To Superdani4Ever: Well it was the lack of people in the succession for the throne for Aglaia. For Mizuki it was because of people controlling the strings and more. She's going to be a very valuable ally to Aglaia and Robert. I think Elton John is smart enough to avoid Veruca and Cyrus. They all are. Len's going to have her own work starting from this chapter (and it's going to get juicier!). Cyrus and Veruca are truly the worst and they are less interested in what their children really need and caring for them, though Veruca appear to have loved them more than Cyrus does.
Things are going to get juicier for Liam's story! ;)
And no, while having a Norland Nanny is something parents would really want for their kids, motherhood does not automatically change a person's character- poor babies indeed.
P.S: I don't own the Royals. It belongs to E!
Life ... is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
In the aftermath of the 'assassination' attempt, security was tightened. The foreign royals had mostly left by then, which everyone was all grateful for.
Robert needless to say was concerned and suspicious when he heard there had been no casualties, no dead bodies, no prisoners… Nothing on either side. No one was kidnapped, and while there were a few injuries, no one was dead. Not a single clue.
Alexios' eyes had narrowed. His gaze met Robert's and both of them were automatically thinking of the same thing: Cyrus.
But it made no sense giving poor Cyrus the whole blame when he himself was nearly hit. In fact, there could have been one casualty, and that could have been Cyrus had he not been passed out on the concrete, soaked from his splash in the pond.
Robert said it was strange that no one fell in the pond after the attackers had arrived. James admitted it was strange too.
"Right." Robert stated. "I'm off." He had to see his wife, his children. And his sister, mother and brother too.
Aglaia had put her babies to bed.
The nurseries were quiet and peaceful, but she did not want them far from her for a long while, until the nannies stepped in and promised not to leave the babies.
In the meantime, she lay back, stunned on the chaise of her boudoir.
"I can't do this," she muttered. "I can't remember the last time I went so long without someone shooting at me… Well, actually." She sighed, closing her eyes in despair.
"I can't do this. I don't think I can do this." She whispered.
"I've only just become a mother. I love my husband and children but this is a whole new level entirely. Why do we have to have people shooting at us? Why can't we just…"
"Why can't we just be normal, you mean?" Aglaia's head swivelled to see him. Him with his devilishly handsome grin.
"So… I take it this marriage isn't what you thought it would be?" He asked her.
"What do you want?" Aglaia whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you really think that just because Robert took your virginity, made you his queen, gave you three babies and can't keep his hands off you, that means that you are going to have a happily ever after?" He taunted. "My precious little love. Your people might worship you, and your husband and children more so, but you'll never be free. You'll never be free of me."
Aglaia went deathly pale. "You're… You're wrong. It's a lie. All of it."
He laughed. His handsome face was as ghastly and repulsive to her as a rotting corpse.
"You could have had me," he whispered. He knelt in front of her. "You could have had me, you could have always had me. We could have been happy together, Aglaia. You would have been safe with me, there would be no troubles, no worries for the children…"
"No," Aglaia breathed in a hiss. She pulled back. "You lied to me. You tried to kill me."
"I loved you," he stated, standing. "And that's why I wanted to be with you… Parliament didn't think it was appropriate. They were disgusted when they heard. Your father was appalled and horrified. Your brothers wanted me dead. Your mother would have killed me herself, but I would have loved you until my very last breath and beyond."
"No," Aglaia moaned. "Go away."
"Come with me," he urged her. "Let's come away together… Both of us. How do you want to do it? A balcony? A necklace of rope, perhaps? Side by side, we can be together for eternity, my love." He whispered.
"No." Aglaia moaned. "Leave me alone- go away- far away and never come back!"
"I can't," he replied simply. "I'm a part of you, just as you are a part of me. I'm the part that you keep hidden for so long…"
"NO!" Aglaia burst out, near tears. "You lied to me, you wanted me dead!"
"Only because I wanted to be with you," he whispered. "My love, my only love… And now you've betrayed me, just as I've feared." His eyes darkened. "With another… A king." He spat out that word.
"I am not yours," Aglaia hissed, eyes lighting with rage. "I will never be yours to take with you and drag you down as you please."
"But you've still become someone's." He pointed out. "Foolish girl. Did you really think you could ever be free? The chains that held you down, your royal birth. Your fight for freedom, not sex or drugs but independence?" He laughed mockingly. "You should have been addicted to ecstasy. It would have been far more bearable. And far more successful."
Aglaia pressed her hands against her ears. "No." She gritted out.
"The civil war could have meant our freedom, Aglaia."
"The civil war killed millions of our people," she spat. "Millions died, repeatedly, always by the hands of selfish men- like you!"
"But you loved me," he said quietly. Her eyes narrowed.
"I thought I did. That was a mistake. A fool's mistake."
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Careful, Aglaia. You don't want to wake the beast, do you?"
"You're not a beast." She hissed. "You… Are a monster. Even animals behave better than you. Animals have never lied. Animals don't advocate genocide and mass slaughter- not just my whole family!"
"You keep telling yourself that you'll be free. But you're wrong. You're lying. Why? Because I'm a part of you. And you'll never stop seeing me, you'll never be free."
Aglaia breathed deeply, trying to control herself. Then, without warning, she grabbed a container of makeup and hurled it at his direction.
It smashed against the door.
She was alone.
There was a broken container sitting against the floor.
Aglaia shivered. She felt sick and pale.
He was right. She would never be free.
She washed her mind clean of his auburn hair, of his mocking, handsome smile and dark grey-blue eyes. She wanted Robert. His warm face, his loving smile, his dark blue eyes…
The door opened. And in came Robert. His foot gently nudged the container and he looked up at her. "Are you alright?" He asked alarmed.
"I'm fine." She mumbled, but they both knew she wasn't.
In a single stride, he was with her, his arms around her, crushing her to his chest. "It's alright." He breathed. "I'm here. Nothing will ever hurt you or our children. Ever."
But what about you? She thought. What about you?
He breathed out, inhaling the scent in her hair. "I love you," he whispered. "More than the world."
"I love you," she whispered against the lapels of his jacket.
"Please." She said softly. "Don't leave me." She didn't ever want to see him again. "Don't ever leave me."
She stepped back. She needed to wash her mind away from this. She needed Robert.
Slowly she began taking off her dressing gown, letting it fall open and curl back like sea foam, before landing on the ground at a pile. He reached for her and crushed her lips against his.
If there was one person she wanted to see them at this, it was him. Maybe it could make him go away, she thought as Robert carried her to the bedroom.
"Well, on a side note," Helena said, trying to keep everyone's spirits up. "I have something." She held up a DVD.
"What's that?" Liam squinted. "Is that Aglaia on the front cover?"
"It's a documentary." Helena said proudly. "So our people can learn more about their new queen and what she's fighting for."
"Huh?" Eleanor was bewildered.
"They made… A documentary?" Liam was bewildered. "About Aglaia?"
"Yes, well, people make a lot of documentaries," Helena explained. "About you. And me."
"There are documentaries about us?" Eleanor asked slowly.
"Well, I've never watched them," Helena said, crinkling her nose.
"But this one," she stated. "Is a good one. Let's watch."
"What did you see?" Robert asked her.
They were lying in bed together, naked except for the covers. Aglaia's head was resting on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat.
"Him." She whispered. Robert's hand tightened around her.
"He's dead." He said quietly. "He'll never come back."
She sighed. "I was a fool."
Robert was silent, for a while. "We all make mistakes. Some worse than most."
"But he was a member of the Military Junta… I didn't know that." She whispered. But then again, she didn't know everything about Robert when they first met.
"And he tried to kill you," Robert's voice was silent, deadly. If that had happened…
"I'll kill anyone who tries to touch you," he promised. "There won't be any more like him. And the assassins would never harm our children." His grip on her tightened. He would butcher them all.
The host or narrator moved forwards on the screen.
"Queen, wife, mother, sister, daughter, icon to millions, if not billions worldwide. She is adored, worshipped and idolised by many. Already, fashion labels are following her tastes and people are always tipping over to catch a glimpse of the famous queen." Footage of screaming fans… So forth and so forth.
"But who is Aglaia of Greece and Denmark? Well, we all know the story: we know that she's a Greek princess, daughter to the king of Greece." The blonde-haired woman moved forwards. "We know that she was hugely popular, not just in her native Greece, but in many countries worldwide, prior to her marriage to Britain's King Robert. That prior to her wedding, it was speculated that this might have been an arranged marriage-"
"What?" Eleanor blurted in disbelief. "Before the footage undisputedly showed two young people in love. We know that she has given three children- the first ever royal triplets, to Britain's line of succession, including a future king. But what else do we know about her? "
"It's difficult to know much about Aglaia," a man whose name and profession was shown as an editor to The Sun, appeared. "I mean, for example, we don't know how and when she and Robert first met, we don't know when and how they fell in love, we don't know anything, apart from the fact that suddenly, without warning, without even suspicion, they just showed up on Greek and British television, with a ring on her finger, announcing their engagement."
"I still don't know how they did that," Eleanor muttered. But Liam knew that Robert was the best of the three of them at being discreet.
"In this documentary, I'm going to find out what I can about our new queen." A shot of the acropolis at Athens, and then of the host herself on a speedboat in the Mediterranean. "I'm going to retrace her footsteps. From the moment of her birth during a dark, dark period in Greece's modern history." Footage of shootings and people screaming and dying. "Of her happy and idyllic childhood, not in a royal palace but in an estate just outside of Athens. Of her childhood abuse-"
"This reads like a gothic horror story," a man who appeared on the screen, exclaimed to the presenter, holding out files. "This goes beyond abuse… What they did to that child, was torture."
"And the rise in popularity throughout several different continents." Footage of world leaders praising Aglaia, speeches heard, presidents, royals, prime ministers, people chanting out her name, screaming and running towards her. Aglaia all the way, giving aid, and holding dying children in a famine, undergoing extreme medical training and assistance to help them. Consoling a hysterical woman screaming for her child. Walking in an un-cleared minefield to retrieve a baby.
"From her romantic relationships-" a still of a handsome man which Liam swore he must have seen when they thought her brothers were dead. "To her personal tragedies and sufferings." A photograph of another man with auburn hair and grey-blue eyes.
"To her arrival in Britain and her rise as its new queen." A shot of Aglaia and Robert ascending the balcony. The presenter walking through Westminster Abbey. "This is beyond anything anyone must have imagined," she murmured, looking up. "Not even a princess."
"Even her triumphs as a symbol of Greece's freedom and a mascot for the armed forces fighting to free their country."
Silence on the audience's part. "What?" Len asked, baffled.
Even Helena didn't expect this.
"The scenes of sobbing farewell." A woman sobbing- well, howling, actually. Countless people dabbing their eyes. A young woman sniffing. Kids looking downcast. Aglaia embracing them all.
"You would think this is the promise of execution." The presenter grinned. "But in actual fact, this is just one of many emotional farewells given to Aglaia of Greece and Denmark before she set off to become England's queen."
Onscreen, Aglaia hugged an elderly couple, and old woman and an old man who honked into his handkerchief loudly. Liam raised his brow.
"Who is this woman to have inspired so much love and adoration from masses worldwide?" The presenter asked rhetorically.
"Aglaia's story starts off here." The presenter announced. "In Athens. But not with her birth. But the turbulent politics that resulted in a catastrophe that would engulf the entire nation and affect the future queen, before she even knew who she was."
"Oookay?" Liam said hesitantly. He knew there had been a civil war in Greece. He just didn't know the specifics.
The presenter was seated on a table surrounded by books, with one in front. "You would be forgiven into thinking that Aglaia must have been born under the luckiest of stars. But the truth is far from that."
The truth is, Aglaia's father, King Konstantinos, might have never taken the throne, if things didn't go so horribly, tragically wrong." She said in almost a whisper.
"Queen Aglaia's grandfather, was Prince Philippos, the second son of King Alexandros and the youngest brother of King Pavlos, the then-reigning king of Greece." A photograph of a handsome man with black hair and a charming, sweet smile.
"Pavlos was groomed to be the next king, but he was schooled in Britain, and spent much of his time overseas." The presenter reasoned. "As a result, the new king during the time of his ascension, knew next to nothing about the turbulent world of Greek politics."
"Pavlos learnt British history, like the Tudors, the Plantagenets and the Hanoverians. He learnt next to nothing about Greek history and the political situation in the country and that turned out to be a mistake." A historian reasoned. He spoke Greek so his words were in subtitles. "It was catastrophic. He knew about the political state in Britain, but not in his native Greece."
Len's brow furrowed as she wondered what this might have meant.
"As a result, Prince Philippos was not brought up to expect the crown. But he benefited nonetheless: his schooling might have prepared him better than his brother. In addition to academic subjects like mathematics and history, he learnt statecraft, political science, economics, sociology, ecology, geopgraphy, languages and so much more. He was also an expert athlete and had excelled at his military training so much he rose quickly through the ranks, not because he was the prince, but because he was excellent at his job." A black and white footage of the prince inspecting his troops and drilling was shown.
"Now this is where it gets complicated," the presenter stated. "Philippos had a number of children, the eldest of which was Konstantinos, the future king and Aglaia's father. Out of all of them, the tragedy was, that only one would survive." She looked mournful.
"Because of the civil war?" Liam wondered aloud.
"Throughout history, even in its renowned ancient days, Greece had always been a prize to various powers. Ancient Persia, Rome, Turkey and the axis powers in World War Two sought after the territory. Slavs, Turks, Germans, and so much more tried their hand. And this caused various strains. Greece managed to lose and regain its independence several times, only to fall into periods of civil war and strife which would result in another power taking advantage of its situation and invading. It was heartbreakingly bad."
Several shots followed. Liam looked at his sister. "Did Aglaia… Ever mention her family history in great detail to you?"
Len shook her head. "No, though that was probably because she knew I'm not a paintings and long skirts type of girl."
Liam's sense of intrigue wandered. He never did fully understood her, because she was so different. It was some time before they had learnt it all:
Aglaia's grandfather became commander in chief of the armed forces, reforming the whole military before taking them overseas to fight in a war. In the meantime, the reserve army was on standby ahead of elections. In the event of a left-wing victory, the reserve army's commanders initiated a coup which ended with the government in jail, the king and his wife were woken up in the middle of the night by tanks coming in fast surrounding the estate. They had only twenty bodyguards. Long-story short they planned a counter-coup but failed and the king, his wife, children and grandchildren were executed. The conspirators gave the order for the extended members of the royal family, including Aglaia's father and mother, who was pregnant at that time, and living on Crete, to be assassinated. They escaped with their young sons on a dingy little ferry and headed back to the mainland.
"It was right here on the Mediterranean, where Aglaia was born. There were no doctors, no nurses, no cameras nor congratulations. Not even a photograph of the princess in her baby days. Or a midwife." How very different it was.
Aglaia spent her childhood in some monastery on top of a cliff. She only had one toy which was made by the nuns, a wooden doll in a silk dress. She still had that toy, reportedly. It was very difficult for any of her parents to see their children.
"It must have been terribly hard, for Princess Anastasia to leave her baby and her sons here, when they could have been killed or she could have and they would never have seen each other again." Got that right, Liam thought. Who knew they had to go through with this? Suddenly, he understood Queen Anastasia's attachment to her own daughter.
All in all, her upbringing was a happy one after the war. She was used as a mascot and a propaganda to remind the soldiers returning what they were fighting for. Toddler Aglaia was with her family, reunited and publicly presented during the victory march.
Things progressed and the three of them watched on. Joined by Spencer and more, including Rachel. But revelations just got… More intense to say the least.
Veruca smirked.
"So… Here are the medicines, drink up, girls." She crooned. The meds consisted of small pills served with tea." It wasn't much but it had to do. It had to do, or God help them all!
The girls took the pills and Penelope said: "But I thought you said we weren't allowed to take anymore drugs."
"Only this one," Veruca pressed. "Come on, drink up." The girls looked at each other and stifled the urge to groan. They drank the tea, washing the pills down with it.
"Excellent," Veruca breathed. Helena, Anastasia… After all, Granny was the new Black. Now it was her turn.
"Oh good," Robert announced pleasantly. "You've made it." He gestured to the seat opposite him. Robbie poured both him and Alexios a glass of wine each.
Alexios accepted with his thanks. But before he could take a sip, he put the glass down. "Have you found anything on the attackers?"
Robert's eyes darkened. "It's all so suspicious. It's like they weren't trying to kill anyone just stir up trouble- without being caught. Cyrus was first on my list of suspects, but even so, he could have been the only casualty."
"But he could have been faking it," Alexios pointed out. Robert nodded. "You're right, he could have. But the fact is, that prior to the shoot-out, Cyrus fell, undoubtedly, undisputedly dead-drunk into the pond. He only just got out when they aimed for him. Missed him by inches when he fell to the ground. Cyrus would have never put himself at risk. Fuck, he wouldn't have even risked his own Alexander McQueen suit by jumping in the pond." Cyrus had been covered, disgustingly so, when he'd been fished out.
"I've known him all my life," Robert murmured. "It can't have been him." His brow furrowed. Alexios nodded. "Or maybe he didn't want you to think it was him. It could be part of a larger scheme. Cyrus was seen with your brother Liam right before he fell in the pond."
"Liam?" Robert looked up at his brother-in-law. "What did he say?"
"We didn't know," Alexios stated. "All we saw was Liam looking rather disgusted at Cyrus, and then walking off, just as he fell in. Looked like he'd been taunting, goading Liam. But apparently your brother wasn't interested." He grunted. "I can't say I blame him. The man was pathetic."
Robert breathed deeply. "Veruca and the girls went missing just before the shootout. Though I don't know where Veruca went, I did know where the girls were with."
Alexios looked up.
"There were two very drunk princes at the party," Robert clarified. "They must have been. Prince Adriaan of the Netherlands and Prince Shabangu of Swaziland." Alexios' eyebrows flew up.
"It appears the girls must have slept with them."
"Wow." Alexios remarked. "They must have been very, dead-drunk."
"Yeah," Robert agreed. "In any case, I also learnt where their mother went during the shoot-out. The kitchens. Well, her private kitchens."
Alexios looked suspicious. "And what was she doing there?"
"Preparing tea. Two cups." Robert stated. "I believe it was Chinese herbal tea."
Alexios went very silent. "Anything like the pill and the bowls of medicine my mother gave to Aglaia?"
"Most likely," Robert stated. "They slept with those boys. And I think they're about to get pregnant. The medicine your mother gave Aglaia was meant to stimulate and increase the chances of conception, preparing to house a growing child. I doubt this medicine was any different. As conception takes two or three days, they will have time to get pregnant."
"WHAT?!" Alexios hissed. "In that case…" He paused. No, he couldn't poison the girls and cause them to miscarry. That would be unethical, more than that it would be totally wrong.
"Could we give them contraceptives? Doubt it," Robert replied, seemingly sensing his thoughts. "It would be totally wrong for one thing, to poison someone without their consent. Secondly, I think Veruca has had a tight hold over her daughters' diet now. Maribel and Penelope have never eaten so much fresh fruit and veg before I went missing, nor have they stayed sober for so long. Nor looked so tired, I think they must be exercising. She's done this not only to make them look more attractive but to get them ready for fertilisation." He took a sip from his wine. Alexios scowled.
"Adriaan… I remember him. Not the ripest fruit on the tree and not the brightest candle on the table either. The one thing that really struck me during our visit to the Netherlands was how very unremarkable he was. Didn't matter if people thought he was good-looking. He wasn't very smart. Of course he would get drunk." And he had been drooling at Aglaia the whole time too. That was probably why most people got drunk. They needed their fantasies, she went with Robert at the end of the day and her babies.
"Prince Shabangu, I don't know that well. I only know that his father King Sobhuza is a polygamist and he's one of… Well, I can't really say how many sons and daughters that king has. Or wives." His brow furrowed. "If he's not the son of one of the king's first two wives- his ritual wives, they call them- then he would be able to inherit."
"So Veruca wants her daughter- or both daughters to marry a man who may or may not take his father's throne in a small country in Africa, far from fashion capitals like Paris, who would marry other women if he becomes king and sire more children who are as likely to rule as absolute monarch as her own offspring?" Robert said in disbelief. "What was she thinking? It's reckless, it's stupid… I'd advocate it. I'd advocate for her to do it." In fact he did. He introduced the girls to a bunch of people, not knowing who, and left them there. Oops, he might have been responsible, in part, for this.
"Send her daughters off, far from Britain? Yes, that's a wise idea," Alexios remarked. "Even an absolute monarch would be hard-pressed to declare war without any good reason."
"It'd be suicide," Robert remarked. He drank his wine.
"But there's more to this," Alexios stated. "I think we should keep our options open, don't you?" Robert asked. The two brothers-in-law saluted and drank.
"If they are pregnant, however," Robert stated. "I think we both know that the scandal it would afford to us, the British royal family, and the Dutch royal family, and the Swazi… They would have to marry whether they like it or not." He grimaced. He really regretted doing this to Penelope and Maribel, as dopey as they might have been, they did no wrong. Besides, what kind of parents would push their kids to do this?
"This reads like a gothic horror story," the presenter announced when reading over some files. "And this is what happened to her?" Horror sounded in her voice.
"Yes, this is the account heard in court with what happened between Princess, now Queen Aglaia."
"It's unimaginable, the amount of abuse that the governess and the people who were supposed to be in charge, to care for Princess Aglaia did, when her parents went on their royal tour."
Now a whole group of people were watching.
Princess Mizuki of Japan smiled.
"I take it the king heard." She stated to Alexios.
"He did." Alexios conceded. "And what of the assassins? Does he find it as suspicious as I do?" She questioned.
Alexios nodded. "One of his first observations." Mizuki nodded in satisfaction.
"I wonder what the Imperial Household Agency would say about all of this." Alexios remarked. Mizuki scoffed.
"They've been a thorn in my side long enough." They were the ones who pulled her out of the temple during a 'failed assassination attempt' which itself was fishy to say the least.
"The children appear fine, but it's clear that there are troublemakers. The king's uncle, for one, and his remarried wife." She looked at him. "What is he planning to do about them?"
"I think," Alexios said slowly. "That he has a plan."
"Any chance that your sister might share it?"
"Maybe," he conceded. "I don't know much about their relationship." Apart from what he observed, it was a deep, loving and caring marriage. Early days or not, he had absolutely no doubt that they would be happy for the rest of their lives. And based on what his mother said, it was a passionate match behind closed doors. Not something he ever wanted to know.
"Well," Mizuki sighed. "They do seem rather happy together. He very is very much in love with her and she is happier and more radiant than she has ever been."
Alexios gave a non-committal grunt. Most Japanese royals might have seen this as an insult, the Imperial Household Agency which controlled their every move certainly would have, but Mizuki was no ordinary princess- in fact that was just a title. She slowly moved forwards towards him.
"Is her brother-in-law a threat?" She asked quietly.
Alexios's brow furrowed. "I thought he would be," he admitted. "But based on what Dimitri and I found out, Liam… Would do no such thing."
"Would not or could not?" Mizuki asked. She was certainly one of the sharpest people in existence.
She shook her head. "I saw him throughout the Christening." She explained. "Although he does not seem particularly interested in anything his nephew might have someday, he did… Look at your sister with a certain interest."
Alexios stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Mizuki stated. "Based on what kind of power-play we have here- much more exciting than what I'm used to seeing- I think you should take steps- measures to make sure your nephew ascends the British throne."
She said quietly. "Not Liam. Not Cyrus. Not his hopeless daughters. Not even Eleanor as much as Aglaia appear to be getting along with her in-laws. Only Will. Or Andrew. Or Selena. With Aglaia as regent if necessary. But as long as Robert is alive, she is safe."
"As long as he is alive," Alexios mused aloud. "The last king was killed."
He wasn't referring to the uncle. If anyone ever remembered his reign, it wasn't with fondness.
Robert was King Simon's de facto successor, just as Will would be. Alexios needed to make it happen before they were killed or disgraced at the very least.
"Then we have to keep them safe," Mizuki said quietly. "Even if the Imperial Household Agency disapproves of my… Activities, especially in foreign royal affairs, I believe I may find a way." She headed for the nursey wing.
Dimitri watched her go, before approaching his brother. "She's quite unusual, brother." He stated.
Alexios inclined his head.
"Why are we inviting the Princess of Akishino into this mess that's now part ours?" Dimitri asked.
"Because Princess Mizuki would do anything for Aglaia. You know this better than most."
"The Imperial Household Agency has a very tight hold on all the activities and doings of the imperial family. Even the child of a second son like Mizuki." Dimitri stated. "But even so I can't disagree. She's the most capable ally we have."
Alexios nodded. "Alexios," Dimitri began. "Penelope and Maribel- their mother took them to see a Chinese doctor. I've researched her. She's very skilled, very highly recommended for fertility treatments."
"I know." Alexios stated. "And Robert knows too. He knows about the medicines and the diet and exercise regimen the duchess imposed on her daughters."
Mizuki shook her head. "If you don't mind, the queen has given me permission to check on her triplets."
Alexios nodded as the Japanese princess, the most mysterious and enigmatic member to have ever been born in their imperial family, made her way to the babies' nurseries.
Aglaia watched her go.
Her children would be safe with Mizuki, she knew for certain.
She didn't hear what her brother and her friend had discussed, but she did have a good guess.
Her family and friends genuinely feared for her and the children's safety and trusted no one.
Aglaia knew how trust could be breached very simply. Her governess and retainers were trusted to care for and educate her in her parents' absence when they first became king and queen. Instead they abused her horrendously and the governess died when her car took a tumble of a cliff during the police chase.
And her boyfriend… Aglaia looked away.
She had a husband now. He wasn't perfect, but who cared? She could not love him any less for being who and what he was. He gave her three children…
Aglaia went to the nurseries. This was to be her life now.
At barely two months, Will, Andrew and Selena were already bright babies. Someone said they seemed to be more intelligent, or in the very least, more aware than most babies at that age and children older than them, but Aglaia knew that intellect is one thing and emotional development which was just as important for the mental and physical health of the babies were another.
Will was the calmest, most seemingly level-headed of the trio. He observed his own surroundings, almost with a calculated precision and a patience which was enviable. He could become an excellent strategist, like Tokugawa Ieyasu the first shogun, Mizuki claimed. Ieyasu was patient and calculating. Even as a baby he seemed very intelligent in his gaze. Like he understood and had taken a step back from his family's crazy life. And he already knew what to do.
Andrew was the most decisive triplet, quick to react to anything. He had a temper which could be frightening even for an infant, and a hard gaze that seemed to intimidate anyone, and even though he wasn't stupid- as months went by, he knew where he could go and run and would act with caution in case he or anyone else tripped or bumped into someone for example- he was certainly energetic, temperamental and intimidating.
Selena by sharp contrast was a sweet, incredibly affectionate, happy baby. She hadn't stopped smiling since she first learnt how at least nine days since her birth, her father claimed. And always when one of her parents or someone she knew came into her line of sight, she would coo, and later cry out their names, her eyes full of the wide-eyed adoring love she seemed to exude to everyone. She laughed and smiled early and enjoyed playing enormously and even being dangled in front of a mirror would prompt her to beam at her own baby reflection. Len jokingly called her vain. "She's inherited those genes from this side of the family," she joked, unaware of how Mizuki grimaced covertly as did Dimitri.
The months progressed, the triplets grew. They were no longer swaddled and the bassinets were taken out of their individual nurseries and began sleeping more and more in their cots. Will started teething as did Andrew which put the latter in an enormous temper, and even Will barely tolerated it and Selena suffered. They ate soft, solid foods and started examining their baby books with a ferocious intensity. Aglaia was required to make a thorough documentation of her babies' progress and not just in the baby book.
Robert had made it clear to the media, that at such young ages, until they come of age, their environment should not be intruded upon by the media or any invading personnel. Their security, nannies, parents, godparents and relatives as with whatever playdates they would have, would be it. No press, no royal protocol, nothing. They had kept the children from the press for a few hours after the birth.
"But remember," Anastasia warned her daughter during one of her visits. "At the heart of any royal parents' success is a strong and stable marriage. If you and your spouse treat each other with respect and love and care for one another, your children will learn to do the same. Also, your children need a happy and nurturing environment to grow up in healthy and happy. I can point out numerous examples with this throughout history in various countries. So take care of your husband and marriage. Be happy and spend time together. You don't have to be with him every minute of every day, but quality is more important than quantity."
With this in mind, Aglaia who had already lost weight and was constantly advised by her mother to look after her looks throughout her pregnancy and afterwards, had treated her husband numerous times after the birth. They still, admittedly, had a deep and loving relationship, though their intimate lives weren't as wild as it was, the passion remained, and both of them adored each other.
Also taking her parents' advice, Aglaia realised she couldn't and shouldn't shelter her children forever. So snippets were sent out to the media which were ferociously devoured by the public. Photographs mostly. Maybe a video, but not yet. Much to the dismay of the traditionalists, they did not appear all dressed up and royal the way Robert, Liam, Eleanor and their parents did in their photographs released to the public. In fact the royal couple were definitely toned down in dress. They didn't look any different from any couple returning from work and playing with their kids, despite their enormous good looks. The babies were pouring over baby books and their interest rose.
The video footage of the babies first crawling was released discreetly weeks after they first began. The small snippets of the royals' family life was enthralling to the public.
People, to put it simply, adored them for the simple moralistic values they shared with the general public, their devotion to their family as well as their people. People couldn't understand or identify with Queen Helena's affairs, and the way her two younger children partied hard-core during their early adult years. The only conclusion that royal watchers and the public came up with was that the royals didn't know how to raise their kids right, and didn't seem to care about them much at all. This was a different story. "People can be fascinated with what it is like to live the high life, wear Dior, Chanel and Gucci, and gossip about scandals, but they can never understand hundreds of mistresses, concubines of pleasure squads," Anastasia warned her. Helena was nearby. She stiffened at the implication though Anastasia did not look at her.
Soon they started learning and identifying the alphabet. They were going to put the words together very soon.
Willow appeared in the palace and was directed to the nursery.
Aglaia smiled when she appeared. "Willow," she exclaimed. "Come in, please."
The babies were on a mat on the playroom floor. Will was seriously browsing over two baby books as was Selena. One was for the English alphabet and another one was a short, simple story. They began connecting the letters from the first book to the ones on the second and their mother helped identify the meaning of that word.
"They're… Getting quite advanced." Willow said in surprise. Aglaia smiled.
"Children have always learned through play," she said simply. "Make things interesting for them, make them want to learn or do something and they will do it."
Andrew crawled his way to his mother. She scooped him up and settled back down with the rest of her babies. Anastasia nodded, smiling warmly at Willow. "Care to join us, everyone?" Aglaia asked.
The two warring mothers-in-law/grandmothers smiled- looking rather tight on Helena's part- and sat down with Willow over the babies. "Now… A." Aglaia said. She repeated this slowly. It had become a learning game for them.
"A," their mother said enticingly. She moved the other book towards them. "A..?" She trailed off expectantly.
Will and Selena placed a chubby finger on the letter A, along with a pouting Andrew.
The babies immediately identified the letter in the new book in various places.
"Very good." Aglaia cheered. "B…" Her hand moved towards another book.
The babies identified the letter, and they also began identifying the various animals their mother showed them on a fourth book.
"I've started speaking other languages with them too," Aglaia admitted to them. "Gaelic- both Irish and Scottish, and Welsh as well as Greek. But I don't want them to mix them up. They have to learn how to speak them all properly."
The babies started getting bored. Selena started cooing and reached around with grabby hands. Andrew was crawling away, grunting in a slightly irritated manner, eying his toys, before deciding that they weren't of any interest.
"I wanted to ask you all something," Aglaia said cheerfully.
"Hmm?" Len appeared in the nursery in jeans and a tank top. "Hellooo, my wittel dahlings," she cooed. The babies immediately cooed and crawled towards her.
"It's about the triplets' birthday," Aglaia explained. "I want to take them to an amusement park."
Helena and Anastasia both stared at her.
"What?" Helena blurted out.
"Αγάπη μου, είσαι σίγουρος;" Anastasia asked. Darling, are you sure?
"Why not?" Aglaia boldly asked. She looked at Willow. "What do you think?" She encouraged. "I mean… we'll be there in Thorpe Park, and then a small party afterwards."
Willow nodded. "I think it's a great idea."
"What about security?" Helena asked.
"Well, we'll take James Hill and the nannies who won't be dressed in their uniforms. Jasper can come along with Sarah Alice. No one will know they're security." She offered. "Or rather… If you won't mind, when the party starts- and it's going to be rather private-"
Anastasia straightened. "Darling, I understand more than most that you want to give these babies a normal upbringing, and that is good. It's incredibly healthy to have them as such. The fact that you and your husband are not leaving your children to the rigours of royal protocol and constant public attention means that your offspring will never have to grow up like another Louis XVI and Charles I whose parents or caregivers invested little time and interest in them and confined them to just that. I think we all know that highly deluded sense of entitlements and being secluded from the real world lead both of them to the scaffold with their heads cut off." Helena's eye twitched. Clearly this was something aimed at her. "But it does not mean that they are not in danger. Goodness knows, they're already in a crazy mess. People are entirely fascinated with the world's first pair of royal triplets born into this royal house and they are hoping to see… Something spectacular. I don't know about you, but your babies seem remarkably advanced for their age. What if it encourages not only public interest but also whoever wants to keep them off the throne?"
Willow looked alarmed. Len looked from her mother, to Anastasia to Aglaia and back.
Aglaia let out a sigh. "Mother," she began. But shook her head. "You could… Wait a bit," Willow suggested.
"Wait?" Aglaia looked at her. "Wait until they're old enough, takes some time, but when the time comes, they'll be able to go to Thorpe Park, Disneyland, the Harry Potter theme park in Florida, anything. Just not for their first birthdays. Besides, it's not as if they could go to all the rides and be able to remember it," Willow put in.
"She's right." Len sat down. She picked up Selena and put her on her lap with a book. "A small tea party would do." She beamed. "I could arrange it."
The door knocked. "Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Mizuki of Akishino," someone announced. And Mizuki made her way in.
"Your Imperial Highness, I did not expect you here." Helena remarked.
"I asked her to come, she's checking up on the triplets," Aglaia informed her, standing and picking the babies up one by one.
"How have they been?" Mizuki put down her black bag.
"They've been eating well and sleeping through the night, even Andrew," Aglaia stated. "They've begun eating solid food- soft ones like oatmeal and purée."
"Stools?" Mizuki picked up William and put him on the changing table. "How often do you change them a day?"
"Same as always, they do seem satisfied and interested in eating, milk and solids, so that's no problem. At least six wet diapers and several stools per day." Aglaia announced.
"They appear rather healthy," Mizuki smiled. She picked up a stethoscope and began monitoring the babies' heartbeat. She checked their temperatures. "Weight check?" She asked. Aglaia nodded.
"Wait- you're a doctor?" Len blurted.
Mizuki raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Some traditional Chinese practices, though I'm Japanese, and Western. So their eating habits are rather well. Their sleep patterns, based on what you've told me, they've been developing their own… Immunisations?" She asked.
"The usual." Aglaia conceded. Mizuki nodded. "Good."
"You're a princess," Len stated. "How could you possibly be a doctor?"
Mizuki laughed softly. "I was a Miko- a priestess at a Shinto temple- for a few years. I loved the place, but I was pulled out due to 'security concerns.'" She scoffed. "Afterwards I trained to become a doctor. I developed an interest in traditional Chinese medicines and western. So I studied abroad, same old story, came back and am now allowed to practice, though the Imperial Household Agency, who controls my every move, prevent me from becoming your regular GP."
"We met here," Aglaia said softly. "In Britain. I was studying law and social sciences in Oxford and she was in medical school."
Len stared. "I've never been to university."
Aglaia looked at her and then at Helena. "Princesses don't normally graduate-" Helena began, but trailed off.
"In any case, your triplets are healthy and they appear to be developing rather well," Mizuki said pleasantly. She smiled at the mother, after checking all three babies. "On a side-note," she pressed a piece of paper into Aglaia's hand. "I'll be in London for two weeks. This is where I'll be staying. Please destroy this."
Aglaia nodded. "Understood." She smiled at Mizuki. "Thank you."
Aglaia turned towards them. "You've never been to university, really?"
Len nodded. "Nope." She didn't need to say that she'd only ever been a party girl for most of her adult life.
"Well, I've been home-schooled, so I suppose you're in good company," Aglaia gave her a reassuring smile as she picked up the triplets and one by one, put them into the playpen.
"Yeah, but I didn't… I'm not qualified for anything," Len said while their mothers went to one of the nurseries. Aglaia looked at her, while giving her babies teething rings with gel and chew toys to soothe their aching gums.
"Well, it's not too late to learn," Aglaia remarked, straightening. "What would you like to do?"
Len paused. "I… I haven't really thought about it," she admitted.
"Well, Princess Mizuki whom you've met, is a doctor, before that she was a priestess." Aglaia began. "I was interested in law, and wanted to become a Human Rights lawyer, before I joined medical school and then the United Nations for UNICEF and UNHCR for children and refugees abroad. Princess Arinya of Thailand owns a chain of boutiques where she sells luxury items like clothes inspired by traditional clothing and her own grandmother, and scented candles among other products. Some like the Princess of Dubai have competed in the Olympics- she was an equestrian. She also knows how to drive a truck." Len and Aglaia blinked in surprise.
"You could of course, go for the army, but somehow I don't think that would suit you," Aglaia said, amused. "No," Len agreed.
"And religious life?" She questioned. "Not into that either?" Len made a hesitant face. "Well-" Aglaia laughed. "Medical school?" Len grimaced. "Blood and me… Don't get along so well. Besides, if I made a mistake…" She quailed at the thought.
"I was also in the School of Language," Aglaia stated. "And social sciences. My father took an interest in ecology. And like the emperor of Japan, ichthyology."
"Ick- what?"
"Ichthyology. Basically, fish science." She explained. "There's also agriculture. The king of Thailand studied that and irrigation. They wanted to find a good source of protein accessible to all Thais, and so they drained one of the pools in the royal gardens, and used it to breed fish. They distributed them to people from all villages and towns to breed and so they were able to have fish. When the monsoon failed to come, he used an airplane to saturate the clouds with chemicals and rain would start falling. They called him the Rainmaker King. This was the previous king of Thailand," she sighed. "You could go for that, or the School of Design. You could… Become a graphics designer, or start your own fashion label."
Len's eyes were wide as she realised the scope of what she could do. She'd lived a royal existence all her life, thinking it was all balls, parties and ceremonies, with the occasional horse race and numerous designer dresses, gowns, jewels and accessories. And apart from that, as an act of rebellion, it was all racy night clubs, drugs, sex and alcohol, even dirty dancing.
She never attempted to live a life beyond that because there had never been a point. She would never be able to get a regular job, be a regular girl. She wouldn't be allowed to go amidst 'peasant stock' as Duchie used to say. Apart from the security risks, there were numerous issues. And yet, here was not only one but two princesses who not only excelled in their royal duties- at least in Aglaia's case- but also had jobs, lives outside the palace and beyond the monotonous, tedious world of royal etiquette. And more princesses if what Aglaia had said was true.
They'd succeeded. Not only that they had actually advanced and benefited their own countries.
Eleanor swallowed.
"I have to warn you though," Aglaia said gently. "That it's going to be hard. People will look at you and think you're just a princess and a spoiled brat and that's all you'll ever be. They'll either try to give you preferential treatment which means that you will never be able to learn anything or get anywhere, or they will put you down, exclude you, always underestimating you. Not to mention, working means balancing your royal duties and your home life all together with your job. But… It's worth it." She said quietly. "It's worth it, to be proud that you can do something, that you can live without being pampered, spoiled and dependant on people in order to survive. At the end of the day, you can feel that you are a good, hard worker, that you've earned your own money and reaped your own rewards, justly and fairly. That you don't need anyone looking after you and that you deserve all the good that's come into your life." She regarded Eleanor. "It's worth it."
And Eleanor was determined.
"I… I think I want to start a fashion line," she said through a dry throat. "I mean… I see Mum, I see you, and I have me. I know fashion, even though I used to dress quite… Well, you know, just to rebel. I can take influences and use it into something new. That or a cosmetics."
Aglaia smiled. "Then go for it," she urged. "And don't let anyone's words get you down."
Len took a deep breath. "There's ahem, just one problem though," she admitted sheepishly.
"Oh? And what's that?" Aglaia asked.
Len looked even more sheepish. "I can't sew."
"So you tie the knot," Nanny Pam began.
Eleanor squinted. "How on earth do you tie a knot, it's so… Tiny." She scowled, trying to see the thread properly.
She was learning how to sew.
The nannies had made quillows- or quilts that could be folded into pillows. Add to the individual cushions, baby bonnets and shoes, cardigans, jumpers, trousers, skirts and all the clothes that babies wear, half of which was given to them as very expensive gifts, the rest lovingly made by Aglaia, Queen Anastasia or the nannies.
Len gritted her teeth. "This is hopeless."
"No, it isn't." Nanny Pam encouraged. "Just keep practicing."
Len only pricked her finger and nearly dropped the embroidery hoop.
Nanny Pam also taught her knitting.
"I don't get how this… Knit one and pearl two thing works," Eleanor admitted.
How to operate a sewing machine.
In the meantime to encourage her, Aglaia suggested that she drew up some of her own designs. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked Len.
Eleanor nodded. "Positive," she said, firmly.
She drew her sketches. And to her own surprise, some of the elements in what she drew she got from Aglaia and her own mother.
"What do you think?" She asked, Aglaia eagerly.
Aglaia bent down to see the sketch. Admittedly, Len also needed brushing up on her artistry skills, but after a few tries, she nailed it.
The sheath dress was emerald green. It was made of silk layered with tulle in slightly differing shades of green like jade and mint. There was an emerald belt in the middle, ornate and stylized. The shoulders were bared but there were cap sleeves with small pleated layers. The bodice had subtle hints of swirling patterns, very subtle, made of tulle lace.
Then there was another one: this one was an evening gown in turquoise silk gauze with gold leaf embroidery. There was a beaded bolero jacket adorning it on top.
"I think it's great," Aglaia complimented her genuinely. The two had decided not to tell Helena any of this just yet. Or anyone else. They just wanted to see how it went first.
"Now," Aglaia went on. "Shall we get started?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Aglaia smiled and shrugged. "Well," she began. "Shall we make it? Who do you want to wear it?"
In the events that followed, Aglaia arranged for a few prominent designers to be seated where they could easily see the royal family, for British fashion week. The royal family would be scrutinised very carefully for what they were wearing. Aglaia had chosen one of Eleanor's designs and both agreed not to tell a single soul. In fact, for coming events, Aglaia would wear one of Len's designs, the ones that met her approval, after Len asked her to treat her as any designer. Aglaia agreed.
British fashion week rocked. Afterwards came several ceremonies, things that Aglaia would wear during her royal duties and the work she undertook herself. Meeting heads-of-state, attending dinners, galas, opening ceremonies et cetera. During all this time, she had been remarkably silent on who designed her outfits, prompting the press and her fashion followers to furiously question various designers on whether or not they had made the queen's clothes and Princess Eleanor's. Even Helena was suspicious and impressed, and asked who made them for her.
"Why?" Aglaia asked.
"Well whoever did it, clearly knows their business," the queen mother replied.
Once she'd turned away, Aglaia discreetly winked at Len.
She asked Len if she wanted to take this overseas. "There are a number of people," she told her. She named one, the sultan of Burma's wife. "She loves coordinating bags and shoes or adorning her headscarf with a striking brooch. She's a patron of Songket fabric weavers and her support and financial backing has been invaluable to the people working in that industry."
The princess of Thailand had recently had her own fashion show in Paris. "Draping, pleating fabrics, and traditional ones but with a very modern and stylish flare," Aglaia showed her the designs. There were dresses with gathered hems or trousers that were wide and almost voluminous at the hips and became narrower at the legs, very exotic sarongs, fabrics in saffron and turmeric, carmine as well as ivory, beige and dove-grey. The Thai princess like gold and silver filigree embroidery and sometimes stones like topaz in hems, sleeves, panels and belts. There were wedges, platforms, pumps, and sandals, jewelled and adorned with gilt and gorgeous handbags with jewel-encrusted peacocks. "She's doing rather well," Aglaia admitted.
Len was… Not as enthusiastic. "I'm going up against that?" She said, aghast. "Well, remember, she's been doing this for some time now. You're just getting started. All this is a learning process. Some people can be pleased, others less impressed. Some want more while others want less." She looked at her.
Len gazed at the photos of the Thai princess all dressed up for fashion week and various events. She remembered her own crazy days. Like she spent as much money trying to make herself appear as cheap as possible in order to give the finger to royal protocol and people like Lucius or her mother. Her makeup smudged and partly washed off, while her mother remained impeccable. This princess looked and dressed like a supermodel.
This was why they needed to keep her name out of it until it was suitable and believable enough. Aglaia had already advised Len to take care of her appearance to advertise. She also wore clothing she herself designed.
"When I am in charge of my own label," Len decided, nearly pricking herself on the sewing machine. "I am going to get people to do this for me."
"But until then, you start at the dirt before you reach the stars," Aglaia reminded her.
"Where were you all my life?" Len smiled, shaking her head.
"Your brother said the same thing," Aglaia muttered. She did not tell Len what they did after he said that. It was bad enough her mother had to interfere in this. This should strictly be placed behind closed doors.
"What about your cousins, Penelope and Maribel," Aglaia mused aloud. "You know… They could really benefit from doing something like this."
Len nearly snorted in laughter. "You're joking right?" She asked Aglaia, in disbelief. "Why not?" Aglaia stated.
Eleanor shook her head. "Because they'll… Be utterly clueless and helpless in every possible way." Aglaia sighed. "Are they really that...?" She hesitated. She did not know a polite term to describe the sisters' intellectual capability.
Eleanor snorted and shook her head once more. "But they're… Surely they've been… Their parents…" Aglaia trailed off hesitantly.
Len gave Aglaia a look. "For all I can say that my life was really f***ed up, Penelope and Maribel's parents did a lot worse," she remarked, inspecting the fabric. "At least I know that my parents did care, deep down. I know Veruca must have but Cyrus…" She grimaced and picked up an embroidery hoop.
Aglaia sighed. "Wow. So what will happen to them for the rest of their lives? If they spend all the money that they've somehow inherited, what will happen to them then?"
Eleanor shrugged. "I dunno. I think Cyrus made a point of making sure they were well-provided, but if they keep spending them on drugs, I can't promise that they'll be happy."
"Right." Her sister-in-law stated. "Well…" She sighed. She looked down and saw a photograph. It was a silver-framed photo of King Simon, Queen Helena and their children when they were clearly young, innocent and in much happier days. King Simon's face was blissful, inwardly at least, it must have been. He seemed radiant and happy. A curly, blond-haired boy with cherubic features and blue eyes cheekily had his left arm thrown over his father's shoulder and was peeking through there. Queen Helena was dressed simply in comparison to what she usually wore, her only jewellery a strand of simple pearls and flower earrings, hair swept in an up-do and a girl with her same hair had her arms lovingly thrown from behind her mother, who held her close. An adolescent boy with dark hair smiled down, bent from behind. Happier days, when things were less complicated it seemed.
"You know I met him," Aglaia said quietly.
"Who?" Len asked, looking up from her sewing.
"Your father," she stated. Len's eyes widened. "You did."
Aglaia shook her head smiling. "Oh, how I could totally laugh. I didn't see a thing coming. I was tiny, really small. Your father came for a state visit. I didn't see your mother, but I heard she came as well. He bent down, and I was surprised, because since when did a king like him bend down to actually pay attention to royal children he had never met? The public's children, for sure, but princesses. He said, 'She's growing into a beauty, this one. Better look out,' he warned my father. 'What do you think's going to happen when some handsome prince or great king from far away steals her from you? Or even any guy?' My father just laughed. He said: 'Not for a long, long time, I hope.' 'Well I think she'll be a very great woman and someday a very great man will be worthy enough to win her heart.'" Aglaia laughed and shook her head. "If only he knew." She stated. She sighed. "It's the biggest shame," she said sadly. "I think he would have been so happy to have you with us," Len said sadly. "He would have loved nothing more than to hold the triplets in his arms. To be there at your wedding day."
"And yours," Aglaia said softly. "Has Jasper popped the question yet?" Len blushed furiously. "What?" "Do you want him to?" She asked cheekily.
Just then someone burst in. Eleanor quickly stuffed her work under the coffee table and Aglaia stood in front of her poised and calm. "Yes?" She asked.
"Your majesty." The man swallowed. "Forgive the intrusion, but…"
"But what?" Aglaia said, her suspicions mounting.
"Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Penelope and Maribel… His Majesty said it had something to do with them." He admitted. "The king also said it was an emergency."
Aglaia and Eleanor exchanged looks and dashed off.
Robert was in his private office. Cyrus was drinking- no surprise- swilling down all the Scotch and brandy he could get his hands on, sometimes straight from the decanter. Veruca was smirking, or at least trying and failing not to, but the look in her eyes. Helena stood frozen as if stunned. Liam just… Looked astonished like he couldn't believe anything like this had happened… Whatever it was.
"Yes," Aglaia announced, entering, closely followed by Eleanor.
"Darling," Robert turned towards her with a ghost of a smile. "It seems we have a little problem right here."
Cyrus scoffed. "I daresay. The two idiots of my loins are stupider than I thought."
"Your royal highness, I would advise you to keep your feelings hidden if that is how you truly feel," Aglaia said icily. She turned towards Penelope, Maribel and their mother. "What is it that could possibly be considered such a terrible emergency?"
"My daughters are both pregnant." Veruca smiled, looking like the cat that got the cream.
"I'm sorry?" Aglaia asked alarmed.
"They're pregnant," Veruca repeated.
"Both of them?" Aglaia demanded.
"Both of them."
"How?" Eleanor was frankly quite astounded. "WHO?!"
"That's what we'd all like to know," Robert remarked.
"One was Prince Adriaan of the Netherlands." Veruca stated. "WHAT?!" There was a chorus of that from Helena, Liam, Aglaia and Eleanor. "The other one on the bed was Prince Shabangu of Swaziland."
Robert sighed and turned his eyes heavenwards. "And do you have any idea of the implications for royalty of getting before marrying?"
"Well, in Swaziland, that can easily be fixed," Veruca claimed. "After all, the wives selected by the king are called brides until they become pregnant which is when marriage takes place."
"So you're okay with this?" Aglaia demanded. "Prince Shabangu told you that?" Boy, was she going to have a word with him. "Well, yes, after I pestered him."
"Prince Shabangu isn't the king. There's not even a guarantee he's going to become a king. The king is chosen by… Well, it's complex based on what I've read," Aglaia spluttered. "A reigning monarch is chosen after the death of the king from amongst his many children and he and his mother go to govern the country as absolute rulers." Cyrus sniggered drunkenly. "And even if this is permitted from a royal outside of the king, in European royal circles, including this one, it is not." She glared at the four of them. "You are pregnant out of wedlock thanks to other royalty and your own carelessness. Do you have any idea of the scandal it would ensue? Leaving aside Swaziland, there's the Netherlands. Do you think they permit this sort of thing any more than any other royal house in Europe? Back in the day, royal love-children were accepted as a fact of life, but right now things have changed. Especially through other royals. Monaco might have different laws, but in any other part of the world, a princess getting pregnant out of wedlock…" She shook her head aghast. "This could cause a severe international crisis." She stated to her husband. "Prince Adriaan could be kicked out of his own family and the Dutch line of succession, stripped of all styles and titles."
"Style?" Penelope echoed dopily. "He's not going to have… Style?" Maribel looked petrified at the thought. "Are we going to lose our… Style?"
"Perhaps," Aglaia snapped at them with such ferocity that even Cyrus and Veruca were stunned to silence.
"It would be no less than what you deserve!" She hissed. The rest of them took a step back. This was Aglaia as they had never seen her before. "You fools! You may have damaged international relations with at least two countries, and sullied the reputation of this one. You've dishonoured and disgraced the House of Henstridge and worse of all, you've disgraced and embarrassed Britain, if you haven't publicly humiliated your country!" She snapped. "We are trying to mend relations with other countries, particularly the royal houses, and you go about drunk, getting pregnant with princes whom you aren't even engaged? They will blame us!" She spat. "They will blame the Henstridges! They will expect a fine, they will expect punishment. Which means that Prince Adriaan may very well lose his own right to the throne, as do you!"
Veruca froze. "What?" So did Penelope and Maribel.
"She's right," Robert admitted. He stood up where he had been leaning against his desk. "They will certainly expect punishment to be dealt with quickly and as decisively as possible. Otherwise, international relations and more will be damaged further by the ensuing scandal. We have to resolve this now before the scandal breaks free." Aglaia shook her head. "We also have to talk about your less-than perfect planning of all this," Robert said icily.
"What?" Veruca asked. "I don't know what you're talking about," she immediately denied.
"Of course you don't," Robert said sarcastically. "Never mind the fact that you supplied your daughters with Chinese traditional medicine in order to get them ready for pregnancy."
"WHAT?!" That was Helena, Eleanor, Aglaia and Liam- and Cyrus.
"Everything will come crashing down," Robert warned them. "Prepare for a whole lot of drama."