Reluctantly Sebastian took a seat next to Luke, though he did not touch the food. He was in an unusual predicament; he understood Rhiane's motivations and thoughts better than most, and he wanted to help her to the best of his ability, but he also respected her right to privacy. What compelled him to trust in Luke was what he had witnessed the day prior. Regardless of whether or not she admitted it, the former farmer clearly had caught some feelings towards the prince, and despite his sometimes aloof disposition, he suspected that the heir to the throne reciprocated a measure of these softer emotions. In different circumstances he would have remained a passive observer that did not involve themselves in the fledgling relationship- but his beloved sister-in-law's life was on the line. He could not, in good conscience, forfeit the opportunity to save her through the one person that might be able reach her in the way necessary to keep her from self-destructing.

"You may already know, but when her mother and Edwin fell ill, she did everything for them- she cooked for them, she cleaned up after them, she helped them bathe, held their hand, read to them, she gave up everything to take care of their every need. Once they passed Hubert and Gerard were so besides them in their grief they barely left their rooms, and so she kept herself busy, slowly taking over management of the house and the farm, never stopping. Of course she knew they were gone, we all did, but she never stopped to mourn, she kept focusing on problems and how to fix them," Sebastian admitted quietly. He knew that Luke wasn't necessarily looking for an in-depth review of the monotony of a peasant who had suffered a loss, but it provided a vital context. There were well-documented stages of grief that everyone went through: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Once could argue she had skipped a step or two, but it was clear that she could not have skipped all five and managed to heal the wounds left in her heart. That she still dreamed of her deceased brother was no coincidence.

"Going to their graves will force her to confront they are really gone and not coming back. She won't have the distraction of her family or business to keep her memories or the realization," he elaborated, hoping that Luke would personally empathize. Sebastian didn't talk of his own relatives. Even the palace was unable to determine much more than his country of origin. Their northern neighbor did not allow free access to their records, and so there was a touch of anonymity to the foreigner, one that he purposefully kept intact. Nothing about his behavior or appearance was worrying enough that New Rome considered him a threat in any way, and nationals migrated to the kingdom every day, but it would be a lie to say that there wasn't a little discomfort at the fact they could not dig as deeply for information on him individually as they could their own citizens.

Leaning back into a chair for a moment he stared down at the small device in his lap. It was not as sophisticated as the prince's, and was a few years outdated, but it was more sophisticated than the models the rest of the Black family used. After a moment's contemplation he sighed and rubbed his temple thoughtfully. "I won't impose on your further," he said, suddenly standing. "But I would be remiss if I didn't tell you I was concerned. More than once I've caught Rhiane implying it would have been better if she died instead of Violet, and it's always felt as if she was trying to find a way to punish herself for this 'mistake.' The guilt she carries for surviving, and the choices she's been making... she's creating a world in which no one needs her. We can try to protect her from the rebellion," he sighed, "but that won't help if she breaks down in the cemetery and resolves it would be better for everyone if she wasn't with us anymore."

It was a well-founded fear. By her nature the brunette was self-sacrificing, but her cavalier attitude towards her own mortality was not a bluff. Willpower had been the key to recovery with the poison, and if that failed then she could be even more susceptible to the machinations of the 'enemy.' If financial security could be guaranteed through either the queen or revolutionaries, no one would be dependent on her, and it was her own desires that would have to motivate her to actively engage with the world. Sebastian and Gerard had each other. Luke had an endless sea of available single women that would eagerly take her place, not the least of which was Anelle. The castle's staff, except Tobias, was indifferent to who was the princess elect so long as she obeyed their instructions and endured all the struggles. At the present she was still struggling for approval and validation from everyone, for although she had achieved greater heights than thought possible for a commoner future spouse, she did not perfectly fit the mold she was constantly being shoved into.

Stopping short of making a specific suggestion, Sebastian inclined his head and turned to take his leave. It would be improper to offer advice that was not solicited, especially to a man that would one day rule. He didn't want to earn himself a reprimand with Nolan hovering nearby, undoubtedly eager to eject the undeserving peasant from the tent. "Isn't it strange during all that yelling she didn't say she likes that Tobias fellow?" he mused to himself quietly, just loud enough Luke would overhear and give it some thought. True, Rhiane had been praising the positive attributes of the bodyguard, but she hadn't said anything reflecting that she saw him in a romantic light. The older man saw through the anger and thought Luke might as well; her furious diatribe was because she was unconsciously desperate for a few traits she knew [i]could[/i] exist in her betrothed to be expressed, not because she had any inclination to leap into his cousin's arms.