Luke could try to contact the palace again. It did not appear as if the storm was about to ebb soon, and though there was little comfort with the thought that no sane person would brave such a weather, he could not be sure how safe it was to stay in the medical facility. The doctor may not have shown them any sign of ill intent, but he could be a sympathizer of the rebellion who might have given a tip to the crown’s enemy about the whereabouts of the royal couple. Until proven otherwise, Luke would find reasons to doubt the intentions of strangers around him. 

“The doctor said you need it, so it stays where it is.” His eyes were still wandering, trying to figure out what was beyond the walls and behind the windows. Was the building surrounded by a village, was it in the middle of the woods? Unless he knew enough, it was difficult to plan an escape route. Absently, he reached for his wrist expecting to feel the smooth and relatively cold surface of the device, but instead soft flesh met his touch. “Our medical team will be able to fix you better. Until then, bear with the sling.” He absently touched the strap over his chest which held the brace in place. It was uncomfortable, but at least it fulfilled its intended purpose of restricting his movements. The same could be said about the sling. He imagined that it too was an uncomfortable contraption, but it was the best that the facility could offer. 

He ignored her comment about him being worse that Sebastian. The latter was known to the prince only through a brief phone conversation therefore he would not decide whether it was a complement. All he knew was that Sebastian meant a lot to Rhiane, and she to him. Did she liken him to somebody she considers as her brother? Maybe it was what she meant when she said that she liked him. Suddenly the memory of her lips, the manner in which she responded to his otherwise emotionless gesture, shot up to the forefront of his mind and effectively shut down other thoughts. No, she did not think of him as a brother. 

“I don’t suppose a mediocre kiss is enough to get inside a person’s head and presume to understand how he thinks.” Luke stretched his legs before him. He didn’t notice earlier, but the medical staff cut the right leg of his pants while he was sleeping, possibly for ease of access to the injury above his knee. The alteration could have been better if the other pant leg was trimmed off as well. Besides, the doctor might not be aware, but the article of clothing they ruined was probably more expensive than the doctor’s mobile phone. “But if you wish to speak to the farmers yourself, then by all means meet with them. I do not have the time to listen to grown men and women whining about their situation. I will tell my mother that I was the one driving the SUV so that there is nothing to discover, nothing stopping you from dragging my cousin with you to a room full of farmers.”

He kept his gaze away from her, as if the faded curtains and cracked tiles were more interesting to watch than the play of emotions on his fiancee’s face. She mentioned Tobias again as if the guard had earned her trust more than him. As if the guard was able to offer more than what the prince offered her. He would not pretend to understand the logic behind it, the reasoning of a peasant woman who rather picked a barely noble man to a future king. Anyway, if it was what she wanted, then there was no reason for him not to ask Tobias to stick by her side.  Allow her to indulge in the presence of one who was lacking so that she could appreciate what she stood to lose.  

“You do not want to know how my mother will treat you and your family if she finds out that you are partially responsible for what happened.” The queen had always thought that Rhiane was replaceable. It would entail additional work, but it would ensure that the future mother of her grandchildren would not incite rebellious thoughts into her grandchildren. “Remember how they are the reas--”

Muffled voices from beyond the room cut through his train of thoughts. Luke paused, frowning. It sounded like an argument though he could not make out any word.