Rhiane didn't blame Luke. He was older than she was and had been saddled with responsibilities as crown prince for some time now, but she sincerely doubted that eight years ago Queen Camilla would have entrusted the crisis to him if only to spare the monarchy from any scandal that might have emerged from missteps borne from inexperience. It took perfect control to paint the epidemic as a tragedy that an unavoidable health nightmare through the media. If he had utilized the wrong syntax, or not anticipated an avenue of the press coverage, or not had the leverage of power to bend the broadcast to his will their reputation would have been severely damaged. The queen might love her son but she would not unnecessarily gamble with him before he had the benefit of a few more years under his belt to form the necessary business relationships to suppress certain news. Even now Rhiane suspected that Luke didn't have expertise in handling the public as deftly as his mother might want.

She couldn't confirm, however, that she didn't fault both Queen Camilla and Evolab as well as some of the physicians that had been initially dispatched to the affected areas. Many people heard words drip from the lips of the doctors that there was nothing they could do because, while there might be a cure, or various treatments to delay the progress of the deadly affliction, or they could ease the suffering of the dying with pain medication, they personally could not finance the costs of all their patients. It had all come down to money. The crown didn't jump at the chance to subsidize some of their poorest citizens' pain management or cures. Evolab didn't generously donate their resources even as a charitable contribution that could be used on tax deductions. No one wanted to pay for the poverty-stricken and unsightly ill that were not part of their community or social circles. Rhiane had read on the first anniversary of the 'eradication' that the disease that had really killed so many loved ones was poverty.

Unfortunately for all three princes and the princess, many saw them as "fruit of the poisoned tree." Princess Calista was viewed more positively than the rest because of her perceived innocence and affable charm. There would be more difficultly for her fiance when he toured the nation. Not just the rebellion saw him as his mother's son, someone who was fiercely loyal to the aristocratic blood that flowed through his veins rather than that of his common father, someone who had all but abandoned half of his parentage. Now that she knew the man in question she worried for his composure if he realized just how much even her brother and father saw him just another generation of his mother, as if his father never existed at all, and how the belief he had forgotten the late consort was a galvanizing force against him.

Whether Luke would show empathy and understanding for all of New Rome, not just the titled and wealthy, remained to be seen. If he could, and if he could more earnestly participate in the romantic charade of their engagement, he might start to legitimately hinder the progression of the revolution.

"Tobias," she greeted as he slid into the chair previously occupied by his cousin. His hair had been carefully slicked back and while his intentions had not been challenge the finery or chiseled features of the attendees of this business event, it was hard not to notice that he was much more handsome than the other bodyguards littered around the edges of the room. Speculation about his bachelor status was not unwarranted. Had he had the desire he could have left a trail of broken hearts just as easily as Luke had though it would have been with another subsection of society.

"Miss Black," he replied in monotone with a nod of his head. In private he might have the freedom- with her approval- to address her by her first name, but in this setting such casual familiarity would have been wildly inappropriate.

"What do you think of the vaccination initiative I proposed? Not as Luke's cousin, or a member of the extended royal family, or even as my newly appointed bodyguard, but just... as a member of the world?" she asked. It was a lot to ask. So much of Tobias's life was governed by his status she wasn't certain if she would get the honest answer she wanted if she received one at all. Fortunately the taciturn individual was forthcoming when he put forth the effort to engage in conversation.

"I do not think most of the candidates would conclude their first interview thinking of others," he stated resolutely. It was the diplomatic way to say that many of the women had competed for the money, fame, and arm candy alone, not because they had selfless motivations. Of the ones he had seen that might be more compassionate some were so tender-hearted he had thought they'd be eaten alive in the courts if Luke himself didn't destroy them first. "I think it is a very worthy goal and it makes me glad you were chosen above the rest. I am sure some of the citizens feel the same."

It was an unabashed compliment that made Rhiane first smile and then grin without restraint. Onlookers might wonder what they were discussing especially since Tobias's posture was so rigid while Rhiane was reclining slightly but away from her companion rather than towards. Luke would not be fielding rumors that they were infatuated, as their body language and physical distance made it clear they were not, but he might have a few questions as to why such a lowly servitor was able to befriend someone who was more guarded with them.