Fortunately for royal poised on the doorstep with his bodyguard, it was neither the ill-tempered Hubert Black nor his irascible son Gerard Black that answered the knocking, but the latter's life partner, Sebastian. It was immediately apparent that man was an immigrant or the son of one. His hair was long and pale blond, his shoulders broad, and his features unmistakably from the northern reaches of Europe, beyond New Rome's borders. He was also tall and muscular, measuring a few inches above six feet in height, and powerfully built from his years spent toiling on the fields. This might have made him an intimidating figure had it not been for the calm demeanor evident in both his expressions and his body language. Sebastian was slow to anger, relying on his strength only when willfully provoked, and was otherwise called a "big teddy bear" by Rhiane. Arguably this what made him function so well in a family with short fuses. They all took his frustrations more seriously, since it flared so infrequently, as they respected the gravity of the cause.

"I didn't expect you would actually come, Prince Alessandro," he admitted. "Where is Rhi?" His gaze traveled over towards the parked SUV. The windows were tinted but he could surmise that she was inside, though he'd prefer to hear it from the lips of his guest rather than relying on the assumption she was here and safe. "We shouldn't go inside until she's ready. They hate the monarchy, it's why they're estranged with Rhi, so taking you to them would be like lobbing an incendiary round. She can control them better than I can alone," Sebastian explained as he stepped outside and closed the door behind him softly. There was no hiding Luke's arrival, but he could at least keep the parties separate for a short amount of time. There was a slim chance, although extremely small, that the other two might cool down instead of stew in righteous fury.

With a wave of his hand he gestured towards the side of the building where there was a short stone fence. He neither lead the way nor strayed behind, walking comfortably near and almost beside the prince, assuming the heir to the throne joined him. "We can talk in Rhi's garden," he told him just as they arrived at the wooden gate for the enclosed space. Gently pushing it open, and holding it for Luke, he glanced over the flowers wistfully. The garden was filled with carefully tended plant beds, brilliant brooms bursting out of the ground. It had been designed so that there was always something in season- the winter would bring primrose, pansies, and jasmine. Since Rhiane had left for the contest it was Sebastian who had taken responsibility for its upkeep and management.

The casual way he referred to the future queen by 'Rhi' made it clear how close they were. As of yet not even Tobias had been encouraged to call her anything except her first name, which was indicative of the walls she kept between herself and those at the palace, and how she realized that they were not at the same level of friendship. Sebastian, her father, and her brother would die for her, but the castle would have her die for them, a sacrifice for the stability of their country and to keep the social structure intact. It was this difference that had prevented Rhiane from divulging that anyone shortened her name in affection. Luke had slept with his fiancee, but his relationship was not as strong as the blonde foreigner that stood beside him patiently.

"What really brings you here? Rhi would have never volunteered a visit, and you have more things to worry about than trying to make a good impression or convince them to reconcile... unless the rumors are true and you have honestly taken to each other," he mused aloud. Sebastian did not hate Luke the way his lover did, but he was also not a fun of the sovereign's eldest son, instead withholding his judgment entirely. His chief concern was how Rhiane herself was affected. If she was happy and content then he would be as well, but it was hard to imagine that any aristocrat, much less a member of the royal family, would sincerely care for a peasant, and he knew the complications that the former farmer brought to the table all too well. She threw up barriers, held nearly everyone at an arm's length, and pursued a fevered dream of retaining perfect agency over her own mortality. 

Sebastian walked to a bench in the center of the garden and sat down heavily. His button down shirt was rolled halfway up his forearm and his dark colored trousers were made of a thick, tightly woven fabric that made them resistant to damage and ideal for labor. Off a belt looped through his trousers hung a communication device and tools including shears for trimming shrubs, a utility knife whose blade had worn down considerably, a flask for water, and a large keychain. Before they knew that the plane would be landing they had already been walking the rows of crops and examining their harvest, returning only to the house when it became necessary.