When they arrived at the island, the princess elect asked why he kept the place a secret and why he had not brought anybody with him until that afternoon. Almost certainly one of the reasons was that when he went to the island, his expectation was the isolation from his duties and the intimacy with nature would help clear his head and renew his tired spirit. However, allowing himself a companion such as the farmer defeated his purpose of setting apart Luke from the crown prince. She was the representation of the duties that awaited him the moment he was born into the world, of the freedom that he was robbed off. How could he have thought that having her with him that afternoon made him less lonely? She was just another woman, who regardless of how much she convinced herself that she was impervious to his charms, would find it rather surprising that he managed to shatter the fortifications she erected around herself. He thought she was different from all the rest. Unfortunately, she was not, despite the admirable boldness she displayed not an hour ago. Like all the rest, she was but a fragile flower in a garden filled with thorns.

Needless to say, the colors of sunset and the scenic view of the vast sea, was overshadowed by the woman who knelt to gather the clothes she refused to acknowledge with him carrying it. The sun could have reversed its course and the colors of the sky faded back to blue, but he would have barely noticed anything. Luke’s attention was centered around the woman that he had somehow offended, though he did not know when and how. Was she mad because he challenged her to jump? Or that he accused her of flirting with him? Nevertheless, she was not dressing up and had gathered her clothes and was making her way back to him.

Finally, he thought, she had grasped the disadvantages of standing too long in the cold in just her undergarments. She would not hear the end of it. In his head was a string of words that followed the standard ‘I told you so’ phrase. Her behavior would not go without criticism and he would ensure that she understood how important communication was in a relationship, even in a political engagement, that he was neither a mind reader nor did he plan on studying to be one in the near future. Luke was choosing the words to say in his head, anticipating her responses, and drawing up scenarios where he would most certainly end up being the voice of logic. Yet as he watched her approach, he noticed something that he failed to do so on the ascend to the top of the rock. Maybe because he was too busy to watch out for any misstep from her that would endanger them both that he did not see how she staggered to walk. Perhaps it was her ankle again. Perhaps the cold had made it numb just as she feared it would. 

The crown prince reached for the latch of the passenger door from the inside the craft. It swung open and he shivered at the cold gust from the sea. At the other end stood the farmer, who was as disheveled as he was, but still beautiful nonetheless. He wondered how many noble women would be as attractive without makeup on and with their hair dried by the sea breeze. There might be wisdom in bringing his women to the island if only to see how they looked like without the help of their talented, and highly-paid, stylists and makeup artists. 

Before he could pursue that line of thought, however, the princess elect stumbled to her seat. Her weight seemed too heavy for her feet to carry and she fell heavily against the leather cover. She sat on the passenger seat still in just her undergarments and the prince’s coat, as if the whole world was weighing her down. “Close the – What the hell.” Rhiane, the snow queen, was inviting the outside cold winds inside the craft. If she was not bothered, he was. Luke leaned his body towards her, reached for the door and slammed it shut. He started the engine and adjusted the thermostat to twenty-seven degrees to help fight the cold that had invaded the cabin.

Rhiane was shivering. Her skin was chilly when his forearm accidentally touched her. “Cold isn’t it? Us people from the capital do not go staring into the sunset in just our undergarments during autumn.” There was smugness in the way he articulated the words that would surely provoke her if she was in the mood to fight him. He glanced at the display time, it was almost six in the evening. Luce Viscomi said that Rhiane should be ready for the interview preparation by six in the evening. Viscomi would undoubtedly brief Rhiane about what to say and what not to say, plus prepare a statement for her that would benefit the image of the crown and entice the citizens to shy away from supporting the rebellion. Looking at Rhiane though, it would be a miracle if she made it to the interview at all. “Do you need me to help you put on your clothes?” He asked. It would be unsightly to fly her back to the castle scantly clothed and it would not be possible for him to help her dress once they took to the sky. 

Just then his communication band pinged, then a feminine voice forgot to say hello. “Luke, where are you?” Her voice was loud inside the hovercraft, suspicion laced her tone.

“Nowhere. Why are you calling, Cally?” Luke unhooked the system from his band making his sister’s voice a little softer.

“I’m in your room and there’s nobody here. Are you in a meeting? Am I disturbing something?” The princess seemed to hesitate. “I called to tell you I got the pastries you asked for. Nico and Philip recommended the shop.”

Luke’s brows furrowed, but he smiled. “And you trust their taste?”

“They swore by the shop and I kind of think it tastes nice. Anyway, I asked my maidservant to buy two boxes of cannoli for you. Assorted flavors, of course. I’ll leave it in your room.”

He stole a quick glance at Rhiane, who might be listening or not. “Thank you, Cally. You’re the best sister in the world.”

“Of course! I’m your only sister, idiot.” The voice giggled. “See you around, Luke. Oh! By the way, the twins say you owe them.”

Luke opened his mouth to say something, but the line was cut. He was left with Rhiane again. “Sorry about that, where were we?”