The Briks, like most casual restaurants, was a place where groups of people sit together to share a meal and personal anecdotes among themselves. Therefore, when picking a place to eat, ambiance was as important as the quality of food. At The Briks, for example, the owner made sure that the interior exuded a cozy atmosphere of a certain period in history that was very much different than the present age. It gave the patrons a place to speak without being disturbed, an illusion of detachment from the hustle and bustle of the capital, and a way to ease stress even just for a few hours. To boost the old world feel, the piped music was from the pre-war era. Luke was sure that the song playing at that moment was not recorded during the Industrial Revolution, because it was impossible. The subtle melody that filled the room sang about a perfect moment spoiled by ‘saying something stupid like I love you.’ 

And then she went and spoiled the ambiance with her sudden burst of laughter. The crown prince faked his laughter, though it was pitiful compared to her heartfelt outburst. Those who were occupying tables nearest to theirs lost control over their curiosity and openly stared with questioning eyes. Luke met some of those eyes and shrugged. Had she laughed at something else entirely, he would have enjoyed the sound of pure mirth, but it was obvious that her reaction was because of something he said. He was not trying to be funny.

Luke started eating his pizza again as she composed herself, and continued doing so while she explained how she saw her present situation. That she likened herself to a pet almost made him laugh. Luke had a pet growing up. It was a wolfdog he named Seamus, which he bought during one of his overseas trip. He chose the keep the dog, because it was something he liked. On the contrary, keeping Rhiane was neither his choice nor his liking. He would have pointed that out in the middle of her sentence if his mouth was not full. Because it was, he let it go. 

Rhiane's was a personality unlike the princess elect he envisioned, a woman who would be blinded by the prestige and the fortune that came with the title, not to mention being wed to the crown prince. Rhiane was the complete opposite of the princess elect that lived in his imagination since he found out about the breeding tradition of his family. She knew what she had gotten into and focused only on the task at hand that she refused to acknowledge the benefits. But when she started addressing his last statement, Luke put down his fork and knife. 

“I didn’t mean it that way.” There was a trace of amusement at the corner of his lips. Did she expect him to say that he was even contemplating on surrendering himself to her? “We were talking about the charm of poverty, about economic standing, and what came with your title as princess elect. Being associated to the heir of the crown is among the many prizes you get when you won the title. Disregard emotions and any notion of a romantic relationship, because your observation is correct.” He said it plainly. Better that they set expectations straight on the first day of their fake relationship than one of them confuse a kind gesture with a show of affection sometime in the future. He didn’t plan on lying to her, because in the end it would only make his life more miserable, and she appeared to be an intelligent woman who would easily see through him.

“Think of me as your endorser. You do know how advertisements work, do you? Why brand owners pick celebrities to represent their products. It is as if the credibility of the endorser is extended to the product. What I’m saying is as my future wife, legally you have me as kind of your endorser. You will carry my name and the authority that comes with it.” He shrugged. That was how the law was written, that she would be part of the royal family when they were wed to be one. “Don’t demean yourself, because it reflects back to me. Instead, be a princess.”

Luke reached for something inside his jacket’s pocket then laid on the table two plastic cards. He slipped it over to her side before withdrawing his hand. Both cards were under his namesake and were represented by different banks. Although most of his transactions can be done wireless, he always carried with him the cards and some bills in case a disruption in signal would occur. “Take it and use it however you please. I will have the banks authorize you to transact on my behalf. You say that poverty has its charms. Maybe that is true, maybe it’s why those who are born poor remain poor, because they are too used to having nothing to lose that they have no clue how to not lose what they already grasped in their hands.” 

Before she can react or protest, Luke requested for their bill and immediately paid for it as well, refusing the store manager when she offered the lunch to be free as the restaurant’s gift to Luke’s and Rhiane’s engagement. Checking the notifications, however, he learned that as his mother predicted, several photographers had camped outside the building waiting for them.