In several occasions of a royal’s life, he or she would undergo immunotherapy for known poisons. Thanks to dedicated toxicology researches, it was made possible to strengthen and train the human immune system such that it was able to effectively eliminate these identified threats to the human body. It was not always a pleasant procedure, but it was a valuable breakthrough in the medical field that eliminated the need for a food tester while at the same time minimizing the exposure of the kingdom’s leaders to risks of death through poison.

The procedure was not exclusive to the royal family though. It was available to anybody who had pockets deep enough to fund the steep prices that specialized doctors and hospitals charged. Unfortunately, Rhiane neither had the money nor the status. It was probably part of the plan that she would be placed under the same program, but the urgent need to project a positive image had pushed the princess elect’s health aside in favor for the newly engaged couple’s trip around the kingdom. It was only that afternoon after he saw her prone form on the bathroom floor that Luke realized how vulnerable the woman was. He couldn’t shake the image off his head, couldn’t bring himself to stop thinking about the possibility of hearing bad news from his second cousin who had promised to update him about the farmer’s status. Even as he took his place among the elite to pretend that everything was in order, the crown prince kept checking his communication band for any other updates. 

The platter and glass were already cleared off the table when he returned.

Alec, noticing the visible restlessness on the royal’s fine features, leaned his body slightly towards the other man. “You don’t have to stay, your highness. I can ask other senior officers, or even Lord Castilliogne, your uncle, to give the awards.”

Luke shook his head. Sophia had not uttered a word since he claimed back his seat. “I appreciate your offer, but I am protecting Rhiane by being here. I will not allow whoever is behind that cowardly act an ounce of triumph by admitting that they have achieved their goal to hurt either me or my mother via Rhiane.” A person at the top of the hierarchy of power always had the greatest number of enemies. The rebellion was what the common people was most familiar with, but beneath the pretense of friendship and loyalty among the aristocracy was a constant power struggle. To blame the attack on the rebellion would have been the safest course of action if it would not raise panic among the citizens of the capital. But panic would often translate to loss in confidence, and loss in confidence would often lead to a revolution. On the other hand, the same organization being honored that afternoon could be the propagator of the scheme. The appetizers and wine were served by them anyway. Besides, Evolab was a biotechnology company. “I will leave after the awarding ceremony, but this incident will not end after I step out of the building. Whatever happens to the princess elect, the crown expects Evolab to cooperate in the investigation that will follow. Every camera footage, every supplier for this evening, every invitation sent to your guests – it will be asked from you and you shall comply.”

“I will personally ensure the cooperation of my people within legal bounds, of course.”

True to his word, Luke only stayed long enough to hand out the awards for exceptional employees, among other things. He managed to keep a pleasant smile for the cameras, but truthfully, he was not paying attention to most of what was said during the event. Instead, he was listening to the exchange between the traffic command, his security team, and most importantly Tobias. Even Sophia, who offered him wine that she secured from one of the waiters and asked him to stay, was declined.  

When he said that she was admitted into the medical facility, the crown prince sighed audibly. Tobias and Nolan, who came back to the castle with her, were placed on quarantine for their own sakes. It was six in the evening. Shadows had fallen on the main roads of capital, dispelled only by the street lights and the headlights of the passing cars. Luke could not bring himself to check his mails as was his habit. The queen had checked in on him more than twice since the incident was reported to her. He assured her that he was fine, that he thought Rhiane was the target and not himself, and that it was unnecessary to deploy more people from the royal guards. Queen Camilla did the latter despite her son’s reassurances.

With the help of a faster mode of transport via a hovercraft, it took less than an hour for Luke to be able to make it back to the castle. He went straight to the medical tower where he guessed Rhiane was being treated. Callista was there, wearing casual jeans and a plain shirt, looking more like a commoner than a princess. She sat on one of the benches, but hastily ran to her brother as soon as she saw him. 

“Any news?”

The princess shook her head. “I heard what happened from mother. They have been in there since I got here.”

Just then, a message stole Luke's attention. Thinking it might be an update regarding the investigation, he quickly opened it. 

[i]Will I see you tonight?[/i]