The Sun Also Rises

Hazelnuts! That was surely the answer behind that curious taste. The Monarch slower this evening to so detect it upon his palate and yet with that word now offered it seemed nothing but clear to him in every sense. How delightful it was! His ever-present curiosity so inclined him to wonder just how chocolate might be made from hazelnuts, the Monarch so turning to his lover then to ask whether or not they had more of that glorious chocolatey substance. The vampires assurance that it existed within the pantry and that it was 'bloody delicious' on toast so both eyes lift ever so slightly in a clear curiosity as to why anyone would ever put chocolate on toast. Did Sebastian truly love chocolate enough to desire to have it was everything?. It was that appearance of Charles alone that so truly distracted his thoughts from any further consideration upon the topic, Dorian excusing himself from that table to make his way into the kitchen to see to the final preparations of those baked treats he had worked upon earlier this evening. His departure so leaving Sebastian and his Father but briefly alone. Matteo had not fully anticipated that firmness with which the vampire so directed his voice towards him and yet he saw little need not to permit it, perhaps he deserved that chastisement in some sense for those months he had left Sebastian alone to ponder his relationship to the Italian King and yet Matteo was hardly the type to be given to either guilt or regret. The man offering that thanks because the vampire deserved it, Matteo admitting to some favour for the boy all the same, that delicate note of surprise that clung to Sebastian's features hardly missed. Was it so surprising someone outside of Dorian might like him, else desire to hold some sort of companionship with him? Perhaps, given his past such a thing was not unimaginable and yet the Frenchman made no mention of it just yet. He found Sebastian agreeable if simply because Dorian adored him and truly, he knew near innately that the vampire would rather die than allowing anything to happen to his son. That was pleasing to him if nothing else. In that desire to keep Dorian alive they were united.

That almost solemn promise that so befell the Englishman's lips was met with his own nod of agreement, his slate-hued gaze glancing upward to meet Sebastian's own in that silent assertion of just how binding he believed that promise to be. He would hold the vampire to it entirely. He had no other choice. Dorian had chosen him and he so held faith not only in his son's choice but in that belief that the man he entrusted Dorian too would keep him safe. Perhaps even Sebastian himself was inclined to doubt his own character, it would seem as much, yet Matteo was not. Not in this. The man seeing little need to mention his further faith in Sebastian to the vampire himself. Rather, he made some effort to....display that intention of companionship and so bond with the lad over sports. Dorian was a veritable lost cause when it came to them and yet some hope for his future son-in-law surely existed still. The vampire seeming to shift within his chair, amusement playing briefly within the elder Fae's gaze at this discomfort he had so apparently caused before Sebastian admitted to 'some' like of football. How disappointing. The other man so about to comment upon horse racing, Matteo inclined to the belief he could speak about that too when Dorian returned. How unfortunate, he had almost been enjoying that bonding.

It was foolish, perhaps, just how entirely nervous the Monarch so found himself in that moment as he placed a singular biscuit in front of both his Father and his Consort. Baking was hardly a pursuit he held any true experience with, after all, it was once so largely regarded as women's work and yet he was assured that modern times might permit him to at least try. Dorian having simply desired to make something for both the men seated before him and yet, despite his effort to so remain nonchalant, his features so surely gave away that distinct hopefulness that his efforts might be deemed successful but either party. His attention remained largely fixated upon Sebastian alone. After all, his lover's opinions on near each and every thing within this very world were of the utmost importance to him. That softly uttered praise for having produced those treats at all so seeing a simper trace his lips. Matteo's inquiry as to just what that dessert was so saw the King recite that recipe to some extent, those fried dandelions a traditional and favoured Italian treat, one he was assured Matteo had likely tasted within his time and yet Sebastian had surely not. The vampire's apparent astonishment that he had been served a flower so momentarily seeing that anxiousness claw at him once more. Dorian's words almost cautious then.

"Yes. Just the head of it though. I removed the stem. We used to have them often when I was a child and I thought perhaps you might like to try it."

He watched as Sebastian experimentally plucked a single petal from that flower so coated in batter and chocolate to slip it between his lips. Dorian unable to prevent himself asking after that taste. The Monarch unprepared for that veritable barrage of questions. Surely this meant his lover had enjoyed it? The vampire continuing to eat it after all, that small flicker of something near akin to pride blossoming within the Monarch then even if he remained baffled as to why anyone would apply salt to chocolate. It seemed a perfectly silly idea to him. Dorian wholly oblivious to how common a practice it truly was.

"There was supposed to be a few more of them, though I fear I ruined those. I suspect with a little practice I might master it yet. I got the Dandelions from the garden, I have been growing some near the stables and to the side of the roses- you don't mind do you? I know they are considered a weed to some but they have their uses. As for the chocolate and the salt I am assured I have never tried it before. Salt seems a perfectly silly thing to put on chocolate."

It still did, even though his own recipe had called for it. His silver gaze flicking briefly back to Matteo as the elder Fae bit into his own biscuit, the Frenchman's decidedly more crunchy from those burned bits and yet he hardly offered a complaint. Your Mother used to make these. Such words were so entirely unexpected, Dorian turning to face his Father now, the elder Fae glancing briefly upward in a fashion almost nonchalant as he finished that singular biscuit he had been presented with. She used to burn them too. It is a talent it seems you share. Mentions of his Mother were decidedly rare from Matteo in every sense. Indeed, in all those years since her death he could barely remember the Fae ever speaking about her beyond an occasional mention and certainly never off any of those moments they had shared. Dorian's memories off his own Mother limited to but a select few in which he could recall her being anything other than that silent and stoic Queen whom had been distant even with her children. How much he should have liked the man to continue! Yet it would seem the other Fae hardly intended too. Matteo so instead shifting that conversation to another topic entirely and yet this so managed to ensnare Dorian's attention all the same as he returned to his seat beside Sebastian. Now that you are both here I suppose I ought to make mention of an upcoming event of sorts. In several months from now, I am not sure of the time exactly- some decisions are yet to be made- the President is going to attempt to make motion to query Dorian's role with the Church in Italy. Dorian's own features frowned slightly then, his role within the church decidedly minimal, no more than any King had ever been awarded so simply through being King. Why on earth the President should seek to query that he hardly knew. Dorian so paused then to consider but several options.

"It is a question of my....sexuality then?"

He queried. After all, the world was not as it had once been. People had once never dared to suggest his preference in that capacity, it would be treason to do so and yet the modern world was far more open, while his relationship with Sebastian had been widely accepted by most the Monarch was hardly oblivious to the notion that others may yet find disdain with it and that the Church itself still frowned upon it. Matteo's head shaking slightly. To an extent yes, from what I have seen it is that card he will play, so to speak, to bring up that question of your suitability and yet in truth he largely fears the Leggi di successione. He is not a man in favour of the Monarchy in any sense. He would see it end with you. Frankly the sooner he is voted out the better, yet he is popular with the people and he will serve further terms yet. From what I have seen parliament will not vote in his favour yet that outcome remains....intangible to me. That means there are several who are undecided. I do not think it would be a terrible idea to endear yourself to some of the members of parliament in the coming months. As of yet I am not terribly concerned, you are one of the world's most popular rulers and Sebastian is equally liked. I think you will be fine.

"I would see no harm in speaking to them all the same."

Dorian uttered after but a moment, even if his position remained wholly secure it would surely be only an invitation of trouble to allow but any of those parliamentarians to think terribly ill of Sebastian or himself. How little he enjoyed these political games and yet for all his gentleness, for all those flowers he might bake- the Monarch remained distinctly capable of so fulfilling his role when called upon to do so.

"Am I permitted to fire the president?"
Unfortunately not, Dorian. You live in a democracy now.
"More's the pity."

He mused, his words almost teasing as that simper so adorned his lips and yet he was assured this matter could be dealt with all the same. The Monarch hardly finding himself concerned, though his agitation for the president existed still. Matteo finishing the last off his tea then before leaning back within his chair. I will keep you updated you can....phone me, if you'd like Dorian. Anytime. I....would not mind it terribly. If there is nothing else though I suppose I should see to taking my leave.

Dorian Aragona