19

Ianto spoke briefly to his father and father's advisors while he dressed. He chose strong Boeshane colours along with headgear and then after consideration he took one of Jack's sashes from the closet and slid it over his one shoulder… the sash of the royal family. He had to be strong, he had to represent his husband as well as remind everyone of the simple fact that he was also royalty.

He entered the War Room to find it in full swing. A screen showed faces and Ianto felt sorrow in seeing the small children amongst the line-up of the dead, walking over to the the screen and make it change to an overview of the ruined Capitol City Center.

"Shit" Jack said softy from behind him "They are still looking for survivors…. And bodies. Mostly finding bodies. It's a mess."

"And we have been swept here for any signs of the same explosives?" Ianto swung to address the men in the room.

"Yes your Highness… we have…"

"Sire. Sire or Majesty" Ianto corrected gently "Jack and I are now the reigning kings of the realm, with or without a coronation. Jack is the highest ranking family member still alive… my father has confirmed that … as this is actually my realm and Jack's family are Regents… that means technically Jack and I both now rule."

"I thought so" one of the elders nodded "your people overthrew ours in a bloodless battle recently. Yes. Apologies Sire… we are all slightly addled here."

"Of course, this is… horrible. But let us show unity and strength at a time when our people are terrified. I want a large guard presence in the village, armed guards walking the streets in pairs. Let them see that we are many, strong and angry. Comfort them that they are safe in their homes now." Ianto turned to Jack who was watching him silently "Cariad. How do you want to proceed?"

"The site… we need to go. I know you hate that place… but we must pay respects." Jack said sadly.

"Yes. I know, servants already prepared the large Hover. We will go, lay flowers and show our grief so they know it is Ok to grieve too. I do hate that place but it is immaterial right now. The Capitol is the heart of the Kingdom and we must go, rebuild and show strength." Ianto nodded "I agree my darling. Yes. I will go talk gently to the kids… I am not letting them come because we might see… oh gods. We cannot travel tighter… if there is an attack we are sitting ducks. No.. I can not travel without you after last time. We will need a series of Hovers... identical so there is no telling which one we are in and which are empty."

"A shell game?" Rhys asked with a nod from the doorway "I will go make sure we have three the same. Good idea."

Ianto watched him go and turned to Owen who was silently watching everything "Owen. Survivors…what injuries might we expect to see?"

Owen started to talk of those pulled from the rubble, the reports of injures and Jack felt himself relax as Ianto led the room and let him have a moment to steady himself. Then the screen pinged and Ianto groaned, he did NOT need this.

He opened the screen to find the last person he wanted to see glaring at him. He touched the mix-coms button and saw the responding light to say his father was joining the conversation.

"Hello Pip."

"Her Royal Highness Princess Penelope of the Regal Killians to you!" she replied haughtily and Ianto watched for his father to intervene, hurt that he didn't.

"Pip, I am rather busy right now and…."

"Busy. You. Doing what… polishing shoes?" she sneered then laughed like it was a huge joke.

"Jack's family has just been assassinated in the Capitol and we are preparing to head out to see what can be done for the empire thank you very fucking much" Ianto roared with anger, hoping it was strong enough in the family bond for her to feel "how feckin dare you call me at a time of mourning to gloat over… whatever it is you think you have or did better than me. Why not just fuck off Pip."

"HOW DARE YOU!" she screamed with genuine hatred now, her face morphing as she leaned in close "Shame you didn't die too."

"Enough"

Their father's voice was firm "Ianto? What did you say of Jack's family?"

"The High King has been killed, his entire family as was Jack's father and all the cousins. It appears that Jack might be the highest of the bloodline still here to take the throne and we are now heading to help calm the situation." Ianto sighed.

"Oh… so Yawn-oh will be a queen?" Pip laughed in a cruel way.

"Actually Pip, this is MY realm, gifted to me from Mama" Ianto said with satisfaction, watching her face drain of colour "So technically, I am the High King now… always was. Jack's family are the Caretakers… a Regency. Jack and I shall rule together I think. Time of me to wear the crown."

Pips' eyes narrowed, stepping closer still, she must be almost touching her screen "You have it. You have my crown."

"No Pip. I have MY crown, and you shall never wear one as powerful." Ianto said with emphasis on the power part, "Never mind little sister, you will be a pretty little queen for your wee spot, yes? Oh wait… sorry… you did not marry high enough for that. You will be a Duchess when his brother takes the throne, right? Oh… Duchess of Regal Killians. Hmmmm… D.O.R.K. Oh dear, you will be a dork."

She roared with anger, slamming her screen now.

Ianto felt her thorough the bond, her anger releasing the walls and he knew. He knew her secret.

"Pip. Dirty pool there. You are not with child… look at you. You are drunk right now… the only spark in the bond of our bloodline is mine. Shame. Shame on you for pretending just to usurp my attention. Shameful." Ianto snarled, knowing his father would feel the bond just as strongly.

As would another "Penelope? I need you to come to my presence."

The girl's face changed to one of horror "Mama? Mama, i… am too unwell to travel and… and… I fear I might loose the baby… a miscarriage… yes… I think I … oh no."

She put on a silly performance of grabbing at her gut while crying out, falling to her knees.

"Stop it you stupid child… you dropped your walls when you attacked him. I see you… I see you child and I see no youngling within you… and Ifan is correct… you are drunk! You should not be on an open line like this, bringing shame to my family!" the Queen snarled and Ianto reached out, waving with his fingers in the way Jack does.

It seems to piss her off that same way it did with him.

Ianto cut the feed.

Fuck them.

He had work to do.