Disclaimer: I don't own The Royals.
All that Glitters is not Gold
"Γαμημένος μαλάκες." Dimitri grumbled. Gamiménos malákes. F***ing a***holes. "I am NOT kissing Cyrus' singular ball." They were in London, in Buckingham Palace.
"No one's asking you to," Alexios said sourly. "We're here on business." He said the last word as if it was curdled milk.
"Business with the Henstridges- are we nuts?"
"We're forming diplomatic ties with the next king," Alexios said calmly. "Say what you might about his family, but you cannot deny that man's courage and sacrifice for his country."
That, the Duke of Sparta and heir to the Greek throne could respect.
They were speaking in Greek, code-switching to Danish in order to confuse whatever spies the King- or Queen- had set upon them. Aglaia ignored both of them, her heart pounding.
Suddenly the double doors burst open and two figures tumbled out in formal uniforms. A security guard ran after them tugging and wrenching the two brawling figures apart. King Cyrus chuckled and began to clap. Aglaia's eyes widened when she recognised one of them as Prince Liam. The two figures were dragged back to where they came and the white-wigged footmen promptly closed the doors shut, their faces never changing.
"Incompetent bastards." Dimitri scoffed. Alexios' lip curled in disgust. Spartans were fighters but they weren't brawlers.
A few minutes later the fanfare resounded and the double-doors flew open again.
In strode Queen Helena, arrayed in bold magenta with a wide fascinator, walking arm-in-arm with... Aglaia's heart jolted and leapt, singing in ecstasy and radiant joy, before beating a life of its own which it seemed to have lacked for the previous ten months- like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis or a hummingbird. Robert.
He was dressed in the Irish Guard's Mounted Officers' uniform complete with medals, orders and epaulets, a single striking sky-blue sash cutting through the scarlet of his jacket. He looked more regal and royal than anyone there, including the king. Heart skipping a beat, then pounding wildly, Aglaia stepped back behind her brothers. This earned several odd glances from onlookers, but her brothers closed in front of her like a pair of revolving doors, respectively shielding her.
She didn't think that Robert and she could hold their composure in front of a large crowd if he saw her.
Behind mother and son, came the skulking figure of Prince Liam. Alexios' lip curled as he beheld the boy dressed all in a black uniform. Next to him stood the sister, Princess Eleanor. She wore a dress that might have been fashionable in the late eighties or early nineties, judging by the sequins on the bodice, but with a skirt which she must have ripped to turn up higher than mid-thigh and dangerously-high strappy platform heels that must have required tremendous experience and manoeuvrability skills to navigate, let alone curtsy, in. Out of all of them, Robert looked the most composed and regal.
They stopped in front of the throne. "Talk about good theatre," King Cyrus remarked as he beheld his family. "And now for my favourite part."
Queen Helena glared at him. Stepping in front of her children, she curtsied in front of the throne, her offspring all simultaneously bowing or curtsying to the king. Robert still looked the calmest.
King Cyrus smirked. He looked paler than normal and his blue eyes were dull and washed out in comparison to the sapphires that rimmed his crown. It must have been the cancer, Aglaia decided. And the stress of it all.
The king stood and led his family to the awaiting balcony. Aglaia saw Robert gave his mother a placating look before they headed off.
"Incompetent bastards." Alexios repeated in disgust. "They're fighting amongst themselves for the throne."
"Disgusting," Dimitri could not have conveyed half of said feeling on the matter. "Our great-uncle, uncles, aunts and cousins butchered because of a crown and these people are fighting amongst themselves for one."
"How long before Liam commits fratricide?" Alexios said sardonically. "He would never do such a thing." Aglaia said, somehow managing to keep her voice from quavering.
"Don't be so sure, little sister. Now that King Simon's gone, Robert is the only good thing left in their monarchy."
"Liam didn't do too badly before this."
"Only once Big Brother and Father-Dearest were dead did Liam put on a good show." Alexios said grimly with scorn. "Yet on the first public appearance, discounting the press conference, of the long-lost, presumed-dead heir to the throne did Liam, back to being the spare, get into a teenage brawl. What does that say? And didn't you see the look the mother gave to the uncle? Said uncle being a king who laughed and clapped at his family's embarrassment? Do you really think that the Henstridges have changed for the better? As if. It was all for show. Not for their people."
Even Aglaia could not deny the disgust she felt. Her birth mother, her uncle and aunt, her cousins, great-uncle- who had been the king- and his whole family- even the children- had been violently slaughtered or forced to commit suicide because they had a connection to the crown during Greece's civil wars. Her own people drowned in their blood, butchered and their bodies left to rot on the streets and fields because there was not enough people left alive to bury them. If they weren't killed, they fled for safety. Then the famine: no shipping importing or exporting anything to and from Greece, and the crops left to rot on the fields because there was no one left to harvest the olives, fruits, vegetables and grains. Even the cattle had died of starvation. After the civil wars and the fall of the Military Junta did they have to rebuild their country from scratch- and mourn the dead. This country and their monarchy appeared much better off, and they were creating their own divisions and conflicts.
She prayed that Robert would be able to set things right.
"We leave as soon as we are able," Alexios said in disgust. "Aglaia- do NOT eat or drink anything you haven't seen served out for you, and even then you must be careful. Do NOT accept anything handed out to you by any of them- especially the king and the twins. Keep as much distance as you can between them and don't ever allow yourself to be alone in this palace for a single minute until we get back to our suite. Interact only with Prince Robert, do not allow yourself to be cornered by any of them."
Princess Eleanor had been rumoured to slip LSD into her friends and guests drinks as well as her own, Dimitri had said.
"I hear the King is a rapist and a molester, possibly a paedophile." Dimitri remarked. "Keep your distance, Little Sister."
At the ball it seemed as if the guests were like bloodhounds, being able to smell the scent of sin, despite the lavish baths and perfumes that reeked of royalty the Henstridge family sprayed on them. The guests avoided them and flocked to Robert like iron fillings to a magnet- which fell in reverse to the rest of his family.
Aglaia nodded. She wore an emerald-coloured gown of shot-silk that shifted to silver and turquoise encrusted with a few crystals and flounces, that clung to her curves and flowed down her body like a waterfall. A gauzy silk clung to her shoulders and her minimal jewellery served to accentuate her glow. Everyone gasped and turned to gape at her, the whole ballroom falling silent as she appeared.
Most of them didn't know who she was. In English-speaking countries, of course, but in Europe- and Asia and Africa- they knew who she was. Robert's head shot up like a rocket and he felt his heart skip a beat and his breath stolen away, before his heart started pounding madly again.
Aglaia? He mouthed. He looked agonisingly desperate and hopeful.
Aglaia glided down the steps. "Her Royal Highness Princess Aglaia of Greece and Denmark, Titular Princess of Crete." The herald recovered his voice.
Aglaia went to greet the British royals. The King's eyes roamed around her form in a way that made Aglaia's skin crawl, even with one remaining ball.
"Your Majesties," She curtsied deeply to the king and queen. Cyrus smirked and eyed her figure greedily. Queen Helena looked like she had been force-fed a lemon when Aglaia was presented. She now realised she would not be in the centre of attention and the belle of the ball.
"Welcome to England." Cyrus drawled. "Indeed. Welcome Your Royal Highness." Helena managed through gritted teeth.
"Thank you, very much Your Majesties." Aglaia demurred. "Your Royal Highness." She turned to Robert. She curtsied. Robert took a hold of her hand and lifted her up, skimming his lips onto her bare skin. The contact made her heart jump wildly and leap before dancing with joy.
His eyes never left her. It bore into her soul and her heart.
"Congratulations on your return," she said. "I know I speak for my peoples and my parents when we say that we are truly glad to see you alive and well." She finished quietly.
Robert nodded. "Your Royal Highness, thank you." He said through a dry throat. "I am more grateful than anyone could imagine that you came."
Aglaia nodded and forced herself to tear her eyes from Robert- though her heart wanted differently- and onto Liam.
"Your Royal Highness," She stated. "In the face of all your family's tragedies, your fortitude and strength was much admired. My regards to you, in keeping your monarchy and family going even in the darkest of times." She said seriously, meeting his eyes.
Liam looked surprised, but he nodded and thanked her.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Dimitri of Greece and Denmark, titular prince of Thebes," the herald announced. And Dimitri came down.
"Your Majesties, my thanks for such a gracious welcome." His eyes were chips of green ice. "The joy of your people... Needless to say, I must convey the congratulations and well wishes of my people and my family on such a glorious occasion. Speaking from one who comes from the land of myth and legend, this must be as if the Once and Future King Arthur Pendragon has returned. A true miracle to bring such hope in the face of such darkness."
"Thank you, Prince Dimitri," Cyrus remarked. "Such exquisite words from the prince of the land of Homer and Socrates. I'm sure that you've witnessed miracles beforehand."
"Many yes, sadly, none like this until now." Dimitri turned towards Prince Robert. "Your Royal Highness," his voice, eyes and expression turned warmer and more respectful. "Words cannot convey how happy we are for your people that you have returned. Though I am sorry that you have had to face the tragedies and troubles of the past ten months all at once, your presence gives people something to remember that hope and miracles do exist in this world. So we must have faith."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness." Robert stated. "I was sorry and much troubled to hear about my family's... Struggles when I had been away, but thankfully the murderer has been caught out."
"Thankfully, yes." Dimitri agreed. "My brother is the Duke of Sparta as well as Crown Prince… My brother and the Spartans grew up believing that there is no greater glory than to die in the service of our people, and these Spartans have always gone on and on, ever since Ancient times, about what we call Ένα όμορφο θάνατο. A beautiful death they call it, such as your own. Although your return we believe is infinitely more glorious than we could have possibly imagined." He stated.
Dimitri turned towards Liam. His eyes regained their icy coldness, as did the aura around him. He gazed at Liam with barely disguised contempt.
The boy had the audacity to wear a military uniform. He sincerely doubted that Liam had ever fired a gun and killed an enemy a day in his life on the line of duty. At least he, before he enlisted, had the honesty to wear a simple suit with only the orders that signified him as the second son of King Konstantinos, instead of pretending to be something he wasn't. Alexios was right. The medallions, orders, epaulets and ceremonial sword as well as the whole uniform did not make the man. Only fools who needed to show off and have compensation to prove their worth would be so flashy in front of the crowd. A true man, a brave soldier among them- one who had seen duty, would not need so much ornamentation.
Liam stiffened but did not quail under his gaze. Looks like the boy has more balls than we thought, Dimitri thought grudgingly. He's still nowhere near his brother's equal, though.
The herald announced the arrival of the Crown Prince of the Hellenes and the Duke of Sparta. Dimitri smirked.
He couldn't wait to see the Henstridges- apart from Robert- quivering in the full weight of Alexios' gaze.
Aglaia had danced with so many partners she had lost count, before she felt someone gently touch her hand. "May I?" Robert asked pleasantly. She turned around.
Her dance partner halted and bowed.
Robert took her hand and placed his around her waist and they began to waltz.
"It's really you," he said hoarsely. "You're real... You're... Here."
"Sshh," she said quietly. "We're in a public place."
Robert's eyes flashed with agony. "I don't care. I spent ten months on that damned island, during which I mostly thought of you. How I would try to get off to see you once more. Just once, I would have died to catch a glimpse of you again. Just once I would have killed to hear your voice. To be with you."
Don't say that," she whispered. "I already thought you were dead." She whispered.
Robert swallowed. "Do you remember what I last said to you? Do you still have it?" His eyes poured into her heart and soul.
Aglaia nodded. Her fingers went to a diamond ring, cunningly disguised as a pendant to fool even fashion critics and her own mother.
"Meet me after a few more dances, in the same corridor we used to see each other in," Robert stated. "Do you remember where it is?" She nodded.
Aglaia checked for any creases, wrinkles or tears in her gown. She bent down to fix the straps of her stiletto heels and picked up a comb to redo her hair.
Robert turned his back from the bed, retying and checking the jacket and medals of his uniform. The bed behind him bore the evidence of a passion-filled encounter, though they both looked immaculate.
Aglaia refastened her jewellery. As she slipped the chain onto her neck, she felt Robert's hands take it from her and fastening it onto her throat. He planted kisses on the back of her neck.
She closed her eyes.
"That was risky," Aglaia found herself saying. "That was too risky."
"It was worth it." Robert said huskily, his arms slipped around her as he kissed his way onto her shoulder. "You still have it. How soon can it happen? How soon until we can be together?" He sounded so desperate, so longing that Aglaia sighed.
"Being on that island..." Robert continued hoarsely. "With no one and nothing... I could only think about you. How much I wanted you. How much I longed to see you. What I would have done to see you one last time. I would have clawed my way back if I could."
Aglaia shook her head. She turned to face him. "It's not that simple." She stated. "My family-"
"Doesn't like mine," Robert finished for her.
She sighed. "They think... With all the scandals... And not even then, the fact that your poor father was murdered." Robert's eyes darkened.
"That scumbag is dead." He stated. His grasp around her tightened. "But your family are still fighting each other for the crown," Aglaia said softly. "And then there are the politicians. And the churches. Not to mention that the Greek royal family, now that my grandmother is dead, is narrowed down to five members, since the civil war." Their eyes darkened at the reminder.
As the heir to the British crown Robert would someday be Head of the Church of England. As a member of the Greek royal family, Aglaia was, and was required to remain, a Greek Orthodox. A British queen consort would be required to convert from whatever faith they had- be it Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, or Eastern Orthodoxy, or anything outside of Christianity, even Atheism, to being Anglican. Unless she wanted to give up her place, amongst her family and her people, to give up her home and much more, she could not be the British queen. Not unless the laws were changed. Technically, they could pass the bill, though.
"Our firstborn can be the heir to the throne of Britain," Robert beseeched her. "The rest of our children can share your faith."
"And if something happens to any of them? Or me?"
She shook her head. "I saw how your family acted. I know you love them, no matter what their faults, and I love you all the more for your love and loyalty towards them, but Ted Pryce was only one. Your former head of security, and your uncle who has his grasp on the throne, no matter for how long... I don't think he would be too pleased if you married now, and to a princess no less, especially if it increases the chances that you would be the next king with the next heir of your own. Don't you think that him- and your enemies- would do anything to prevent that? Even if it means killing me?"
Robert's eyes flashed dangerously and he held her even closer to him. "I will never let that happen." He said through gritted teeth. "I will protect you... No matter what the cost."
"And yet the devil is within your walls." Aglaia stated. "Ted Pryce was only one... He was proof that they had gotten inside. And now your family is fighting one another for the crown. You know my brother told me not to eat or drink anything your family personally offered me."
"They think we'd try to poison you?" He asked incredulously. "Not you. Apparently you're too honourable for that." She teased. "But maybe not poison. Possibly Ruphy me. They don't trust your uncle." Or your mother. Or your brother. Or your sister. But she didn't want to say it to Robert. She didn't need to anyway. Robert was far from stupid.
"So what can I do to gain their trust?" Robert asked desperately. "Shall I go all Three-Hundred on you? The Labours of Heracles? Kill a gorgon? Scale Olympus? Tame a Pegasus?" His voice was only slightly teasing.
Aglaia smiled sadly. "You can love me." She said quietly. "And be with me. That's all I ever want. But my family, my people and my government would never allow me to be within ten miles of any of you if they suspect that I might get into the line of fire. We'd already lost enough during the Civil Wars. They fear if our fuses were joined than a spark on your side would spread and ignite an explosion that would consume us all. Scandal. Death. Anything. They know that you've been infiltrated and your family is fighting. They don't think I'm safe anywhere near you."
Robert's eyes tightened. "Then," he said. "I will find them. I will root them out and pluck them like weeds, every last one of them, and I swear, Aglaia, I will give you a safe home for you and our children. I won't rest until you are safe from Cyrus and any backstabbing personnel within these walls."
I know her family seems really contemptuous but you have to wonder what the other royals are thinking watching all the news on the Henstridges and wondering what the hell is going on. Plus, what about all the bodies, like Jeffrey Stewart? How come no one noticed that? No conspiracy theories or anything?