Tobias had called on Madeline, Viola, a pair of beauticians, and a handful of other assistants and attendants to help prepare the lounging princess elect for a formal business affair. When they were summoned the cosmetologists had feared a repeat of the day before, of arriving to find that the former farmer had wrecked her hair in particular as she had on the island adventure, but were pleasantly surprised to find that was not the case. Rhiane was casually dressed but otherwise presentable- just not for the event that Luke was requesting her sudden attendance. They had set out at once to comb through her wardrobe (all of which were designer labels selected for her without any input) as she was guided to the nearest palace salon for more thorough preparations. She didn't catch all the lingo that was being thrown around but she heard words like "conditioning" and "mask" and "cutting-edge treatment" dripping off their lips as they conversed in front of her.

[i]A few minutes out.[/i] The bodyguard's reply was terse and lacked the formality of his previous correspondence; he simply didn't have the time for a proper salutation and signature. In the lap of the commoner-turned-future-princess was a tablet with a variety of information he had gathered at the last minute on Evolab. Rhiane was not terribly familiar with navigating the device, much like all the other sophisticated technology she had come into contact with in the last week, and so his attention was on providing her assistance rather than detailing the last two hours in excruciating detail.

"We've arrived, Miss Black," the driver notified them through the intercom seconds before the luxury vehicle came to a halt.

"Has Luke already arrived?" she queried Tobias as she slipped the tablet into a leather case and set it on the seat next to her. Peering out the window she could see the frenzy of media correspondents who were sizing up her car. Rhiane had not been one of the announced guests, she suspected, as they were excitedly pointing in the general direction with confusion on their features. As she awaited her answer the driver had stepped out and circled around to the door.

"Yes, I believe he has," Tobias stated just as the driver opened the door. Fortunately he was a shield from the press as he exited the vehicle before her. This had been planned so that he could take her hand and make sure she didn't falter as she stepped out. Rhiane also knew that if she was going to have him be her assigned companion and protector it would be easier to integrate him into her schedule sooner rather than later. If she was doing this favor to Luke he could cope with her also utilizing the media presence to make an introduction.

"Miss Black!" rang out a multitude of voices as they saw her emerge.

Yesterday she had been, by her own admission, not in the best shape physically. Today was an entirely different story. The setting sun kissed her bronzed skin. Although it had been tanned by years in the fields she shone like a goddess of the beach rather than the rural villages at the edge of the kingdom. She wore a designer peplum top with a belt across the empire waist that drew attention to her proportions without being scandalously immodest. Paired with this was a pencil skirt that, with her hourglass hips and long legs, accentuated her figure while remaining professional. Rhiane also carried a small black clutch and wore tall stilettos that made her tall enough not to threaten Luke's height but look more natural on his arm... though at the present moment it was Tobias whose arm took hers stiffly.

"Miss Black, care to make a statement about who is with you today?" she heard one particularly loud woman project over the crowd.

"Certainly," she said with a gracious smile as she glided over to the sidelines of the gathering. Her long hair had two small braids at the temples that had been used to fashion and natural low ponytail at the nape of her neck. A fashion editor noticed this hairstyle and snapped a few photos as she drew closer to undoubtedly broadcast for others to replicate. "Queen Camilla has appointed this gentleman, Tobias Lavanchy, as my personal bodyguard."

"A male bodyguard?" someone called out incredulously.

"That question is sexist, don't you think? I believe he was appointed he was the best candidate for the position- and that is more important than if he's a man or woman, isn't it? We wouldn't want a woman disqualified for a position based on her gender so we must apply the same ideology to men. Mr. Lavanchy also happens to be Prince Lucius's second cousin through the paternal side so he has familiarity with the royal family that will be of great help to me when my fiance isn't available," she explained. There were a few murmurs but no one was brave- or stupid- enough to question the wisdom of the queen openly. Even if they had been so bold there was a certain amount of respect and reverence in the nation for Luke's late father and his relatives. No one discussed it in polite company but many had sympathy, if not pity, for the 'lost' or 'forgotten' in-laws.

"What brings you here today? Are you going to propose your vaccination program from yesterday's interview?" a newscaster ventured.

"No, no we have not even begun discussions. So far that is just one of my dreams," Rhiane said with a smile still on her features though it rapidly became more genuine at the mention of the charitable outreach notion she had. "Today I am here to support my future husband only," she confessed.