Disclaimer: I don't own the Royals. E! Does.
My Only Love, sprung from my Only Hate
Aglaia was dazzling- to say the least.
Helena was scowling.
Eleanor was smiling. Jasper was arm-in-arm with her for once.
Aglaia saw them both and secretively winked at her.
At the pre-wedding concert, she was astounding.
Helena had worn an expensive gown in teal green lace over tulle with a boat neck and half sleeves. There was a massive emerald on her bodice.
But Princess Aglaia had had everybody awaiting her in anticipation, before they all involuntarily gasped at her arrival and could genuinely never take their eyes off her.
She was in rose petal pink, almost nude in colour, a princess-cut gown which showcased her tiny waist and a full tulle skirt and the skirt and bodice glittered and shimmered with crystal in certain sections and she had short sleeves. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant up-do.
Robert smiled dazzlingly as he beheld her, sweeping forwards to take her into his arms in a dance later.
"My darling," he whispered. His eyes glowing with genuine love. "My love."
Aglaia's own eyes were shining. But Robert could not forget, in the back of his mind, when he had seen Liam with Aglaia. She didn't know, she had absolutely no idea...
But he had seen the way Liam looked at her. Only this time, it was Robert Aglaia's eyes were fixed upon and no one else.
And he would make sure it stayed that way.
"My darling," The queen of Greece warmly said. "May I spend a moment with you, Αγάπη μου?"
"Of course," Aglaia smiled and stood. Nearby she saw Robert watching her go with a glow in his eyes- a secret which was only for her. She smiled at him and he smiled at her- a secret smile which she was only meant to see.
"Mother what is it?" Aglaia asked as her mother dragged her deep into the wine cellars.
In answer, Anastasia produced a pill.
It was a round, dusky-black ball, nestled onto her palm. "Take this when you go on your honeymoon." Anastasia stated.
Aglaia looked blankly. "What is this?"
"Phoenix and Unicorn Pill, the Chinese call it. It's one step away from magic. Works like a miracle. It will heighten your chances of conceiving."
"Because," Anastasia stated. "You are going to be living in a viper's nest and your life will be in incredible danger." She hissed. She grabbed her daughter by the arms.
"Your mother-in-law resents the fact that you are here to steal her lemon-light-" "Lime-light," Aglaia immediately muttered. "Your brother-in-law had to be shoved aside in order for your husband to take his rightful place, his uncle was shoved off the throne and onto the metaphorical dump so your husband could sit there, your sister-in-law sneaks LSDs and other drugs and intoxicates her friends when she invites them for a drink, and your husband's family has made so many enemies that you could get shot just by standing near them." She hissed. "Or they could use you as human shields!" Her green eyes were livid. "So I'll be damned if I don't take every possible precaution to keep you safe!"
Aglaia stared at her mother, aghast. "And how does this... pill fit into all of this?" She asked faintly.
"They will kill you before you have a chance to conceive an heir," Anastasia snapped. "To get Cyrus or any of his idiot, half-wit daughters onto the throne, or Cyrus having an act of revenge. Or maybe Liam and Eleanor are being idiots again, slipping something into your morning coffee when they get the chance." Contempt dripped from her voice. "Or maybe Helena just can't stand the idea that she's going to be someone's granny, something a boob-job and layers of botox necessary won't fix. Or your in-laws' enemies." Hatred dripped from her voice at the words 'in-laws'. "Either way, they'd kill you even when you are pregnant, but this will increase the chances of a multiple pregnancy. And while an accident involving the new queen and-or- one unborn baby will be easily dismissed, an 'accident' with a multiple pregnancy- possibly twins- carried by the queen of Britain will be too fishy for them to even risk it. Take the pill and for heaven's sake, take the bowls of medicine I've ordered prepared for you in the morning afterwards!"
She stared at her.
"I'm giving you a personal cook." Anastasia informed her. "To prepare all your meals. And the medicine that will heighten the chances of conception to be taken afterwards, along with the pill. Three bowls. I want you to drink them all, Aglaia." Aglaia opened her mouth, about to protest. "No arguments! Your life is in danger and any child of yours too!"
Aglaia shook her head, desperately. "Why?" She asked, faintly.
"Because these people are crazy!" Anastasia snapped. "This isn't some random herbs grown in a backstreet in China town, these are real, powerful medicines. High-class bio-tech. Among the most potent fertility medicines in the whole world, scientifically agreed by every qualified doctor in the western hemisphere as well. You need to produce an heir and a spare, Aglaia, more spares in fact, a whole basketful of spares!" Aglaia stared again at her mother. "That way when an egg drops, there are more in its place."
"They're still going to try to kill the baby- babies!" She protested. "MOTHER- really? You have to say that?"
"Well, in that case, we're giving you extra security," Anastasia said grimly. "It's natural for us to continue providing you with security as you are still- and will always be- a member of our family. And we already have teams of people, our own Special Operations and military intelligence sweeping Westminster Abbey from catacombs to spires and steeples for any bombs before anything comes." She paused. "It might be a good idea to sweep the nursery too. I'll have Dimitri check it." Queen Anastasia looked hard at her daughter. "Don't trust anyone here."
Aglaia opened her mouth again, but closed it, unable to speak.
"Oh my God," Anastasia suddenly whimpered. She pressed a hand to her mouth and turned around, her eyes dripping with tears. "My daughter's going to marry into crazy-town and all the kids might be..." Her lip trembled and suddenly she burst into tears.
"Mother!" Aglaia moaned. Queen Anastasia continued wailing.
"Okay!" Aglaia held up the pill. "I will take this, to make you stop wailing or saying these things!" She waved it around.
"And the medicines," Anastasia reminded. Her tears instantly vanishing. "All three bowls."
"All three bowls," Aglaia said.
"Every single drop."
"Every single drop."
"I'll know if you don't."
Aglaia nearly face-palmed. "What are you going to do- spy on our honeymoon?"
"How do I know if your husband's doing it right?" She snapped. "You could be doing it wrong! The position! Maybe just oral-"
"Mother!" Aglaia groaned. Her face was burning.
"Inspire him," Her mother hissed. "I'm going to give you a copy of Karma Sutra-" "Mum!" "Or maybe some scents that are meant to stimulate a man's libido and his hormones- scientifically proven. I have some oils to pour in the bath and to rub on your skin. Drives them wild, makes them lust like an animal, a bull on heat-"
"La-la-la-la-la, Mother, I'm not listening!" Aglaia blabbed, panicked, pressing her hands against her ears.
"With looks like Helen of Troy, that shouldn't be hard."
"I think I'm going to throw up." Aglaia muttered.
Aglaia sat on the sofa after the evening's entertainments. A glass of red wine was in front of her. Her elbows on her knees, her head in her hands.
"Hey," Robert entered the room, smiling, and loosening his tie. He leaned against the doorway.
"Hi," She managed a smile.
"What's gotten you all riled up?" He asked her, concerned. "Where's your mother?"
"Gone to check for nursery bombs," Aglaia stated, blankly.
"What?"
Aglaia sighed. "My mother... Is convinced my life is in danger. She doesn't trust your family. None of them do." She said, trying not to sound too miserable. Aglaia shook her head. "She... Told me that your uncle might try to kill me out of revenge- and to prevent me from producing the next king or queen so anyone of his daughters could come next. Or that Liam might be resentful as well. Or that..." She shook her head. "That your enemies would kill me before I conceived or after I became pregnant." She couldn't bear to tell him everything. Her face was hot with shame.
Robert was instantly by her side, enveloping her in his warm, strong arms, and tilting her head up gently. "Aglaia," he said gently. His eyes were shining, though concerned.
He would only show this side for her, he thought. Only her. He was hers and she was his.
"What else did she say," he asked gently. God, how could I love somebody this much? He thought. Is it possible?
"She gave me this," Aglaia showed him the pill, encased in a plastic container. "Chinese medicine. Called a Phoenix and Unicorn Pill. I've researched it, it's one of the most powerful medicines in the world, agreed on all medical practitioners."
"For what?" Robert was baffled. "Fertility," Aglaia stated, blushing prettily.
She was truly lovely when she blushed, Robert thought. He felt his arms tighten around her possessively. He wanted to possess her-now, tonight.
"She also gave me a cook- to ensure that no one poisons my meals and who would prepare me three bowls of medicine the night after I've taken the pill. It's going to increase the chances of..." She blushed deeply.
"I see," Robert remarked, slowly. He sighed. "I know. And I truly don't blame her. Watching my family is like watching a circus show."
Aglaia looked and smiled sadly at him.
"I still love you, though." He admitted. "I can't remember loving anyone or anything this much."
Not even Kathryn. Definitely not Kathryn. Aglaia was his and his alone.
And he wouldn't let her go, for the whole world. Not even for his mother, his brother or even his kingdom. Not even for Eleanor.
"I love you," she breathed. Robert held her close. "Where were you all my life?" He wondered aloud.
As far as the Greek princes were concerned, croquet was the most boring game the English aristocracy ever cooked up.
Alexios sulkily shoved a ball into that... ring, whatever that was called. He forgot, and he did not bother to find out.
"Hello," Princess Eleanor appeared. Dressed- as always- in a very short skirt and high heels. Her bodyguard followed closely behind. "This is Jasper," she introduced him. Prince Liam appeared, somewhat dishevelled.
"Your royal highnesses," Jasper intoned. Dimitri subtly narrowed his eyes as he turned around. Something was not right about him.
The head of security- the one who replaced the infamous Ted Pryce- appeared. "Your royal highnesses, I am James Hill, head of His Majesty's security." Dimitri grunted. "I've been informed that the princess- our future queen- is being surrounded under heavy guard on the orders of well," he cleared his throat. "You. And Their Majesties, the king and queen of Greece-"
Dimitri swung his mallet.
"And that Westminster Abbey has been swept thoroughly for months now, by the Greek Intelligence Services and Special Operations forces." James finished.
Both princes turned to look at him.
"It has," Crown Prince Alexios stated. "The Greek parliament and the Ministerial Council- our Cabinet- has issued their orders. So did my parents. We're not going to take any risks with this princess." He fixed them with his icy stare.
A deadly, highly pregnant silence stretched between them.
"But your royal highnesses-" James began.
"You know we're capable of doing that right here," Eleanor pointed out.
"We know," Alexios responded as Dimitri took another shot.
"In any case, your highnesses, I am sorry to put this forwards, but the guards surrounding Her Royal Highness have been uncooperative towards our own," James stated. "They surround the princess all day and all night, and are most admirably diligent, but they refuse to allow us room to manoeuvre. Or to take shifts. As you may well be aware, as the future queen of the United Kingdom, Princess Aglaia is entitled- by law- and required to accept members of the king's and the royal family's security-"
"We KNOW." Both princes cut in, turning spontaneously towards them.
"Believe me, we know."