To Superdani4Ever: Yes, they're absolutely sweet! And they'll have a happier, healthy childhood than their father, uncle and aunt. Alexios is going to be happy with her- she's in the next chapter along with the Christening. I think Robbie- although he might be wary of Liam who's a wild card, will always love his brother no matter what. Same with his uncle. I did try to put a romance in, but it was also drama and humour so I put that in. Besides, if it was romance without anything else, I'm afraid I wouldn't enjoy it as much. As for the two grannies, they'll find some common ground, I'm sure. Aglaia is everybody's favourite, and there's another flashback! Willow will be in the next chapter and Aglaia's brothers will spice things up at the Christening.
But who's Zeus and who's Ares out of the two brothers-in-law?
P.S: I don't own Royals.
How Prone to Doubt, How Cautious are the Wise!
So perhaps the Christening gowns could be easily sorted, Aglaia thought. The playroom too. The problem was that the playroom or day nursery could not be painted. The babies' health was still fragile. So like Selena's nursery, which had such exquisite wallpaper she could not resist buying them (though they had Shirley Barber fairy paintings framed in gold gilt), they would have to cover the babies' playroom in wallpaper, though they had been looking forwards to painting it themselves, but it meant that the babies could not get anywhere near the painted room until it was safe.
"The Christening gowns…" Aglaia mused. "I think I'd like to do them ourselves."
Len beamed and nodded. "Right. And we have the nannies to help us with that." She stated. "Nanny Marge has been given over to Will. Nanny Pam to Andrew and Nanny Stacy to Selena though they can rotate."
"Excellent," Aglaia smiled. Anastasia narrowed her eyes. "Have you met these nannies?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, and I've looked over their credentials and their training," Aglaia said. "They graduated from Norland College in Bath, which provide nannies not only to royalty ever since the Victorian Era but to celebrities. Pop stars, footballers, movie stars and billionaires. They not only know how to tend to babies, the way I'd like them to be looked after, they can cook things that children would love to eat- nursery food." Her mother grimaced. She preferred food in Greece or in her native Denmark. "And how to change nappies- or diapers- made of cloth and safety pins, set up an old perambulator at record time, intensively care for new-born babies, including things like very specific hygiene, holding and cradling them, and helping them learn through play which is what I want. They also know how to defend the babies, as a last resort, from kidnappers and the like. They can drive at high speeds to avoid paparazzi and potential threats. I think I like them." She smiled up at her mother. "Besides, Eleanor herself was impressed and even the security guards couldn't deny that they were more than highly qualified for the babies care and protection."
Anastasia had a sour look on her face as if she doubted and wanted to challenge fervently anything Eleanor and the Henstridges' Security agreed with in regards to the babies' care and safety.
Anastasia sighed. "Very well. Are you still craving quail and caviar?"
Aglaia shook her head, laughing. "Why do my babies have to have such expensive tastes? It's like they know that they're royalty."
"Oh, dear, there's nothing wrong with that." Helena smiled. "Besides, caviar is high-class food. Same as quail and all those other rare delicacies you craved. Fit for a future king, prince and princess."
"And the Kobe beef," Aglaia muttered. The most expensive beef in the world. Beluga caviar and quail- their eggs and meat? Good grief, the babies were spoiled before they were even born. But then again, her mother said that she had craved asparagus with salted eggs when expecting Dimitri and Dimitri hated those.
Speaking of Kobe beef… Aglaia's head snapped up. "I've invited Princess Mizuki of Akishino, the Emperor of Japan's granddaughter to the Christening. I wanted her to be a godmother, but she's Shinto and the rules are clear: the godparents have to be Christians." Aglaia sighed. She had sent over that beef.
"So I'm asking her to be unofficial godmother- meaning she'll still take as much an interest in their upbringing even though she can't stand at the font with us and anoint them with the Chrism oil."
Anastasia relaxed slightly. A small smile touched her lips, unnoticed by her daughter, but definitely seen by Helena. Helena's suspicions rose: what was this evil queen planning?
"What's she like?" Helena enquired, delicately.
"Well… She's… Unique." Aglaia smiled. "In a good way. Perhaps you should wait to meet her." She looked over the designs and put pencil to paper, beginning to sketch.
"Now, Eleanor, I don't know… Would you perhaps care for this," she began and the two of them looked over Aglaia's outline.
Liam looked down at the baby: Andrew. He was howling his lungs out, face red with fury. "Come on," he said, almost panicking. His tiny nephew scowled (scowled- who knew babies, could do that?) at him. And roared in fury, shaking his tiny fists about.
"What should I do?" Liam nearly panicked. Jasper looked wide-eyed. "You're asking me?" He demanded incredulously.
"Well, I don't know," Liam said. "Will and Selena aren't like this." Andrew might have been a new-born but it was clear he had a temper. With their luck, he probably inherited some violent tendencies from who-know-where? Some crazy ancestor perhaps. Will in contrast, appeared level-headed and observant (a good thing too) and Selena was all sweetness and gold. She adored nothing more than seeing her father, her mother, aunt, uncle, grandparents and just about anybody new or otherwise. She loved nothing more than being cuddled and held close, her eyes always sparkling.
Like her mother, Liam thought. Her eyes were so much like her mother.
Aglaia only looked more beautiful. She was glowing, radiant and smiling. Not dishevelled or exhausted-looking despite the birth.
Aglaia who would now belong to Robert, completely. Undisputedly.
Liam was shaken out of his thoughts when three women in brown fifties-style dresses with buttons, bows and perfectly clean white gloves appeared inside the nursery.
"Who're you?" He blurted.
"Nanny Pam, assigned to Prince Andrew," she answered with a honey smile.
Liam barely blinked before he saw two more identically-dressed women smiling with sugary smiles, appearing. "I'm Nanny Marge, your royal highness," one of them said. "Assigned to Prince William." "And I'm Nanny Stacy, assigned to Princess Selena."
Jasper cringed inwardly and fought to hold his ground. He'd been in gunfights. He'd been in jail. He'd never experienced anything like these.
The three women all smiled, sugary-sweet with bared teeth at Liam in what was clearly meant to placate him. Liam clutched the baby tighter to his chest.
"Well," he said, trying to regain some of his nerve. "Well… Prince Andrew is in a bit of a…" he gestured helplessly at the screaming baby."
Nanny Pam gently lifted him. "Oooh," she said. "Someone needs a change."
"Right," Liam mumbled. "I'll get to it then," he and Jasper hurriedly left the room.
"Where'd these women come from anyway?" He asked Jasper urgently.
"From some Nanny college down in Bath," Jasper muttered in an undertone.
Liam stared. "There's a nanny college?"
"Yeah." Jasper agreed. "They even teach them how to beat attackers up and drive like NASCAR racers. And to sew, cook, bake, do laundry and look after kids for celebrities: pop stars, billionaires, movie stars, sports stars and royals. I can't deny they're… Really, really good- excellent in fact. But… All the same, I'm not looking forwards to spending that much time with them." He shuddered and turned green.
Liam couldn't blame him. One meeting with those three and they already creeped him out.
"However," Jasper took a deep breath. "The queen has assigned me to be with Len, and Len's going to spend a lot of time with the babies, she's decided. And while I'd love nothing more, this means…" He cringed.
"Good luck," Liam whispered.
"They sing Mary Poppins," Jasper whispered. "Extensively. They even have umbrellas."
"So the linen and silk." Aglaia sighed. "Maybe it would be more practical to have cotton, but this is a fancy occasion. So, I think…" She peered at the designer sketches. "I'm going to do this myself."
"I can help." Anastasia put in. "I can help too," Helena put up her finger. Anastasia regarded her with distaste.
"I didn't think you knew how to sew," The queen of Greece said in a deadly calm voice.
"I can… Select fabrics, sort out colours and laces," Helena blustered. "I can do a lot of things. I'm the qu- the queen mother." She said indignantly.
Anastasia's lip curled. To prevent a stand-off between the two of them, Aglaia showed the sketches.
"This is for William." It was a regal gown adorned with some of the lace and cloth-of-silver from Robert's old Christening gown, but obviously on a new design which Aglaia herself had sketched. "And this is for Andrew." She held up a long linen thing with motifs and a royal crest, same as William, though less adorned. The motifs she had designed specifically as symbols of good fortune to adorn the babies' gowns lined Andrew's and bordered his in silver, whereas in Will's it was more subtle. There was some lace, but it was an 'Elegant Minimalism' style, with its austerity projecting some sort of promise of future power, whereas William's was more outwardly regal and powerful.
In contrast the design for Selena's gown was undisputedly more feminine and graceful. It had a lot more antique lace in flower-buds and blooms, though the style was modern- it wasn't long-sleeved, and the lace was arranged in stylish patterns.
Helena marvelled at them. "They look fabulous!" She declared in glee. "Now…" Aglaia began. "I think we have to begin soon, but we're presenting them first, and I have to check on the babies now, so if you would excuse me," she stood up and left. Len left with her.
The room was silent as Anastasia and Helena sat side by side, but with a sizeable gap in the sofa between them.
"She has good taste," Helena said stiffly.
Anastasia smiled sardonically. "She always has. She planned at one point, to be a fashion designer. She also designed and made a number of her own gowns, dresses, coats and suits."
Helena stared at her. "It's hard to believe. Considering that there were so many designers giving her their stuff for free."
"Perhaps because they like her," Anastasia said dryly. "Everyone likes her," Helena muttered.
"Huh." The Greek queen's lips twitched. "She was always everybody's favourite. Including all our relatives. No doubt Princess Mizuki of Japan will not be the only foreign royal in attendance." Anastasia trailed off. Clearly she was implying it had been some time since Helena saw other royalty.
"And can I also be certain," Helena began. "That we may rely on your support and the support of all these politicians and royal houses… To back my son?"
"Your son, his wife and their children." Anastasia- who was a Danish princess by birth- said coolly. "My brother, his wife and children love Aglaia. It comes as no surprise. Denmark has a considerable amount of say in European politics and social life. Even for a constitutional monarch. The Danes are also fervent supporters of their monarchy and Aglaia is a princess there as well."
Aglaia who was titled, Princess of Greece and Denmark since birth, now was queen of England.
"It's in everyone's interests to forge a strong, new relationship with the new king and queen and their heirs." Anastasia stated simply.
"However, external support will not save them from internal struggle- scandal and drama." Anastasia turned her icy green eyes- so different from her own daughter's in terms of temperature- towards Helena. "Scandal that touches the crown, always rocks the monarchy and thus the very foundations of the kingdom. A number of great monarchies have already fallen: Russia's Tsar and his wife and children were shot because they failed to realise that times changed and what their people were going through. They were shut up inside a regal bubble and they had absolutely no idea. The French king Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette had their heads cut off by guillotine, after being shut up in Versailles, spending lavish amounts of money, with absolutely no idea how their people were functioning and how to relate to them. Charles I of this country was sent to the scaffold as well. Once long ago, everything revolves around the monarchy. The sun rose and set with the monarch in the eyes of the people. But now, things have changed. People have seen America. And despite having an orange beast for president, they didn't do too badly. I know your husband wanted to abolish the monarchy." Anastasia said coldly.
Helena sat very still. "And I know why. He was a great king your husband- he thought about his own people's needs and future more than his own desires. It can't have been an easy thing for him to do- deciding to break a time-honoured tradition in order to safeguard his people against excess, corruption, scandal and more. But he decided to do it. Because he believed in duty- that we who are monarchs, consort and their offspring, have a set role to play. A role which demands that we look to our people more than we do ourselves. And those that cannot, like your own weasel of a brother-in-law, Cyrus- must be removed."
Helena froze. "Robert won't evict his own uncle, will he?" Anastasia said softly. "But Cyrus is a threat. You and I may not like each other, but you can't deny this man who's murdered one person at the very least to protect himself and his interests, is no threat to your son, my daughter and their children. We now share grandchildren, don't we? And Cyrus is still living in the palace."
Helena breathed out. "What are you saying exactly?"
"That I want him removed." Anastasia said with a voice like steel.
"Aglaia thinks you all should keep a close eye on him, but he's powerless without any title. And he's nowhere near as popular as your late husband and son. But he's still scheming, waiting to disgrace and dishonour you if not kill you. As a matter of fact, he already has. In the Middle Ages, you would have been deemed a wh*** and beheaded at the very least, for sleeping with another man besides your husband, and giving rise to the suspicion that your two younger children were not Simon's. Now you've been humiliated and barely saved the monarchy. You can't let that happen again," her voice grew more and more like steel. "For the children's sakes."
"The children are certainly Robert's," Helena said. "And Aglaia's- they're legitimate."
"And while no one disputes that, what if Robert had been there when Cyrus put forwards those accusations about you and those lovers?" Anastasia said in a very low tone. "That would have been it. It would have spelled the end of the monarchy and no one would have trusted a single word you say." She sipped her tea.
"So… You want me to get rid of Cyrus?" Helena found herself saying.
"Not kill him," Anastasia confirmed. "But get rid of him? Yes. Render him powerless and useless. After all, with no titles, openly disgraced…"
"I can never do that," Robert said steadily.
"As much as we… Do not necessarily get along, she has a point." Helena stated.
Aglaia looked, astonished at her own mother. "Really?" She asked incredulously.
"You do know Cyrus was my father's brother," Robert said, standing up from behind his desk. "And that we are a family, as difficult as it is to imagine. But that is what the people would want, and that is what they need."
"I agree." Aglaia was holding both William and Selena. Andrew was sleeping in his nursery, one of the rare moments when he would actually sleep undisturbed. Usually he was fussy if left alone for a single moment. Will and Selena were calmer, the latter happier and more genial to be around people. Will was silent, swaddled in his blankets and Selena kept cooing.
"Cyrus is family." She looked straight at her mother and mother-in-law. "Which is why he will be invited to the Christening."
"WHAT?!" For once both queens were shocked and aghast.
"I agree," Robert stated. "Him and his… Wife? Ex-wife? Remarried wife? Whatever it is you call the Duchess of Essex, she will be in attendance, along with Penelope and Maribel."
"But… You can't do that." Helena spluttered. Anastasia simply looked aghast.
Robert and Aglaia exchanged looks. For once their mothers were getting along, but they were getting along with this?
"Firstly, I am unable to evict my own uncle from the palace, nor am I able to strip him of any royal titles without a good cause." Robert paused. "As in… Actual proof, instead of mere allegations, that he's done something wrong. And that itself could be dangerous during such a time." He looked at them both.
"Secondly, Cyrus must be watched and kept closely. Not sent far away. As of now, we have no proof, so we must be extra-careful."
Aglaia looked down and rocked Will and Selena gently.
"So as to summarise, as there is no proof of Cyrus actually doing anything, he's staying." Robert stated.
When the two of them had left, Robert shook his head. "Unbelievable. The only time they're getting along and it's about expelling my own uncle out, publicly humiliating him and causing a scandal within the family."
"Scandal is dangerous," Aglaia said softly. "The more it comes, the more it corrodes the monarchy. Even mere speculation of scandal…" She shook her head.
"We want to rebrand and rebuild the monarchy in a new image. An image which reaches out to and relates to ordinary citizens. We are showing them as we truly are: that we are a husband and a wife who love each other and our children and that we would do anything to safeguard our people, their future and make them prosper; help them in any way. Even though most of them are idiots, openly splitting from Cyrus could be… Disastrous. Not unless he's done something."
Robert sighed and leaned back. "You're right." He admitted. Aglaia looked at him compassionately and stood, putting the babies down and walking over to kiss him.
"On the subject of the Christening," Aglaia began. "Which candidates have you picked as godparents?"
Robert sighed. "Well, there's Beck." Aglaia nodded. "And not much really."
"Alright then," Aglaia murmured. "Beck it is. Oh-" she said in surprise. "I think Jasper would make a good godfather too."
Robert stared.
The nannies sang Mary Poppins:
"A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down-wown
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way!"
Jasper tried not to cringe. James Hill tried to remain as emotionless as ever. As a father himself, he had not been adverse to singing nursery rhymes and songs. But this was a whole new level of crazy. Even for the Henstridges' head of security.
They had been singing that song for hours.
"OH! There you are!" Eleanor came in.
"HI!" The nannies chorused happily at the exact same time, with honey-sweet smiles. Jasper struggled to hold his lunch down.
"Right- I was going to talk about the subject of the Christening. Right now, Robbie's with the Privy Council. The births have been announced. And…" Eleanor looked at Jasper gleefully. "The queen wants you to stand in as godfather." Jasper spluttered.
"Congratulations. Now I know which one of us will be here the most." James muttered. The nannies were… Indescribable. They both liked the queen- enormously, and the fact is being somebody's godparent was an unbelievable honour, but these nannies…
"OOOHHH!" The nannies chorused. Not that loudly, though. Even though the babies weren't sleeping.
"Oh, your royal highness, isn't this exciting? I think he thinks so too, don't you wittel Willy?" Nanny Marge cooed at William. "Jasper here's going to be your goddaddy!"
Jasper was going to hurl.
The Privy Council had decided. His Royal Highness Prince William Simon Alexander Constantine Henstridge firstborn of King Robert and Queen Aglaia, would be titled Prince of Wales and therefore, made heir to the throne. His younger brother by a few seconds, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew Dimitri Philip Edward would be second in line for the throne. Their sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Selena Sophia Anastasia Helene would follow as third in line, as she was three minutes younger than both.
This placed Prince Liam and Princess Eleanor as fourth and fifth in line, respectively. Cyrus, their uncle was now sixth and his daughters, the Princesses Penelope and Maribel, seventh and eighth. At the same time, Crown Prince Alexios of Greece's engagement to Artemisia Christakos was announced. The couple were very happy with each other. Artemisia would be attending the triplets' Christening.
Aglaia sighed. The babies were presented to the public, when they should have done it on the way out of the hospital. Robert held William but he often had his attentions divided between the three of them- particularly Selena who cooed and clearly adored her father. It was a clear sign that the three of them would receive the same training, grooming and education as each other. The younger two were more than spares. They were going to make the world their own.
People cheered loudly as the three of them were presented along with their very proud, and joyful parents. Love had triumphed after all.
"So what on earth do we do?" Cyrus hissed. They could be bugging them right now. "We can't do anything…"
"Yet." Veruca said in an undertone, her eyes narrowing. She was aware of the danger. "You know Queen Anastasia wants you evicted from the palace?" She sipped her cognac.
"WHAT?!" Cyrus bugged. "She can't do that! I'm the king of England!"
"The former king," Veruca reminded him. "No chance of you taking back the throne at this state. Not with all of them watching. The King of Denmark is Aglaia's uncle. She's his favourite niece, which is more than I can say about you and Robert. Same with her various European royal relatives and her friends in Asia, Africa and the Middle East." Veruca was sour, but there was nothing she could do. She pulled a bet- she knew about Pryce and Metaxas, they both did- and remarried him. Now she was stuck with this weasel and she had to propel them both forwards. "She's popular." She drank her cognac.
"Which is why it's incredible that she's managed to give birth to triplets and secure their position on the throne," Veruca stated. "Crown Prince Alexios is due to marry soon, and security is rather heavy, considering that a weasel still lives in the palace- I mean you, of course, my dear." She sighed. "But Penelope and Maribel will be coming. In the meantime, with us unable to do anything… Let's hope our girls can move on with their lives at the very least."
"What do you mean by that?" Cyrus demanded.
"You'll see," Veruca said with a devilish twinkle in her eye as she drained the last of her cognac.
"I don't understand, Mum, we like, had those outfits picked out for us already," Penelope whined.
"Yeah," Maribel said crossly, trying to adjust her dress. "What're we doing this for again?"
"Listen to me- the triplets' Christening is an immensely important occasion. Royals from around the world will be attending. Your task is to… Ahem… Well, Liam will likely be looking for a bride. Eleanor has someone, I'm sure. Crown Prince Alexios is engaged, and rumour has it Prince Dimitri is looking to be. Therefore, you must hunt, girls! Hunt for a man to put a baby in your belly!"
The two dopey girls looked at each other hopelessly.
Their mother had catching up plans she wanted her daughter to implement.
Veruca scoured the internet. She had to be careful to erase her searches. But Chinese doctors were definitely among the very, very best.
And as she was being tracked…
"I'm not feeling so well…" She moaned. Cyrus snorted and rolled his eyes. "What's the matter now?" "Gastric and intestinal problems." Veruca fake-moaned. She was perfectly fine.
"I suppose I'll have to call the doctor," Cyrus slurred.
"No," Veruca said. "I'll go with the girls- they can take me."
Cyrus scoffed. "The two half-wits? What're they going to do? Toss you in front of a male model or make you down LSD to deal with the pain?" He gulped down more Scotch.
Veruca ignored him. "I'm going to my own doctor," she said crossly. "Goodness knows, the rest of you are useless. If Penelope and Maribel are, they certainly must have inherited it from somebody." She scoffed.
Cyrus rolled his eyes and downed his glass.
"So… What is this doctor Mum?" Penelope asked.
"Sshh." Her mother interrupted.
They reached a building and had to go up some narrow stairs. Veruca looked inquisitively ahead.
"I don't get it," Maribel grumbled. "Why can't we just… Get the doctor to come to us, like… Us?" She asked.
"Sshhh." Her mother hissed. "You are not to mention why we're here to anyone, under any circumstances."
"Um… Because you had a stomach bug?" Maribel asked. The girls looked at each other.
"No, because you," Veruca turned towards her eldest daughter. "And you," she turned towards her younger one. "Are going to form alliances, marry princes and become queens and mothers to kings and queens. Possibly in England." She whirled around, causing her daughters to be even more confused.
"Either way, we are going to win." Their mother said determinedly.
"Alright, so…" The Chinese doctor- a lady with a tied-back ponytail and a lab coat, began.
"I'm here for my daughters," Veruca said imperiously. "I want to know what it takes- apart from a man with sperm and a good strong erection- for them to get pregnant."
"Right." She looked weirded out. She opened her mouth. "Oh, and you mustn't say anything about this to anyone." Veruca interrupted. "Otherwise, you won't get your bonus, I'm afraid. And there are confidentiality agreements."
"My treatments with my patients are always confidential," the doctor said warily. "Unless they themselves choose to open up about them."
"Well, no chance of that." Veruca giggled. "Right girls?"
Maribel answered with a very confused smile, while her sister just looked dumbfounded.
"So… I would require to check them, if I may." Veruca gestured for Penelope. "Penelope will go first," she said. "On you go." Her daughter ended on the examining table.
"I'm going to need to check various things," the doctor warned. Pulse, temperatures, and so forth were taken.
"Well… It looks like it will be some time before either of the girls conceive," the doctor said to Veruca.
Veruca's smile faded. "What do you mean it's going to take some time?"
"Well… The girls aren't ready."
Veruca stood. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, it takes time and work to get their bodies into the right working order for them to conceive," the doctor admitted. "There are various hormone-" she trailed off under Veruca's furious gaze.
"Very well then." She said, trying to control her temper. "Just get them ready. It's about time they both got knocked up." She looked at the girls. "How do we get them ready? How long will it take?"
"Well… It appears the two of them will need extensive exercise and a healthy diet of fertility-boosting foods and fresh water. No cigarettes, no alcohol and certainly no drugs. It may take… Some time. Possibly months."
"Months?" Veruca hissed in a breath. "Why?"
"Because while they have eggs, it is undisputed that their womb, cervix, ovaries and oviducts, and other reproductive organs are not yet in the right condition to house a growing zygote, an embryo and then a foetus." The doctor explained.
"Then how does one get oneself ready?" She asked crossly. Aglaia had been as healthy as could be. She wasn't just beautiful and desirable enough to make Robert unable to keep his hands and hungry gaze from her. Even after the birth, she was as slim as could be, with a tiny waist and a cleavage to die for. If Veruca had to guess, Robert was back to banging her with immense passion. Soon, there'll be more royal heirs, she thought darkly.
They didn't have much time. Not if Penelope could be a queen.
"Well… There is not only the diet and the exercise to think about, we also have to think about balancing hormone levels. We may be able to give some medicines, but these are highly powerful medicines and extremely potent when it comes to boosting fertility-"
"Excellent!" Veruca trilled. "We'll take them, won't we girls?"
The girls nodded but still looked dopey. After all it would be at least a month before the babies were christened. In the meantime, Veruca just had to get her girls looking attractive- and ready to pop an egg and a baby. The rest will take care of itself. After all, what were nannies for, anyway?
Aglaia gently picked up Baby Selena deciding to give her a sponge bath. She had to be careful; sponge baths were preferred until the navel heals completely from the umbilical cord. She shouldn't bathe them too frequently, however, as it would cause drying on her babies' skins.
Gently stroking her baby, she carried her to a baby-sized bowl, filled with warm water- not hot. Undressing Selena, she immediately wrapped the baby in a towel, getting the soft washcloth and sponge, unscented baby shampoo and soap, clean diaper, clothes, brush and towel ready.
As she rubbed the baby's eyes with the washcloth gently, Robert came into the room. He watched her as she bathed the baby, gently washing her face with the slightly dampened cloth and lathering her hair in shampoo, taking care to avoid her eyes, holding her up.
"Can I help?" Robert asked quietly.
"It's alright," Aglaia sighed. She rinsed Selena's head. "Not yet anyway." Using the sponge and soap she gently washed the rest of the baby's body, particularly the creases of the neck, behind the ears and private parts. She'd been doing this for years with new-borns. So Aglaia had had plenty of practice.
"How are Will and Andrew?" She asked. She'd fed, cleaned and changed them both. "They're asleep," Robert said softly. He watched in silence as his wife, gently picked up and meticulously dried Selena and diapered and dressed her again after using baby powder, oil, ointment and lotion.
"What is it?" She asked Robert. "Has something happened?" She made sure the baby's hair was dry.
He heaved a sigh. "Veruca has taken her daughters to a Chinese doctor."
Aglaia paused and looked up at him. "I take it, it isn't for acupuncture."
"No," he agreed. She filled a bottle with pumped milk. How in the world can you possibly nurse three babies enough, she didn't know. But she could give them both formula and her own milk. It was warmed.
"So… I take it they haven't given up yet," she paused.
"And Veruca's consulting a doctor so that one her daughters might conceive an heir." Robert summarised. "Possibly both."
"They have little chance of inheriting Britain's throne unless something monumental happens." She gave the baby the bottle. Selena started eating. Aglaia made sure she was swallowing the milk and not choking.
"No," Robert agreed. "But, they're still scheming, and they haven't given up." He regarded them both silently. "Do you regret it," he asked softly. "Putting yourself in the heart of this viper's nest, and bringing our children here?"
Aglaia gave him a small smile. "Do you?"
Robert sighed. "As selfish as this may seem, I never can nor will I ever. You were the greatest thing to have ever occurred in my life," he said softly. "And these children are such a gift. The four of you… Are so irreplaceable. So priceless. I'd give up everything and anything… For all of you."
Aglaia smiled as she shifted Selena so her head rested on her shoulder. "Then we'll face this… Together. We have to. For each other and for our children." She kissed him and began gently patting the baby's back, holding her head in place. They gazed at each other adoringly, before Robert leaned in for another kiss.
"Cyrus will be there at the Christening and so will Veruca and the girls. Don't prevent them. Let them come," she advised him. "Everybody will be watching. Royals, politicians, celebrities and all our people." She kept patting the baby's back. "They know they're being watched. What they don't know is the depth of how much people don't trust them. No doubt Veruca is trying to get her girls to seduce a foreign prince. Poor sods," she laughed.
"The princes or my cousins?" Robert asked dryly.
Selena managed to burp- and vomit out excess milk. Aglaia shifted her so she could clean her face with the baby wipes on the shelf. Robert passed them to her.
"Thank you," she smiled. "Both. I don't think Penelope and Maribel want a part in this."
"They don't want anything other than what they've always had," Robert muttered. "Unlike you, they'll be totally unprepared to be mothers. And marriage, damn, they won't know what hit them."
Aglaia carefully cleaned the baby's face and made sure her nose and mouth weren't blocked. She began gently rocking Selena.
Then the personalised monitor she carried with her at all times sounded: Andrew- again.
"Here," Robert held out his arms, and she passed him Selena.
"It's Andrew, you can find me in his nursery if anything happens." She stated, walking out her daughter's nursery.
Robert gazed down at Baby Selena. She gazed up at him with those clear, deep, liquid emerald eyes.
He smiled. "Why do grownups have to be so silly and greedy, Selena?" He asked his daughter. "Your great-uncle Cyrus is a weasel. And his wife is silly. But they're so smart and they want to take your place and take you away from me." She cooed up at him, her tiny, diminutive hands with their miniscule fingers and soft nails, struggling and reaching out to touch him. He kissed those fingers. "I love so," he said to her. "I love you so much, Selena. You, your brothers William and Andrew and your Mummy." He sighed. "Why do they have to try to take you away from me, hm? Is it because I was born to sit on that throne? Because I was the eldest? Because I was your granddad's first son?" He sighed. "I miss him." He admitted.
The baby's cheeks were rosy with health and she was glowing. All three babies had the best of care from their mother and those strange, eccentric, but very efficient and pleasant nannies. But at the same time, he wondered if it would have been so much better if they lived somewhere out there, far from a palace, no Cyrus, no media circus, no Ted Pryces and no fascists targeting them specifically. He was born to take the throne. He had been groomed and raised to take it, educated and trained all his life. And now, he suddenly realised how much he hated it. He genuinely worshipped his people, his home, his country. He worshipped his family and forgave their faults for the ones who had any. But now…
He began softly singing a lullaby and rocking her to sleep. Selena fell asleep, clutching onto his finger and not wanting to remove her hand. Neither did Robert.
The royal Christening approached.
"Isn't this exciting?" The TV presenter declared, excited herself. "The world's latest glimpse of Prince William, Prince Andrew and Princess Selena. Their names have already been announced and now it's been confirmed: Prince William- or Will as he is known- will take his father's place on the throne someday, and the family are staying together and in Britain! This is wonderful, it's exciting and it's clearly a triumph of true love and the bonds of family."
Cyrus swilled liquor. Ouzo from the queen's native Greece. It wasn't so bad.
So, Veruca was planning for them to be grandparents soon. He pitied the poor sods who would get stuck to his daughters. He pitied his daughters for having to bear their children and getting shoved out of their bubbles. He pitied the brats they would be bearing and it was likely with his two idiots of his loins that the babies would die before they were even past their first two months. He rolled his eyes and downed the bottle.
Speaking of babies… For once, the relentless Cyrus found himself asking: did he really fail so bad? Was Queen Aglaia right in saying that the parents were instrumental in forming their children? Was it his own screw-ups that ruined his daughters and turned them into idiots? Was it Veruca's? Or both?
And what of Simon, the little boy he had with Prudence? He'd been so determined to shape this boy into the future king of England. He hoped at least that Prudence would raise him well. She took the engagement ring with her. That alone was worth millions. It could provide for them rather well. Or Helena made sure of that, knowing her.
Cyrus resolved to get very, very drunk, even more so than usual.
"I'm amazed you're producing enough milk," her mother retorted. "To feed one baby, let alone three." She pushed a plate of food in her daughter's direction.
"Eat." Queen Anastasia commanded. "You might be queen here, but I am still your mother."
Aglaia sighed and picked up a fork. "How's Father?"
"He's fine." Anastasia stated. Aglaia had been sending regular videos of the babies' development. Selena was the first to start smiling- who knew babies could smile at nine days old?
"I'm just here to see how things are getting along. After all, even though we both know my daughter is extremely experienced when it comes to caring for babies and small children, I still would like to look after her."
Aglaia sighed. "Robert's the one who makes sure I'm eating enough. And when one of the children start crying, I get up only to have him admonish me and he goes to the baby himself. Him or the nannies. Honestly, I'm not made of glass."
The food Anastasia had prepared herself was a tiropita or cheese pastry/pie, Apáki (lean pork marinated in vinegar, smoked with aromatic herbs and packed in salt) lamb Giouvetsi baked with hilopites- small square noodles. There was also a great deal of cheese.
"Why all the cheese? Still think I need more milk for the babies?"
"Of course," Anastasia remarked. "And besides, your mother-in-law can't cook to save her life." That was against everything Greek, apparently. Even though Anastasia had been born in Denmark, the daughter of the previous king, she lived and breathed for Greece.
Aglaia smiled, shaking her head. That admittedly was true, about Helena. She couldn't cook. Neither could Eleanor. Last Christmas, a pregnant Aglaia had decided to make the dinner herself, much to her in-laws' shock and surprise. She had also dismissed the staff and did the decorations herself. Even Len admitted it looked lovely. They all wished Simon was there.
"Why so much food though, Mother, I've only just lost weight," she said. Aglaia smiled. "But thank you. For coming over. For seeing me and trying so desperately hard to look after me, even though I'm far away. But please," Aglaia took a deep breath. "No more medicine. Or bugging."
"Alright," her mother sighed. "If you say so. Now, please eat."
Aglaia ate to appease her mother, but she didn't realise just how hungry she was until she did eat. She missed Greek cooking. Although her mother gave her two cooks- one Chinese and the other Greek- she normally ate British food, plus she missed her mother's cooking and the one she got at the King's Estate in Athens. Plus she didn't realise that she was as drained as energy as she was. In times like these, and others, she was exceptionally glad her mother would be there to pick her up when she fell, like when she was little.
Aglaia never took her parents for granted, but now being a mother herself made it all the more meaningful.
"The babies are healthy, I take it?" Queen Anastasia enquired.
"Yes, Mother they are." "Hmmm." She looked thoughtful. Placing her well-manicured hands on the chair in front of her, Aglaia remembered at their wedding both the queen of Greece and Helena dowager queen of England had been hotly debated about who was 'the hottest mother'. Age barely showed on Anastasia but she viewed the idea of Botox with disgust, even more so plastic surgery. She had secrets which she passed down to her daughter, one of which was a rare melon which took longer in decaying than other melons and fruits. The extracts were made into lotions, creams, facial masks and so forth. She also bathed in icy water every day, exercised and ate moderately though healthily.
"Did you know that Alexios, now that he's engaged, is planning to move into Foliá tou liontarioú?" Her mother questioned. That translated to 'The Lair of the Lion.
Aglaia swallowed her mouthful. "That place? The one grandfather brought for…" For her uncle who never got the chance to move in because he was killed during the civil war.
"Yes," Anastasia said calmly. "And what about Cyrus?"
"What about him?" Aglaia asked, warily. She could sense where this was coming.
"Why is he still here?" Anastasia said in a deadly-calm voice.
Aglaia took a deep breath. "Why wouldn't he still be here?" She responded just as calm. "He has a right to be here."
"The younger brother of the late king," Anastasia continued. "The uncle of the current king. Now sixth in line for the throne, following your triplets, your brother and sister-in-law. Unlike them, however, Cyrus is already married. Isn't that what usually happens when a prince or princess marries- or any other family member royal or otherwise? They move out?"
Aglaia put down her knife and fork. "Mother," she said warningly.
"He was the son of a king. He was the brother of a king. He is the uncle of a king. He even served as king of the UK-"
"Served?" Her mother scoffed. She laughed mockingly. "Since when has Cyrus ever served anybody but himself? Since when has Cyrus loved anybody other than himself? What kind of king is that? Tell me? What kind of prince also does that? What kind of person do you think Cyrus is to deserve any royal treatment after he has destroyed his own family, torn them apart, humiliated and disgraced his own nephew and niece to take the throne and did not even mourn his brother's loss? After using his royal status to abuse those poor women? To kill a man?" She loathed him. "Tell me, can you even call him a minor royal?"
Aglaia was silent. "Besides, he was a king. He isn't anymore. Kings who abdicate their thrones have always left. Usually the country. Gone somewhere, perhaps the south of France? He has been dethroned and disgraced, revealed to be a liar and a glory-seeker who doesn't care if he destroys his own family and forgets his own brother to gain the throne. I heard King Simon's remains are somewhere in the sea. Or was it the Thames? All of this to prevent them from carrying out any real DNA testing. So, tell me, what kind of brother does that? He cannot even be called a man." Anastasia said vehemently. "And he lied. Lied to his own people, betrayed them, his family and worse. Cyrus is the worst king ever to sit on Britain's throne. At least Henry VIII and Richard III were kinder by far. Cyrus has never even gone to battle, but he wears uniform. No king, in any history in the world, has ever done as badly as Cyrus Henstridge has. Not even the ones who had their heads cut off and their monarchies overthrown by revolution."
Silence.
"Besides," her mother said, continuing. "Even if I didn't marry your father and became a Greek princess, then queen, did you think I would still be hanging around the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen at my age? Or Cyrus' age? Your uncle Valdemar, my second brother, no longer lives there. His brother is the king. And he's infinitely a much better man than that worthless Cyrus. Get him out, Aglaia."
Aglaia shook her head. "Cyrus must be kept under close guard and watched meticulously." She stated. "Unless we have a very good reason, we cannot evict him. Nor strip him of all titles and bar him from the line of succession as you all wish in Europe. The scandal that would cause would be too enormous. We're trying to mend the family and move the monarchy forwards. And like it or not, he is still family. The crown must be protected, almost as much as the country."
"As long as there is a Cyrus Henstridge," Anastasia cut in. "There will always be a rot in the crown." She warned.
Robert had heard everything. Thank goodness they had the grace to speak in English. His Greek had not gone so far yet. His Danish was practically non-existent. But now he had recorded everything.
He ordered the recording to be placed in Cyrus rooms. Call him… Well, cold, even heartless towards his own uncle, but Cyrus needed a reality check. Everyone wanted him gone. But Robert, truth be told, still remembered his uncle...
The babies had reached their first month. They were very healthy and well-looked after. In one more month their Christening would commence.
Unfortunately Jasper would be spending a great deal of time with the nannies as Eleanor would be as well.
Seriously, what were these nannies made of? Pure sugar?
Nannies Marge, Pam and Stacy were excellent at their job, admittedly.
Robert and Aglaia regarded the babies in their nurseries.
Will was observantly gazing up at his parents. There was a clear intelligence and an awareness in his gaze.
"Go to sleep, my love," his mother cooed at him. "Go to sleep." She gently swayed the rocking bassinet. Will looked up at her with dark blue eyes, like a midsummer's night, so like his father.
Robert moved closer to his son. The baby looked knowingly up at him.
"I swear, he's smarter than I ever thought he'd be," Robert mused.
"He won't be spoiled, though." Aglaia stated. "Though Heavens knows, he already has so many presents, they all do. Who gives babies rattles made of white gold and encrusted with sapphires?"
Robert snorted. "He has you," he said softly. "He has both of us." She smiled at him. "They all do."
Robert heaved out a sigh. "But such a crazy world," he muttered. Aglaia began humming and softly singing a lullaby to make him sleep.
"I'll go check on Andrew and Selena," Robert said softly once Will's eyes had shut. Aglaia nodded. "I'll come." Robert shook his bed. "Go to sleep, love. You'll need it." He kissed her.
Robert moved out. After checking on Andrew and Selena who were both peacefully sleeping, he made his way to the study.
Robert closed his eyes for a while.
"I take it things are mostly going well with the babies," his mother-in-law's voice said dryly.
Robert opened them. Anastasia made her way to the doors and shut them both, locking them. She also turned on some opera music, which was strange, because Robert didn't normally listen to opera music.
Robert looked suspicious. "What's this?" He asked.
"Cyrus." Anastasia stated. "I know it's too big a scandal to start something new. But I'd rather not wait until he's endangered or dishonoured you, my daughter and the children. You have to get rid of them."
Robert sighed. "It's not that simple. Alexios?"
Anastasia turned on the computer screen. Alexios stood right there. And Dimitri.
And his father-in-law, King Konstantinos. There was also someone else there. No, make that two.
"Your majesties," Robert greeted his father-in-law and wife's uncle, the Danish king. "Your royal highnesses". The extra person must have been the Crown Prince of Denmark. He had seen him briefly at the wedding.
"Your majesty. Prudence is with us, but of course, forgive us if she cannot join in the conversation."
Robert's brow furrowed. "She's working for you now?"
The Crown Prince of Denmark nodded. "And she and her son are happy and safe. She's started a relationship with another member of our staff. I believe she is very happy where she is."
"That's good to know. I assume you're here to talk about Cyrus?" Robert asked.
"Apparently." The king of Denmark replied. "A new scandal would shake the monarchy in your country, and ours by extension." That was Dimitri. "But a scandal that's already passed? The false DNA tests on your brother and sister as a matter of fact, the one that never took place, but 'confirmed' Prince Liam and Princess Eleanor as not being descendants of King Simon? Are you sure your uncle had nothing to do with that?"
Robert sighed. "Family can be so difficult if you can't completely hate or love them." He stated regretfully. "What would any of you do if he was your uncle?"
"My brother-in-law asks a good question," Dimitri mused. "But nonetheless he is still a danger to our sister and the children."
"Your majesty, forgive me if I say that I was more than a little concerned and alarmed when I heard about your engagement to my niece." The king of Denmark stated. "She is the family favourite," the crown prince, his son stated dryly. "No joke. If anything were to happen to her, most of the royals in the world and the masses, related, friends or simply citizens would rise up."
"And I would do anything and everything to keep her and the children safe." Robert's voice was steely.
"What about your own family, Robert?" Dimitri questioned. "Would you expel your treacherous uncle?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I would expel Cyrus," Robert said without hesitation. "But I cannot without reason. Besides, Aglaia does not approve of me doing as such either."
"Aglaia is innocent in such matters," Queen Anastasia cut in. "She is remarkably intelligent and aware of many things, but she cannot do what needs to be done in this case."
"I agree." Konstantinos finally spoke. "But I also know that until the concern is great enough, firstly Aglaia, the children and you yourself-" he nodded at Robert. "Must be kept under close guard- by the ones you are certain to trust. Keep Cyrus close and watch him. And not just him, his wife and his daughters. As unlikely as they are, they are unwitting pawns in this."
"Keep in close contact," Alexios stated. "And remember during the Christening, many royals will be there, it would be a good idea to make sure Cyrus is there too, and watched."
Robert nodded. "That I will do. Thank you, your majesties, your royal highnesses."
"But make sure, at the end of the day, Cyrus is gone." Alexios stated, his eyes like steel.
The screens went black.
A few years ago…
Aglaia was shaking her head.
"Aglaia," he said urgently, rushing towards her. She breathed out. "Don't." She stated.
He looked anguished. "What do you want me to say?"
She looked up at him and the agony in her eyes ripped him apart.
"Is it true?" She asked quietly. "Your sister's relationship, Kathryn…" She shook her head. "And Willow?"
Robert paused.
"And Liam?" She said quietly. "Robert… I thought you were better than this," she insisted.
Robert took a shaking breath. "Now you know the deepest part of me," he stated. "I'm torn without you. I'm destroying myself and all those around me. I played the part of a picture-perfect prince when my father was still alive. But I hated it. I hated how I went about. Day after day, night after night. Protocol, rules, expectations. I hated it. Then my plane got hijacked and I ended up on a desert island. I was alone. I had never been so alone in my whole life. Nor did I feel so abandoned. After all I had done, I felt that even my family had given up on me. And my country. And so I gave up on them. Or rather, I tried." His dark blue eyes were anguished. "I had very little hope. For love, for life… Anything. And that hope was dashed as soon as I arrived back home. Of course I expected what happened to happen. But not with Liam, my younger brother. He seemed to hate me. And maybe he did. But not as much as I hate myself. I took the crown and I hated it, just as much as I felt I needed to." He swallowed.
"And then you came. You were so… Light. So pure, so bright… Everything I never dreamed could be in such a rotten world." He sighed. "I fell in love with you. You want the truth? It's that I'm madly, utterly and completely in love with you, and if I have to give up the throne, the kingdom, the monarchy, anything… I would. For you. If you go to the other end of the world, I would follow you there. If you died, I would die too. If your face was destroyed and every part of you, I would still love you, more than the world can possibly imagine. There's nothing I wouldn't give up for you. Or give to you. I would leave this rotten world, or destroy it as long as I could be with you." He swallowed, looking straight into her eyes. "You are everything to me, the only thing in this broken, rotten world of mine worth living and fighting for. I've lost all hope, all pretences, all expectations and dreams… But you. You I can never let go. Even if it kills me."
Aglaia stared at him. There he was, the proud prince and king… Confessing this to her. Love and sorrow. Guilt and regret. Destroyed hopes and dreams. His deepest, darkest secrets. Why? Because she knew. They had both fallen in love. And could not be without each other, because they needed one another.
And nothing else existed for them, now. Not anymore.
Robert knew. She was his life, his destiny, his fate, his future. Not a crown.
His love, hope and light.
"I love you," he stated. "More than anything. More than life. More than the world. More than my own soul and heart."
She was silent for a while. His heart was pounding, his eyes burning with an intense mixture of intense agony and powerful, limitless love.
"I love you," she finally admitted. "I love you, Robert. That is the truth, there is no other way."