Disclaimer: No- E! owns the Royals. Not me!
To Superdani4Ever: Yeah, her mother is creepy but she has Aglaia's best interests at heart- she's determined to do anything and everything she can to keep her daughter alive. She doesn't trust Cyrus, Helena, Liam or even Eleanor, and she's afraid they might get rid of Aglaia (via murder) before she could conceive a child- or arrange for 'an accident' in order to make her miscarry. Multiple babies would discourage them. Or they might be stupid enough to Ruphy her or slip her other drugs (and she really suspects Eleanor and Liam would do something like this). Overall, people back in Aglaia's native country are NOT happy with her choice of husband- not because of him, but because of his crazy family.
Aglaia is definitely a good influence on Eleanor (and Jasper) and Robert. She's a calming, positive influence. Now that Robbie's got someone of his own, he's not in such a mess anymore. She helps him deal with the emotional and mental turmoil he's going through instead of expecting him (like Helena would have) to keep it deep within him, bottling it up. She brings out the best in him and reminds them all why there is a monarchy in the first place- to serve their people. But she's not aware her husband's dark side has entirely gone… And Eleanor needed encouragement to go ahead and be proud of herself- and Jasper. And Robert does need someone! Cyrus and Veruca are a match made in heaven- except heaven isn't where malicious people are brought together! Maybe another story sometime about how they met, or flashbacks. I'm not sure. And I thought I'd make Sarah Alice a bridesmaid- it seems like a dream come true to her, surely!
And I don't think Cyrus, Helena, Liam or even Eleanor are aware about what other royal families think of them and it isn't good. They knew, firstly, about Liam and Eleanor's wild, irresponsible partying during and prior to Season 1, about Simon's murder- by his own head of security- Helena's extra-marital affairs which put the legitimacy of her twins into question, the fact that Cyrus took advantage of that to be king and the faulty DNA test which never took place- and people were bribed to make it seem so. They neither like nor trust the Henstridges, and to have their daughter marry into that family is a nightmare. If I were Aglaia's parents I would stay awake all night just trying to figure out how they're trying to kill her.
Also, it isn't uncommon for rulers- and consorts- to have regnal names or to change them. Aglaia isn't an English name, and unlike Aikaterina (Katherine) or Eirene (Irene), or Philippos (Philip) it doesn't have an Anglicised version. The old queen, Sofia of Spain, was Sophia of Greece and Denmark before she married King Juan Carlos and converted to Catholicism (she just changed the spelling!)
Hateful to me as the Gates of Hades is that Man who Hides One Thing in his Heart and Speaks Another
"I'm sorry, your majesties, but there's been a mistake," the doctor admitted, shame-faced.
The couple looked confused. "Mistake?" Robert raised an eyebrow. "In what way?"
"It appears we... ahem, miscounted." The doctor admitted. "It's not twins."
"It's not twins," Aglaia said warily. So they were going to have one baby after all? The doctor shook his head.
"No, it's triplets, ma'am."
Their jaws dropped and they froze. Yeah, real regal for the king and queen.
"Triplets?" They said simultaneously.
The doctor gestured. "See here." They leaned forwards and to their shock and incredulity, that's when they saw it. Their thunder-struck faces must have been comical.
"We're expecting triplets," Aglaia said slowly. Damn it, Mother.
Aglaia didn't know what to think. How could she- new into the job- be a queen, a wife and a mother to three at the same time? How in the world could she be the hands on mother the way she wanted to be? Beside her, Robert was thinking those same thoughts about himself.
But does it matter? They're my children and I'm going love them no matter what happens,
"I'm sure you will your majesties," the doctor stated, and Aglaia realised she said that aloud while her husband had said something similar. Crazy medicine.
Her crazy mother.
"Triplets," Robert said slowly. "We're expecting... Three children... At the same time."
Aglaia was no less stunned. Well, technically both she and Robert had come from broods of three each, but at the same time? That was the stuff of legend.
What were the chances of triplets being born into a royal family? They must have been the first in centuries, if not millennia. If not, ever.
And all thanks to Queen Anastasia's near-magical medicine and Chinese cook.
Well, and Robert's incredibly active libido and the fact that she just went along with it all. Why did she go with everyone?
But does it matter? A voice asked her. They're my children. And I'm going to adore and protect them from everything if I could.
She let out a stunned breath. "I don't think any royal couple's ever had triplets before."
And not so soon after the wedding, Robert thought. He was certain that jokes were about to pop up soon enough.
"Well... Um..." For once Aglaia was at a loss for words. "I suppose... We'll have to look at three nurseries... And three nannies. But I still would like for us to be very involved in our children's lives."
Robert looked at her. "That goes without saying," he stated. "Aglaia," he began, taking her face gently in his hands. "I'm not going to back out of this... I know. I'll be a king, but I'm also your husband and a father to three miraculous children and I'm not going to be anything other than thankful for that." He said gently but clearly.
Aglaia smiled. "I know you would." She said softly. She had nothing other than love for him. And the way he just held her close, his hand resting protectively against her swelling bump.
"It's not twins, it's triplets," Robert muttered to the breakfast table.
Everyone's jaws dropped. Even those serving.
"Triplets?" Eleanor asked, unable to believe her ears. Robert nodded in confirmation. "Triplets." He replied.
Aglaia let out a breath. "I don't think any of us were expecting that," she muttered.
"Yeah," Robert muttered. "Well, I'll have to be off soon." He kissed his wife, his dumbstruck mother and sister.
Aglaia sighed, and ate a piece of cheese. "I'm going to need... I'm going to need a lot of things," she admitted.
"Well, I'll be happy to help," Eleanor said, putting aside her own breakfast plate.
Aglaia smiled. "I'm really glad to have you by my side." She stated. "Oh, and my brothers are going to visit in two months' time."
Great, Helena thought. As if they needed to see more of those- admittedly MEGA-HOT princes around to hate them.
"So," Eleanor announced. "We need to get you... Three nannies. And prepare for three nurseries."
Aglaia sighed. "Three nannies, three nurseries... Goodness knows how many diapers, three bottles and changing tables, three bassinets and cribs, three tiny wardrobes... All at one go." She shook her head. "I was not expecting that."
"If I may suggest your majesties, your royal highnesses," that was Rachel speaking. "There's only one place to get a nanny- or three- for the royal babies. Norland College in Bath trains the best nannies- if I may say so- in the world. Not only high-profile celebrities, but royals and aristocrats do tend to go to them. In addition to cooking excellent and healthy meals for their young charges, changing diapers, and tending to babies, the nannies also learn self-defence and martial arts in case anyone appears to... Kidnap or otherwise harm the infants. And what's more, they can also skid-pan-"
Aglaia shook her head. "I'm sorry-"
"They learn to drive very, very fast- like a race-car driver without endangering the children- in order to avoid pursuing paparazzi, assassins and more." Rachel finished.
Aglaia and the twins looked stunned. "Whoa- really?" Len asked.
"They have nannies that can... Skid-pan and kick the arses of whoever's trying to take their babies?" Liam asked incredulously.
"Yes, sir, I believe they do." Rachel said proudly.
"Well, um." Aglaia took a deep breath. "I'd like to interview them first," she stated.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible," Helena stated. "Goodness knows, you're going to need some rest and you still have some work to do. I'll handle it." She declared.
Aglaia opened her mouth, but unable to say anything, she closed it again.
"The nurseries... Three rooms would need to be redecorated, I heard that Giorgio Armani and Dior makes excellent baby products-" Helena went on. "And of course, the three babies once they've been born would need their own individual securities, not to mention-"
Aglaia didn't hear the rest. She didn't mean it, did she?
It was a freaking nightmare. What was she saying? Helena did mean it.
It wasn't that Aglaia didn't want to encourage Helena to have a relationship with her grandchildren- she did- she would love it in fact- but Helena already had her chance to raise royal heirs and spares. And judging on how Liam and Eleanor turned out at first- as much as she had grown to love them- and based on Robert's- secret- frustrations...
Liam and Eleanor seemed to be thinking the same thing. After glancing at their sister-in-law's subtly horrified face and back at their mother who didn't notice a thing, Liam spoke up. "I think... Len should help Aglaia with the nurseries... And the nannies."
Aglaia shot her brother-in-law such a grateful look, he nearly reddened.
"Absolutely." Len nodded. "I agree."
Helena opened and closed her mouth. "But-" she spluttered. "She need to rest... And to be a queen."
"And she needs and wants to be a hands-on mother," Eleanor clarified. "And based on what we know of her, I know she'll make the very best." Aglaia nodded her thanks while Helena's dark blue eyes turned stormy in not just colour.
"I know dear, but I'll be here to help her out," Helena insisted.
"Yes, but I think the queen of the United Kingdom will have all the help she needs." Eleanor confirmed. "Especially in regards to the next heir... And the spares."
"They won't just be spares, Eleanor." Aglaia said quietly. "These are my children... Whether or not they're royal princes or princesses. They're going to go out into the world and make it their own. They're going to go on their own path. They're not going to be confined and closeted to a royal existence all their lives. There's a much larger world out there and they're going to help build it for their generation."
Helena could not find anything to say. She just opened her mouth and closed it again.
Liam and Eleanor were both wide-eyed.
"After all," Aglaia stated. "Nobody is ever just the spare. We're all so much more than that." She smiled very warmly at the twins. "After all," she said. "Haven't Liam and Eleanor proven that they are already? Haven't I? I never received training to become anyone's consort my whole life- nobody was expecting that."
Liam absorbed this all in silence while the new queen excused herself from the breakfast table.
There was a long silence afterwards.
"Robbie's really lucky to have her," Len said, finally breaking it.
"We all are," Liam said softly. "Safe to say, I think these babies are going to be the happiest in all of Britain- if not the world."
"I really wish Dad could have met her," Leni said quietly. "If only he knew that the future of the monarchy and the family's in such good hands... He might have died happy."
Helena was unable to say anything.
"TRIPLETS?!" Cyrus howled. "WHICH BLOODY ROYAL COUPLE EVER HAD FREAKING TRIPLETS?!"
He was flaming mad. Beyond compare.
Cyrus threw a bottle of the finest brandy into the fireplace. And what a pity too, it was such good brandy. That only made his mood worse. Damned Greek princess and her very fertile eggs. Damn Robert and his impetuously speedy sperm!
This shoved Liam back to being fourth in line, and Eleanor fifth. After that, this made Cyrus sixth- sixth in line for the throne! Whoever got on the throne when they were sixth in line?!
"Nobody," Cyrus snapped. "Nobody... But me." A slow, evil smile slowly made his way across his face.
"That's right." He said grimly. "Only me. Only I weaselled my way on the greatest throne in the world. Only I managed to boot off the royal offspring. And only I will get it back."
"Hmm, keep saying that darling, that's the spirit." Veruca said, bored. She examined her nails. "So?" She asked boldly.
Cyrus was silent for a while, before a truly evil smile spread again. He had an idea. "Veruca... My dear. I know we don't always see eye-to-eye-"
"I hated you," Veruca said bluntly. "I still hate you, though."
"And I'll always hate you," Cyrus gave what was supposed to be a winning smile. "And hate... Is such a passion, my dear." He went down on one knee before her.
"Hmm." Veruca examined her nails again.
Cyrus' head was whirling. After all, the royal wedding did boost morale and won people's hearts back. And there was nothing more the public loved than a good love story.
A love story which at times had no hope... Saw no completion. But all of a sudden... BAM! True love strikes. And conquers all.
That the public could believe in.
Cyrus' grin widened. "Veruca, my dear. Such a treasure like you should not be confined to the status of an ex-royal and a mother to two distant princesses. How would you like... To be a royal once more?" Veruca stared at him.
"And the wife of the king of England, and the mother to the next queen," Cyrus grinned. "That's what you're all about, isn't it? Being mother to the next monarch? Penelope, under your wise and benevolent gaze? And we all know, there's nothing that wins the hearts of the people more than a good love story. Us getting back together would mean..."
"Hope," Veruca said, swinging her slender legs off the couch. "A royal love story with a happy ending after all. So much better than a bitter, scandalous divorce my love." She gasped with joy. "You're a genius, Cyrus- like I always knew. Love revitalises the people... And gives a happy ending. People would adore us... They'd cheer for me... Like they did to that Grecian goddess."
"That's right." Cyrus grinned. "And it would make Penelope and Maribel centre-stage along with us again... As a family."
Veruca smirked. "I had my doubts about you Cyrus, but it appears I was wrong- just this once. Very well, then. A royal wedding it is."
In Athens, the King's Estate…
"We've been invited," the queen stated, her elegantly-long fingered, delicate hand pressing a fancy invitation onto the table.
"By whom?" Crown Prince Alexios enquired.
"The Henstridges." Was her only reply.
"By Aglaia or..." Prince Dimitri trailed off.
"No, by the uncle. Doubtless Aglaia will be there of course. The former king is getting married."
"Cyrus is getting married?" Dimitri was incredulous. "Who in their right mind would even consider marrying-"
"His ex-wife apparently," his mother muttered.
Dimitri sank back in his chair.
"If this was anyone other than Cyrus..." He began. He didn't need to finish his sentence.
Alexios and King Konstantinos exchanged grim looks.
"He's doing this... To gain popularity," Dimitri's eyes were wide as he absorbed all this in silence. His fingers drummed the side of his chair. "Now that our sister's pregnant... Accidents can still happen and Cyrus... Wants popularity. His ex-wife wants to be queen and mother to the next monarch. Oh, he thinks he's so smart." Dimitri gave a small laugh. "And they've already got two ready-made heirs... Aglaia's children are still unborn."
"But Cyrus' daughters are moronic idiots and numbskulls to say the least," Alexios muttered.
"But Aglaia's are currently unborn," their father stated, drinking his morning coffee. "Now it's only a matter of time... Before they manage to discredit Robert, his and Aglaia's marriage, or even the triplets. Putting their paternity in doubt, perhaps? Or framing them for something?"
"Or murder," Alexios said darkly. "Accidents do happen." He finished.
They were all silent as they contemplated this turn of events.
Alexios stood. "We're still going to England, but I think-" he looked at his parents. "You should still stay here."
The king's eyes were dark. "If anything happens," Alexios warned his father. "Be ready to answer our call."
The king nodded, his dark eyes grim.
Wedding invitations were handed out. While some were smart enough to see behind Cyrus' motives, clearly the excitement for a royal wedding was too much to resist.
This would not be a state wedding, unlike Cyrus' previous wedding to Veruca.
Of course Penelope and Maribel were no less dopey.
The wedding would take place in Windsor Castle- to give the guise of it being 'private and romantic', like they were secretly renewing their vows and doing it in the most romantic way possible- in secret, it seemed, with a smaller venue. But it was going to be very publicised, so Robert had no illusions.
"He hasn't given up," he stated. "He's still fighting to regain the throne."
"Like the Wars of the Roses," Aglaia said incredulously. She had had to learn English history. It wasn't hard. "Also known as the Cousins' War."
Robert laughed mockingly, bitterly. He downed his glass of Scotch. Going over to where Aglaia was currently lying, he placed a gentle hand on her belly.
Due to it being a multiple birth, the chances were that the delivery would be premature.
"I wonder what the bride will be wearing- a long white dress or..." Aglaia mused, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
Robert scoffed. "I think she's outgrown that. Besides they already did that, years ago."
"And how are your cousins taking it?" Aglaia asked. Based on what she saw of Penelope and Maribel they would probably still be confused.
Robert smirked. "Probably." He rubbed her belly gently and kissed it three times. "Three," he said warmly. "Somehow... No matter what happens, I don't think Cyrus could ever feel this way- or any king." He kissed his wife passionately.
"I've always been so protective of the ones I love," Robert grinned. "But now..." He sighed. "Well, if my uncle ever felt this way, I can't imagine. He never did call my cousins the two half-wits or the idiots of his loins. I can't imagine being so at odds with my children." Then his face darkened. "Although unfortunately, I can't see the future. I don't know if they'll hate me or not when they're grown." He remembered Liam soon after he returned.
Aglaia sighed. "Well, children aren't mere extensions of us. They're their own people. And we have to love and appreciate them for that no matter what. Yes, they'll make mistakes, but the most important thing is for anyone- grown or small- to learn from them. Mistakes aren't crimes- well, not usually. And the most important thing is to let them grow, allow them to be who they are, and above all else, encourage them and listen."
"You've looked after children before, haven't you?" Robert asked, his eyes curious.
"I've lived outside of Greece long enough," Aglaia remarked. "I've helped with children from all ages and all walks of life. And let me tell you this: no matter their title or money- or lack of it- children don't need a commander or a dictator- they need parents."
Veruca would wear a rich ivory-cream, knee-length dress with a fitted bodice and an off-white cloth belt. The belt had a flower made of silk in elegant patterns, some petals spiky and long, others soft and flattened. Near the hem of the skirt the dress was a scalloped leaf and circle pattern and it was hemmed with silk ribbon. The Duchess of Essex beamed.
She loved the cinched-in soft coat that had an ornate silk flower tucked into the side of the waist- and the appliqued disks subtly woven in with tiny flowers above them on the bottom half. She beamed as she preened in front of the mirror. No matter how long it took, and who it was, she would always love her wedding day!
"I still don't get it," Penelope said stupidly. Maribel checked the pickings from her ear. "Don't you and Dad, like, hate each other?"
"Nonsense, dear, whatever gave you that idea?" Veruca said as she adjusted her hat. It was a wide-brimmed hat with a halo effect of tulle around its brim- a halo for an angel. She sighed. The eggshell hat was adorned with French lace of the same ivory colour as the dress and had a feather and a similar flower to the bodice. She practically drooled, dreaming of her big day. She already had one with the long gown and the veil and tiara. Time to get something new and creative which people will be talking for months about! They've talked long enough about Robert's wedding to that Greek goddess/princess. Time to give them something new to drool over!
"Didn't you say that you would rather kiss Mick Jagger crossbred with a pit-bull and Ozzy Osbourne rather than Dad again?" Penelope said as Maribel picked her fingernails.
"Well, things change," Veruca said cheerily. "Now off you go dears- it would not do for the bridesmaids to look anything other than their best- I've already had the outfits planned out for you- we'll be a family again!"
The sisters looked stupidly at each other before being pulled off.
She checked her reflection again. A posy or… She pouted- then beamed.
Of course she would have to go through extensive spa treatments and facials to compete with that... Greek goddess. She scowled, her face souring. No wonder Helena didn't have a smile anymore. It was hard to have a sweet face when compared to that ocean-eyed girl.
Helena gave a terrible scowl.
"Can you believe it?!" She nearly broke down.
"My own children!" She moaned, her voice muffled by the cushion. My own children have turned against me!"
She moaned into the pillow, before reemerging. "Oh, it's because I was such a terrible mother- and they want to get back at me. In their hearts, they'll never truly forgive me." She sniffed.
Spencer sighed. "Your majesty if I may suggest... They just needed her."
"Needed her?" Helena asked incredulously. "They've never needed anyone before." That wasn't entirely true. "Besides, we've always gotten along fine without her."
Yes, but how fine? A voice inside her head asked. Your husband died unhappy, your lover left you because he felt jilted and betrayed, your brother-in-law whom you schemed with took the throne himself, your second son and only daughter despised the very sight of you and think you're a cold, heartless bitch and an ice queen, people kept dying and your mother and brother-in-law were responsible for that... And you just looked the other way. Scandals, heartbreak, death... What if she really is more than good for your family, your monarchy and your country?
Spencer had a compassionate, though thankfully, not pitying look. "She's made your son very, very happy. I've rarely seen anyone so in love."
Helena was silent.
Spencer closed her eyes. "So that's it then?" He asked, despairingly. "You can be happy too."
"How?" Helena asked, bitterly. "Isn't it a bit too late for that?"
Spencer gave her a long look. "It's never too late for anything."
"Wait... So you knew?" Aglaia asked incredulously. "You knew I would be having triplets?"
She was on skype with her mother.
"Well, actually dear," her mother began. "It was highly likely- as I said- that you would be having a multiple pregnancy. Twins were the least of it." Aglaia's jaw dropped.
"Well, actually I didn't know just how many you would be having, considering that it stimulates ovulation and such. You could have had triplets or quadruplets or even septuplets if that's what you're asking." Aglaia gaped.
"So I could have had SEPTUPLETS? As in SEVEN children at the same time?!" Aglaia was thunderstruck. She covered her face with her hands. Huh, with her luck she could have been the next 'octomom'! "What were you thinking?" She moaned.
Her mother blinked. "I would have thought you'd be happy," she remarked. "You always loved children."
"But... How in the world am I supposed to be a queen, a wife and a mother to three children of the same age, at the same time?!" Aglaia snapped.
Anastasia sighed. "That will be a problem, but you've always managed to mother multiple children... Remember those orphanages? And that was in the middle of nowhere, in the Middle East! A warzone in fact! This time you will be in a palace, Aglaia. And you will have help!"
Help coming from Greece. Anastasia sure as hell didn't trust any of the Henstridges apart from Robert (and even then he could be mistaken about his own family's motives) with her most irreplaceable, priceless, precious and darling daughter. And she sure as hell wouldn't trust them with her own grandchildren! The very idea! Helena- if she didn't try to get rid of them, or neglect them in any way, would allow them to turn out like Liam and Eleanor did!
And Anastasia would rather arrange for her assassination than suffer that! The good thing about her daughter's marriage was that at least people could see how right they had brought their daughter up, in comparison to the mess Helena had created in her twins. They were immensely proud of her. But Anastasia and Konstantinos and their sons and citizens would never stop fearing for her life.
"Chandeliers up!" An overseer announced.
Liam watched it all. He drank beer.
"Hey," Aglaia was months into her pregnancy now. And she looked more beautiful than ever. "Hey," Liam responded.
Aglaia sighed. "So… I didn't peg Cyrus as the remarrying type," she admitted.
Liam snorted. "That's 'cause he isn't." He stated, taking another swig. "I didn't think his ex-wife wanted to get back with him either."
That's because Robert thinks there's another motive the two of them have apart from love, Aglaia thought. But she wasn't about to say those thoughts aloud for fear of that anyone else would hear her. Least of all anyone in connection to her family. If they so much as got confirmation that her new family were still fighting amongst themselves...
"So when are the babies due?" Liam interrupted her thoughts.
"Well, for multiple pregnancies, it's highly likely that they would be premature." Aglaia admitted. She looked at her swollen bump.
"Are you nervous?" Liam asked gently. Aglaia looked up and nodded. "Yes," she admitted.
"Don't be," Liam said. "You were born to be a great at everything you did- and motherhood is no exception." He stated.
Aglaia looked at him in surprise, truly touched by this. "Thank you, Liam." She gave him a slow, heartbreaking smile. It never failed to take his breath away. It was more beautiful, infinitely, than anything he had ever seen. "Will you be godfather?" She asked all of a sudden.
Liam looked astounded. "Me?!"
Aglaia nodded.
Liam was stunned. "Why?"
"Because," Aglaia said softly. "No matter what you did in your youth, with you around, I don't think any of my children will be unfortunate enough to go astray. They're immensely lucky to have you as their uncle, just as Robert's unbelievably lucky to have you as his brother. And I'm certain he'll be eager for you to be one of the godfathers, Liam- the one closest to home, the one they'll always turn to when Dad was too hard on them, or maybe when they want to ask for advice on girls and they only need advice from the best." She grinned.
Liam laughed. His eyes shone. "Thank you," he said quietly. "You have no idea how much that means to me."
"You're the most important prince right now, and you'll always be the most important prince in their lives, in Britain," Aglaia said softly. "Never underestimate yourself Liam. King or not, you're meant for big things. You're meant to shine. You have and you will." She kissed him on the cheek. Liam froze and felt a sharp warmth flood through him where she had kissed him. It rushed through his veins and blood like a fever, scorching everything towards him. Heat flooded through his entire body and his skin felt warm. His heart stopped then started accelerating harder than ever.
Is this what Robert feels, Liam wondered. When he's next to her?
Aglaia gave him a small smile and then went on her way.
"Alexios," Aglaia breathed, throwing her arms out to her eldest brother- longing to run and embrace them (alas, she was now a queen- and pregnant!). "Dimitri!"
The brothers both smiled extremely warmly and gazed in amazement at her growing bump.
"Little sister," Alexios breathed. "Wow, the time really flies. I can remember when we were still expecting you!"
Aglaia laughed softly. "How long are you staying?"
"Long enough," Alexios answered hastily. "Where's the king?"
"He's in his office, he'll be with us soon," Aglaia assured him. "So," she guided her brothers and they each took an arm. "Tell me- how are things in Greece?"
"What do you mean?" Dimitri asked curiously. "How's the country? How're the people?" Aglaia could barely breathe in her eagerness. "How's the state of the country- how's everyone? How are Mother and Father really doing?"
Alexios and Dimitri exchanged warm smiles. Their little sister was just as eager and loving of her native country and her people. That was one of the many things people loved so much about her. She had never grown distant from their parents or them. Never had a teenage rebellion.
"Mother and Father are well," Dimitri assured her gently. "And they're over the moon over the impending arrivals."
Aglaia shone so much, her brothers hearts warmed. Months they had been secretly terrified for their sister and now to see her so well, so happy and expecting her children... It was worth far more than all the Crown Jewels in the world.
Alexios' face had a genuinely wide smile- a rare sight. Dimitri's smile was not masking anything- for once. And this guy always had a hidden agenda. "So... Why don't you show us your nursery plans- if you have some. And are you going to have nannies?"
"So you're... Majorie..." Eleanor tested that name very carefully.
"Or Marge, Ma'am," the nanny-in-waiting replied.
Eleanor nodded. "And you're... Stacy." The blonde nanny-in-waiting, sitting in the middle nodded. "And Pamela." She looked at the nanny on the right. "Pam." She clarified.
"Right- that." Eleanor stated. Jasper watched warily from behind. "So you've all been trained at Norland College in Bath... Where nannies go."
"That's right, ma'am. Dating back to the Victorian era," Nanny Pam answered proudly. Jasper watched them warily. Something about those sugary sweet features, brown dresses and bowler hats with gloves and buns... Really freaked him out.
There was nobody like this. Nobody. No human being alive could act the way these nannies did. He shoved back his uneasiness.
"And you learnt..." Eleanor trailed off.
"Well, we learnt to sew, cook and bake," Nanny Stacy replied. "We can make cushions and baby clothes!" Nanny Pam said excitedly. "To polish shoes, to make baby formula and soft foods like puree when teething comes, baby hygiene-" Nanny Stacy continued as if she didn't hear her.
"From the general to the specific," Nanny Marge cut in.
"And ironing baby clothes, setting up a pram," Nanny Stacy ticked those off on her immaculately gloved fingers. "Wash up until not a single stain is left-"
"Play with the babies and help them in early reading and bedtime if necessary," Nanny Pam out in.
"Diapers and keeping babies looking immaculate," Nanny Stacy went on. Eleanor nodded, trying to absorb all this. "Not to mention martial arts like kick-boxing and skid-pan."
"Nannies do kick-boxing?" Jasper asked in disbelief. Next to him James Hill raised his eyebrows. Huh, who knew?
"Norland nannies do," Stacy nodded. "We usually cater to high-profile clients and their babies, so when kidnappers and assassins come... Of course, there'll be security, but we can- as a last and quite unexpected resort- back them off. And we know how to avoid paparazzi and more assassins and kidnappers because we learn high-speed driving- or skid-pan."
They stared at them.
"I'm a black-belt at Taekwondo," Nanny Marge offered. "I'm one at Judo." Nanny Pam put in. "And I can do mean-as black-belt Karate." Stacy smiled sweetly.
Jasper and James stared at them a little freaked out.
"Would you like to see what we can do?" Nanny Stacy said with a honeyed smile.
Jasper and James sat a little taken aback while Eleanor nodded. "Yup, that sounds great." She said.
Nanny Stacy presented them with a bread and butter pudding cooked at record time and it tasted like the best Eleanor had never had before (always the fancy stuff, being a princess) and bottled formula and puree. Nanny Pam proudly presented the baby cushions and blankets she had embroidered herself, while Nanny Marge quickly set up a pram, changed and cleaned a wax-doll baby and the three of them rotated jobs.
Next they went to the security guards' own spaces and in the gym they demonstrated How to Beat Jasper and James Up One-O-One.
James nearly got the wind knocked out of them by the kickboxing nannies with boxing gloves and headgear. Nanny Stacey yelled, "Hi-yah!" And tackled Jasper to the ground, her knee on the side of his face, while he grunted and groaned, eyes bugging trying to get free. Nanny Pam nearly pounded the living daylights out of him. And Nanny Marge demonstrated how to defeat an enemy underwater (poor Jasper again) and give a baby CPR.
To top it off, they demonstrated their high-speed driving skills like they were auditioning for Formula One, with Jasper in the front seat, holding on tight and James and Eleanor at the back, the former wide-eyed.
At the end they concluded by singing Mary Poppins and Nursery rhymes designed to please and delight the babies.
Needless to say the two men were very glad to get rid of the three of them. But Eleanor was impressed and immediately hired them.
Cyrus' wedding went out in full swing.
The bride deciding on a posy walked down the aisle, beaming. Her two daughters with their idiotic faces were dressed in virginal white. Their mother had managed to stuff them into identical dresses that made them look sweet, innocent and appealing. That was no small feat on its own.
The two of them joined together, with the queen's brothers cynically not believing a single vow any of them took- anymore than Robert did.
"And I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The archbishop announced. Cyrus beamed and so did Veruca. They went out in a flurry to join the party after signing the register.
Aglaia, heavily pregnant, took Robert's hand, her brothers, security guards and Len surrounding her protectively with Liam not far off. Robert's hand was supporting her back. Liam saw it and looked down quickly.
The party went out in full swing, and the glasses glittered in a pyramid in preparation for the pink and golden champagne. The wedding cake was a lemon cake with spun-sugar icing and strawberries. It wasn't as large as the one Robert and Aglaia had, and no crown on top, but the wedding toppers that Aglaia secretly despised.
Cyrus and Veruca gave cheesy grins as they cut the cake and poured champagne. The flowers- magnolia, peonies, orange blossoms, white roses, orchids and lilies were there and the scent was strong. Aglaia tried to stick closest to the night air. Was Cyrus and Veruca trying to make her sick, even miscarry? She didn't know. She did not dare touch the food.
Already she felt ill. She hated morning sickness. Especially as it wasn't just in the mornings. Cravings she barely tolerated, but morning sickness? She needed water, but she didn't dare take anything right now.
Suddenly, a sharp pain burst at her belly. She stood and dashed off as discreetly as she could.
In a side room, she clutched her belly, preparing herself for the worst. But instead of the heaving or something far, far worse, she felt... She felt...
She gasped.
Jasper saw and immediately dashed off to warn the king.
Quickly, Robert was at her side. "Darling," he said urgently. "What is it? How much pain are you in? Where is it?" He was holding his breath.
To his surprise, Aglaia smiled. "It's fine." She said. She pressed his hand to her belly. Robert paused in confusion, and then eyes wide, he looked back at Aglaia.
Aglaia's face was glowing. "They're moving," she breathed. "All three of them."
Robert looked astounded- like the rug had been pulled from under his feet. "We have... They're..." He looked thunderstruck. "They're our children," he breathed. "They're... They're alive. We're... We're actually going to have…" He laughed in disbelief.
Aglaia smiled. Robert's eyes misted and he leaned to kiss her.
Nearby Helena watched... And she drank champagne.
"I know Robert certainly thinks there are enemies from within." Aglaia stated. "But I still don't believe in going overboard with this thing."
"You don't need me to tell your enemies," Alexios said. "Your husband's uncle, his remarried wife now, and his younger brother. Possibly the mother."
Aglaia sighed, exasperated. "Aglaia," Dimitri leaned forwards, serious. "This family is not like ours," he reminded her sternly. "But Liam?" She demanded. "He's Robert's brother."
"You didn't see him just before his brother's first balcony appearance since he disappeared," Dimitri insisted. "He's right," Alexios said grimly. "Liam lost it just before they appeared in the throne room. Cyrus applauded and mocked them. Helena looked murderous and Robert barely restrained her. I had the feeling they barely kept it together. But on the first day his brother was due to make a public appearance..."
"And on the balcony itself, the footage showed, Liam didn't look too happy when Robert hugged him," Dimitri put in. He leaned forwards. "Aglaia," he stated. "This family... Fights amongst each other for a throne."
And their family had mostly been wiped out during the civil war because of their royal blood.
Aglaia sighed and closed her eyes. She couldn't deny that fact.
Alexios sighed and stood. "You should go to sleep." He reminded her. "You're pregnant. The four of you need your rest." He and Dimitri kissed her goodnight before they left.
They didn't want to stay in the royal palace. So when Dimitri and Alexios got into their car...
The people inside Windsor Castle awoke when the explosion resounded.
Robert was the first to fly awake, his hands around Aglaia, tightly, protectively. Helena bolted wide-eyed, with Spencer blinking disorientated beside her.
"Mopsy!" Maribel woke up, clutching her blanket, with Penelope whose lip trembled from beside her.
"What was that?!" Eleanor gasped, Jasper right next to her, eyes alert.