Luke nodded when she said Sebastian’s name like a charm that pulled her back from the recesses of her thoughts and into the present. The low hanging fruit. The only other link the prince could think of that he could use to penetrate the enemy territory. If his intelligence network had produced results within the timeframe that was given them, then there was no need to enlist the help of another unwilling peasant. The fact that there was no solid lead bothered him, because every minute that the resistance was operating within the walls of his home posed an increasingly greater risk for his family. If Sebastian was protecting his family and the family of his beloved by withholding information, then Luke too would do whatever it would take to preserve the health and lives of the ones he held dear. 

“He doesn’t have to say anything if he is afraid of retribution. I will not pay him a visit only to endanger his and your family’s lives. My people will take care of all the digging, I just need directions – who to talk to, how to reach the person or persons, and be present where it matters.” His eyes wandered into the unopened box beside Rhiane. If she would open it and tap the screen of the device, Luke’s handwriting telling her the password would show. “He will be given direct communication access to both you and I using the encrypted line that we use. My mother need not know about this little project.” She would be against the outrageous idea of her son and would instead intensify the campaign about the upcoming wedding between the crown prince and the princess elect. Her present tactic was one that involved public distraction. She would entertain the general public with a fantastical love story so that they might forget the issues they were whining about.

“Principles can bend when applied with the right amount of pressure,” he added, moving his sober gaze to her. “Besides, I have someone that he loves. I can find a way for her to get out of this mess alive so she can watch her children grow into that kind of person she will be proud of.” Sebastian said that he loved Rhiane. It was obvious with the way she spoke about the former that he was dear to her heart as well. If Luke had not known that Sebastian preferred men, then the two of them would have a problem, but the fact remained that Sebastian loved Rhiane. And if he did love her the way Luke loved Callista, then Sebastian would exhaust all means possible to make sure that Rhiane lived a long, healthy, and happy life.  
 
It was a promise that he thought he might use to encourage the cooperative spirit of Sebastian, but there was no guarantee that it would work. He might still insist on keeping the secrets of the rebellion. If he did so, though, he would be left with no other choice but to use force and pick-up information from people with weaker will than Sebastian.

“So you can live to witness how I am a man of my word, how I will keep my promise by not marrying Anelle Tuscano.” The slight crinkling of his eyes and the little tug at the edge of one side of his lips broke away from the grim expression on his face. It was brought about by the recollection of her reaction to Anelle. “I did not ask you to raise a kid with her or to be her friend, but to just give her a chance to prove her worth. She probably knows what she is doing, else she would not be in that position. Displaying hostility when you don’t even know how to use her weakness against her will get you nowhere. And you’re right the flirting will not stop.” In the world that she was living in at the moment, she may have a title that said ‘princess’ but she was still born a commoner. Anelle, on the other hand, was a true lady. “She has a closer relation to my mother than Luce Viscomi though. Her words may influence the queen. Let me voice out my unsolicited advice as well – hold off on the evil plans. There’s nothing to be jealous about.” 

Just then, the pilot announced that they will arrive at the destination shortly. He consequently advised all passengers to return to their seats and prepare for landing.