Breakfast in the Nursery
Romelle entered the nursery for the second time that morning, a little after 8:00am. She had already been in there at 6:00am, to nurse Erik. He would usually go back to sleep, and Romelle would do some yoga or work out. By the time she had done her shower and dressed, it was time for breakfast with solid foods. When she entered the nursery Nanny was putting Erik in his highchair, at the table that was set up over the window.
"Nanny, thank you for getting him ready." Romelle smiled at the older woman gratefully. She couldn't imagine what she would do without her, and after watching her with Allura last night she didn't feel guilty about taking her from her cousin's staff.
"Highness, he is a good boy; and a hungry one too." Nanny announced, as they watched Erik look around for food. He was getting used to the routine now, and knew that good things appeared on the tray when he sat in the chair. Romelle was all set to say something when there was knock on the door, before it slowly opened. She was shocked to see Sven standing there, but managed to greet him pleasantly.
Sven had given a lot of thought to what Lance, and Keith earlier, had told him, about not turning his back on his son just because he was mad at Romelle. Erik was the pride and center of his life, and while he had not liked Lance and Keith confronting him like they had, he saw that they were really looking out for him. They were the only two people who understood his heritage, and why he was as stubborn as he was.
It struck him that both of them were willing to take the time to talk to him, Lance even coming down to his room late at night. Keith had always been the most high the most minded person he had known, while Lance had been the most in your face bastard he had ever dealt with. He had seen how the two personalities merged into a perfect being. He wasn't sure which Nordic god they represented, but knew that it had to be one of them. It was bad form, and bad karma to argue with Nordic gods, he knew from ancient stories.
He hadn't stopped for breakfast, not really being hungry, and wanting to get up to see Erik. Sven had not thought he would have to face Romelle, and he hesitated before entering the nursery. "I thought you would be having breakfast with." Sven paused; all set to say Fauk but decided he didn't want to sound like a jealous teenager, so he amended his comment "with everyone else."
"I have breakfast with Erik every morning, now that he is starting to eat solid foods. Would you like to join us?" Romelle made it a point to smile as she made the offer, wanting to keep Sven calm. She really didn't want breakfast marred by him getting moody.
"Well, I don't know; I was hoping to spend some time with him." He replied, not really wanting Romelle to interfere in his time with Erik.
Romelle saw his indecision and tried to keep from sighing; nothing was ever easy or straightforward with Sven anymore. "Why don't we have breakfast together, and then you and Erik could go do something. It would be good for him to spend some time outside, and now that he is walking some he enjoys playing in the sundial garden." She hoped that offering him some one on one time with their son would make him happy.
"Romelle, you didn't tell me he was walking! When did that happen?" Sven asked rapidly, wishing he had been there to see the boy's first steps. As he thought that, he looked at his wife, thinking it was her fault that he hadn't been there. Romelle saw the look and felt her shoulders start to tense up.
"Sven, he just started, and I sent you a message, with a picture. Didn't you read it?" Romelle tried to keep her voice upbeat, as she asked. Sven thought about her comment, and remembered that she had sent him some kind of message, just before he left Crydor. However, he hadn't bothered to read it, thinking it was going to be instructions about the wedding. It came to him that no matter what, he seemed to find a way to goof it up.
"It must have come after I left Crydor." Sven decided that time with his son was more important than getting annoyed about the message. "I will have breakfast with you both, and then take Erik outside. I would though prefer somewhere else, besides that garden. Wasn't that the one that Allura was saying that Pidge did? It sounds too formal and fancy." The mention of the garden had made him think of dinner last night, which caused an annoyed look to come on his face.
"Erik just likes to be outside, so he will enjoy anywhere." Romelle told him, trying to control the nervous tremors she was feeling as she saw the expression on his face. Nanny had been watching the interchange between the couple, and had no problems reading between the lines.
"I let the kitchen know that Captain Holgersson will be joining you for breakfast, Your Highness. They will send up some extra food." The older woman announced, hoping the change of subject would be welcomed.
"Thank you Nanny! Sven, why don't you sit next to Erik?" Romelle asked in an almost too eager voice, hoping that the child would distract his father. Sven saw the round table, over by the window, where his son was already sitting. He could almost swear that Erik smiled at him, and he forgot about his annoyance, as he crossed over to sit down.
Romelle and Nanny exchanged a conspiratorial look, as Sven talked to Erik. It was several minutes later that there was a knock on the door, which Nanny answered. One of the kitchen maids was there, with a cart that had several covered dishes on it. She wheeled it in, and over to the table, as Romelle went and sat down across from Sven.
He looked up when he saw the food, and then watched as the maid uncovered the dishes and set plates of food in front of them. Sven tightened his mouth, hating the idea of being served his food. He wished he was sitting in his kitchen at home with Erik, while Romelle cooked them something herself. "I could have gotten my own food." He almost snapped at the kitchen maid, who looked at him with round apprehensive eyes.
"Sven, please." Romelle pleaded, as she turned to the young maid "It looks delicious; thank you for bringing it Melanie." The woman beamed at the Polluxian princess, admiring how pretty she was, and kind too. She didn't have the striking looks of Her Majesty, but it was apparent the two women were related. Melanie was looking forward to telling everyone downstairs about how Capt. Holgersson behaved towards her.
"Why can't we just have something simple in the kitchen?" Sven almost demanded, as he looked at the food nicely arranged on the plate, and garnished with some green stuff. Before Romelle could respond, Erik started to fuss, getting upset with Sven raising his voice. The next several minutes were spent with Romelle calming Erik down, while Melanie put coffee and orange juice on the table, as Nanny put together a plate of food for the child. Through it all, Sven glowered at his food, which was noticed by everyone. Melanie could hardly wait to get downstairs to regale the staff with this story.
"Sven, would you like to feed Erik?" Romelle offered, after Melanie and Nanny had left the nursery. She wasn't sure if she would be able to eat, with the way her stomach was in knots now. Her hands felt shaky too, which she didn't want her husband to see. Why couldn't he just accept the plate of food graciously, she wondered.
"Yes, if there is anything here he could eat." Sven looked at what Erik had on his special nursery plate with suspicion. Romelle inwardly sighed, as she waited for her husband's next complaint. This was bringing back all the memories of the time in that hateful house, with Sven alternating between being angry, and being moody.
"Why does he have a cup? Aren't you still nursing?" This was the problem with not living with his family, he decided; he had no idea what was going on with Erik. Sven saw Romelle's lips tighten for a moment, before she put the patient expression back on her face. It made him feel like she was humoring him.
"I am still nursing, but I am also weaning him. He is almost a year old now, and needs to start drinking milk from a cup." Romelle wondered how it would be received if she sent her husband a book on child development. Sven decided to concentrate on feeding Erik, seeing that he was going to get nowhere with his concerns. It struck him as unfair that Romelle could make any decision she wanted about Erik, and society went along because she was the mother.
"Did Keith ever come back last night?" Romelle asked, changing the conversation to lighten the mood. Sven looked at her like she had two heads, not knowing what she was talking about. He said as much, and he saw the tight set to her mouth again.
"Don't you remember Keith and his lady friend didn't make it to the after party?" Romelle suppressed a sigh, knowing that Sven had been at the table when they had the discussion.
"I don't keep tabs on Keith, Romelle. As far as his lady friend I really don't know what he sees in her." Sven had met Eimear, and had taken a dislike to her because of her title. He did see why Keith was now taking Romelle's side in everything, but he was surprised that his friend would go out with someone like Lady Ainsley. Romelle discarded Keith as a subject of conversation, and searched her mind for something they could talk about without Sven having a snit fit.
"I had the chance to talk to Hunk, who was telling me about his cousin playing on the earth football team. It looks like they will make it to the playoff; have you been following the team?" In truth she had no idea if Sven even knew about the team, but hoped that it would be a neutral enough subject.
"Professional sports are a waste of time! Do you know how much they charge to see the games? Honestly, I have better things to do with my time and money." Sven hunched his shoulders, having in fact heard about the game. Hunk, Pidge, and Chip had mentioned the playoff, and how they, and he, had been invited to watch from the private stadium box of some performer that Pidge knew. Sven could only imagine how much money it would really cost him to do it, since nothing was really free. He also didn't understand how someone so scientific like Pidge could know a music group that well.
By now Romelle had barely had two bites of her breakfast, due to how upset her stomach was. She took a deep breath and visualized Bandor asking her to get along with Sven until after the wedding on Odeos. Romelle also thought about her talk with Allura last night, knowing that her cousin was concerned about her happiness. Finally, she saw Fauk, sitting next to her, his hand lightly squeezing her thigh, as Sven was so impossible.
Romelle knew that everyone only wanted the best for her and Erik, and they all understood the situation with Sven. Drawing on every ounce of royal training she had ever received, she took a deep breath before she addressed her husband.
"I think Erik will enjoy spending time with you, Sven. Once breakfast is over with, what do you want to do?" Romelle inquired in a cool tone, as she added "I am only nursing three times a day, so until about lunch he should be set." She hoped that Sven would be thrilled to have a huge amount of time with his son. Romelle wasn't concerned about her husband trying anything, because Allura had privately assured her that the castle grounds were under constant surveillance.
"Oh, so you are going to go goof off?" Sven knew he should be happy to have the chance to spend the time with his son. He was though concerned about what his wife would be doing with her time, wondering if it included Prince Fauk.
"No, I am going to help sort through wedding gifts with Allura's social secretary. They have to be acknowledged, and I said I would help out. Larmina is rather overwhelmed!" Romelle explained, thinking about the eighteen year old girl, and the response to her wedding. She was sad because she had never ever experienced the level of happiness that Larmina had, with her bridegroom. They had not even taken a honeymoon, so it had been easy for her to deal with her wedding gifts.
"It is good of you to offer to help out." Sven replied; glad that his wife would be occupied with female pursuits. He wished he could figure out his feelings about Romelle. She made him so mad, fighting him at every decision, but the thought of anyone else spending time with her and his son made his haggerium laced blood boil. The rest of the meal passed in peace, the conversation being confined to Erik.
Once breakfast was done, Romelle excused herself, giving Erik a hug and a kiss. She walked out of the nursery, and down to her room, where she broke down in tears. She wasn't sure how much more she could take of Sven, and his cold disapproval. Romelle wanted to be back in Pollux, in her sun filled house with its cheerful decorations. She and Erik had happy meals that they laughed through, instead of one's filled with wariness.
It was around 10:00am and Prince Fauk was sitting on one of the tables on the terrace, finishing up a session with his prime minister, back on Odeos. The prince had done his work out, and then had breakfast outside while reviewing memos. He then had his first cigarette, a second cup of coffee, and set up the video session with Tsokas, his prime minister.
Now, he was done with the business of Odeos, so he lit a second cigarette and waited for his next visitor. Fauk did not see any incongruently in working out and smoking; as he had said before he was into pleasure, and both things gave it to him. As he took a second drag on his now lit cigarette, his ADC Markus came to the table. They reviewed the schedule for the day, along with the key people Fauk would interact with.
"What are the other guests up to now?" Fauk asked, liking to know everything that was going on. He was always willing to listen to gossip, knowing that most of the time it carried a kernel of truth in it. Markus knew the prince very well, and had come prepared.
"Her Highness Princess Elena and His Majesty are finishing up breakfast in the main dining room with Andrew and Claire McClain. Her Highness and Mrs. McClain are talking about maybe going shopping in town." Markus started his run down, and the prince smiled happily. The connection to Andrew McClain, which Bandor brought with him, was valuable. Fauk had explained to his sister about the need to curry favor with the head of the galaxy security council.
His sister was no one's fool, and he was proud of how he had raised her, since their parents had died. The main purpose of a royal princess was to make a grand match, and Elena had been brought up with that goal in mind. He had explained to her all about politics, as well as men and what they liked. What was the point of making a good marriage if it ended up unhappy, Fauk thought, so he had seen to it that his sister was well prepared by always being honest with her. She might be a virgin physically, but mentally she was not. He had no doubt that Bandor would thank him later.
"Her Majesty and the prince consort are having a private breakfast in their suite." Markus informed the prince, who nodded knowingly. He didn't blame Lance for wanting his wife all to himself, thinking about how beautiful Allura was. Fauk would have been very interested in her as a bride, if she had not had her own kingdom to run. He understood that someone who had been brought up to be a ruler would never relinquish the role easily.
"I also found out about Commander Kogane, as you requested last night." Markus stated, and Fauk remembered that he had sent his ADC a note about that last night. He looked expectantly at the man, waiting for the answer.
"It turns out that Lady Ainsley's son, His Grace, came down with a very bad fever. The commander spent the night helping her nurse the boy, who is now doing better." Markus told Fauk, adding the extra details that he knew the man liked to hear. The prince nodded his head, having talked to the lady in question. He already knew her story from one of the briefing memos that had been prepared for him, on the major players he would meet at the wedding.
"Markus, I think we should send some type of get well gift to the family." Fauk suggested, wanting to stay on Commander Kogane's good side. It sounded like the relationship was very serious, and the prince knew it wouldn't hurt to be on good terms with the head of the Voltron force and his wife. The ADC knew exactly how the prince's mind worked, and nodded his head.
"I was thinking of that myself. Would you like me to run into town and arrange for flowers and some kind of a model or puzzle to be sent?" Markus offered, and Fauk looked at him with pleasure.
"That would be a capital idea. I think I will suggest that His Majesty do something similar, as a good will gesture." Fauk had taken his future brother-in-law under his wing, seeing that the young man needed some guidance. He had already taken stock of most of the royal advisors on Pollux, and knew that some changes needed to be made. Once Elena was queen she would be able to help Bandor get his court in order.
"Your Highness, I have a piece of gossip for you from the servant's hall, concerning Princess Romelle and Commander Holgersson." Markus had saved the best for last, and he laid it carefully before the prince. He noticed how his employer's eyes gleamed, and was glad that he would be able to pass the information along before Fauk's valet did. Seeing the prince incline his head, the ADC got down to business.
"Her Highness was in the nursery to have breakfast with her son, as she does every morning. Commander Holgersson showed up unannounced, to see the child. My understanding is that Her Highness was very gracious, and invited him to have breakfast with them." Markus detailed the scene out, as Fauk nodded his head in comprehension. In his mind Romy was a saint to be as patient with the man as she was.
"The commander said yes, but then became upset about the food being served to him. He snapped at the kitchen maid, and announced that he would prefer to eat in the kitchen. The child became rather upset because of his father's raised voice, so Her Highness had to spend the time calming him down. The maid didn't stay during the meal, but said that when she went to get the dishes, nothing had been eaten from the princess' plate." The ADC knew that Fauk was very concerned about the situation with the Polluxian princess and her husband, not wanting it to impact Princess Elena. Both he and the prince's valet had been charged with keeping Fauk apprised of any happenings.
"Such a sad situation." Fauk sighed, pretending to be upset at the news. In truth he was thrilled, because that damn bastard was only digging his own grave.
"Tell me Markus, what is the general feeling about Princess Romelle and Commander Holgersson?" He asked, hoping he would hear what he wanted. He was also upset that Romy had not been able to eat any of her breakfast.
"People feel bad for Princess Romelle, because of the Commander's illness and how it causes him to act. There is still some loyalty to the Commander, because he was the Blue Lion pilot. However, his abduction of his son and his subsequent behavior on his last two visits to Arus has not done him any favors." The ADC explained, having talked to quite a few people since they'd been on the planet.
"Well, that doesn't sound good, now does it?" Fauk mused, continuing on with his act of concern "Did you find out why the man is down in the pilot's quarters, and not in a guest room?" He had heard all about Sven's room from his valet.
"My impression is that the Commander wanted to be close to his friends." Markus tried not to sound disapproving, but didn't succeed. He couldn't imagine being married to the beautiful princess and not wanting to be with her.
"Markus, make a note that when the couple comes to Odeos the Commander will have proper accommodation, as befits his rank. I doubt the marriage will be in any better shape by then, so we will put the couple in separate wings." Fauk went on to give his ADC several more instructions, while thinking about the talk he was going to have with Bandor. Sven had made it clear last night that he really didn't want to go to Odeos, but Fauk didn't want any more talk, especially with what he had planned out for Romy.
The ADC was not surprised that Fauk was going to take a hand in the matter of the Polluxian princess' marriage. The prince couldn't keep his nose out of anything, especially a family matter. Markus knew that Fauk had stated to his future brother-in-law that he should have had the commander arrested after the kidnapping. He had no problem imaging the advice the prince would give to His Majesty.