There were many things that Luke could have accused the peasants of the kingdom to be, but [i]maybe ungrateful[/i] cut deeper than almost anything that could have left his lips. Rhiane knew then that he did not understand the reality of the life of common folk. The princess elect could not sincerely praise the crown for much other than not being openly at war. As a nation they were not overflowing with social programs that would help the destitute crawl out of their poverty. Once born into the lower class almost all were damned because opportunities for upwards mobility were fleeting and rare. Whether Luke knew it or not, being poor [i]killed.[/i] Officially her mother and brother had died to a curable disease because they were 'diagnosed too late,' but reality was the town was purposefully ignored due to its lack of affluence, what few physicians responded were to prevent the epidemic from spreading further, and the cure was not subsidized so that only a handful of families could afford it. Not a day went by when she didn't consider the price they paid for not being born to the correct social tier, and yet Luke honestly thought that she and others like her should be [i]grateful.[/i] Quietly, but with a calm confidence that belied some of her anger, she rose and moved towards the door. Before either of them could step out of it, however, she poked out her head only far enough to be seen by an attendant. "My apologies. Would it be possible to have pain relievers fetched for me? I just need a moment more." Despite herself she flashed a brilliant smile to compel the servant to nod vigorously and sprint away. Rhiane closed the door before finally moving through the room to a wingback chair and taking a seat. Taking a deep breath she composed herself. Neither anger nor despair should be her companion here. Luke had insulted her pride, her intelligence, her very being with every spoken sentence and so she would give him what he asked for but not in the manner in which he wished it- a victory. Armed only with a sharp tongue and wit she sought to have them regain some semblance of dignity and agency which she was sorely lacking at present. "I am sure you are right," the sultry beauty admitted crossing her legs and leaning back into the cushions. Body language alone spoke of an intent not to leave as she was making herself comfortable. "The public is easily manipulated, and the farce is stupid, so we will stay here. There is no need to be seen as they will adore you regardless of whatever actions you might take and, if that should falter, you must have the capabilities as future king to personally assure that it will not persist. And since nothing is hidden from you, and you know your kingdom perfectly, there is nothing to be gained from being around them. I am quite surprised that you have not arrested the people in my town that I know to have a rebellion allegiance or association." There were many nuances of the kingdom that she was not knowledgeable about, but it was laughable that Luke thought he omniscient on the topic. Were their lives not intertwined, or she not sincerely attempting to assist him more than she suspected most could or would, she would not have been quite so incensed. "There is nothing to be gained by going so I will remain here," she added resolutely. And there was not. Only punishment awaited on both ends. Her proferred hand been smacked away even when it was extended earnestly and she had been made to feel as if she were only a burden that was despised by every fiber of his being. But what truly made Rhiane dangerous was that she was a woman with precious little to lose. Without threatening the livelihood of her estranged father and brother, which would be a one use trump card, there was no else. Rhiane had forfeit her life upon entering and winning the contest. Pain did not scare her, there were no friends with strong emotional ties to be cut, there was no freedom she expected that could be snatched away, she cared not for worldly belongings, she had nearly nothing to be held hostage. Even a gaze around the room confirmed she had not taken a single possession from her home town and kept it. No pictures were framed on the walls. Were it not for a closet bursting full of garments her bedchambers would have looked little different from a guest bedroom in another hall of the castle. That she was a 'ghost' was something that her maids had noticed and feared though they did not know her true intentions for such odd behavior.