Rhiane collapsed into a seat without a pretense of elegance once Carter was out of the room. Perhaps her fiance would find it unladylike but it spoke to a level of comfort she had around him in most ways. She had decided to be honest with him the moment she won the contest and so she was, becoming more casual in private, without bothering to fix the hem of her pants as she sat or crossing her ankles as proper etiquette dictated. "The poisoning was so four days ago," she complained though not loudly enough anyone would hear. "I've tried to have a message passed along that these dietary restrictions are ridiculous but they are unconcerned with my opinion on the matter." This was no surprise. Even when she was on death's door she had not seemed to take the event quite as seriously as the physicians would have preferred. No doctor nor nurse would trust her to be objective in analysis of her own recovery. Years of experience taught them that if their patient was reluctant to medicate, made frequent jokes about their situation, and underestimated acute conditions, they would continue to prematurely jump back into action.

"Not quite," she said with a shrug to his question about the peasants. "You know, I was thinking on my long journey to the cockpit," the Princess Elect remarked jokingly- she was tall for a woman and less than half a foot shorter than Luke- "about what it must like to be a crown prince. I've seen how much time and energy you sink into trying to help govern the country and spearhead projects of interest to you, but even among the nobility I would wager there are people that underestimate you, or don't understand some of the unique pressures of your station. They might judge you for missing an appointment, and tell others you are lazy, when you have a more pressing matter above their clearance. They might think you have such luxurious accommodations you must always be relaxing because they don't personally see you up late at night working. They might think your mother's praise is more easily earned, that everything comes naturally, that you do not struggle, because they see someone handsome, clever, wealthy, and powerful, who will one day be king."

Rhiane pulled her gaze away from the gently lit clouds and turned towards Luke, propping an elbow up on the side of the chair and leaning her chin into her palm to make certain he had her full attention. "People have a habit, myself included, of listening to others but not really hearing them. Back when I was a farmer, laboring in the fields, I didn't want a knight to ride up, sweep me off my feet, and pay off all my debt. I wanted to be heard. I wanted someone to understand how I had to work when I ran a high fever, because medication was too expensive, and the crop had to be harvested. To know that when there was enough bad weather I'd have to live off one meal a week. To not think because I rested in the winter I was lazy, because I destroyed my hands and back the other three seasons of a year. I know I can't make you talk to the peasants, Luke, but I think they are looking for, and hoping for, is someone to really see them and what they do, someone who is important, someone who might remember them when they are creating future policies."

She returned to reclining in her chair as she stretched her legs out farther in front of her. If she had taken off the heels she was wearing, which had returned to her daily attire as soon as her ankle was considered healed sufficiently for the strappy contraptions, she could have rested her feet on one of the consoles and taken a nap. Rhiane had plenty of sleep over the last few days but the soothing vibrations of the airplane and the utter lack of public to engage with made it a tempting place to doze. Two of her recently chastised bodyguards were wide awake but most of their retinue was enjoying shut-eye. There were not nearly as many security concerns while thousands of kilometers above the ground.

"In any case, I also wanted to remind you that Ms. Viscomi will report whatever we do, or do not do, to Queen Camilla... and the implants can be controlled from a considerable distance. I've shared close quarters with far less dashing individuals but I know it will hamper your work if you're seen as uncooperative and have the leash tightened. You'll have to listen to my, what was it? Loud snoring? at an even closer distance." She jested with a wink as she crossed her legs. Much as he detested being bound to her, almost certainly because he had other people he'd rather entertain or things he'd prefer to do alone, it bothered her less and less. Rhiane didn't mind the lack of solitary time. When Luke was particularly vexing she'd roll her eyes and wish she could run away, but he had been in better spirits since they began their journey she thought.

"I wonder if Ms. Viscomi could be persuaded to allow more sightseeing," she mused to herself quietly as her eyes drifted over the soft colors of the sky beyond the glass. Rhiane didn't have control over her diet nor her itinerary. Idly she considered it could be seen as a positive indulgence if they didn't just meet the people but also saw more of the national landmarks. There were architectural masterpieces, natural wonders, and breathtaking views that drew tourists that Rome's princess elect had never seen in person. Most of these spots were a source of pride for the locals. The crown wanted to warm the public to the newly engaged couple, but perhaps an argument could be made that a visit to attractions would encourage nationalism and be considered firm endorsements by royalty.