“Excuse us,” the prince said for formality’s sake. He was not asking to be excused, he was exiting the conversation and he was taking the princess elect with him. With his arm around her back, he steered her away from the crowd to an empty table for a semblance of privacy. He pulled a seat out for her, then moved his chair beside hers so he could lean against her and whisper low. Upbeat dance music played in the background while the sporting event played on the monitors by the bar and a live one going on near the back. He heard Gerald good-naturedly belittling his opponents. Everything and everyone inside that old-world-style bar was alive and lively. It was utterly different from the party places he frequented at the capital, where the future generation of leaders, the upper class, the rich, and the privileged were more reserved as they played games not with plastic cups and ping pong balls, but with connections and power. There was dancing, of course, sometimes even singing, yet nothing as loud and carefree as The Long Night. 

As he made sure no curious ears were listening, he leaned against her ear. “Back to your farm house, where else?” She was right. They would be driving for hours if they wanted to get someplace nice and perhaps up to his standards only to drive back early in the morning to film. He leaned back so he could look at her face. What she told him when they were discussing about her choice not to take any alcoholic beverage that night floated in the forefront of his brain. It was easier not to think about it, not to consider the possibility. He had just accepted his fate to marry her, becoming a father was an entirely different matter. But it made keeping her away from danger all the more urgent. 

“I understand that these people love you, but I don’t want to take another risk,” he admitted, his face suddenly sober. Sebastian was his main source of information at the moment. According to what he had heard, the rebellion was more inclined to kidnap her than to put her life in danger once more. To Luke, it was all the same. He lost to them either way. “Your farm house has been secured. I have people around the perimeter and on the borders of town. We are safer in your home than in a hotel or in a villa elsewhere. I won’t mind your brother’s and your father’s resentment. And your bed –” It was not the most comfortable of beds. It was narrow, the mattress was worn-out, and he thought he felt metal spring poking him when he sat on it. “It will do. So, if you’re feeling tired, princess…” His hand crept under the table to find hers and entwine his fingers with hers. “Bid your friends good night so we may be on our way to discuss those responsibilities you speak about.” He frowned though a playful smirk was on his lips. 

[hr]

A little later after, they found themselves back inside the black vehicle driven by an obviously relieved Nolan. No incident meant less work for him and the others. Tobias opened the rear door for the couple before jogging back to the passenger seat. 

“Lady Anelle called several times, your highness.” Nolan checked the couple from the rearview mirror. He noted the prince raking his hair out of his face only for the stubborn fringes fall back in place. The heir to the throne looked a little more human, though not at all a mundane human being. His features still screamed royalty, his presence commanding, but there was no longer the air of stiffness or snobbishness. Especially when he smiled and talked so casually to his fiancee about the people he met at the bar. Whatever liquor she made him drink had done it. Still, Nolan had to break the news to the prince. 

Luke frowned at the rearview mirror, meeting his bodyguard’s eye. “What does she want? I made the list she wanted and sent it to her, gave her instructions to move the preparations in the farm house.” Well, he hadn’t asked for Rhiane’s permission yet. “Unless Rhiane can nominate another venue?” He arched a questioning brow at her. 

“It’s about an important matter she has to discuss with you.” He checked the rearview once again, before adding, “In person. Ah, perhaps here she is.” A black sedan parked near the entrance of the Black’s farm became visible as the rounded the last curve. Nolan slowed the car down then lowered the driver’s window as they neared the sedan. The rear passenger window was lowered as well, revealing the noble lady. Luke reached across Rhiane to press a button from the side console and so he met the image manager face-to-face, though with Rhiane to their midst. The lady’s eyes moved to the farmer’s face to Luke, then gasped. 

“What are you wearing, Prince Alessandro? And your hair. Oh dear, your hair!”

“It’s late, Anelle. Can’t this wait until the morning?”

“I’m afraid not. It’s the queen who requests for a meeting, since she cannot get a hold of you. If you don’t mind --” Her gaze momentarily lingered on Rhiane in her commoner fashion. “We can take the call from my car so as to not disturb the princess elect? It’s rather late and she might be tired from travelling all around the kingdom.”