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Many were not happy with the wedding of the King's cousin to not only a commoner but a male. Some questioned if it were some political stance, the first ever same sex marriage within the royal family but the King himself was the first to point out that he had a son now, hopefully more children to come and when he took the crown, his son would follow as was the custom. As he had no siblings his cousin had been in the gun as a back-up, now it was done. If his father's sister's son chose to love someone of the same sex, who was he to complain. Jack was no longer considered the spare. Had not been since little Henry had been born, ensuring the bloodline.
It had been a relief to everyone when little Henry came, not least of all the King and Queen, the King fully away that his sister was still smarting over the fact she was first born, yet had to step aside once her younger brother was born to take the crown.
She was so pleased when Jack was born, watching with annoyance as her brother went on to have a son A lovely son that everyone loved, Prince Ryan full of joy and positivity. Now Henry. Jack would not be king, her son would only ever be a duke. A duke that would not have a child to carry on the bloodline.
Jack knew she was unhappy and because of this he and Ianto had tried to keep their relationship quiet for years as Jack took on the playboy role. Of course, it all came to a head the night Ianto had decided he had had enough and told Jack they were done. Jack needed to go find a nice girl, knock her up and finally please his mother who not only despised Ianto on sight but made no bones of it.
So here we are.
Jack and Ianto wed. Ianto still not happy with the royal life but loving Jack enough to swallow that down. Jack loves Ianto deeply and knows the unpleasant life his mother tries to create for Ianto, still hopes now baby Henry is here they can quietly slip into the background.
King James, his wife Queen Sarah.
Prince Michael and his wife Cora.
Their son Henry.
Another on the way that is still hush-hush given previous miscarriages.
The king's older sister Beryl and her husband the Duke of Glouster.
Their son Jackson, Duke of Devon and his partner/huband Ianto … Duke of .. well … Devon.
The younger brother Gray who is a spoilt little shit as Jack was considered the 'spare' for some time and treated with a firm hand. Now … cast aside. Not that he cares, even if his mother does.
Ianto was working for Jack's mother, which probably makes it worse. He was a Royal Groom that Jack's mother demanded from the King's stables when she saw that he has a natural affinity with horses, only to inadvertently place him within her son's eyesight. They were both teenagers and fell within moments of first exchanged smiles. They have known one another since they were 15 and 18 … you can guess which way around. Ianto has never loved another, although his friend Lisa was a good 'beard' at times when the media had almost smelt them out.
Jack and Ianto, once wed, retreated form the public eye and only come out for special events that the Royal family requests them for or a charity do. Of course, Ianto is stuck with his animals and such despite Jack and his mother repeatedly telling him he had to find a charity to sink his teeth into that it for the betterment of their subjects, not just furry ones. This leads to more discomfort as the family still do not like him, the outer sect and the staff trying everything to stir things on their mistress' behalf and several fake stories are routinely released of diva-like behaviour. This is has led to them talking about running away in the first place, Ianto's weeping over tabloid stories too much for Jack.
They have had a year of quiet reflection and soft jibes from others, settling into some form of life together on a small estate Ianto fell in love with while working there so Jack purchased it as a wedding gift even as his mother had wailed at the expense.
They receive a monthly stipend from the Royal family and in return are expected to adhere to the rules and smile for the camera… if ya know what I mean.
Jack has always had a good rapport with his cousin and Ianto has soon found the sweet Cora a willing giggler behind their hands and they make up conversations as they watch people across a boring room, her soft pleas to him to attend boring and sometimes scary state occasions not something he can refuse easily.
So there you are. The dynamics of this family.
Jack will not be king, his cousin and loving friend is the soon-to-be-king.
Ianto is common yet married into the family and a loving friend to the soon-to-be-queen.
Jack's mother hates Ianto.
The public are divided due to misdirection.
Gray does not care about anyone or anything but himself.
Oh … and Jack's ex-beard is called Gwen.
Heh heh.
Ready for this?