Disclaimer: No- E! owns the Royals. Not me!
We know What We Are, but not What We May Be
All throughout Britain, new statistics showed that the standard of life was higher than ever in Britain.
Employment rates had dropped drastically, health rates and standard of living had gone up. The new queen had founded organisations and charities to ensure such things happened.
Helena had protested. "We can always raise money during galas and concerts."
But Aglaia shook her head. "How many people are actually more interested in seeing the entertainment? Besides, it will take too much time. Things also need to be organised."
To pacify them both, Robert had suggested that they experiment with these new ideas, before going so drastically into it.
But to their surprise and everyone's utter amazement (except for her family back in Greece, perhaps) the months that followed saw a massive drop in all things negative it seemed, while all things positive rocketed... Courtesy of the new queen's doings.
Helena gasped and groaned as she tried to kick the coffin lid with her stiletto heels, ramming it again and again, in desperation to get out. She tried calling out for help. It was no use. No one would come. She tried screaming: Spencer, Robert, Alistair, Liam, Simon, Eleanor- bloody Cyrus even, anybody! But no one came.
Helena screamed as loud as she could while thrusting her foot upwards again, when she gasped. Her foot was bony- no it was all bones, caked in dirt and mud and riddled with earthworms. Her skin was withering, sagging and looking more and more like curdled milk. It was curling black and peeling leaving her horny-looking toenails with holes within them and fungi- so not their natural state- trapped within the stiletto straps. Helena screamed when she saw the rot reaching up her body onto her beautiful ivory satin dress with the gold-leaf embroidery, withering and turning black with soot, dirt, ashes, worms and maggots- maggots that got into her skin. Helena screamed even louder when she felt them burying and eating their way within her as the rot spread onto her beautiful hair and her face-
She jolted awake.
Helena moaned and sank back onto her bed. The nightmare had only just begun.
Robert's kiss lingered longer. The two of them were in bed- again- and Aglaia hoped with all her heart her dear mother did not set up cameras within the confines of their bedroom.
He was breathing rather heavily and his eyes shone. Aglaia snuggled closer to his side.
His arm moved her closer to him and he kissed the top of her head.
But there was something bothering him. His dark blue eyes were filled with a growing worry.
Robert wondered if he should broach the subject.
"Back at the party," he finally said after a while. "There was someone... I heard them... Talking."
Aglaia frowned.
"They didn't think I was listening," Robert continued. "But... I heard talk about someone... A Greek naval captain..."
Aglaia stiffened. "Leonidas."
Robert froze. "You know what they're talking about?"
"He was my ex-boyfriend." She said quietly. "Back when... We were young. The relationship ended, though people- as premature as it was, were expecting us to be married."
Robert stared at her. "Why?"
Aglaia sighed. "I was eighteen, and everyone was counting down the days when the three of us- Alexios, Dimitri and I- would be married. I'd been with Leonidas since I was sixteen, and he seemed rather... Eager at the idea, but I didn't want to."
Robert relaxed slightly. "Why didn't you want to?" And why did they want you to? He thought to himself.
"Because I wasn't such a big marriage fan until I met you," Aglaia admitted. "And you convinced me otherwise. I broke from tradition- both Greek and royal- in a number of things. I didn't want to depend on a royal allowance- you knew that- I hated the idea of marrying so early, and Leonidas grew suspicious and became... Overbearing. It didn't help that people were pressuring me to get married, and when they saw that Leonidas and I just weren't working out, they started pushing a number of young men towards me- some of them were Greek- aristocrats or wealthy heirs, others were European, some were even royalty. The pressure was enormous," she admitted quietly. "I hated it. I doubted any of them truly loved me. I couldn't stand it. I needed to get away."
But surely, they thought it was a better match than the king with a crazy, scandal-ridden family and murderers hounding their every step, Robert thought. He wasn't blind. He wasn't stupid. He knew the Greeks were horrified and appalled when they heard that Aglaia was going to marry him. She had a talent- just as he did- for evading the paparazzi and keeping out of gossip columns. He had to concede a lot of things in order to get them to agree to let him marry her. For starters, Aglaia had to keep her religion- she was Greek Orthodox still. Even as Head of the Church of England- though it was all ceremonial, Robert's wife- and consort remained as such. Their children would be allowed to be in line for the Greek throne- except when the firstborn took the British throne, to add to the Greek's succession, sadly decimated from years of civil war and even genocide. Of course, once Alexios married his fiancée and they had children of their own, and Dimitri did the same, it wasn't as vital.
But accidents do happen, Robert thought darkly. Though could they be considered accidents, he remembered his own hijacking and his father's murder, or...
Aglaia looked unhappy. "I'm sorry I brought it up," Robert said softly, kissing her again. "I don't want to spoil the mood. I trust you. Do you trust me?"
Aglaia looked up at him. "Of course."
He grinned. "Then, perhaps now, we can continue..."
The next morning, Robert left early, much to his reluctance. Aglaia lay in bed, thinking and silent.
She told Robert about the pill and the bowls of medicine. And he had been surprisingly amicable. Of course, the British needed their own line of succession as well, and Robert knew he needed to pacify his in-laws. But...
There was the fact that she couldn't bear to tell anybody that her mother Anastasia was still... Suspicious and wary, though Robert had guessed. The reason for all this...
Aglaia suddenly felt cold. She felt a something stir in her stomach and the need to heave. She rushed to the bathroom as quickly as she could.
It was not pleasant. And it was a surprise to consider this, but considering the state-of-the-art Chinese medicines...
Aglaia sighed and took the pregnancy tests her mother had helpfully provided for her. Three of them.
The first one came positive. But it could be a mistake, though she was doubtful. The next one came after her morning coffee and breakfast. The third one...
She couldn't deny it anymore; she was pregnant.
Cyrus downed the brandy in one gulp. Clearly he needed more- much, much more.
Footage of the wedding was still being played even though it was some months now. He rolled his eyes. Robert... Gooey and all in love. He grimaced and gulped some more.
Robert had everything; the wife with the looks of a Grecian goddess and Helen of Troy, the kingdom, the crown, all the love and respect... It was making him feel sick. It was all Cyrus had ever wanted and everything had been denied to him.
It just wasn't fair. He had to live in Simon's shadow, how soon before Robert got his new queen pregnant and how many kids would they have? And then behind Liam and Eleanor was none other than Cyrus himself. Who would have followed Cyrus? That's right, his two half-wit daughters.
Cyrus resolved to get himself very, very drunk. There was nothing he could do now with the Greek royals immaculately scanning everything including him. He knew they trusted him the least out of all the Henstridges and that was saying something.
The door knocked. "Come in," Cyrus called, rolling his eyes.
The woman who entered the door turned out to be his ex-wife. "You." Cyrus muttered. "What do you want this time?"
"I hear the new queen has guards surrounding her every second of every day- and I'm not just talking about the typical guards surrounding you twenty-four seven since the minute of your birth," Veruca Popperwell, Duchess of Essex, remarked. "So truly there is no way to get to her?"
Cyrus rolled his eyes. "Firstly, let me be clear: there is nothing we can do. We can kill Robert, but that would put Liam on the throne. Plus, our new king has been humping his breathtaking new wife every night- and day- now. Boy has the sex drive of one of the gods of Aglaia's homeland. She could be pregnant right now. So unless you want me to murder them- and need I remind you that the Greeks are watching our movement every minute of every day- than it's useless. Plus, two of them are coming here."
"What do you mean two?" Veruca asked sharply.
"The Greek Princes Alexios and Dimitri are here to... pay a cordial visit and inspect the security surrounding their sister, the new queen," Cyrus remarked, drinking more brandy. He looked down at his glass. It was depressingly empty. He liked to swill it neat. Cyrus poured some more and as an afterthought, poured some for his ex-wife.
"We can't do anything with them watching," Cyrus admitted.
Veruca rolled her eyes. "So you're just going to sit back here and accept defeat? Since when has a ruling king of England been dethroned?"
"Henry VI," Cyrus answered smartly. "Edward IV. It was the War of the Roses- the Cousin's War, they called it. Apparently the Privy Council is determined that there should only be one king and with the new queen by his side, I fear that anyone trying to get in their way will be torn to shreds- no throne for Penelope or Maribel, I'm afraid. They would much rather see this new king and queen on the throne. According to statistics, the monarchy hasn't seen much popularity before- not even since before Simon died and Robert 'disappeared'. So not even a Cousin's War is possible, my dear."
Veruca gave a glare. "So here you are, the former king of England, disgraced and dethroned and you're going to give up without a fight?" She spat.
Cyrus gave a sinister smile. "Whoever said that?" He asked quietly. "But be careful, my dear. Even the walls have ears... And sometimes they speak Greek. So let's shut up now, shall we? Now where's that good, lovely shag you've promised me? I feel so depressed just hearing everybody except Poor, Dear Liam, have sex."
"Are you sure?" Robert asked quietly. Aglaia nodded. "I took the test three times."
Robert was silent for a moment as he began to absorb the news. Then in a single step he went over to Aglaia and kissed her. And then kissed her belly.
"I haven't told anybody yet," she whispered. "Only you." Robert grinned.
"I want to keep this between us," she admitted. Then she cast her eyes down. Robert was instantly aware of something. "Love, what is it?" He asked urgently.
"I... I want to... Now that we're going to have a family... I understand what we have to groom and train them for... But I want to give them a happy, healthy upbringing too," she stated. "After all, they- especially the future monarch- aren't supposed to grow up spoiled and pampered, taking everything for granted. They're brought up to serve."
Robert's eyes were filled with none other than love. "They'd have the best upbringing." He said finally. "Because they have the best mother. And I am the luckiest man alive." He kissed her.
"Well, um." Aglaia rushed, taking a deep breath. "I want them to... Have a more relaxed environment to be brought up in before we introduce them- little by little- into the world of royal protocol. Have them understand what it truly means to serve before sticking them into a world of rules and regulations that confines them and their creativity."
"Of course," Robert answered. It was a good idea- with how rebellious Liam and Eleanor turned out at first, if his parents had done the same, perhaps they would have had a happier home life.
"And to do this... I would like to move into Clarence House." Aglaia said in a rush.
Robert was stunned. "What?"
Aglaia winced. "I... You know when I was a child, I didn't grow up surrounded by gilded walls- we were raised... Simply. Taught to do chores and to be thrifty. Taught to respect adults, and to take responsibility- just because our father was the Crown Prince, and later the King, didn't mean we had no responsibilities. Even I, and I was the youngest of the brood. I made my bed, I did my laundry, I washed the cars, even with my brothers and I learnt to bake and cook. I was given an allowance and they indulged us only on our birthdays. We had to save money if we wanted to buy anything. We grew up responsible and we appreciated how people worked hard." She took a deep breath.
"When we were young... Our parents decided we were going to build a little cottage. I was too young at that time, but my brothers laid the foundations- our parents paid them as much as the regular labourer's wages. We grew a vegetable garden, herbs, fruits, and the produce would be assessed by our father and the locals there and we would be paid the growing market rate- same as everyone else. We learnt to clean and keep house there, to cook and bake. We learnt to appreciate what our own people were going through instead of being spoilt, soft and taking everything for granted. We learned- ever since we were that young, it was ingrained very deep into us- to help others. The importance of our duty to our people." She paused.
Robert was silent for a moment.
Robert was silent for a moment. "If it means that they would be raised to be like you, I have no doubt, that you will be the best mother," he stated clearly.
"And another thing- I would like to limit the media exposure to them."
Robert nodded. "Anything else?"
"You have to be there- I know we'll both be very busy but-" Robert placed a finger to her lips.
"You don't have to ask," he said quietly. "I'll be there. I'll be a father just as I'm your husband. Those are my most important jobs."
Aglaia smiled with genuine joy and Robert did as well, before leaning forwards to kiss her.
"So," Aglaia began. "How did your date go?" She had a teasing light in her eyes. Eleanor smiled.
"Mm, it was wonderful," she said, setting down her wine. "We went out on a yacht, we dined... It was... Incredible, like the way I've totally never experienced before." That set smiles everywhere.
Unlike with Simon and Helena, the new Queen Mother Helena saw that while she and Simon would be seated on opposite ends of the table, Robert was at the head and Aglaia directly to his right. More than often, Robert's hand would move and hold hers tightly in his own, as if he was afraid she would leave him.
Nobody, Helena reflected glumly. Had ever done something like this to her before. Not Simon, not Alistair- nobody. Helena wasn't the only one who noticed however, as Liam saw it as well.
Was this why she was feeling so gloomy lately? Helena wondered as the thought struck her. Was it because not only was Aglaia receiving all the love and affection anyone could possibly summon for her- and more- by the British public and the whole world, but also because she had Robert's whole heart as well- her own husband?
Helena's marriage had never been so happy. The great love of Simon's life, the one he would have married, was Dominique Stewart. After realising that her husband still loved her, even though she was dead, Helena had grown deep into depression. After Robert's birth, Alistair had somehow reappeared back into her life. But theirs was a clandestine relationship and Alistair made it clear he no longer wanted to see her again.
Aglaia had everything anyone could possibly dream of. Not only the glory, praise, wealth and material things one expected as a born princess and a queen, but a loving husband, and it looked as if the family genuinely adored her too.
Eleanor smiled, and showed them the wine she and Jasper got on their date. They had went to this special, secluded lodge and the dinner was delicious beyond comparison. She offered to pour Aglaia a glass.
Aglaia shook her head, smiling. "Oh, thank you, but no. I'm afraid I won't be drinking wine for a long while now."
Everyone looked at her, confused.
Aglaia lowered her eyes still smiling, looking at Robert. They noticed he had a special, secret smile on his face as well.
Helena's jaw dropped. She can't be... Can she?
Eleanor gaped. "You- you aren't-"
Their smiles were answer enough. Robert was also still holding onto her hand rather tightly.
It hit Helena like a sledgehammer. "Oh my God, I'm Royal Granny!" She said, before she passed out.
They all turned to stare at her.
"You are?!" Anastasia sounded gleeful, even ecstatic.
Aglaia rolled her eyes. "You definitely sound surprised," she said sarcastically.
"Oh, make no mistake I'm happy," Aglaia could practically hear her mother mentally break into a Broadway number, sing a heavenly chorus, shout and scream for glee at the same time. "Although I daresay I can't say the same for your Botox-riddled, cougar mother-in-law."
Aglaia closed her eyes. "Mother," she almost moaned. "Can you please... Try to be nicer about her- about them all? I mean, technically, you're going to share a grandchild together and as much as the new queen mother likes her looks and her perpetually youthful reputation, it's in her best interests to keep her son's legacy alive- that includes whatever offspring he has."
"Very well." Her mother said sourly. "But still... I'm warning you, don't trust them- any of them. That's why I gave you those Chinese medicines. Remember- Ted Pryce was their head of security- and they trusted him."
Aglaia never forgot. She was there when she saw the footage. It shook the whole world... And raised questions about security. She also heard that the paternity test involving Liam and Eleanor was faulty- in other words, they never happened and the officials and labs were bribed- quite possibly by Cyrus.
In other words, she did understand why her mother, her father and brothers and everyone in Greece- and her relatives outside of it- were so fearful for her when she married into the Henstridge family. How do you protect yourself from the ones who were supposed to be the closest to you?
"In a few months time, Alexios and Dimitri wish to visit you," her mother promptly announced. "They would come sooner, but right now... They're a little held up at the military."
Aglaia was instantly alert. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine," her mother dismissed her worries. "So... Have you checked with the doctor yet?"
Aglaia sighed. "Almost."
"Well, there is a chance that you are having a multiple pregnancy, I did say that."
"I know," Aglaia muttered rolling her eyes, wondering why she even listened to her in the first place. "Possibly twins, like Liam and Eleanor."
"Twins... Well, that's one pair in the family. It might not be so unusual." Her mother said. "My little Aglaia... A mother." She said quietly, tears practically seeping from her eyes in the other end.
Aglaia sighed. "I'll bring them up the way you both did to us."
"I know you will," Anastasia said softly. "You'll be the best of mothers. I'm so, very, very proud of you," she said trying to contain her bittersweet feelings. It was always so joyful… And yet so painful to let a child go farther and farther away from you.
The pregnancy was announced by a palace spokesman- as per tradition. Ecstatic congratulations and more poured in by the millions- if not billions.
"Breaking News: the most exciting news we've had since the royal wedding- Queen Aglaia is currently pregnant with the royal couple's first child. Congratulations are pouring in from all over the world, and excitement for the royal baby is in the air. People are not only ecstatic, they- well, we- are all overjoyed."
"Yes, Elsie, I believe that people are saying that- finally- a star of good fortune is shining down upon the royal family after so long a time full of scandal, murder and heartbreak. People are taking this as a sign that the curse is broken and Queen Aglaia is the monarchy's lucky star and Britain. I hear she's fluent not only in English and her native Greek, but Scottish Gaelic, Irish and Welsh. She's also learning Cornish and Manx and now people are saying that finally, we are going to have a king or a queen who will grow up fluent in those languages as well as English. Needless to say, the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh are so proud- especially as the queen and king took to announce news of the pregnancy in Edinburgh and Cardiff in their respective languages-"
And on it went.
Presents started appearing- though the majority of them would be kept until the baby was born. Congratulations and well-wishers were rampant, and now everyone was starting to believe that good fortune was finally smiling down upon the British monarchy.
Cyrus swilled down liquor.
In the meantime, Aglaia confided to Robert that they might be dealing with multiple babies.
"You mean twins?" Robert asked incredulously.
Aglaia took a deep breath. "Yes." She stated.
Robert was floored. "We still need to check the ultrasound though."
In the meantime, security was increased. Her meals were still being prepared in her own private kitchen by the Chinese cook her mother trusted.
And Helena and Cyrus were going through acupuncture treatment.
"So she's going to be a mum," Veruca said sourly. "The little Greek bitch who looks like a goddess is going to be a mother and Robert's very attractive genes combined with her own to have a stunning baby."
"Yes, it does rather seem that way," Cyrus conceded, before the acupuncturist pricked him again.
Veruca the Duchess of Essex tossed back her auburn curls and sniffed. "So that's it?" She snapped. "What about Penelope? And what about Maribel?"
"What about them?" Cyrus asked. Veruca glared. Cyrus sighed. He would have shrugged but it was advisable to keep as still as possible when undergoing acupuncture. "This is now irreversible. The first royals of a new generation. Liam, Eleanor, even our darling girls Penelope and Maribel aren't having babies anytime soon. Now, they're determined to see this pregnancy through." Veruca looked murderous. "Oh, and by the way, Queen Anastasia has put guards around her daughter's personal kitchen so that even Helena won't be able to access them. Or our security guards who do not cooperate with her own."
"So?" She snapped. "We'll just have to compete with that, won't we? Who says Penelope and Maribel aren't attractive?"
Cyrus sighed. "Being so far from the line of succession, I don't think you'd understand. If Penelope and Maribel- somehow, by some miracle- manage to pop out legitimate babies before our devastatingly breathtaking goddess of a queen manages to pop up hers, they'd still be directly in line for the succession. Why? Because even if Liam and Eleanor are somehow removed from the line of succession, Penelope and Maribel's brats are going to carry something other than the Henstridge name so they won't even have any titles."
"Are you enjoying this?" Veruca snarled. "Because it seems like you're enjoying the triumph of the ones who dethroned you!"
Cyrus smirked. "My dear, I enjoy aggravating you. Pointing out all the missing angles to your brilliant plan. There's a difference. Let them enjoy this moment, before it's snatched away from them."
Veruca was instantly curious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean to say," Cyrus sighed. "That the in-laws don't like us much. The smallest thing happens, they would barge in here, and take the queen back to Greece with her baby and never let her leave. Of course, that would set dear Robert off against them- he could never deal with anyone taking his beloved wife away from him- I'd like to see them all try."
Veruca's eyes went wide. "You're planning something, aren't you?"
Cyrus' eyes turned away from her. "I daren't say. You don't know how many stunning Greek eyes and ears are watching and listening to this right now." He almost smirked underneath those needles.
Liam looked at Aglaia. Silently, he knew Robert was coming back.
Once upon a time he would have fallen madly in love with her, but now he told himself she was Robert's and he wouldn't pull another one with her as he did with Kathryn. Robert deserved to be happy. So did she and neither of them were the type to go around having affairs. Least of all with family.
But Liam couldn't help but gaze and stare at her when Robert wasn't around. He noticed how she glowed. How she was even more beautiful than she normally was- and that was saying a lot. Her skin which always seemed so luminous, seemed to glow even more and her hair shone more lustrous than ever. She was still graceful and slender- carrying the weight of her baby in her beautiful curves while she was willowy and graceful still. He noticed there was a rosy flush in her face and she had that secret shine in her eyes that spoke of a wealth of love and tenderness for what she was carrying within her.
And Liam heard her laugh... And he wondered.
They had developed a firm friendship- just like the ones she developed with Eleanor, James Hill, Sarah Alice and so many others. People just adored her. And Liam felt- as ridiculous as this was- that he knew her better than the rest of them- that secret part of her, which only Robert was so fortunate enough to know completely- which Liam had glimpsed and cherished far more than the Crown Jewels. That smile which Liam couldn't help but stare at, and made his heart skip a beat and soar higher than the clouds. With her unbearably lovely eyes, combined with that warm, yet dazzling smile, Liam knew that it was impossible for anyone to resist her.
Even more so when they got to know her. Everyone just fell in love with her. And always Robert was the lucky one.
And now they were going to have a baby together. And Liam... What did Liam have?
The sad, bitter truth was, Liam would do anything to have what Robert had. Not the throne, but...
Everything else.
"What have I done to deserve this?" Helena moaned from her chaise lounge.
Spencer gave her a winning grin. "You're still the world's hottest granny to me." His voice sounded hungry.
Helena raised an eyebrow. "And what about the queen of Greece?" She questioned, her face souring as she remembered Anastasia- that upstart bitch. As if she was better than Helena.
Spencer scoffed derisively. "She doesn't even come close!"
Helena was pacified. Spencer grinned at her with a hungry look in his eye.
"Are you sure?" She said, standing up. It was time to reward this man and to prove what he said was right.
"Very, very certain, your majesty," Spencer said, still grinning like a fool.
"Well then," Helena replied. "Would you care to... Inspect a little closer?" She slipped off her dressing gown from her body and let it fall to the floor. She wasn't even wearing lingerie.
Spencer swallowed, looking like he had just been presented with the moon and stars.
Robert held her close as the scan went through. Then they heard it- a heartbeat.
Wait, no- two heartbeats. Aglaia frowned. "One of those heartbeats isn't mine, is it?" She asked sceptically.
The doctor shook his head. "It appears..." The screen showed everything. A black and white mass and outline of... Two babies. "Your majesties, you are expecting twins."
Robert breathed out. Well, that was to be expected. After all, Liam and Eleanor were twins, weren't they? This meant that... Well, if he could be a brother to both of them, naturally he could be a father. He already had Aglaia- and she would be the best mother in the world, just as she was the true love of his life and his soulmate. He had a longing to kiss her again, but the doctor was in the room.
Aglaia leaned back and relaxed into Robert's arms.
"I'm sure they'll be talking about this," Robert said dryly. "Twins... And so soon after the wedding."
Aglaia sighed. Her mother... She didn't even know what to do or think. But did it matter? She was going to adore her babies and any more children Robert would give her.
"What about Clarence House?" She asked him. "The nursery there..." She stopped when she saw her husband's look.
Robert shifted uncomfortably. "Aglaia," he began. "I've spoken to them about Clarence House. And apparently, they aren't happy at the idea of the monarch and his consort residing somewhere apart from Buckingham Palace and all the others."
"What?" Aglaia was stunned. "But... Why?"
Robert sighed. "While royal babies have been raised in households far from home in centuries past, but without their parents, apparently people feel... That it is the obligation of the monarch and his spouse to continue living in the very publicly-seen residence of Buckingham, Balmoral and Windsor Castles... And so forth."
Aglaia was aghast. "But... We won't be the only royal family to do this! The king and queen of Sweden live in Drottningholm palace and the Spanish king and queen the Zarzuela palace, apart from their royal residences..."
"But they're still official palaces," Robert stated. "Clarence House is too small for a monarch to do about his daily business- that's what they felt."
"That's rubbish!" Aglaia hissed. "My father went to the royal palace every day and came home to our private estate. What's wrong with Clarence House? It's definitely a lot closer!" Robert looked upset. "Aglaia, I don't make these rules," he defended himself.
"But you're the king." She responded sharply. "You could chose to make new ones. And can't you see this is for the benefit of our children?" She snapped.
Robert's eyes flashed. "Of course I do. Do you think I want them to grow up like spoiled brats?"
"Well, I don't know how you want them to grow up!" She retorted. "Maybe you'll train the heir and forget the spare? Do you think that for them to live in a highly publicised environment where everyone and anyone can see them at every single second of the day- is healthy for any child, whether or not they have royal blood running through their veins? To grow through puberty being widely scrutinised, criticised and having gossip spread about them so that they learn to shut out the world, while being forced to carry out their public duties prematurely- I thought you said that they'll be protected from that!"
"They would." Robert snapped.
"Would they?" She challenged. "It's quite clear that people are going to interfere where the children live. They'd probably interfere in everything else, give them no room to grow, whereas the spare heir would- again- find themselves living a rather pointless life-"
"That's enough!" Robert barked. Husband and wife had a stare-down towards each other.
Aglaia looked down. Robert immediately felt bad, but she did as well, for taking this out on him.
But Liam and Eleanor had told her about their youth and she feared that, if her children felt confined and useless due to Royal Protocol, they would go down the same path, only more destructive.
Aglaia shrugged and turned to go. "You're right," she said quietly. "You can't change all the rules overnight. But I'm afraid that if they're limited to the confines of royal protocol and can't move or be anywhere beyond that... It might lead them to their own destruction, if they feel useless but unable to escape. Especially the younger ones. But the heir as well, if he or she can't be the king or queen they feel they should be for their people's sake... Robbie," she said and the sound of her voice threatened to break him in two. "You promised to shield us from the media scrutiny. That we would be safe from that. I understand if we have to give up freedom for protocol and security, but if you won't and I can't... Who's going to protect us from that? If we can't teach them how to be good human beings, how can we teach them to be good monarchs and royals?" She asked quietly, shaking her head and leaving.
Robert closed his eyes. This was not how he had hoped on celebrating their big news. He screwed up- big-time. She was right. He knew she was. He had to make amends, he knew he did.
Aglaia was silent as she observed her growing bump.
Robert silently came into the room. She sighed.
"Hey," he said quietly. She looked at him.
Robert squeezed his eyes shut. He could do this. He opened his eyes again and moved towards her. His hand went on top of hers, resting over her growing bump.
"I thought you might want to see this," he said quietly.
Aglaia blinked. "What do you mean?"
In reply, Robert produced a piece of rolled-up A3 paper. Unfurling it, Aglaia saw an architect's plans. Simple ones for...
"A cottage." She and Robert said simultaneously together. Aglaia looked at him. "What for?"
"Maybe... So when the time comes they could get started on building... And with a garden plot directly in front and around it, it wouldn't be hard to start farming vegetables now, would it?" Robert asked quietly, a small smile making its way across his face.
Aglaia sat there, stunned. "You mean this?"
"Of course I mean it," he insisted, taking both her hands. "Aglaia... I really love you. And I truly love our children. You were right. If you can teach them, then I'm certain they would be the very best anyone can be proud of, Greek and British."
Aglaia smiled slowly. "The media won't intrude here," Robert insisted. "I promise you... We might not be able to leave palace grounds, or the grounds of our official residences, but this cottage- and small sheds- will be on the grounds. I promise."
They both kissed. And Robert held her close for the whole night.