Approximately ten minutes after Luke entered the SUV, Rhiane finally joined him. It was not that he was early, but rather that she was late, something that greatly aggravated Anelle as she was ultimately responsible for making certain they adhered to their schedule. If they were to deviate too far, or be offensively tardy, then no amount of shifting the blame onto the commoner would save her from the wrath of the queen. Admittedly the princess elect was aware that as a peasant she was a convenient scapegoat, but that also made it hard for her to be truly held culpable, as that would be admitting that she was anything more than the dirt beneath the shoes of the aristocracy. Regardless, this was not the reason for the delay, and so the issue was not raised to the royal nor any member of their shared entourage, even it was something that the former farmer wryly noticed mental.

There were two reasons given to Luke and, try as she might, Anelle could not hasten the process. Tobias stoically guarded the tent, barring her entrance, which amused Lia and Octavia when no one else was looking. She had tried to approach a few times, agitated, insisting that they depart immediately, but the redhead could not affect the crown prince's cousin. He was resolute and determined. Realizing that she was having no success (except possible embarrassment if she continued) and that it was easier to just wait the ten minutes predicted, she had extremely reluctantly resigned herself, though to anyone that asked she had 'approved' the delay herself as it was 'practically necessary.' The staff silently accepted her explanation though they did not believe it. Word had traveled quickly that Rhiane had called her 'Satan' to her face and been openly defiant. While they could not approve of the language or a laborer being rude to a lady, they could be aghast while finding it humorous, and it lead credence to a theory that Anelle was not as in control as she pretended to be. One simple utterance had shifted the perception of power.

The first reason for the delay was attire. Rhiane was adamant about wearing her mourning dress, which was simple and all black, but after a quick exchange with their fashion consultant, a role she found utterly absurd, she conceded it would be inappropriate for touring the rest of the town. A compromise was struck that the garment would be tailored during the morning so it would be a bitter fit later in the day when they visited the cemetery. Normally such low-quality clothing would be tossed out, but the sentimentality associated with the piece could play into the favor of the image they were trying to project, and it would better sell the story of an empathetic couple with open hearts to each other and their citizens.  She was changed into simple slacks with an very snug designer knit sweater that hugged every curve, emphasizing her figure. The V-shaped neckline would have been modest on another woman, but Rhiane's proportions made it more sultry, toeing the line between flattering and vulgarity.

The second reason for the delay was Sebastian's bouquets. He produced two, one for the late Violet Black, and one for the late Edwin Black. For the late matriarch of the family were a mixture of blue and amethyst blooms that had been cultivated in the garden and tied together with a bow. Rhiane had them wrapped with decorative paper to give them a less humble appearance, though the freshly cut flowers were so fragrant, so delicate, and picked so recently, that they needed very little to elevate them beyond their natural beauty. For the late middle brother were a mixture of white and yellow blossoms, representing his purity and positivity, a trait everyone that met him could recall long after his passing. This second bouquet was tied with cord and similarly wrapped in decorative paper. There was no doubt they were not professionally arranged, but the stubborn brunette was resolute that it was better than asking a florist. Once again, the servants were forced to yield to the sentimental narrative, even if they were doing so because of cool calculations, and she was acting out of genuine emotion. 

A piece of pastry dangled out of Rhiane's mouth as she made her way towards the waiting vehicle, her hair just having been pinned so that the top layer was pulled back into a bun at the crown of her head. Bangs had been swept to the side and curled and the rest of her chocolate tresses swung freely, wild and luxurious under the care of her cosmetologists. Tobias took long strides to open the door for her before she arrived at it, her hands full as she carried her bouquets, one held tightly in each.

"Do you want me to hold them for you?" he offered for the third time.

"No no, not, after we arrive at the first stop," she promised as she climbed into the vehicle, having a little difficulty with the step up as she was once again in high heels. One her small pleasures at the end of a grueling string of events was taking off her shoes and wiggling her toes. Small callouses had formed on certain parts of her feet as she grew more accustomed to the stilettos that had become part of her standard wardrobe. It was still odd to her, not just because she hadn't worn anything like them when working the fields, but also because a woman of above normal height typically wore flats to not 'threaten' their romantic partner. Luke was fortunately tall enough this was not a concern.

"I guess since I called Anelle Satan it's too late to ask to pick up some sweets at the bakery," she grumbled a little to herself jokingly as she situated herself, laying the flowers in her lap. A sweet scent wafted from them as she pulled on her seat belt.