At the capital, his name was worshipped as if it in itself was the name of the creator. He was the embodiment of power, the hope of the kingdom, the nation’s salvation and its future king. Men aspired to be like him while their women threw themselves at his feet. He could not be in public without a camera poised at his direction to scrutinize the folds of his coat or the perfect styling of his hair. It was suffocating to have his admirers and critics surround him at every corner, even in the palace. Thus, to hear that for once his name was not the name being cheered was quite a relief. 

The morning sun was a welcome warmth, but it paled compared to the reception of the townspeople for their princess. Cameras panned away from the couple’s faces to film those who gathered to receive Rhiane Black back in the town that nurtured her to be the woman who would one day rule beside Luke. A commoner bride to a royal household was a story only present in the ancient fairy tales. As if she was born to prove that fairy tales could turn into reality. To the young girls, she was the heroine they all wanted to be when they grew up – a smart, strong, and kind woman. A blonde young woman being interviewed by a media personnel said so. 

If Luke’s opinion on the matter was asked, he would agree. In the few weeks they had known each other, she had proven herself to be a beautiful, intelligent, and kind woman despite the name of her father. He equally admired and disliked the strength of her will which drove him mad most of the time. But he would not deny that she was a smart, strong and kind woman. If she was a daughter of nobility, then there’d be no need for a charade of emotions and feelings. But again, the gap between the two of them was too wide, its depth too deep to be bridged by fleeting feelings of admiration.

Luke leaned close enough for her to hear him above the cheers. “I could stand in your defense in front of your critics, you know. But I will only make a fool of myself, because you wouldn’t stop fighting me every single chance you get.” He smiled briefly, as if he just whispered an amusing observation, the pulled away to take a sip from the bland, watered down instant coffee from the shop. One thing he would not miss.

He smiled politely at the crowd, one hand at the small of her back to guide her forward. One of the security personnel directed them to the market proper. Unlike the other places they visited so far, Rhiane’s hometown didn’t have a nobleman or a lady to greet the prince. Anelle explained that it was due to the short notice and the town not being part of the original itinerary. Rhiane was present anyway. She could handle the tour. 

The journalist from earlier approached the couple again. A camera crew trailed after him. Luke noticed that the camera was not turned on as was the microphone, he assumed. “Your highness.” He bowed as he greeted Luke, then turned to Rhiane. “Ms. Black. My name is Manno. We will accompany you today.” He gestured to the cameraman. “Please speak to the camera as if you are guiding a tour of the town. Shall we begin?”