When Luke closed the space to lean over her with a purposefully imposing stance she was not certain what to expect. The outright threat to the safety of her family, however, was something she had not anticipated. Rhiane's eyes darkened as he crossed a line by suggesting danger to the one thing she cherished so dearly she forfeited her life by entering the contest. Many people said they would risk their life for another but rarely had the courage to do so consciously. Reality was that the vast majority of the population had an instinct for self-preservation that overrode any love they held for another. It was the minority that could sacrifice fully who became firefighters, law enforcement, soldiers, or other public servants- and rarely, apparently, hid in the general population as farmers. For those few moments when his words lingered in the air she was a beast pressed into a corner with cubs to protect.

But surprisingly the crown prince moved back and sat on his heels. Anger faded from his visage as he declined to follow through with his socially nuclear option and instead sought to [i]reason[/i] with her as a person. Rhiane's eyebrows rose in surprise as he spoke to her with more respect than all his other utterances combined, touched her gently where the implant had been sunk beneath the skin, and relented in his persistent commands. She knew even before she parted her lips that her own countenance had softened in response to Luke's shift in demeanor. The princess elect did not know why his attitude had so abruptly averted to the side but to be treated like a person was not something she could fail to acknowledge.

"My family, even if we are... estranged," she said with a hint of pain in her voice, "are my top priority. I am loyal to them above all else." There was a pause and a small sigh as she uncrossed her legs before continuing. "Part of why I succeeded in my trials was because I used deception when it was necessary; despicable as it was I lied, albeit successfully, to secure my image and carry me to victory. But I intend to be honest with you. And so I was sincere when I said there was an opportunity open to you that may be unique in the courts. Even if you hate to speak of our engagement it ties me to you. And so my second loyalty, even above the queen, even if you despise me, is you. I have no illusions about what she will do if you fall into enough disfavor. After a certain point I will become irrelevant, unneeded, and dismissed. For these reasons I will always try to do what I truly believe is in your best interest. I doubt you will find anyone else in the nobility that has so much investment and no conflicting agendas for fealty."

A soft rap on the door indicated that the servant had arrived with the previously request pain medication. Rhiane rose from the chair and passed Luke to retrieve the two small capsules. Leaving the door ajar she stepped into the bathroom to fetch a glass of water as she swallowed them down. Proud as she was she was worse for wear. The night had been long, her sleep sorely inadequate, the ache of her ankle a reminder of her embarrassment, and her head throbbed in protest for how long had passed since she last ate. The farmer was used to three timely meals in large portions to sustain herself. It was true the palace was not as taxing as fields but were both ignorant and apathetic to the caloric intake she more regularly indulged while not gaining weight.

"And it was neither my clumsiness or an accident," she whispered as she re-entered the bedchambers where Luke was waiting somewhat impatiently. "Since you seem to think that was the case. I had already left the dance floor when it happened. If I was going to trip over those shoes and fall it would have been when I was moving and there was someone else close by also moving their feet in an intricate pattern. That it happened when I was alone, standing still, and I assure you no one was crowding around me eager to have my company, and only after you had left... you must admit that is suspect. So too is how he raised his voice and asked for you rather than escorting me more discreetly to the edge of the room to find assistance. Not only that he loudly took responsibility. I do not know his angle- I leave those politics to you- but Sir Jin acted with a cunning precision that would make the maximum effect on your departure."

"I'm ready to go," she called out loudly to the servant. Sucking in her breath, and with a concerted effort not to show her weariness, she let herself be led out into the hall. With any luck she'd be allowed to take a short nap in their transport to the restaurant.