief interactions. Novelty though she might be she was determined to make the best of it. More than once her silver tongue and quick wit had won her a benefit in a trade negotiation. Then she had been dealing with crop and seeds, and now she was selling herself as an individual, but the basic concept was the same; everyone loved to think they were adored. For the elite this was even more true than the plebeians they ruled over. Slightly off and to the side Sir Jin, a dignitary from a country descended from the powerful nation of China, watched pensively. The queen had invited him not because their strong rapport or economic ties. Like so many of the ambassadors they had been invited to the ball as a show of power. The time of wars had long since passed but there were still squabbles about borders and threats of skirmishes. Queen Camilla kept her allies close but her enemies closer. Being at this opulent celebration was her 'subtle' way of displaying the potency of New Rome. But Sir Jin could not help but notice that the crown prince, the very man they were to be honoring in his engagement to the former farmer in question, was nowhere to be found. He bided his time for nearly half an hour after the disappearance before he saw his opportunity in Rhiane's retreat from the center of the floor. As she bit into her gourmet treat he feigned walking past before bumping into her hard enough to jerk her off her feet. "Ah, my apologies!" he exclaimed as he caught her. Nearby a few lords and ladies had turned to gasp at the spectacle. Sir Jin gave a smile as he helped stabilize the princess elect, but not before noting the way his force had twisted at least one of her ankles awkwardly. Rhiane, by the way she stood with all her weight on only one foot, had noticed the throbbing in her limb as well. "How silly of me," Sir Jin said, raising his voice such that cameras were now turned towards him. "Please forgive me your highness. I am afraid I was not watching where I was going." That he was taking all the blame was purposeful but not for her benefit. By treating the princess elect with respect he appeared that much more charismatic to the peasants watching from their homes. Furthermore, by putting himself at fault it let her keep a sparkling image that would make the 'missing' prince look all the worse by comparison. "Let us call on Prince Alessandro to help," the gentleman offered as if ignorant of the other's absence. "That's quite all right," Rhiane tried to reassure. She kept her composure and smile intact but internally she panicked. No royal who had spoken not hours before about keeping separate lives would welcome this intrusion into his night. "Please do not worry, your highness. It is the duty of your future husband, and the future king of this empire, to assist you, is it not? Does this country not have the same customs?" By now the room could no longer ignore the broadcasted heavy accent. Heads turned as it slowly dawned on all in attendance that Luke was not among them. There was no courier fast enough to retrieve it. Each passing second make it abundantly clear that the royal had abandoned his commoner fiance. "Where is he?" Sir Jin wondered aloud as he turned to the silent dignitaries gathered around in close proximity. Any excuse Rhiane might have had on Luke's behalf died on her tongue as quickly as it did the other's. To claim he had fallen ill would to make it seem the farmer was in better health than he was. To claim he had tired would be to tarnish the stamina of his lineage. The truth, for the few who knew it, was too scandalous to voice aloud. Not just the queen's court was watching- [i]everyone[/i] was watching. This moment was being spread far and wide. And Sir Jin knew the damage it would do. Rumors of pockets of rebellion had not escaped him. Rhiane's selection had been timely because it smoothed over any uprisings with positive press coverage. Commoners saw themselves in Rhiane's rise; they empathized with her, cheered for her, hoped for her future. Evidence that this was a farce would spark outrage that would fan the flames of discontent. Just as Rhiane needed the money the crown offered, the crown needed the figurehead that was Rhiane to quell the rising voices screaming that the rich did not care about them. Sir Jin was hoping to give Queen Camilla a taste of the disaster her arrogant son could cause. "[i]Surely[/i] the prince has not departed already?" Sir Jin remarked with faux surprise. "Please, it is clear you are injured. Allow me to assist you in your [i]fiance's absence,[/i]" he coaxed. Before Rhiane could object the man, who was slightly shorter than her in the elevated footwear, had lifted her into his arms in a traditional 'princess carry.' The room was now buzzing with whispers, exclamations of shock, and all manner of mixed horror and surprise. Sir Jin himself was not fond of lowering himself by treating the princess elect so respectfully. His good name, however, had not been tarnished. Luke's, and his mother's by extension, was now stained- and all because they had not properly guarded their investment in the veritable den of snakes.