Syrenrei

The Betrothed

"The rebellion is why we are doing this," she persisted in arguing, "and they haven't stumbled just because I've become the princess elect." Rhiane let out a sigh and ran a hand through her hair. The palace couldn't win this war with the strategies they currently held for battle. While the aristocracy lived better lives than generations past, the laborers toiled with increasing desperation for an improvement in their daily lives. Right now the former farmer was a novelty that won their sympathy and loyalties, but when she died, and Queen Camilla certainly would not subject her to more than a decade of the peasant's presence, so too would the public's favor perish. There was not even a guarantee they had a year before the masses lost their faith in the monarchy's intentions.

"I trust you and believe in you," she continued honestly, "and that is why I am telling you this approach will not resonate with the people you have to reach. They need hope, Luke, that is what they will follow. You could shoot every man and woman associated with the revolution and it still would not die because this is the culmination of numerous years' frustrations. You can not point your finger at the coup, call them villains, and expect them all to believe someone who does not even believe their struggles are real, who thinks their suffering is of their own making, and that they are idiots. Don't take the opportunity to give a rousing speech of damnation. Give them a reason to believe in you like I believe in you because that will be infinitely more persuasive."

Stagnation in the philosophies of the crown had gotten them here and that is why they were so blind to the solution. Rhiane did not profess to have all the answers, as she was quite aware of her own shortcomings, but she thought it was madness that they failed to consider they were the problem. For the better part of the last century they had deemed their method of management and control a success. Now that it was crumbling, however, they kept insistently proclaiming themselves experts that could not be misguided. No tactic lasted forever. If the entitled aristocracy continued to make gains, and their whims capitulated to, then discontent would fester until it was the plague that made the fortifications tumble. Once that occurred it would not matter who Luke perceived as the villain.

She flashed a smile of gratitude at Tobias as he deposited the bag onto the seat and was not surprised when her fiance objected the moment the door closed. "If they are truly your people you should not be embarrassed of them or ashamed at the way they dress," she pointed out softly. Though she suspected he saw her as different than the commoners outside, she considered her life on the fields and in a rural outcropping of New Rome just as much a piece of her as this new status recently acquired. Arguably the mass-manufactured shirts and work pants suited her more than the extravagant gowns of courtly balls. She pulled the parcel into her lap and withdrew a clean button-up shirt approximately her size as well as khaki slacks made of a durable material she recognized.

"Were I to go out there in this dress and your coat, with the baron, his wife, and yourself at my side in designer clothing that costs more than they make in a year, they would think me insincere. They need to perceive me as genuine, as someone who is still one of them, rather than a woman who has discarded her past and fully immersed herself in a world to which they do not belong. You and I both know the upper class will never accept me no matter what I wear. I was born to the wrong family in their eyes. What I can do, and what your mother more or less hired me to do, is appeal to the rest. I can show them I am proud of where I come from, so that they can take pride in both themselves and me, and that I am humble enough to be practical, so they do not feel awkward."

The princess elect pulled off his jacket and then, with more difficulty, unzipped the back of her dress to pull it up and over her head. She was shivering as she started to pull on the pants. Goosebumps alighted on her flesh as she fumbled to manipulate her arm adequately to yank the fabric over the curve of her hips. It was not as flattering as Luce would have wanted but it was not dirty, stained, ripped, or unsightly. "If I'm wrong then I'll never wear anything like this ever again even in private," she promised. Putting her arms through the sleeves proved to be twice as arduous as challenge. Rhiane sucked in her breath and pushed through the pain that flashed through the limb in protest at the twisting and turning she was attempting. The brace did not yield, shielding her from worsening her condition, but it could not eliminate how aggravating this was to her mending bone.

After a moment she fell back against the seat. The pants were on, as was the shirt, but the latter had not been buttoned and she had not yet attempted the boots with their infuriating laces. As stubborn as she was being she already felt half-defeated before exiting the vehicle. The crown prince did not yield an inch to any of her suggestions on any topic, the couple outside loathed her, and she had a multitude of dilemmas including the estrangement of her family, the rebellion's assassination attempts, and her ability to sleep through the night after her trauma. "Maybe I'm not doing them for them but for me," she whispered to herself, "because I'm so tired and in these clothes I feel like I can rest."

The Betrothed

As Luke declared they would not arrange for a separate tour and she would perform exactly as had been planned, she did not respond. The princess elect's head remained pressed against the cold window pane with her gaze unwavering in its fixation on the landscape. Remaining quiet was its own form of protest. The crown boasted arguably the greatest resources in the nation yet it had its own inherent limitations. No amount of influence, coercion, and bribery could absolutely guarantee it would compel any singular citizen into a desired action. Had she not felt so fatigued and worn Rhiane might have found quiet amusement in this fact. Every royal and aristocrat could scream until they were hoarse but they could not puppet her into compliance. This could very well be the source of her betrothed's anger and frustration. He had grown used to the passive intimidation he held as an authority figure- yet it did not motivate her in the slightest.

What New Rome's sovereignty failed to acknowledge was that it had strong competition from the rebellion. While the revolution could not offer wealth to each of its members, it certainly could afford to financially secure the future of the Black family if Rhiane chose to pledge them her allegiance. Both factions wanted her dead- one immediately, the other after she had been bred- and so neither was persuasive in their alleged benevolence. The loyalists offered her marriage, a chance to bear children that would not die as tragically as her brother and mother had, but little else. Life was not easy nor convenient. The nobility disparaged her, she was treated like a pawn, there was an expectation that all her interactions would follow a script, and she was chained to their whims. The coup offered a chance for substantial political and cultural change, albeit at the cost of lives lost, though she would not enjoy it as she would be deceased.

What kept her tethered was Luke. It was admittedly idiotic. Were logic only to prevail she would have abandoned him and fled the country to take advantage of her stature. Others would leap at the chance to humiliate Queen Camilla, to posture themselves as superior, and to capitalize on a civil war that might culminate in opportunities for them to expand their borders. She had told Tobias she had some hope for a different resolution than everyone else imagined. If the universe might allow her to stay by his side, and for him to reciprocate a fraction of her feelings, they might be able to exact reforms that would benefit all and stamp out the violence before it exploded in every village.

"Tobias," she finally spoke once they were parked, "Will you please ask one of the female farmers if I could borrow some of their clothes for the tour? I know it's an imposition, but I can't imagine that wearing this dress will be productive," she added apologetically. "I'm happy to repay their generosity if anyone will oblige. I'll wait here in the car with Luke while you make the inquiry and he changes into his boots. Nolan, would you mind if we had a moment?" Her tone was even, calm, even considerate, lacking the venomous fury she had levied against her regal fiance earlier.

Nolan cast a glance back at Luke; since this was a request from the princess elect he was required to honor it unless the prince contradicted it with another order. If Tobias thought his task was odd it did not show. He did not hesitate to unbuckle his seat belt and exit the vehicle. Fortunately there was already a small gathering of some of the aforementioned farmers nearly in anticipation of their arrival. The bodyguard was taciturn but dedicated. When the situation called for it he could be almost congenial. From their shaded windows Rhiane could see how a few of the laborers near their age looked enamored at the handsome cousin addressing them directly. More reluctantly Nolan also exited the SUV though he stayed near the doors in silent watch.

"I don't want to make any statements about what happened yesterday," she disclosed once they were alone. "I'll tolerate the baron, who I assure you will hang himself with as much rope as you give him, and you have my word I will ensure this event is a success, but I don't want to discuss the rebellion. This morning my mother's image was used for the kingdom's propaganda. I want you to imagine how it would feel if it was your father's photo up there instead, if his memory was being hijacked for a cause. What if the rebellion was using it? I'm not convinced my mother would have sided with the monarchy, just like you probably suspect your father would. But you can make that up to me now by letting me have this. These are my people. I do not know them personally, and they do not know me, but I lived this life they do now. Let me prove to them that this isn't posturing or a publicity stunt. If you want to win them over I can promise you it can be done without proselytizing about the sanctity of government. If we show them we are listening, that we care, it will speak louder than any prepared statement Luce and her lackeys could ever write."

It was her one impassioned plea for him to understand her viewpoint and, for a singular night, let her take the reigns on this campaign. She had proven adept without directions; if one was to analyze all the footage of her from the past week it would reveal that when she was permitted improvisation she shone the brightest. She knew this was a large favor to ask of Luke but that did not make it any less necessary. This morning had been a breaking point. Either they took a small leap of faith and allowed her ideas to see the daylight, to let her exert the expertise that had won her this position, or they steered down a path alienating her further than they had already.

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"Says the man who was on an assault team of two, and was the only one that breached a building with hostile forces," Solae pointed out gently as she reciprocated the affectionate hug. While she would concede that meeting with Thorne was inherently dangerous, because even Ten could not absolutely guarantee how another criminal might react, she was relatively safe compared to the risks Rene undertook. All she could do was hope and trust that he was capable of overcoming the security detail protecting the girl. They had the element of surprise but were woefully unprepared otherwise. That the soldier only encountered a few lackluster staff members was a relief. The marquise had feared that, though it was exceedingly unlikely, would be housing a small army with her slave.

She deposited a kiss on her paramour's cheek, gave one more tight squeeze of his waist, and then released him before they became more of a spectacle than they already were. Ten was waiting patiently as he reviewed data on his device. Moments before the arrival of the 'knight' he had been gifted the information on his most contentious rival as was promised to him by Solae. After some consideration she had decided he had provided enough aid and proven himself trustworthy enough to merit the disclosures before the ambush. It was a calculated move. She knew that having damning secrets of his self-proclaimed nemesis would whet his appetite to keep pursuing her favor. The broker was an ambitious man. He would not be satisfied with toppling only one competitor. Rosaria was staring at the intimate exchange with open curiosity.

"Who are you?" the youth inquired as she stared at the breathtaking diplomat. Her eyes were narrowed in scrutiny but she did not look either upset nor intimidated, merely perplexed. Rosaria could easily discern that woman was among the aristocracy at least, and Rene's lover, but was puzzled by the intentions and identities of her saviors.

"Please try to refrain divulging more than is necessary," Ten sighed as he lowered his tablet. "If you insist on allowing her the choice to return to Thorne, it's in all our best interest to say as little as possible, at least until you've secured your goal." He was not wrong. Until the girl decided where her liabilities lay it was a huge risk to take her into their trust. She was only fourteen years old, but the teenager was not dim-witted, and she could very well return to her mistress with a treasure true of confidences she had gathered while enjoying their hospitality.

"I'm the mastermind that stole this handsome man's heart," Solae winked as she pulled off her wig. She was still sporting a wig cap under which all her naturally golden hair was well-concealed. To infiltrate the embassy in which the PEA was stationed she had to look as mundane and unremarkable as possible. This necessitated yet another disguise change, this time to a mousy brown wig that was cropped at the chin and smacked of the cold pragmatism that most members of her sex favored when they enlisted. It took very little to situate this new faux mane upon her head.

"Time is of the essence," Ten reminded them.

"If they aren't already firing upon one another they should be soon," Solae agreed, "and there will be more cautious when it begins than after the body count increases. We'll be noticed as not belonging if we wait too long. Will you help me into the body armor?" she asked Rene. He had far more familiarity and would get her into the gear more quickly than if she tried to do it herself.

"Where are you going?" Rosaria asked now that she realized that no one would indulge her desire to know their names.

"Somewhere incredibly dangerous. You'll stay here for now," the marquise explained as Ten gave a look of disapproval. What she was saying in and of itself was not offensive, but he was trying to expedite matters, and he didn't see the point in humoring an adolescent that was irrelevant to their plot at this juncture. "Regardless of what happens you'll be safe," she promised.

"Mistress Thorne will come for me," Rosaria repeated with skepticism about this proclaimed safety.

"Perhaps she will," Solae admitted, "but you probably know that she hid you away from the world. We found you, her secret protege, and stole you away without her knowing we even existed. I am certain Ms. Thorne is furious. Would we have retrieved you if we weren't equally prepared for her retaliation? If we didn't already have the resources to see this through. While we're gone I want you to seriously consider what it is you want. This may be your only chance for many years to make this decision. If you truly wish to follow in Ms. Thorne's footsteps and be her partner, then you can do so, but if you wish to forge your own path, and be your own master, this is your opportunity to seize."

"I'll leave you to it," Ten stated. He was not a voyeur who would stay and watch Solae and Rene change in the empty warehouse. He motioned to Sykes who helped Rosaria back into the delivery van before he joined them both. It was a tight fit but there were not going far; the criminal mastermind had made reservations at a hotel so that he was as well hidden from the erupting violence as was possible. None of them waved good-bye. Quietly the linguist wondered if this parting was so abrupt because none of the departing trio expected them to survive the battle they were about to wade into willingly.

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

"Ma'am, we're here," the driver informed Solae as the vehicle glided to a stop in front of an unassuming building. Protocol for this sort of rendezvous necessitated it being exclusively private, with no armed entourage or personnel of any kind allowed in the room, but neither party was expected to arrive alone. Each woman had a driver and a singular attendant who was to wait outside. Ten had been insistent on making certain both escorts be veterans of his service. While he could not accompany her, and neither could Rene, the least he do was ensure that there were two individuals that could extract the marquise or die trying if the negotiations soured. He was quite aware that the noblewoman was both his ticket to ensuring his success in the future and someone so dear to her soldier companion he'd be summarily executed should she be seriously harmed.

The non-descript property was easy to overlook given the gaudy and garish surrounding businesses. According to Ten this was the site of a 'pleasure club' that was run by an associate of Thorne. Even on Zatis it was uncouth to advertise the erotic services of the exotic Syshin. It had been explained to a horrified Solae that Thorne kept only a few members of the subjugated race and sold the rest as slaves to other interested parties, such as this one, which is why she was able to levy a favor for its closure. It was as close to a neutral premises as they would be able to coordinate with such urgency. Her stomach churned at the thought of what went on behind the drab gray walls. On New Concordia she had not imagined this level of exploitation of the species.

"We'll wait outside for you," her 'attendant' confirmed aloud. Both were women as Ten thought that was what Thorne would expect and would find least suspicious. He had not explicitly divulged the background of either, but the linguist strongly suspected they were both ex-soldiers given the way they handled themselves, and because he alluded to the fact that many of the well-trained mercenaries in his employ had served in the military. In its own way it was comforting. They were not Rene, that she knew, but some of their mannerisms were similar and that put her at ease. They had the same strong aura, the same assertive posture, the same succinct way of speaking.

"I'm ready," she declared to the driver. The woman in question shifted the vehicle into idling, circled around, and calmly opened the door for Solae.

The earlier disguise had been discarded and replaced. She, Rene, and Ten had elected to err on the side of caution since the other costume had been flagged and her doppelganger apprehended. Her new wig was a dark honeyed blonde that was in line with current dye trends and styled to fashionable shoulder length. Brown colored contacts concealed her natural blue irises and the dress from earlier in the day was exchanged with a modern version of the skirted suit. She wasn't sure if Rene was more disappointed he wouldn't see her stay in the shapely gown he had chosen or relieved that she'd be attired more modestly professional while out of his sight.

Not wanting to waste any time she rose from her seat and strode confidently to the entrance. The door to the establishment slid open automatically, granting her access without the need for servants, none of which were permitted to be in proximity to the clandestine meeting. Her heels clicked on the pure marble flooring. It was revolting how much decadence there was now that she was inside. Gilded portraits of Syshin in extraordinary poses decorated the small foyer. No expense had been spared yet freedom had been robbed of these gentle, kind, misunderstood people. The profit that must be made here to be able to such afford flawless stone must be significant yet no Syshin would ever see the wealth. She was willing to wager that their quarters were little more than austere cages.

Alayla Thorne was not nearly as physically imposing as her reputation might lead others to believe. Her hair was copper red and pulled into a formal bun at the nape of her neck, creating a severe look with her angular features, but Solae could discern even seated she was shorter than average. The slave trader was adorned in ordinary black slacks but her top was of a slick, shiny material accented with dyed animal skin that left portions of her torso exposed almost scandalously. While Ten had suggested his fellow criminal dabbled deeply in illicit activities, not the least of which was 'tasting the goods,' the marquise had to stifle an expression of disgust. Inwardly she had hoped this was hyperbolic speculation. Apparently it was not.

"Ms. Thorne," Solae greeted coolly without any warmth in her voice.

"Ms. Pruhl," the other woman acknowledged her fictitious identity with a curt nod.

"I know you are quite busy, so I will try to be as brief as possible," Solae said as she lowered herself into an upholstered chair opposite Thorne. The room around them was dimly lit with the surrounding furniture nothing more than dark shadows in her peripheral vision. One long stage glittered demurely as it stretched from the darkness to the front of the establishment. Little niches with drawn velvet curtains suggested intimate encounters could be indulged for a price. Crystalline translucent stairs to the left and right led to a second floor. If it had not been a sanctum of debauchery it would have been beautiful to behold.

"I would like you to inform Mr. Ralch that Duke Tan had decided to his liquidate his assets after the recent string of failures," she requested casually, though the way she spoke suggested it more of an order she was giving than a favor she was asking.

After shooting her a mildly incredulous look, Alayla Thorne raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms defensively. She had falsely presumed that this was going to be an entreaty from one entrepreneur to a possible benefactor. Ten had warned Solae ahead of time that as a wealthy merchant of flesh she had a certain level of entitlement, both in respects to respect and what people would give to earn her approval. To have a demand made up her immediately after greeting had turned this into a confrontation instead of a friendly conversation.

"And why would I do that?" she asked haughtily.

"Because I have a certain protege of yours," Solae explained as she crossed her legs languidly. "Taking a young child and overseeing its rearing yourself an undertaking. I can only surmise this is because you wanted to ensure you mold her into someone worthy of succeeding you, but it is both a large risk and investment, is it not? If something were to happen to such a child all your work is lost and without the fruit of your efforts. What would you miss most, I wonder, the promise of a companion or someone to carry on your legacy?"

Some color drained out Thorne's face at the mention of the girl whom she had hidden away, as far as she was aware, from all of Zatis. Precious few people knew of her existence and nearly half of them were deceased. She searched the marquise's face for any obvious signs of deception but found only placid patience. The edges of her lips twitched in fury and anxiety before she managed to regain her ability to speak. "You couldn't possibly," she asserted with a shred of hope it was a bluff.

Solae sighed, as if she was put off by the inconvenience, as she reached for her device. She queued up the video that her fiance had just recently sent, turned the screen to face her captive audience, and played the clip. In those sparse few seconds she could see her adversary scrutinizing the moving images. Once it concluded she allowed herself to frown as she glared at the linguist.

"Who are you?" she challenged.

"Did you start selling Syshin because you had fantasies about them yourself?" Solae asked pointedly.

"What does that have to do with my property?" Thorne replied, outraged, gripping the arms of her chair as if she hoped squeezing them with all her strength might relieve her of this tragic assault on her precious slave.

"Since you asked who I am I thought I was equally free to ask an irrelevant personal question," Solae smiled with a dismissive wave of her hand. "All that is relevant at this juncture is that I have the girl and that I require you tell Mr. Ralch of Duke Tan's intentions. I am no friend of the duke's, I can assure you, and I am quite optimistic that Mr. Ralch can put an end to this mutually disadvantageous expansion the duke is quietly planning under his bizarre fabrications. Of course, Mr. Ralch doesn't know me personally, but he does know you enough to trust you. Should you assist me in this matter I will be willing to discuss returning your lovely ward."

For a few moments they simply sat staring at each other. Solae was confident she had intermixed enough truth- such as not being an ally of the New Concordian aristocrat or knowing Ralch personally- that her lies were indistinguishable among the sincerity. Her heart pounded in her chest, however, since she knew how crucial striking this deal was to their plan. Undoubtedly Thorne was trying to make mental calculations herself. It had become apparent that only one topic was on the proverbial table and that the trafficker would have to take a leap of faith or forfeit her most prized possession. There was an inherent danger if Solae's warning was true as well. If Duke Tan invaded the city with his influence she could be edged out by mere association with those he disliked.

"She is unharmed?" Thorne finally inquired with narrowed eyes.

"Except for the injuries she had already sustained when my forces took her into their custody," Solae affirmed. "Contact me after you have spoken with Mr. Ralch and, once I can independently authenticate it, I will advise you where you can locate the girl."

They both stood. No longer was there even the faintest pretense of congeniality. Thorne nodded, turned, and stalked off to an unseen recess where she had both entered and exited the building. Solae went back out the way she came, the front door, and sighed with relief at the sight of her car still idling unscathed. Her attendant edged over the door to open it for her. Only once she was safely resting on the bench seating of the luxury vehicle did she feel the tension leave her muscles. Everything had gone exactly as she hoped but they were yet free. The PEA had been a distant dream but it drew ever closer. Complications and contingencies between her and the beacon of the Stellar Empire felt increasingly inconsequential with each step she took.

Solae activated her communicator, a small bead on a charm bracelet, the latest in technological achievements that paid homage to courtly aesthetics. "It was a success. Thorne is reaching out to Ralch. Is Mia ready?"

The Betrothed

Tobias gripped the steering wheel more tightly as his gaze flickered to the rear view mirror. He had been intently watching Rhiane the moment she had stepped outside the meeting hall and subjected herself to the merciless cold mountain breezes. The smile that had alighted on her lips for the press was more reserved and strained to his trained eye and her posture more rigid. They had all assumed that when she had been pulled out of the clinic nearly catatonic that she had been broken. Now he was uncertain if they had misjudged, if she hadn't been in shock, and that the heartless projection of her mother's image on royal propaganda hadn't broken her. Whether or not Luke realized the mounting toll on his betrothed he was uncertain. His cousin wasn't acting as if he innately understood the situation, but that could be attributed to arrogance rather than ignorance.

In the years preceding the election of the princess he had become more heavily involved in the rebellion. His identity remained a secret to all but a few among the upper echelons of the resistance, and thus far his double life had yet to be exposed. The goal of the silent bodyguard was to spy upon the palace and, when the time arrived, help to extract whatever hapless girl was trapped by his ruthless aunt. Though his feelings for the sultry brunette had created new complications he was as of yet still devoted to his plan: he would spirit away Rhiane when the perfect opportunity final arose. The ambush of the extremists had nearly foiled him both by making his target a martyr and turning her against his organization completely, but the crown had failed to anticipate every factor properly, and now was veritably pushing the frustrated commoner back to a mental space where she could be rescued.

He shot a quick glance to Nolan who sat beside him. While no words were exchanged his tightly controlled expression still managed to convey that he knew there was an impending explosive response. Rhiane was fatigued, worn, under-dressed for the weather, discouraged, angry, in pain from her arm now that her medication had worn off, distressed at seeing her mother's photograph, and had just been granted two noble-born interlopers that had disparaged her openly on a visit to the people she called kindred spirits. She was a powder keg and the heir to the throne seemed determined to light the fuse and watch the destruction.

"You don't need me to stand in your way?" Rhiane asked incredulously. "What a splendid idea. If you are indeed that confident that you and your dear friends the baron and his wife can create a positive impression with the the masses, as you have proven to be so adept with in the past, then I will gladly request Ms. Viscomi coordinate a separate tour for myself. I certainly wouldn't want to impede your progress."

Her words seemed to echo in the SUV. They had been spoken pleasantly, as if with kindness, but there was no mistaking how deeply offended and irritated the princess elect was. She refused to openly discuss the issue of her philosophies and ideologies with Nolan and the other bodyguards present; short of the procession being stopped and everyone else exiting the car to grant the couple privacy it was not a matter that could be amicably resolved before their field inspection. Only encouragement, flattery, bribery, apologies, or some other empathetic appeal to Rhiane's emotions could smooth things over.

Of course the suggestion was a wretched idea. If the queen had been disapproving of her 'love story' splitting between two parts of the village she'd be apocalyptic about watching press coverage wherein Rhiane was once again missing and, instead of an endearing representative of the peasantry by her son's side, there were two aristocrats. Her absence would lend credence to the theories that the relationship was a farce. Having two highborn people would also, considering the political climate, emphasize the disparity between the farmers and their visitors. It would be nigh impossible to successfully cultivate sympathy. Their differences, the bias, and the favoritism between the classes would been transparent.

Rhiane leaned her head against the window as she stared at the landscape rolling by fixedly. Luke could try to pull rank; anyone could, really, as she had been reminded by Luce all that mattered was her birth. Ultimately she didn't care how they might punish her. Her life felt it had fallen to ruins and all she had control over now was not whether she died, for the reaper pursued her doggedly, but for whose cause she would be slain. At first she had thought it would be fine if she was the sacrificial lamb for the monarchy as she'd have children, and financial security for her family, but the culmination of the last week was filling her with doubts and worries. She wasn't even confident she and Luke were fit to be parents though she had dreamed of a family since she was young.

The Betrothed

"You know what I am," she whispered back. Their bodyguards had fallen behind and to the side as was standard protocol. Rhiane clenched her teeth against the shock of cold air that overwhelmed her warmed skin. Leaving the sanctuary of the meeting hall was torturous now that the baron and his wife were in tow. She was bound by certain rules of etiquette in the company of nobility under which she would not suffer had the audience been only peasants. No commoner would question whose coat she wore on her shoulders but the shrewd aristocrats would seize on the opportunity to insult her, impart the offense onto her royal fiance, and tarnish the image they had been ardently defending through lunch. With a pained smile she folded the wool garment in her hands and handed it over to Lia, the closest of her attendants, who then passed the covering back to a troubled Tobias.

"Earlier you asked me to 'wake up' the masses to the 'ugly truth about the rebellion' and declared you would not be bullied," she said with her voice so low he had to lean even closer to hear the words that escaped her lips. "Can you honestly tell me, after you have seen how they dressed me, that there are not other ugly truths that will be glimpsed on broadcasted recordings of this event? That the bully the farmers and their ilk will spurn will be those who put me in a cast only?" A breeze drifted through and past them as was typical given their elevation. Her dress fabric shimmered as it rippled with the wind and made goosebumps rise along the flesh of her arms. The palace had decided that it was more important to display the wound of the sabotage than consider the comfort of their prized possession.

Rhiane quickened her pace to put some artificial distance between herself and the two older individuals that had disparaged her earlier. She was not ready yet to forfeit the evening she had been looking forward to for days, but she was increasingly worried that Luke and his advisors were going to make this event an unmitigated disaster. At their best the elder Ferullos were unpalatable. At their worst they would actively hinder her efforts to form a rapport with their workers, as they would awkwardly be trying to avoid doing anything that might invoke his wrath later, and that trepidation would be visible on every screen. The more the princess elect pondered it the more perplexed she became. They had never tried to mix the highborn and lowborn and she feared that their love story would take a backseat to a visual representation of the very hierarchy that culminated in the coup.

"Ms. Viscomi," she greeted the anxious woman politely. "I would appreciate it if you could spare someone to fetch me a hot drink before we begin our tour," she requested. The tone of her voice was even and calm, lacking the congeniality of the days prior to this morning's disagreement, evidence that not everything had been so quickly forbidden. An outing to purchase trinkets and baubles would not erase the exchange that had deeply offended the brunette. She had resolved not to let her mother's memory be tainted and her life threatened not once but twice while she was still treated like a peon.

"Yes, of course," Luce nervously agreed. If it would placate the flaring temper of her charge it was the least she could do. Rhiane was being cooperative, going as far as to belatedly join the gathering she had originally planned not to attend, and so she was not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. She turned and keyed into her device an order for a hot tea from the villa staff. Delivery would take time but not so long it would be lukewarm on arrival.

The Betrothed

During the entirety of the economical conversation Rhiane listened with unwavering intensity. She kept her features placid, and her body language that of relaxed composure, but her piercing gaze was shrewdly dissecting the ventured opinions. Occasionally she would allow a bemused smile to alight upon her lips as if she found a particular statement to be quietly humorous. This perplexed the other aristocrats. They took great pains to avoid addressing her directly but they certainly noticed the changes in her expression that all but criticized their beliefs. Luke had already proved he would not be their ally in soliciting a verbal response from his fiancee, something they could belittle and chastise, and thus they were resigned to suffer under the occasional sign of her clever belittlement. What could they say? None could very well request she refrain from smiling.

From the moment that Anton Fuerello grinned at the princess elect, more eager to overlook her absence prior, she paid him slightly more favor than the rest. Most of the time she remained silent during the discussion. The few times she ventured to speak it was to give a nuanced commentary about something in which she was uniquely knowledgeable, such as the stock fluctuations of a company which she had followed closely, or the proclivities of farmers required to utilize regular crop rotation. She also also would nod her head in agreement with Luke when it suited her, or Anton, but none of the rest. By all appearances she ignored those in attendance of her same sex. Besides being women they had little in common; they had no interest in business and she did not care to participate in their petty games.

The topic was suitably distracting that Rhiane, who was not eating nearly as enthusiastically as she had in the past, took twice as long to finish her meal as she might otherwise. What she lacked in speed she made up with in table manners. The ladies watched her like predators eager to find a basis on which to criticize her etiquette. They found none which fouled their impression of her that much more. The peasant had prepared herself extensively for social situations such at these; at a minimum she knew how to keep herself from committing an offensive breach of protocol.

"Yes, we do have another pressing engagement," Rhiane confessed as a servant rushed over to pull out her chair for her. As she rose she leaned forward out of necessity ever so slightly, the elegant draping of the fabric gifting the male nobles an ever more tempting portrait of what they had arrogantly derided earlier. It was not a scandalous act, as she hadn't bent low enough to be overtly seductive, but it would breed jealousy for the crown prince that was whisking her away presumably to his bed that evening. Standing was not all that much better. Sitting for a prolonged period of time had caused her skirt to inch up her thighs until she smoothed it back down to its full length.

"Thank you again for your time. This has been a most enlightening day. I look forward to telling both the queen and our esteemed nation what has transpired," she said with a sweeping gaze. They weren't privy to the details of the arrangement with the queen and her future daughter-in-law. Not only was that private and personal, they were a far distance from the capital, and would have been one of the last to be brought into her inner circles. Nonetheless this made them all incredibly nervous. With Rhiane there was no guarantee she would not somehow let it 'slip' on broadcast they had ruthlessly disrespected her. Similarly they could not tell for certain if she would confide to their monarch how the queen's own judgment was questioned through her selection of her son's fiancee.

Their farewells had prompted the waiters to alert the bodyguards, whom had been waiting outside, to gather at the entrance for their charges. Tobias reappeared, as had Lia and Octavia now that the package had been sent in transit. Rhiane plucked Tobias's coat from the back of her chair, not wanting it to leave behind, and made her way towards the door unless otherwise halted during her procession. She longed to be rid of the pretentious squabbling highborn that thought their lives were filled with struggles. No life was completely free of stress, yet they continuously underestimated the pain of the lower class, and moaned with such sorrow while they had a great amount of control over their fate.

Now that she was on the precipice of going to the event she actively looked forward to she felt her arm began to throb. The changes in temperature had been unkind to the healing process and the pain medication from earlier, that she did not know Luke had mixed into her juice, had begun to wane in its strength. She sorely wished for a nap. It felt like a disservice to rush to the fields to tour the farms when she was exhausted. Fervently she wished there was magic in the world that would grant her refreshment without the time constraint or risk of nightmares. Perhaps there would be a way to coax Luke into a hot spring excursion later- not that she wanted to share a bath with the heir to the throne. Her anger from earlier had been diminished by his leap to his defense but not been erased. That had had called commoners lazy seared into her psyche. Rhiane felt positively compelled to exemplify just how hard-working and dedicated her peers were, even if meant foregoing more nourishment, medication, coats, and sleep. She would prove him wrong.

Star Crossed: The Duke's Rebellion

Solae did not not hide her disappointment that Rene did not want to so much as glance at the device in question. While she understood the information was hers and hers alone by birthright, as the direct heir of the esteemed Falia lineage, that it even existed only added to her shoulders more weight of responsibility. She had hoped to share with her fiance if only to not be the sole individual carrying this knowledge. It was her mother that was the heir of the last generation. Her father had taken her mother's last name as, despite tradition typically requiring the wife to amend her last name to the husband's, in cases of a difference in stature the more titled surname prevailed. Though there were many secrets hidden from her by both parents she could only imagine after they were wed her father had been made privy to these vaults, that they had shared the burden, and that they were comforted by knowing they were a team.

"Alayla Thorne," the marquise repeated as her fingers slid over the screen with a deepening frown. Initially she had taken a course on the Syshin language for a number of reasons completely unrelated to the race themselves: she had been curious, she relished a challenge, and she wanted to add it to her repertoire as a linguist. Solae had pursued the impossibility of being fluent in every tongue of which she knew. Even with her engineered brilliant intelligence there were inherent limitations; however, there was no reason not to let that stop her from chasing a dream.

Over time she had come to feel sympathetic to the plight of the Syshin. The did not have the superior technology of the empire. They were taller and stronger, but without any way to manufacture arms that were comparable to the blasters of the imperial forces they were doomed to subjugation. There had been only a few failed rebellions against their harsh conditions. That they had been treated so callously was what she personally considered a blight on the image of humanity as a whole.

"It looks like more than a few people have confirmed they know she murdered Gilles Thyes. The Stellar Empire's understanding with Zatis is that they will allow it to govern itself with relative impunity as long as they are allowed spies to report back any threats of importance. Thorne had several personal disagreements with Thyes over the course of a few months, not certain what about, but it culminated in her shooting him six times in the chest and ejecting him out of one of the bio-dome's hatches. Everyone was afraid to testify against her," Solae told her lover with raised eyebrows as she scrolled through the records in question.

"She's also been hiding and sheltering a young woman to which she's taken a fancy," she added. "It might be the sort of vulnerability that, if threatened, would make her take a risk. The young woman is someone she purchased off the human slave market and been grooming to be her partner once she's of age. Poor child never had a choice or a chance, did she?" Solae sighed with a shake of her head. "The girl would be about fourteen years now if this is accurate."

The Betrothed

Secretly the princess elect had hoped that Luke, thoroughly frustrated by the nobility he had just harshly insulted, would have seized upon the unspoken opportunity to depart the lunch. When she had been touring the town she had spotted more than one local restaurant. None of the businesses had struck her as prepared for the delicate tastes of royalty, but then again she had seen her fiance wolf down pizza without complaint, so it was possible he might have enjoyed a non-gourmet experience. At the very least the atmosphere would have been better. Rhiane had no illusions that she was liked by her current companions. The women loathed her for being so attractive, the men were salivating over her as if she were a prostitute silently offering her wares with the revealing dress, and even Luke was undoubtedly still irritated with her over their argument.

Taking her seat she patiently waited for a plate to be brought to her. No one had known in advance she would be absent and thus the food for her dish had not yet been re-allocated. The aristocrats had not had a chance to request second servings or her untouched entree; they had been slowed and interrupted by the heir to the throne's reprimand. In the warmth of the building she folded Tobias's coat over the back of her chair. One of the men quietly shifted uncomfortably in his chair at the sight of her without the covering. Rhiane wondered if this had been a clever ploy of Luce; everyone in the palace must have known she would have been poorly received, but with a plunging neckline to accentuate her chest and a short hem that highlighted her long legs she would have pandered to weaknesses of the male elite.

"You have a lovely village," she said once it was clear no one else would instigate conversation. Turning her attention back to Luke she smiled, and although it looked genuine to their audience, it was not as bright as her paramour knew it would be if she was more earnestly delighted. "I sent my other bodyguards back to the villa shortly became I came here," she informed him, "as I wanted them to ensure my package made it back to the castle as soon as possible. I know you prefer me to keep them with me at all times, but I thought Tobias could escort me the short distance to the hall alone."

Her words made it sound like she was appeasing a concerned superior, which was reasonable given their highly publicized assassination attack, but she trusted that Luke would understand her motivation for this disclosure. Rhiane had not forgotten that he had questioned Tobias's intentions with her. To stave off the jealous beast- though it was fun to provoke him- she was attempting to make it clear she had not spent the entirety of the late morning walking arm in arm with his cousin. Not only that, by not outright declaring the nature of her package she made it sound much more important than a present for Callista after they had worried her by making Nolan take her calls for hours.

A waiter hurried over and put a platter down in front of the sultry brunette. She picked up her silverware and began to carefully cut her meal into small bites as would befit her elevated station. While she might not be able to win over their favor she was not going to give them any more ammunition to use against her. As she sliced into her meat she raised her eyes and met the baron's with an effortlessly charming smile upon her lips. "Lord Ferullo, thank you for arranging this luncheon," she said warmly as if she had not just caught them disparaging her moments before. By being polite she was taking the proverbial higher road and making them all that much worse. "I apologize for my tardiness. As you know yesterday we ran into a few... complications. If it would not be an imposition would you please indulge me as to what you consider to be the greatest pride of your holdings?" Rhiane was appealing to his ego; most lords and ladies were eager to boast about their possessions.

The Betrothed

True to her word, the princess elect spent the afternoon visiting the local businesses and perusing their wares. The merchants were understandably surprised at her sudden appearance, some of them openly peering around her and past her three bodyguards for a glimpse of the crown prince, but they were not brave enough to question why she traveled alone. Any concerns about this unscheduled activity were discarded the moment they realized it was an impromptu shopping spree. Rhiane had no money of her own but she had Tobias, who was willing and able to pay for the purchases, especially in the absence of Luke. They both knew if he submitted receipts of the expenditures afterwards he would be reimbursed without hesitation so there was no inherent risk in 'lending' the funds as it were.

As usual, her natural charisma with the working class people was well-received. Perhaps this was what the former farmer truly needed- to smile broadly at people who understood her struggles intimately, who had been looked down upon by others for either being too successful or not born into the right family- and have them treat her kindly in return. There was something simple yet refreshing to see her charms having an effect on the common man. She was treated like a cherished customer as she complimented their work ethic, was praised for her taste, and made small talk about the idiosyncrasies of their village residents. Tobias at least was heartened to see her leaning on a counter trading anecdotes about buying shoes of poor quality that broke apart at critical moments.

For Callista she elected to make a customized basket. Rhiane suspected that her future sister-in-law could have anything she desired in an instant, but it was a gift that came from the heart, where someone had taken time and effort personally, that would be most rare. From one shop she acquired a large handmade basket, from another a scarf hand-dyed blue with delicate embroidery of flowers and leaves stitched around the edges, and from yet another she obtained decadent handmade soaps in a wide variety of colors, most with exotic flower oils and the like, that would have appealed to the most haughty woman of culture if she did not know their origin. From a pottery studio came a mug with masterwork glazes dripping in colors that looked like a night sky and from a carpenter was a polished wooden puzzle box that was the right size to carry little baubles or pieces of jewelry. The princess elect procured freshly made candy and chocolate and strategically placed it around the other items to make an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Once she was satisifed she wrote on a small note card:

Dear Callista,

I apologize that I may have inadvertently caused you to worry about your brother. I've made this gift basket of things I found in town that might bring you joy. I'm told the scent of the soaps in particular might help you relax after all the anxiety we've caused. Should you ever need to reach me, and can not do so, please feel free to impose on Tobias if Nolan isn't being helpful in helping you reach Luke.

Yours sincerely,
Rhiane

The gift basket was sent with Lia and Octavia back to the villa where they would make certain it would be expedited on its journey to the palace. Although she could tell they were reluctant to leave Rhiane and Tobias alone together, neither woman the social standing to make an objection nor a logical argument to refuse the request. After a few minutes of logistical discussion about the shipment in question, the pair of noblewoman had departed, leaving Rhiane and Tobias in front of a row of derelict homes coincidentally in close proximity to the event hall where the lunch for the engaged couple was being held.

"I'm sorry they used your mother's image," Tobias interrupted the silence. "You are cold," he further observed as he shrugged off his overcoat. Traditional attire for all guards, regardless of sex, was a tailored suit, but in cold weather they also bore a thicker wool overcoat to help keep them warm and alert. While they were in the shops he could overlook how under-dressed the princess elect was for the climate, as all of the buildings were heated, but it was outside that he could see goosebumps rising on her flesh. Without leaving room for an objection he draped the garment over her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said sheepishly, too chilled to argue. Rhiane pulled the collar up around her neck and crossed her arms to preserve her body heat. "Are you officially allowed to disapprove of Queen Camilla's strategy?" she teased lightly.

"Not officially, no, but every servant of the kingdom has their opinions," he admitted seriously. For a long moment Tobias stared at her and wondered at how well she had endured every trial thrust at her. His cousin failed to appreciate how spectacular a bride had had been handed. Even as she tried valiantly to suppress her shivers he knew that she did not blame Luke for his mother's callous propaganda as others would. Rhiane was fair and just, seeing the person in front of her for what they truly were, not what the world told her to believe. All his life he, like Luke, had been surrounded by people who saw the title and breeding before the individual.

"What strategy would you have for dealing with the rebellion?" he asked abruptly.

"It's not my decision to make," she said with a delicate side-step to the query. Rhiane remained calm but she was surprised Tobias had asked. For the past week everything had been dictated to her with little consideration for her preferences or thoughts: her attendants never once asked her favorite color when arranging her wardrobe. It had swiftly become commonplace to fight to have a voice in even the most mundane and trivial of affairs, much less the brewing war with the revolution.

"I did not say that it was, but I would like to know all the same," Tobias emphasized.

"I'd concede some of the points the rebellion raises in their chants, that there is inequity among the social classes, and resources could be distributed more fairly. By coming to the table willing to compromise it makes the rebellion their more moderate and casual supporters, and it forces them to take an extreme stance if they won't negotiate at all, thus further eroding their base. This wouldn't be approved by loyalists, but with the escalating violence and body count, if they vocally oppose they will make themselves targets. I would make certain they see things as they are is unsustainable long-term. Of course Luke would be... Luke would be the face of this meeting of minds," she finished softly. What she didn't touch on was that Queen Camilla herself was despised enough with some of the peasants it would be harder to sell her than the playboy heir to the throne. Rhiane sighed. "But it's not my decision to make," she concluded with a forced smile.

"Even after the clinic you care deeply about everyone in this country," he observed.

Rhiane smiled sadly but did not comment on his assessment, instead moving forward towards the hall in question. "I shouldn't leave him to meet the farmers alone," she told him as he jogged to catch up to her. "The farmers don't deserve that," she jested with a finger to her lips to indicate that joke should not be repeated.

Silently the beauty entered with her shadow trailing behind and slightly to the left. As they strode through the shadows they could hear a discussion about none other than the princess elect herself. Tobias stiffened at the exchange but watched helplessly as Rhiane chose not to interrupt and instead linger by the entrance with her eyes glued on her betrothed. Truthfully after their argument not even a few hours prior she had expected him to agree with every insult lodged at the faults he had already found with her. Her eyebrows rose incrementally as he rose to her defense. That the baron, his wife, and their lackeys were cruel did not injure her- the court had been just as hostile. It was only Luke's reaction that mattered.

As their gazes met the aristocrats belatedly followed his stare to the figure they had disparaged. Rhiane was still clad in the dress with the plunging neckline and skirt well above the knee, a tantalizing amount of skin still showing, instantly drawing the attention of the men in attendance. Tobias's coat hung loosely off of her but could not conceal the salacious image that made one particular scion fidget uncomfortably in her seat. Luce had capitalized on how sultry the princess elect could be and in that regard she was a resounding success. The coupling of the implied vulnerability of the cast with her apparel could have lured half the room to her quarters.

"My apologies, Prince Luke. I had assumed that your hosts and their guests would have been conducting themselves with an appropriate amount of dignity for their station. We did not mean to interrupt," Tobias intoned with a slight bow of reverence. This insult to the highborn was revenge for Rhiane though they could not have known this. In this singular instant the two male relatives were aligned in wishing to protect the object of their affection.