“No, you are perfect as you are. It is a business event more than a party, but these executives and investors sometimes confuse one for the other,” Luke answered as she took the arm he offered and prepared to move back into the building. “But I’m glad that you decided to come.” Whether he said it for the media coverage or for her alone, was unclear. Deep inside, he really did appreciate that finally there was somebody to share the burden with. It was a rule that he and his sister could not be in the same venue outside of the castle at the same time, except for special events that called for rigorous security measures. The same was true with the queen and Luke. Not that he expected the farmer to contribute to anything other than being a pretty figure on his arm, but at least he could have somebody else to talk to when the businessmen and lords tired him with their endless ass-kissing.

He was about to lead her on to the building and away from the camera flashes, when his cousin informed him about the medication he brought for their stubborn princess. “Hold on to it, for now,” he whispered back. “Join us inside the venue. I’ll call for you if she needs any of it.”

With that out of the way, Luke led his future wife back inside, taking care that their pace would not tax her enough that her ankle would ache. Although he much preferred that she had worn flat shoes, he conceded that the stilettos accentuated the shape of her legs, making her look a lot like a supermodel than the future queen. Heads turned when he re-entered the venue with Rhiane Black on his arm. Nobody expected the farmer-turned-princess to be in attendance. It was a place for business savvy intellectuals to mingle, not for peasants who fortunately had the face and semblance of a brain to win a contest that everybody in that room understood was a publicity stunt ran by the crown. But it would be social suicide for anybody to voice that opinion out loud. If his highness thought she was necessary to attend that afternoon, then everybody had to adjust. One thing was universally accepted though, Ms. Rhiane Black stood out.

A gentleman almost as tall as Luke politely approached the couple as they were headed to their designated table. “Your highness,” He bowed slightly from the waist in acknowledgment of the other person’s status, before straightening up. Luke knew him before he even introduced himself. Those brown eyes, slick blonde hair, and the smile that was the same in most every photo of him on the internet. “My name is Alec Wescott, the new COO of Evolab. I’m afraid we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting in person yet.” The American held out his hand.

Luke stared with question at the hand that he was supposed to shake, but managed a businesslike expression. Of all the people who would greet him, it just had to be the one he would rather not cross paths with. “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wescott.” The invitation to shake hands and the polite smile of the businessman remained even though it was evident that the royal had no intention of honoring the invitation.

The tension was broken shortly with the intervention of another female guest. One that had much familiarity to the couple. “There you are, Alec,” she said sweetly. Then, figuring out what was happening, explained gently, “The crown prince does not shake the hands of common people. My apologies, your highness.” Her stylists and make-up artists did a good job of dressing her up for the occasion. The actress wore a glittery boatneck long sleeved cocktail dress that perfectly hugged her curves and made the visible skin look ethereal. Her thick black hair was pulled up in a classic updo, and her face had just the right amount of make-up to accentuate her natural beauty, not hide it. 

“My sincerest apologies, your highness,” the foreigner echoed, bowing again.

Luke waved it off as cultural differences. “No offense taken, Mr. Wescott. By the way, let me introduce my fiancée, Ms. Rhiane Black.”

Sophia held his gaze as Luke casually, openly, introduced the farmer. There was a hint of something dark in her eyes that was absent in Luke’s when she purposefully looped her arm around the COO’s. They seemed to still be challenging each other when Alec acknowledged the princess elect. “Alec Wescott, at your service, Ms. Black. I have seen your interview last night. Might I comment that you are more beautiful in person. I also happened to recall that you mentioned about a vaccination program. Evolab has a wide array of offerings that may help you, that is, if you would like to open a discussion with our company.”