In movies, slow motion sequences were frequently used to evoke a certain feeling from the audience. It stretched an otherwise negligible period of time into what could have felt like infinity to one or both characters’ point of view. Speeding bullets, a terrified mob running away from a horde of zombies, the epic entrance of a band of superheroes strutting down the street like it was a runway, or a leading man finally realizing that the love he was chasing after was right before his eyes all along – slow motions were invented to stretch the boundaries of time in order to make it known that to some, a few seconds would matter for a lifetime. 

“Your highness? Luke. Are you listening?”

His blue eyes snapped into focus and he would have shaken his head to clear the memory of her smile off his nervous system if not for the little self-preservation left in him. He was neither a teenager pining after the most beautiful woman in his mother’s court, nor was he a star in a romantic comedy film. In the real world where both Luke and Rhiane existed, there was no slow-motion sequences and time was firm about deadlines and commitments. Nevertheless, even Nolan noticed the subtle changes in his prince’s facial expression – the widening of his eyes and the bewildered look on his face. The royal’s device was humming on his wrist and he did not even seem to notice. 

“Somebody is persistently calling and if you do not answer, I’m certain that whoever it is will contact me next,” Nolan added exasperatedly.

Luke gingerly turned his attention from the happily reunited family to find that it was his mother. He picked a pre-typed message to reject the call with a promise that he would return the call as soon as he could. When Luke lifted his head again, Rhiane was on her way to the front door and Sebastian was almost at his side. 

Other women would have been delighted to present the crown prince to her family, but Rhiane was not like most other women. She was his lioness. Nothing he could tell her would convince her that meeting her family wasn’t that bad an idea. She believed that it would be worse for Luke than herself, but she had not been in the shoes of a future king whose every action was criticized both by his critics and his supporters. Perhaps it was why she planned to face her father and brother alone, not even with Sebastian to soften any kind of blow. 

“She’s the one who needs to be protected from herself,” Luke sighed. “Stay here Nolan, Tobias. Don’t follow us inside.” Not that he was overly confident that Rhiane’s father and brother would soon realize that he was likable – many found him obnoxious and irritating – but going through with the exercise was one way to show Sebastian that he meant every word he said and did not say at the garden. He would protect Sebastian’s sister in every battle she chose in life, and from enemies that chose to hurt her. Therefore, without saying another word to either Nolan or Sebasitan, Luke made long strides to stand beside Rhiane in front of her house. 

He snaked an arm around her waist then raced for the knob before she could even reach it. The prince pushed the door open for her, but before he ushered the princess elect inside the home she grew up in, Luke whispered. “Nothing you can say will convince me to walk away. This was my idea, remember?”