Manno smiled back at the princess elect. One had to be especially apathetic not to be enthralled by that smile. No wonder the woman earned the love and adoration of the common people, because on top of being a relatable person, she was genuinely nice and had a very pretty smile. The crew nodded, brushing his index finger to the device in his ear. There was nothing wrong in panning away from the purchases Ms. Rhiane Black and the crown prince would select for the princess, but he had to inform the director. After excusing himself to let the couple lead the cameras, Manno relayed Rhiane’s request to the director and the rest of the crew. There seemed to be no concerns until Lady Toscano joined the conversation. 

Unaware of the discussions held between the media crew, the production director, and the mistress who pulled the strings from behind the scene, Luke allowed himself to be led by his fiancee towards the marketplace. As usual, her charming smile was enough to disarm the crew and bend them to her will. Not that he had any objection to her request, he was amazed at how much a woman can manipulate with just her pretty face and her smile. If he thought that he was beyond her supernatural power because of his status, his wealth, and women more beautiful and refined than Rhiane who would kill to be in her shoes right now, Luke was thoroughly mistaken. He was very serious and professional with his royal obligations, but even the queen was beginning to notice that her heir was threading the fine line between work and pleasure.

The prince caught up to Rhiane. It was not easy to hold a conversation amidst the cheering crowd, but he was not done with the topic. “You are such a delightfully confusing woman. Has anybody told you that before?” If she didn’t want him to fight her battles for her, then what was all the screaming about that morning? “Would you rather Tobias defend you then?” He had to mask the jealousy with amusement. He made himself believe that he was amused and not at all feeling his ego wounded by the thought that she thought of his cousin as more relatable, more reliable man. Enough that she believed the royal guard would stand up for her and she would let him, but she would not allow her fiance to do so. 

The security team made sure that the crowd remained where they should be, though as they neared the market, fewer and fewer people were allowed. It was so the couple could move more freely and the filmed shots look more intimate. They stopped by a crafts shop selling trinkets and jewelries made of strewn beads on thread and some interesting pieces made of thick copper wire. Luke examined a ring which was coiled in an intricately unique pattern. Callie, just like other young ladies her age, loved pretty and shiny stones for accessorizing. They also loved being unique and fashion forward. The seller’s wares would do.

“What do you think of this?” He held the piece of jewelry up to Rhiane. It was not like the expensive pieces that the princess wore, not even designed by a respected name in the industry. The material was cheap, but it was interesting and unique. The thick wire was unmarked by whatever tool the craftsman used, the coiling patterns would swirl up the finger when worn, like a little piece of abstract artwork reminiscent of the rolling waves of the sea. “Can you try it on for Callie?” He placed his coffee down on the surface then took the ring off the hand mannequin. With the piece of art on between his thumb and middle finger, he held his other hand out for her. The goal was to buy his sister a souvenir and his mind was fixated to it. Therefore, he asked her to try the ring on, to let him fit it on her finger, without realizing at that moment that it may remind her of what he lacked. That he was missing the engagement ring for his fiancee.