Rhiane had resigned herself to sit in silence, staring away from Luke so that his presence would not create more trouble for her than it already had, but he obviously had different thoughts. She did not quite know how she would start a conversation with her betrothed. He had objected to her decision to change into commoner clothes, perhaps because he strongly disapproved of the lower class itself, and had refused to speak with her at all during their tour. Despite giving every indication he wished to have nothing to do with her, he had then entered the women's bath and handed her a phone call from her future sister-in-law. The former farmer was not daft. She knew he could have delayed Callista's request to a later time had he had the inclination. That he elected to wander into the pool with her and stay once the call concluded suggested he had at least temporarily set aside his grudge.

Neither of them wanted to apologize for their behavior. Luke was a man of righteous pride in his decisions. Rhiane did not expect him to regret taking the stance she ought to remain in the dress given to her by Luce if for no other reason than to distinguish herself from her former peers. The queen's influence over his ideological beliefs would not so quickly be mitigated. Similarly she did not regret taking the stance it was important to comfortably attire herself in plain work clothes while she walked with the people. Save for their tense ignoring of one another during dinner, her plot had been a resounding success, and proof that she did not need to take notes from the throne when it came to public appearances. That they even needed her to boost their image ought to have hinted to the crown their approach had flaws.

That he spoke first, and candidly about the ring, surprised her. "That's not true," she managed after hearing his admission that the engagement ring had been 'lost.' His remark about showing Luce a replacement she would like purchased assured her he did not understand why it had been a subject of discussion between her and Tobias. It was not the jewelry she wanted but the thought and consideration that went into its acquisition. "Men can be thoughtful. You can be thoughtful. It's a small thing and easy to lose," she added without any judgment in her tone.

"I'm sure at some point Luce will notice its absence and order me something. It doesn't really matter, though, does it?" Rhiane ventured with a touch of melancholy in her voice rather than derision. She wanted to point out that if she was picking it out, or a servant, or even a consultant, that it had lost the meaning. What made an engagement ring special was not the diamond but how a man might peruse countless options before finding one that he thought was as special as his future bride. Without that devotion and careful deliberation on how it might suite the taste of his lover, it was just a fancy rock and metal loop. "We're engaged with or without it," she continued, "and it doesn't symbolize any promise of affection, does it?"

Shaking her head she turned around and looked for where she had discarded her robe. It took her a few seconds to locate the garment at the opposite end of the bath. Crouching down to remain submerged to her shoulders she made her way over to the corner slowly, increasingly reluctant to leave the relaxing heated water, as she knew the most plush of towels could not compare. "I don't have the energy to argue with you more today, Luke," she sighed. Her make-up had been washed off before she took her dip. Dark shadows were cast under her eyes and the sag of her shoulders belied an encroaching exhaustion. "You can tell me how I've disappointed you tomorrow after I've had some rest," she promised with her back still to him to give her the emotional fortitude she needed to speak.

"We're the only ones here so I'll go to the men's bath so you can have some privacy," she said, unaware that Tobias had warned Luke how she underestimated her fatigue and the danger it posed to her. The cousins agreed on little, but what they did agree on was that Rhiane consistently dismissed her health, and was recklessly eager to disregard her condition for any incentive. In this case she did not want to concede anything could or would keep her from spending every moment possible in this rejuvenating utopia.

Because Luke had yet to admit he harbored feelings for her, she continued to take for granted he did not, and conducted herself accordingly. She was suspicious of him when he sent mixed messages pushing her away and pulling her towards him in equal measure. This confusion about what he wanted gave her an excuse to increase their distance. If she was going to have a one-sided infatuation she wanted to have it as safely as possible, in a way she could not get more hurt than she already was, and not risk him repeating his previous rejections. They had slept together but then he had insulted her fellow peasants and avoided her later in the day. It was too perplexing to anticipate what would happen next; retreat was all she could think to do with his indecisiveness.