"There's no reason for you to be dragged down trying to fight my fights for me," she protested quietly while they had that brief moment alone in the crowd. The bodyguards were the only people close enough they could have potentially overhead any of the conversation, but they could not hear the engaged couple over the din of cheering, yelling, laughing, and excited chattering. It was enough of a struggle for the princess and princess elect when they were standing beside one another. Luke could have anticipated her response if he missed the objection she voiced aloud. Rather than allow him to be her knight in shining armor, like so many ladies of New Rome dreamed of, her complex made her feel obligated to be the one to shield him. For so long as she had been expected to be the dependable one in her family everyone relied on, who supported everyone, and who undertook the tasks no one else could or would do, she had nearly forgotten what it was like to be looked after. Refreshing as it was to see glimpses of her betrothed's strength and concern, the former farmer was reluctant to add to his burden, to let him be potentially injured on her behalf, even if she frequently felt as if she was crumbling under the pressure and trauma.

Trying to ignore the realization that she did, in fact, like the protection of Luke more than she could ever admit, she tossed back errant lockets of chocolate brown over her shoulder and stood on her toes to be closer to his ear. "I fight with you because I haven't given up on you yet," Rhiane told him, the word 'yet' hanging in the air for a moment as an unconscious reminder that her patience was not as endless as the world took for granted. "But you quite underestimate me if you think it's because I'm trying to influence you for any agenda that would benefit me. Can you say the same for the other people that fight with you?" she inquired raising a brow. It was a poignant question. Callie didn't really fight with him like she did, his queen mother was trying to mold him into a reflection of herself, and everyone else had motivations. Every fledgling plan in [i]her[/i] head, however, was for his exclusive benefit.

As she was ushered forward she took another sizable bite of her torrone and washed it down with sips of her juice. The sugary sweet had bolstered her fragile emotional state into something much more sustainable. Tempted to stop and sign some autographs, she was too paranoid that Luke would punish her by eating the rest of her torrone. Mentally frowning she kept the bag with the remnants in the hand farthest from her royal escort.

"It is good to meet you, Manno," she replied gregariously, instantaneously turning on her effortless charm. A bright smile played on her lips that exuded the brilliant charisma that made her so beloved by the masses. "Before we begin, if it would not be too much trouble, I do have a request," Rhiane began with a disarming gregarious tone that implicitly made almost anyone she met want to capitulate. She was not a woman without flaws, but she so likeable, endearing, and relatable, that her manipulations lacked the cold edge of the nobility, and wooed her peers into wanting to help her in any way they could. That she had developed a cult-like following was not surprising given her attributes.

"Of course, Miss Black," Manno readily agreed, though it was not as if he had a choice. If he annoyed the princess elect, he would presumably upset the prince, and then this arrangement would collapse in the blink of an eye. To be the news coverage for the tour was too precious to waste- and he also doubted that anything ridiculous would be asked of him.

"We'll be making some purchases for the princess at some of the stalls," she divulged, the vivacious grin never leaving her features, "so I'd appreciate it if you could pan away from what is being bought. I'd like to keep it a surprise for her until they are delivered to her. She's been so unconditionally caring and supportive, and I've always wanted a sister, so I feel I must take this opportunity to spoil her a little," she concluded with a wink. The crew behind Manno was smiling and nodding themselves in silent approval. By explaining herself and her motivations, she had made them equally invested in keeping the surprise, and just as delighted in the gesture.