Hashih

The Betrothed

What Luke told Nolan was partly true, that he had no idea why he was doing what he was doing. It was not in his character to stoop so low as to knock at a peasant’s door and hope that somebody would be kind enough to open the door for him. No, it was usually the other way around. He could have secretly ordered the arrest of Sebastian and have a team interrogate the man until every secret was unearthed, but there he was standing at the doorstep of a patriarch who, if given a chance, would love to bruise Luke’s royal face using his dirty fist just because Luke was a prince.

“There’s still time. Just say the word and we’ll raid this property to get you whatever it is you came here for.”

Luke sighed. “It’s too late. She’s definitely going to make my life miserable if I did that.”

Just then, the door cracked open revealing a foreign face that was neither Hubert nor Gerard Black. Nolan tensed, finding comfort from the cold metal of the gun. The surviving family members were easily searchable from the database, so was Sebastian. The latter looked a bit rougher than his photo, but it was unmistakably him.

“I did not wake her up. Don’t worry she’s well-guarded,” was his response when he asked about Rhiane’s whereabouts. “We have been traveling and interacting with people a lot since the tour began. I’m afraid that Rhiane hasn’t been getting enough rest so I let her sleep whenever she finds time to do so.” It was both the truth and a slightly modified version of it molded for his purpose. The princess elect advised that Sebastian was full of principles and empathy, that he was a man who listened to his heart perhaps more than he did the logical voice of his brain. Disclosing Luke’s decision to allow his betrothed to rest and not force her to work for his plan hoped to convey the message of how both he and Sebastian cared for the woman. Rhiane was the only bargaining chip he had, and the sole connection he knew that both males could bond about. If all went well, it too could help sway Sebastian to Luke’s favor once they met with the rest of the Black family.

Consequently, he followed Sebastian to the garden without protest. The grim looking Nolan was a few feet behind, but he entered the garden when Luke did.

It was a small piece of land that was spared to grow the flowers she must have liked. The colors complemented each other and the way she arranged the plots was like an abstract painting. If Sebastian was paying attention, it was difficult to miss the amusement on the royal’s face as his blue eyes scanned the garden as if memorizing the names of the flowers for future reference. “Which is her favorite?” He asked before answering his questions or confirming the speculation.

“Rhiane did not know until this morning that I had plans to visit her family.” Luke remained standing near the gate, not trusting the bench to be clean enough to spare his pants from unwanted stain. “She was not entirely happy when I told her about it. Your guess is correct. I do not care about making a good impression or meddle in her family affairs.” His eyes narrowed and his voice a little less friendly. “Tell me more about that rumor you heard.” Because although they shared the same room since the day after the engagement ball, it was just recently that he and Rhiane shared a bed in a meaningful way. Whoever was the source of the rumor he was talking about must be closer than he thought. “It is actually you who I wanted to meet. You have connections in the rebellion and that is exactly what I need to protect Rhiane, my sister, my brothers, and the queen.”

Quest: Wild Hunt — Perished Among the Gods [ Denny x Hashih ]

Hider

Name: Eloise Hale
Age: 25

Eloise was born to a family who has never known the word hunger. She could have lived her life comfortably spending her father's fortune and still be buried in a golden casket encrusted with precious stones. At a time when gold was monopolized by the noble lords and ladies, the patriarch of the family made a name for himself in manufacturing and distribution of the spirits -- ale, wine, rum -- that addicting and intoxicating liquid that burned the throat, clouded the mind, and made the unsuspecting victim spend every precious gold in his person for one last kick. Little did the general public know that the liquor business was but a facade to cover for the real source of the family's wealth.

Even though she was the youngest and the only daughter of her family, Eloise was well-informed about the business conducted by his father in the shadows, where no unauthorized ear was listening and no suspecting eyes were watching. The trade consist of substances, artifacts, relics, weapons and even creatures either banned by the king or generally unaccepted by the public. It opened her eyes to a world that existed just beneath the surface of normalcy. Her brothers might have to do with it, but the spoiled and willful girl craved for adventures that the four corners of her father's manor could never ever grant her.

The Betrothed

The road was made for one vehicle each way, but even then, the drivers had to exercise caution when the SUV met a smaller car along the way. The colors of autumn bled from the abandoned branches of cypress and pine trees standing like sentries at either side of the path and into the ground. Beyond the trees were open fields as red as the color of the remaining leaves on trees. Luke smiled as his eyes watched the scenery unfolded on the windshield of the SUV as if he was watching one of his favorite movies. The capital was a comfortable place to live, but he had to admit that the countryside had a charm of its own. Especially with the clear morning sky hanging above the bold display of colors. It made him want to slow down, kick off his shoes, sit under a tree with a hard-bound book, and watch the day waste away.

“I find your sense of truth disturbing.” Maybe it was the welcome change of sights, something he did not have time to enjoy at the mountains because of the heart-racing, hair-raising, driving skills of his betrothed. It quashed his otherwise over-eagerness to raise an argument, making his tone was light.

Without reviewing her background, her family, and her history, Luke had no way of understanding where that heavy sigh came from. His own family was not ideal. The relationship that he and his mother had could have been much better. The queen and his eldest constantly tested each other’s patience, but at least they had not yet resorted to screaming at each other’s face and consequently walking away for good. “If there is one thing you are better than me at, this is it – making your own family disown you.” She was not technically disowned by her father, or at least she had not told her that her relationship with her kin was irreparable.

Nolan smirked, and when he did, he made sure Luke heard him. Their eyes met briefly on the rear-view mirror. It was not easy to raise a spoiled prince, and it was especially challenging to raise an unwilling heir with a knack for getting himself into different kinds of sticky situations. The royal guard had been Luke’s loyal companion and accomplice for years that he could testify how much of a troublemaker the young heir was when he put his mind into it. If not for Luke's undeniable talent and dedication, which his allies in and out of the kingdom praised and trusted, the queen might have been forced, through the pressure of politics, to exile her son a long time ago.

“Not that my mother doesn’t threaten to disown me because it is easier than cleaning up after my mess, she just couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing me make a fool of myself.” He turned to Rhiane, feeling her grip weaken. It was not a surprise to find her head leaning against the backrest, eyes closed, breathing evenly. The overnight at the spa meant that they had to wake up extra early to be able to keep up with their schedule. She must have been more tired than she let on, but it was amazing how easily she could doze off. “I thought I told you not to fall asleep while I’m talking to you,” Luke added softly. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly.

---

The rest of the way was quiet. Luke turned his comms device on selective mode, where only urgent messages and calls would be entertained. He watched the view unfolding, a view that he did get to see every day. Until the vehicle slowed down and finally stopped in front of a property larger than most they passed by. He leaned against the window, lowering the glass to let in the fresh morning breeze. “Is this it?”

“This is where the navi brought us. Should I knock and ask if this is the correct residence?” Nolan unbuckled his seat belt and prepared to step out.

“Then this must be her father's house. It is better than I imagined,” Luke mussed. But when Tobias asked if he was going to wake Rhiane up, Luke shook his head. “Let her sleep a little longer. Nolan, let’s have a look around.”

Because of the lack of advertisements and the sudden change in plans, not many knew about the arrival of the royal. Though perhaps rumors had spread that a VIP was visiting the town, the residents had no idea where and when the said VIP would come. But still, the perimeter of the Black farm was secured by Royal guards. Anelle and the rest of the staff, however, stayed behind to plan and coordinate with the media.

The prince stepped out of the SUV. He was dressed sharply, as usual, in his tailored gray jacket and white oxford shirt. Sunglasses protected his blue eyes from the bright morning sun. With a single glance, one could tell that he did not belong to the dirty, dusty, farm. With the confidence of being raised knowing that one day he would be king, Luke followed the dirt path that led to the door. Nolan, who was ever Luke’s shadow, stepped before the prince to knock at the door. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. Luke shook his head.

“It is the first time that I will talk to the father of the woman I am in a relationship with. I don’t really know why I am doing this to myself.”

Nolan grinned, then knocked again.

The Betrothed

Shutters clicked and cameras flashed, eagerly capturing photos from the princess elect’s smiles to her fiancé’s cool detachment. Luke would rather ignore the still growing crowd, but when Rhiane asked him to trust her, he did not argue. Telling her how it was a waste of time to talk to the journalists, for they would rather speak of false news that would reap ratings than publish the boring truth. The two of them would be judged no matter what she said, so what the hell.

“It’s not just the weather,” he added. If Rhiane was full of warm smiles and friendly commentaries, Luke was and had always been straightforward. He did not bother to try to be charming or pretend that he cared about any of the people in attendance’s recent personal milestone. “I don’t like how that grin looks.” He subtly tilted his head to the direction of the men, farmers and not, who Luke guessed envisioned Rhiane in her controversial dress. Smiles faltered and whispers hushed. “There are sights I rather not share with anybody. Moments as well. Rhiane asked kindly, but I will not. No media presence shall be tolerated within five hundred meters from her home. The coverage will resume tomorrow under the supervision of Anelle Tuscano. You may coordinate with her team. Have a good day." Anelle held her head high and proud.

Luke nodded to Nolan, who led the couple to the vehicle assigned to them. Unlike their daring ascend up the winding mountain road, the prince made no request to drive. Nolan opened the door for Rhiane and once she was comfortably settled in, Luke rounded the shiny black car to the rear passenger door where he was intercepted by their Image Manager.

“She has not given me anything to work on,” Anelle complained, though even as she sounded thoroughly irritated, her lips were smiling and her gestures light. There was not an ounce of anger that any outsider would be able to trace. “My staff needs to survey the locations, coordinate with the camera crew, and arrange for the logistics of the equipment. Maybe she does not understand, but there are several elements to consider in organizing a broadcast. I will not be faulted for poor lighting or the lack of a good footage.”

“We will meet her family, then I am going to ask her to prepare a list. I know what you’re doing, Anelle. Stop baiting Rhiane, because I have enough to worry about without your issues.”

Once inside the car, Nolan informed Luke that they are waiting for clearance to proceed to the site. An advance security party was dispatched in advance to ensure the safety of the perimeter of Rhiane’s old home. Those of the advance party were also tasked to ensure that no media personnel were present to sneak a video recorder or a camera. He did not doubt that the reunion may turn sour, and the screaming she described was a possibility between daughter and father. Shouting his point was not his style, even when he was stressing a point to his mother, but the ways of life was different in different social strata. Scandalous behavior must have been normalized in that part of the kingdom.

“Site has been cleared,” Nolan was telling Tobias, who was in the driver’s seat.

Luke turned to Rhiane. “You're such a creative liar, Ms. Black. I hope you’re ready to see your family again.” He reached for her hand as the vehicle followed the cemented country road.

The Betrothed

As far as Anelle was concerned, Rhiane’s value was far less than the sunglasses perched on the former’s elegant nose. Her hazel eyes sized up the brunette standing by the window seat while the prince freed himself from the seatbelt. Not a single word in her contract said that she was supposed to take orders from a woman of low birth, especially not before her staff and the royal guards. When Anelle said yes to the assignment, all that was in her mind was the possibility of rekindling old flame. Maybe with Sophia Keller out of the prince’s life and him being stuck with a woman without class, he would finally realize the value of the lady he once turned his back on. It was a pleasant surprise to have witnessed their elitist crown prince displaying affections for a nameless woman. The Luke she knew wouldn’t even spare a glance at the common people if he could help it.

Perhaps Rhiane Black, despite her humble roots and charming smile, was an expert when it came to seducing men. She was beautiful for one who was born and raised in the countryside, but not even the most expensive clothes and jewelries could cover the mud on her cheeks and the scent that reeked of poverty. Whatever talent she picked up from her farmer friends in the country, Luke would surely get tired of it soon enough. Someone like him just would not settle for a woman without class.

Whatever ran in her mind did not show on her face. It was an art she mastered – painting an earnest smile on her face even when she could not stand to look at the other person’s face without emptying the contents of her stomach. “I’m sure we can make some time for a short chat, Rhiane. I would not dare ask what it is that you need the press to hear, just don’t embarrass yourself out there.” She told a staff to pass on the message to the waiting and armed media some meters from the air strip and close to where their rides were parked, then her smile turned sympathetic. “Would you like to stay inside the plane while Rhiane speaks to the waiting reporters, Luke?”

Well, it was a tempting idea. He disliked the cameras and its judgmental lenses, the solitude that the empty plane offered was enticing, but then again there was something Rhiane could do for him which was why he put an effort to not antagonize her that day. “It’s fine, I need to stretch my legs anyway.” He put on his wayfarers then offered his arm to her.

---

The sun greeted the couple and their entourage. Nolan, Tobias and the rest of the security team were in their black uniforms, armed and alert as the VIPs climbed down the steps. It could have had so much green surrounding the runway on springtime, but the leaves had long fallen off the twigs to color the earth with their fiery hue. Beyond the concrete was the waiting crowd. Cameras flashed; unrest was visible among the people. It was not everyday that the crown prince paid a visit to that parts of the kingdom. In fact, it was the first time in a very long time that a member of the royal family had set foot in their humble little town.

Luke scanned the faces of the men and women behind the line set by the local security forces. The craned their necks, went on tip toes, in an effort to catch a glimpse of the couple. Rhiane’s hometown did not have its own airstrip, it was a much less developed farming community farther south. Anelle had intended the couple to spend the night in that town and travel only to Rhiane’s home when necessary, but Luke had other plans. Plans which did not include the media on their heels to film their every movement and criticize each perceived error.

Anelle waved at one reporter eagerly, though one would have to guess whether she meant the eagerness or not. “Take your time to think your statement through, Rhiane.” So she wouldn’t embarrass herself and Luke in the process, she wanted to add, looking over her shoulder at the farmer.

The Betrothed

Maybe there was a miscalculation, it must be easier to order Sebastian’s arrest and then leave him into the capable hands of the Defense Ministry than deal with the reasoning of his betrothed. “Precisely.” Sighing was the next best to gritting his teeth and grinding out the syllables. He forced a smile, hoping that it was enough to cover for the annoyance that momentarily flashed in his eyes. “I don’t see any contradiction, just a stubborn lady whose lifegoal is to go against anything and everything I say. There are enemies inside the palace, which is why it is important to me that you always keep this attached to you. Besides, who said anything about sequestering you at the palace? You are free to wander around the capital. Callie will most probably harass you into joining her in attending to her ‘commitments.’”

When the princess said she had commitments, it was supposed to mean an official business like attending a formal function, representing the queen in an important cultural event, or other boring stuff that she hated. The truth was, when Callie said she had commitments, it was rarely those things. The word took to mean that she was going out with her friends, that she said yes to an invitation to a party, or that she was busy socializing and growing her network of friends. Unlike her older brother, she showed no interest in governance. The queen’s only daughter had always been a soft and sweet girl; unfit to rule, because her heart was too big for the throne.

“Regardless of what Sebastian says, we are cutting the tour. I’m sure that the team will think of other projects to keep you busy, but it has to be inside the capital.” The support to the crown was strongest in the capital, even Luke knew that. Though it was not as safe as he had thought, it was probably the safest place she could be while the faction of the resistance that wanted her dead was being sorted out. He hated to sound like his mother, but he hated losing to his enemies more. “You can travel all you want after things have calmed down.” Perhaps she could pick up hints, or he would be as successful in enticing her to help him as he was in convincing her to concur to the doctors’ prescribed procedures when she was poisoned.

He followed her gaze out the window as the plane glided over the unfamiliar landscape. As a prince, he grew up surrounded by glass walls, tall skyscrapers, technology, cars, and hovercrafts alike. Nature was a luxury he seldom experienced. There was his favorite island, and some other remote locations which he discovered while flying surveillance drones, where he would retreat to when he needed a break from being Prince Alessandro. Time, however, was a precious commodity he could not afford to spend on relaxing and taking in the beauty of nature. His mini getaways, like the afternoon he brought her to the island, were always brief. Rhiane, on the other hand, grew up surrounded by so much nature. He wondered what it was like growing up in a farm, free to choose who she wanted to be. His eyes wandered to the outline of her profile.

When she leaned in, he fought against the urge to lean back into his seat and away from her. It should be easy, but his emotions were getting in the way. He advised her not to let her emotions sway her, but he was allowing his to influence his decisions. That he consciously welcomed her closeness in public, when there was no need to act as if they were in love, was a huge red flashing warning sign that spelled ‘DANGER.’ Still, a slow smile slowly lit his face.

He was doing it to manipulate her into submitting to his plans, was what he told himself to justify not running away.
“It will be just for a week, woman. But we must do something about those certain needs.” His voice was low, but his grin was as playful as hers. “And make sure they are met in the fullest so that the hours we are apart will not be too many to count nor too long a wait. So, I will not have to worry that you will turn to someone else while I’m half-way around the world.” He leaned in so their lips touched without regards to the passengers that shared the flight with them.

The captain managed a smooth landing, but Luke felt it when the wheels touched the airstrip. He lifted his face a few inches from hers, asking in a low voice, “What do you want to do today, princess?”

“Alright, we have arrived!” Anelle announced brightly even before Rhiane could respond. The plane had not yet fully stopped and she ought to be still strapped in her seat, but the count’s daughter was standing in her six-inch stilettos, sporting a bright smile. “Because of the sudden inclusion of this stop, we haven’t had the time to build a place where our crown prince and his betrothed could comfortably spend a few nights. We are, however, going to be setting up in a nearby city. It is not too far away and can be reached through land travel.”

The captain’s announcement that it was safe to unbuckle the seatbelt interrupted Anelle. More seatbelts were undone, some even prepared to deplane.

The Betrothed

Luke was wondering what Rhiane’s house looked like, if it was anything like the farm houses from the last village or did she keep a household that was homier and more cozy than those he had seen so far, when she offered to finish the tour’s itinerary on her own. His lips fell into a flat line and his eyes slightly narrowed at her. The woman was either thirsty for adventures outside her hometown or she was taunting trouble to find her. With everything that had happened to her since she earned the title princess elect – the attempts at her life, the trauma of witnessing somebody shot dead – it was amazing that she would propose to continue traveling the kingdom instead of retreating into the safety of the palace.

Most of the passengers were already strapped into their seats, except for Octavia, who remained lingering near the door and Tobias, who stood on the aisle a few steps from the female guard. Both stepped aside to give room for the couple to move.

“Yes, it is important,” Luke was telling Rhiane as he ushered her to the window seat. He spoke in an equally hushed tone, careful not to let the incredulity be heard in his voice. “Especially when I fly out of the country next week. Keep this so you can call me whenever you miss me. It will also tell the security team where you’re at in case of any emergency or whenever you raise a signal for help.” After what happened at the mountains, they would not take any chances. Her whereabouts had to be monitored and her perimeter secured. It was clear that the enemy conspired to harm the future mother of the next generation of royals, and fortunately they failed twice. There was no assurance that there would be no more third. The more she endeared herself to the public, the more the rebellion saw her as a threat to their propaganda. Which was why Luke could not believe how she could ask him to let her attend the rest of the stops without him.

She was an insightful human being, most of the time a little too insightful for his comfort. “But even with this device, I don’t like the idea of you being alone on this tour. Whether you like it or not, you have already made enemies. I trust my cousin to protect you, but… No, we’ll let the PR team handle the cancellations. You should go back to the palace.”

The queen would want her to proceed regardless. She was correct that they were supposed to honor their commitments. It was Luke’s personal rule and sticking to it earned him credibility to those who he had a chance of working with. However, allowing Rhiane to be on her own was too risky. There was a spy inside the palace who could very well pinpoint her location, identify her activities, and arrange for another assassination attempt. It would be easier for the rebels to get to her with only half of the security force present. Besides, he doubted she would be receiving the same special treatment from the palace if he was not with her.

Luke leaned so he was whispering to her, “Or would you rather try your hand at flirting with Anelle while I’m out of the country?”

Leaving the capital to roam around the kingdom, presenting themselves as star-crossed lovers from different social classes, was the consequence of an unfortunate event during their engagement ball. If it had not been for it, the two of them could have stayed the amenities of the palace much longer. Rhiane could have been in attendance of a private tutor who would teach her how to conduct proper etiquette in both a local an international function, public speaking, how to dress herself like a princess, poise, and all the other things that the royal advisors believed the princess elect lacked. The urgency to fix a broken reputation preceded all these. Yet, when Luke left for the summit in the far east, she would have time to finally catch up on her training as a proper princess.

The Betrothed

Maybe it mattered to her, but to the kingdom and the world what he felt, if it had nothing to do with politics, economics, or defense, was insignificant. But Luke smiled at his fiancee. They were almost there, almost at the point where he wanted them to be. He could point out her prejudice against the upper class, most especially him, yet it was pointless. It was time to pull back, retreat, and enjoy the possible peace between them no matter how short it may be.

“If he did that, I’ll relieve him from his duties on the spot then have him assigned in the farthest reaches of the kingdom. Someplace neither you nor I will ever visit so that he will never ever have the chance to touch you again.” His cocky grin might have given away how certain he was that he had the authority and will to do just that. Once upon a time, Luke and Tobias were the best of friends, brothers even. Then somehow, somewhere, as the boys charted the path destiny had sketched for them, the bond weakened until they were no more than a character in each other’s far flung memory. But the fact that the guard was a part of his past and somehow shared the same bloodline as Luke made the crown confident that the former would never betray his sworn duty. It was precisely the reason why Luke kept Tobias close to Rhiane.

“Then your security retinue will employ only women.” A slight frown touched his brows the same time his arms fell to his side. “Or gay men. That should be safe enough.”

Those sentences could be interpreted as possessiveness. If she would read between the lines, it would seem that he had broken the promise he made them make the night of their engagement ball – that they would live separate lives unconcerned of the other. He was staking his claim, telling her, though jokingly, that he was not about to let any other man lay their lustful eyes on her. Despite his independence, Luke was a spoiled kid who always got what he wanted in life. He was the two-year-old he was describing who would not let any other kid touch his toys, much less his fiancee no matter how wrong it was in the eyes of those who mattered.

“I have not even a slight interest in her. She is just an employee assigned by my mother to look after us, like Luce. I will not let her unfortunate intrusion hold you back in any way.” But there was no way of telling why the queen planted her in their midst. Although, rumors travel at lightspeed, thanks to the advancements in technology. He wouldn’t be surprised if his mother knew about her son’s growing interest in the farmer and Anelle, a stark contrast of Rhiane, was a reminder of what he ought to aspire. Queen Camilla’s logic was simple -- Rhiane was a tool for succession, and Luke ought to not feel any attachment towards said tool.

Luke walked to the couch to pick up the box. “I have ‘secret sanctuaries’ other than the island. I understand that you don’t want the world to see yours as well. Leave it out, nobody will notice anyway. Just give the cameras something beautiful to shoot and the people something to talk about.” He carried the box with him and proceeded to unlock the door. “Let’s meet your family today and plan the places we will visit. That’s all. The rest will be time you may spend however it pleases you. I’ll talk to Anelle to maybe convince her to shave a few cities and towns off the tour.”

He glanced down at the package in his hand as the door slid open. “I can show you the basic controls, if you like,” Luke invited. He could show her as the pilot prepared to land the aircraft, if only to distract both of them from finding other issues to fight about.

The Betrothed

“I have three siblings who are much younger than me, Rhiane. Trust me, you are acting like a child. A two-year-old kid who misbehaves whenever another kid shows up eyeing her toys.”

So far, walking out of an argument had worked for their short-lived relationship. It was exasperating how they seem to never agree on anything other than arguing until one of them gave up. Such was the vicious cycle the couple was trapped in – one would state a fact, they argue about it until one of them threw his/her hands in the air and stepped out of the space, then one or both would find a way to make it up to the other. But he was not about to let the argument die just yet. It may be true what he implied about the aircraft wasting fuel because its VIP guests were biding their sweet time, yet it was important to Luke that he made himself clear before they landed. The next few hours would be his fiancee’s game, anyway. Just like he trusted Anelle to take care of logistics, his plan to convince Sebastian was hinged on Rhiane's emotional state of mind concerning him.

“Rhiane,” he sighed her name, ignoring her blatant refusal to take his hand. She was on her way out the door, but the cabin was not too big for him to cross. In the brief moment where she seemed to contemplate what to say next, he was in a space close enough to grab her. Her words that followed though, made him hesitate for a heartbeat. She had confessed once that she liked him without the title – it was not easy for him to believe that. Right before she swung the door open, she admitted something more on the same page.

Luke was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of hydraulics pealing the door apart. He grabbed Rhiane by her wrist, not really caring whether it was the recently injured arm or not. Time did not allow him the luxury of choice. Octavia was at the other side of the opened portal and so was Tobias, who appeared to be ready to storm inside the room and whisk the princess away in his arms again. Anelle was already strapped in, but the redhead looked over her shoulder at the sound.

“Tell him to circle the airstrip until further notice.” The prince half-dragged his future bride by her wrist back into the room. Without waiting for affirmations from the stunned passengers, the cabin door slid close and a red light at the side panel signified that it had been locked.

Her wrist was set free as soon as they had the privacy of their room. He watched her with the same guarded expression on his face as when he was speaking to his peers. Would she hit him? She could try. “We are not landing this plane until we settle our discussion. I will not have you two ladies using me to make the other jealous. You will not even try, Rhiane. It’s childish. It’s foolish. It’s pointless.” It was not even a guarantee that Anelle would stop flirting with him. "I don't ask you to make Tobias jealous, even if I hate that he makes you laugh and you will most likely pick him over me, because it doesn't matter. You are chosen to play a part in this PR campaign as much the queen chose Anelle for the job. Both of you need to focus on what should be done, provoking each other is an utter waste of time. Do your part, is all I’m saying. Work with her. Give her an idea where to shoot, which places to visit, because it’s part of your job. Besides, if you have not placed matters into your own hands yesterday, we could still have Luce Viscomi working with us right now.”

He paused after the last word escaped his mouth. It wasn’t what he would like her to hear from him, not when he wanted her to be more cooperative and not antagonized by his arrogance. “Let me handle Anelle,” Luke added quickly. “I’m not asking you to be like me, but for this campaign, set aside your personal emotions and do what needs to be done.”

His face softened a little maybe because he suddenly realized how he was the very person he was telling her not to become. A crack in his mask. His emotions ruled his logic, affected his words, consequently failing in negotiations. He took a step closer, tentatively touched his hands to her upper arm, as if he wanted to hold her and apologize, but he wasn’t sure if she would lean in. “She was a part of my past, Rhiane. We haven’t talked in years, because I don't feel like reaching out to her. Her flirting will not change anything. I never intended to catch-up with her. Between my duties and this tour, I have you to fill-in my schedule.”

The Betrothed

They should be listening to the captain of the flight for the sake of their safety and the general interest of the kingdom, but Luke ignored the announcement. He stared at his intended, waiting for a sarcastic laughter or a sneer or a pronouncement that he was lying. It was well within her rights to doubt him. Nobody, not even his father, who was not born as low in the social hierarchy as she was, was spared from the expiration date. It had nothing to do with how much the heir loved or hated his/her betrothed, the high society just would not tolerate power to be given freely to a commoner hailing from nowhere. As he kept telling himself over and over again – if he would refuse to commission her death, then somebody else will. Therefore, he would not invest his emotions on a relationship that had an ultimatum. They both know that every day they spent together was another day closer to that inevitable finish line.

“Making the ‘impossible things’ possible is part of the gig.” The breeding tradition had hurt him once when he was powerless to do anything about it, but things were different now. The queen was perfectly fine to run the show beside her son to teach the prince what it was like to be a king. “I am not making a promise that you will reign by my side for as long as you live – that is impossible. The kind of impossible that I could do nothing about.” Because in the game that he was playing, keeping the general public placated was as important as keeping his allies happy. She could be the other half of the puzzle that would have completed the picture, but she just would not fit in the picture.

“The rifles from the clinic yesterday had a close resemblance with the standard issued rifles of the Royal Army. If the rebellion is all but a bunch of peasants voicing their discontent about the government, then how would they afford those firearms?” They wouldn’t. Otherwise, the money should have been spent for food or the betterment of the individual lives of the members and the community they belonged to. Not that he was discounting the fact that the rebellion rooted from an alleged discontent with the way the nobles were running the kingdom, what bothered him the most was that although the foot soldiers were commoners, there was a great possibility that the people’s grievances were being used by powers greater than the collective minds of the public. A kind of power that owned resources, that had influence to bring in his people inside the palace. “I need Sebastian to protect my family more than I need him to bring down the organization.”

A soft knock sounded from the door followed by the voice probably one of the female bodyguards of Rhiane requesting the couple to get into their respective seats. It was what prompted Luke to finally get on his feet and approach the princess elect. “You’re acting like a child, Rhiane.” He reached out his hand for her to take if she wanted to. “Suck it up and work with her. At the capital, we were taught how we don’t always get to choose who we work with. It’s a cruel world, I know.” She may say that she was not jealous, but it looked to him that she was. Her emotions were too close to the surface, allowing it to rule her instead of the other way around. When she was upset, she would stage a mutiny against him or anybody she was upset with, but when she was happy, she would become very cooperative. “I was taught that how we feel doesn’t matter. The world doesn’t care as long as we serve the purpose we are here for.” It was a subtle jab about her upbringing softened perhaps by the somberness in the way he delivered the blow.

“I’ve said too much, but the short answer is no, you are not allowed to make her jealous. Besides, how do you propose to do so?”

The captain repeated the request for the passengers to strap in. Luke sighed. “Come now, before we run out of fuel while circling above the airstrip.”