every king had a story, of ancient glory,sweetly told

It was a moment of true realisation for the man, in the wake of Sebastian's simple comment, that in all the years he had known that far elder Fae- the other man had rarely, if ever, truly let him down in any regard. Matteo was a difficult man at times and so often inclined to do things when they occurred to him to do them, rather than when anyone else so requested them and yet- for five hundred years the Frenchman had been returning, year after year, to check upon him or assist in those tasks that would otherwise have been impossible. In that he had never failed. In that he had been utterly unwavering and too- he had so gifted them both with that glorious book of history he had kept himself for all those centuries. That alone nothing short of an immense undertaking. It was curious perhaps, that in the wake of his own freedom, so much more had become clear to the Monarch by way of thought and ideal and now too perhaps- he was finally inclined to consider just how much Matteo had truly done for him in all that time. Dorian momentarily feeling rather ungracious. This something that surely need be corrected. His efforts to simply dismiss that line of thought for now however were further prompted by Sebastian himself and yet truly Dorian thought little of the vampire's inquiry. Sebastian, after all, was often inclined to ask after his thoughts. The addition of that pet name further seeing his features soften as he led the way through that hall and down into the greater depths of the palace.

"It is what you said, that you did not think Matteo would so disappoint me and it has occurred to me that in all the years I have known the man I do not think he has ever once failed me at all. I know that when my Mother died she so requested he watch over me. I had known him since the day I was born after all and we have always been very good friends- yet he must have cared for her a great deal to continue to return over and over all the years I was here. I do not think I have ever thanked him properly, for all the years he kept that promise to my Mother. Love makes one do curious things it would seem."

It was love for his Mother, it seemed, that Dorian was so inclined to consider such actions had been borne from. After all, though it had never once been spoken aloud, Dorian remained assured that Matteo had, indeed, loved his Mother all those years and yet like so many before them, some unions were entirely destined to remain unfulfilled. His Mother well and truly married by the time they had met and too, the Fae had been a mere Bannerman at the time, a rank barely above peasant and though he had surely risen over the years that difference in social class- within such a time when it mattered so distinctly- was surely yet another barrier in between them. His Mother however, was a topic Matteo so staunchly refused to discuss and over those years Dorian had simply ceased to ask. The man merely offering his thoughts to his Consort now if only because he had asked to hear them. Dorian dancing upon that proverbial precipice of perhaps so discovering what Sebastian already knew in a fashion. It was easy then, to allow his thoughts to return to those more pressing of matters. Dorian assured the President would seek to pursue some altering of those ancient laws if such a thing was at all within his power to achieve and so persuade the parliament to campaign for an increased time or perhaps some other stipulation. Sebastian's assurance that they would simply remain for as long as they need was wholly comforting in that moment, another smile tugging softly at his lips at his boyfriend's determination to remain at his side. His head nodded in easy agreement.

It was that descent further into the depths of the palace however that so saw something of a shift in the Fae Kings demeanour. Dorian so intensely disliking at least a part of this area of the palace, so much so that he was given to hesitate, if only briefly, outside of that worn and aged door that creaked and groaned in protest. He could remember those screams that had once echoed within these walls as if they existed still. The mere thought so seeing those icy fingers claw at his spine in a fear that fluttered somewhere within him still and saw him shift instinctively closer to his lover- as if Sebastian alone might chase away those thoughts. The vampires softly uttered words that such days were well passed perhaps assisting to steel the Monarch's resolve in this and so hurriedly lead him past those tunnels that dipped further below the ground. Dorian assured that Sebastian too, knew well of those things that existed below and did not bear mention. He led the man further into that space then and inside what had once been a library, the mere remains of it now scattered about and layered so thickly with dust and time that it was near impossible to move without stirring up that dust from the floor or walls it coated like lichen.

It was however, for one particular piece that Dorian had so led his lover into the remains of the past. Dorian stepping over that broken furniture and piles of forgotten, abandoned books to that singular sheeted object in the far corner that rested beneath but that single pool of moonlight that afforded the space any true light. His fingers grasped at that dusted sheet, tugging it softly to reveal that striking black piano beneath that- despite all those years- remained both standing and indeed in at least a semi-decent condition. That sudden phrase from the vampire beside him saw both Dorian's eyes lift upward in surprise, the Fae near pivoting in place, so having failed to perceive such words were uttered entirely in response to disbelief as he so eyed the man a moment. The look upon his lovers features so seeing that simper return to his own a mere second later, that soft sound of amusement rising within his throat until that look of shock so shifted into one of clear horror upon the vampire. Dorian moving already to so attempt at least some defence of himself from the scolding he had well anticipated might follow. Sebastian scoffing at him readily with the suggestion he be careful, the irony of that perhaps not wholly lost upon the Monarch given the manner in which he had kept the instrument all these years. Dorian content to offer it to his lover to have all the same, the vampire already inspecting it with that practised precision of one whom both knew and understood at what they were looking.

Those words that parted his companion's lips were lost entirely on the Monarch. His knowledge of instruments far to lacking to appreciate those finer points, Dorian simply nodding in agreement, taking instead some pleasure alone from merely seeing Sebastian delight in something. Those softly uttered words saw but one eye lift upward in curiosity, this mention of 'Bernard' hardly lost upon the Fae. Dorian perhaps unwilling in that moment to query why an Italian piano was to be named 'Bernard', the man supposing it hardly mattered all the same. Bernard was no longer his own to make decisions over. His lover decidedly both curious and perhaps a little overdramatic when it came to his naming of intimate things. Sebastian so seemingly rather attached to his newest acquisition as Dorian took it upon himself to find something to sit upon, the vampires utterances of reassurance to the instrument drawing a soft sound from his own lips. Mon amour? The Piano?

"Shall I leave you alone with Bernard?"

The tease within his words was easily heard, Dorian chuckling softly before Sebastian's sudden demand he not sit saw the man hurry back to his feet in wide-eyed shock, his silver gaze readily searching for whatever danger had surely prompted the vampires alarm. Sebastian proceeding then to fuss over the books. As if they had value or worth after all these years. Dorian meeting his lovers gaze with an entirely dubious look as Sebastian, he is sure, proceeded to lose all sense. His query upon just how many priceless artefacts of first editions he held was met with a slightly quizzical look before his shoulders merely lifted in a shrug of sorts, Dorian turning both palms upwards in that entirely placating gesture of innocence in this travesty he had apparently committed.

"They are not priceless artefacts, Bastian. They are old books that are surely not of use anymore."

It was surely wiser, in that moment, not to inform the vampire that the books scattered about them were all first editions and- in some cases- only editions handwritten by those ancient Masters themselves. On this topic however, his lover seemed entirely determined, the vampire turning to face him once more, suddenly crossing that floor to gingerly cradle his face. Dorian unaware, till that moment, that there could be so much go wrong with a book and that they were surely required to save them. Sebastian releasing the rather dumfounded Monarch in that moment only to speak of something called red rot as if it were akin to the Black Plague. Dorian staring at the vampire still with clear surprise. This perhaps the most animated he had seen his lover over any issue at all, Dorian momentarily at a loss as to how respond. His Consort quite clearly of strong emotion over those 'priceless artefacts' as he called them. Dorian moved to step forward then, arms encircling his lovers waist from behind, head resting upon the man's shoulder with affection and yet too- such a gesture so stopped the vampire moving any more- lips pressing briefly to his cheek.

"If it is so you should like us to save these things, as you put it, then we shall. Matteo will be here in a few moments and I shall have him see to having these books moved this very night and you may decide how you would best like us to handle Bernard. We can have him put in our apartments somewhere if you'd rather he not stay alone?"

He words were designed wholly to placate the other man. Dorian entirely too afraid to suggest Bernard might stay down here another night lest Sebastian find disdain with the suggestion. The vampires theatrics over this entire matter oddly endearing and yet he made no mention of such in that moment. A soft sound from behind saw the Monarch release his hold on his lover only to find Matteo stepping from the darkness as if on cue. I am to be in charge of books now am I, Your Majesty? I suppose I can find some assistance in moving them. I agree with Sebastian though. You should treat your things more carefully. That Bible near your foot is older then you.

"Thank you, Matteo. Did you find those clothes? We really cannot wear these suits."

Dorian was quick in that moment to cease any further talk of books. The Elder Fae nodding before those clothes seemed to materialize within his arms, fetched from Dorian's wardrobe itself as the Monarch took his own jeans and shirt from that pile, leaving Sebastian to take his in turn. I'll see you boys outside in a moment. Ah, Sebastian, you might like this book. I do believe its author was an Englishman. The Frenchman reached easily to the floor, plucking a truly worn, broken and damaged book from it that he had been but moments from treading upon. The Fae shaking that dust from it slightly before passing it to the vampire with that ever impish grin before disappearing once more. Dorian, so attempting to undo his tie, turning in that moment to glance down at the book with its bright red cover nestled in his lover's hands. His features frowning slightly.

"Wherever did you find that? That one is in perfect condition. It would seem there is hope for these books yet. I have never heard of this Shakespeare though. Come, we should get changed."

That the book had not at all been perfect until Matteo had touched it remained to be seen. Dorian so having missed that exchange entirely as he slipped his dress shirt from his figure, sliding into that far more casual and less conspicuous attire.

"Do not forget you are wearing your crown still, Mon Cher. It would not do to drop it."

dorian aragona