Just like in every social function he attended, there was not a second when the crown prince was caught being idle. He was greeted, left and right, by people whose faces he barely knew – investors and businessmen, foreign dignitaries, high-ranking officers of the company, and of course lords and ladies and their offspring. It was easy enough to smile and nod and even hold a small conversation. This was his world, and these were the people he knew how to please even though at times their too obvious flattery would get in his nerves.

The royal moved from one group of people to another. There was no lack of invitation from his peers to join them in a short conversation. He laughed at their anecdotes and briefly shared his opinion when asked, but everything was half-hearted. If anybody in any of the group knew more of the man than his title, then it would be obvious to that person that his head was somewhere else. And it was. He was continuously scanning the room for that dark-haired beauty until he found her sitting with women her age and clinking glasses of champagne. When she looked up from the lip of the glassware, her eyes flickered to his and for a second, she seemed to not believe that he was there. Just for a second, though, because she quickly excused herself as he looked away with a witty comment at the tip of his tongue for his fellow investor. As Luke conversed, he tried to keep track of her in his peripheral vision. She seemed to be headed to an alcove, which led to either the bathrooms or the anterooms. Sophia turned to the direction of the anterooms. 

And it was where he found her after a few minutes. “I cannot remember a time when you made me wait that long.” She was sitting on an armchair directly facing the door and was opposite what looked like a conference table, or maybe it was a dining table. The actress occupied the space that appeared to be the sitting area. The light of the afternoon sun coming through the glass panels behind her cast a shadow over her features. 

Luke, not the least intimidated by her tone and posture, remained by the door. If by any chance somebody walked in on them, it would appear that the two of them were just having a personal conversation. It was a situation they could easily maneuver out of as long as they don’t stay out of the people’s eye sights long enough. “I find no reason to speak with you after what you said earlier today.” The words rang in the room even when he did not raise his voice. It was devoid of emotion, something like a doctor telling his patient that he had less than twenty-four hours left to live. 

“And yet, here you are, my love,” the actress drawled, a smile tugging one corner of her red lips.

“I know, and the more I stay the more it feels like a bad idea. My fiancée is sitting out there, your newest play thing is too, and so do possibly hundreds of guests wondering where Luke and his rumored paramour have gone to. I cannot afford a repeat of the other night. Therefore, if you have something important to talk about, say it while I still have the patience to listen.” Acting was admittedly not his strong suit, but thanks to Sophia, Luke could gather enough coldness inside him to back those sentences. He wanted, more than anything else, for a chance to get back to how things were with Sophia before his engagement to a commoner. It might be farfetched, but he thought it was doable. It was just that the actress had to bring in a third party in an already complicated relationship.

The woman got to her feet. In her five-inch heels, her long legs closed the distance between them rather sinuously. He would be a hypocrite if he would say that he was not attracted to this woman in her tight cocktail dress. “I don’t want to lose you, Luke,” she whispered, laying her cheek on his chest. “I was selfish. I thought it will hurt less if I ended things with you, but I know now that there is a greater pain that exists than seeing you happy with that peasant, and it’s knowing that at the end of it all, I will not be there to stand by your side.”

“Then, better make up your mind, woman.” He let her stay where she was, but he fought against wrapping his arms around her. It used to be an instinctive gesture of affection. She loved being trapped in his arms when she felt vulnerable, and he took comfort in knowing that he could be her fortress. But everything had changed. She had made a move to change the dynamics that had worked well for the two of them. “It’s either me or Wescott. Either way, you get to live as a queen for the rest of your life.”

[hr]

The master of ceremony again called the attention of the guests reminding them to find their seats. Luke had silently slipped into his after his second cousin vacated the post. He found out, though he was not surprised, that the COO and his date shared the same table as him and Rhiane. A polite nod and a smile were sent to the American’s way when the expatriate offered to start a small talk. 

They didn’t wait long for the program to finally start. Luke went straight to reviewing his notes for the message that he came to deliver while the opening remarks was given by the Country Manager. On one hand, it was dutifully of him to come prepared. On the other hand, he wanted to avoid any conversation between him, the COO, and especially his date. But Rhiane was a different case. At one point during the speech of the Country Manager, Luke reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers without even looking at her face. 

The opening remarks ended. Presentations about the company from its roots to where it was headed started and finished, as well as other numbers meant to entertain the guests. Luke went up the stage and made his piece about the talks of free trade, strong economic policies – especially on agriculture – and how biotechnology shaped the post-war era. He was a strong and credible speaker, who did not deviate on the topic of business. It was what he was good at, and the guests in attendance appreciated it because it was what mattered to them as well. It was in that crowd where the crown prince thrived, where no special treatment had to be made for him, because he did know what he was talking about and needed neither the rank nor the authority that came with it to push a strong message across. 

When it was over, and the room exploded with applause and upbeat music, as it did with some speakers that went before him, Luke retreated back to his assigned seat. Wescott was there on his feet to meet him with a hand extended for him to shake, which Luke did for the cameras.