Robert Black

Robert is one of the main protagonists of  'The Golden Bird'. Born in Docktown but later raised to be the heir of the Grand Chancellor Lord Argent, he becomes embroiled in a plot to remove King Ademar from the throne. However, his motivation is not solely political- he is driven by his love for childhood friend and pleasure slave Luca.

Appearance
Robert has red hair and grey eyes, inherited from his father’s side of the family. He is also taller than most of his peers. At University, he wore his hair long, partly pulled back out of his face. After leaving, his hair is cut short. During adolescence, his nose was crooked as a result of several breaks. Lord Argent had this fixed when he entered University.

As of ‘The Golden Bird- Part II’, Robert has a brand on his right hand in the shape of a T for traitor, as well as several puncture wounds, which become infected.

Personality
Robert’s Aunt Mina described him as so stubborn as a child, he ‘grew just to spite the sky’. When he sets his mind to a task, it is difficult for people to change his mind. Sometimes he struggles to see other peoples’ perspectives, as seen when he argues with Hugo about the need for revolution. However, he later comes to agree with Hugo. He is also fiercely dedicated to his goals, such as achieving good grades at University, as well as to the people he loves. This is especially the case in his relationship with Luca, who he struggles to imagine ever letting go of.

History
Robert was born in Docktown. His mother, Fanny Blackpot, was a prostitute. It was initially believed that his father was Fanny’s pimp, Harrow, but this was shown to be untrue when Robert was born with red hair. He saw his real father, Robert Argent II, very rarely throughout his childhood. On one of these occasions, he was gifted a toy elephant, which was later sold by his mother.

At the age of ten, Robert began attending the Coventry School for Poor Boys, with the fees being paid by his Aunt Mina. He attended the school for five years. At this time, Mina was the housekeeper for Crawley. Robert spent these years living in Crawley’s home.

When Robert had just turned thirteen, he met Luca after sneaking up a dumbwaiter and was immediately infatuated by his beauty. The two developed a close friendship. After coming home from school, Robert would teach Luca what he had learned, as well as how to read. In return, Luca would teach him how to speak Keld. Robert began saving up to buy Luca, unaware of how much he would cost.

When Lord Crawley discovered their relationship, Robert offered to buy Luca. When it was revealed he could not pay, he forced Robert to watch as he raped Luca, and told him that Luca was going to die. Robert was reported to the watch, and his Aunt Mina was removed from her position. After leaving Lord Crawley’s house, he moved back to Docktown and worked as a fighter and hit-man for Harrow.

A year later, Robert’s paternal Grandfather, Robert Argent II, sent his servant Tolliver to Docktown to inform Robert of his father’s death, and to bring him back to Lightcliffe Hall, Lord Argent’s home. There, he was raised as the heir of Lord Argent, and sent to study at University.

Luca
Robert and Luca met as children whilst both living in the house of Lord Crawley and began a relationship. After they were torn apart, Robert believed him dead until they were reunited at The Harlequin on Bacchanal. Since then, Robert has devoted himself to rescuing Luca.

Mina Blackpot
Mina is Robert's Maternal Aunt. After his mother was no longer able to care for him, she convinced Lord Crawley to let Robert live in his house, where she worked as a Housekeeper. She also paid the fees for Robert's schooling.

Lord Argent
Lord Argent is Robert's paternal Grandfather. After his son was killed in an accident involving a rhinocerous, he invited Robert to live with him so that he could raise him to be his heir.

Adrian
Robert and Adrian were in a relationship at University, which ended when Adrian slept with a porter in Robert's bed. Adrian bought Robert a ticket to the Bacchanal Satyr Play at The Harlequin, inadvertently reuniting him with Luca.

Hugo & Val
At University, Robert shared a flat with Hugo and Val. The trio were close friends. Robert spent time studying with Val, as Hugo rarely attended classes. Hugo introduced Robert to the revolutionary movement

Alfred
Alfred was a servant of the Argent household who was set to acquire the role of Robert's valet. He was also part of the group of revolutionaries who met at The Thorn, and rushes to rescue Robert after he is arrested. At Absalom, he becomes Robert's right hand man.

Ged
Ged was arrested and sent to Absalom in the same wagon as Robert. After Robert revealed he could speak Keld, the two became close. Ged provided him with information about Luca, and Robert freed him in return for his help in taking over Absalom.

Asher

Robert begins taking appointments with Asher at The Harlequin in order to protect him, at Luca's request. After meeting Kemp, he requested that Asher be freed. He brought him to Lightcliffe and claimed he was Alfred's nephew. After Robert was arrested, Asher joined Alfred to rescue him. Robert considers Asher to be his little brother after they spend more time together at Absalom.

 Trivia 


 * Robert is left handed, like all the men in his paternal line.