“What?” Luke lowered his left arm where the communication band was snuggly fitted on his wrist, concealed by the sleeves of his gray uniform.  “No… Sorry just a message. Nothing important.” It was not [i]just[/i] a message. That single line was what he had been waiting for the whole day – the chance for a conversation wherein his words would not fall into deaf ears. It was the best indication that Rhiane, whether or not she was aware of it, succeeded in fulfilling her purpose that afternoon. Nevertheless, the crown prince was not eager to respond to the request for an audience, thus he turned his attention back to his accomplice. Not that he was dismissing his paramour’s demand, he was just delaying his move so as not to be interpreted as being weak-willed.

Luke leaned his weight on one side which was closest to his date. It might be the uniform that inspired her to use a military analogy to justify her unwise choice of footwear. “Soldiers are not allowed to operate a weapon without proper training on how to use such a weapon. Moreover, when a soldier is injured, Rhiane Black, he or she will not be deployed to the battlefield. I truly appreciate you coming on a short notice, but I find myself constantly worrying that your chosen pair of shoes, regardless of how sexy those are making you look, will lead to another accident.” He felt another message notification buzzed on his wrist, but it was ignored. “The queen informed me this morning that preparations for her planned tour were already completed. We will be leaving the capital tomorrow. So, please take care not to worsen the condition of your sore ankle or inflict the same injury on the other foot. It will be very inconvenient if that happens.”

As they were conversing, a waiter carrying a silver tray of half-filled wine glasses passed nearby. Luke motioned for the young man to come over with the intention of plucking a couple of glasses for him and Rhiane. The young man who was aware of the importance of the person who summoned him, hurriedly strode to the table and gracefully placed wine glasses on the table beside all the silver fineries. Thanking the young man, the crown prince took the glass that was his and took a small sip to sample its content.

Mr. Wescott was present at the corner of his vision. He was socializing with the other attendees, getting to know the investors of the organization, and creating relationships with the people in power whose decisions may impact the industry. Luke identified himself with the COO on that ground. They were both leaders who had people dependent on them and people who could either bring the organization to its goal or ruin it. For Evolab it was the investors, but for Luke it was the noble houses then the common people.

“Do you blame Evolab for your loss?” The question came out in the middle of his musings. He theorized that the reason she was very interested in the epidemic that affected the northern territories eight years before was that it might be what killed her mother and brother. Even so, it was not fair to blame it on a corporation who, in the end, had provided the cure for the said epidemic. There was only so much that a medication could do to help cure an ailing person. It might be that her family members had weak immune system to begin with, which made it easier for the viral infection to consume the host. “I do remember you saying that your mother and brother died of the same disease. What could a biotechnology company, whose vision is to provide cure, has to do with it when this same company developed the same drug that helped cure the victims?”

The device on his wrist vibrated signifying another notification. Another message from the actress, perhaps. Like him, she was not used to waiting, but the prince was inclined to make her wait. He did, after all, waited for more than an hour in the parking lot just to see her. And when she did make time for him, she had to ruin everything by telling him that she had someone else she would like to be exclusive with.