The Sun Also Rises

His own mind turned almost readily with those implications of just what that President intended in that future declaration of his inability to lead the church. He had been born and raised within that catholic faith. He had taken on his position just as every King before him had. To risk losing such a position over some perceived sin of sexuality was abhorrent to him. Surely people had modernized beyond those age-old prejudices now? His position with Sebastian was known across the world, would that may people truly support any decision to remove him from that role? He knew, entirely so, that not each and very being within Italy was in favour of Sebastian himself. After all, while the palace surely worked to conceal those less then positive pieces printed about the couple, even Dorian knew they existed. He knew of those whom believed with every vehemence that Sebastian and himself were the very definition of unnatural sin and yet truly Dorian was wholly content to make that argument they were supernatural to begin with. Whom and how he loved surely had little effect upon how he ruled. Should not that have been the most important? Should not his success as a ruler be how he was judged? The very lowliness of a strike against his place in the church was irritating to him, the President so seeming to find a new level of deceit with each passing year and yet he supposed, thanks to Matteo, they might at least work to counteract that hateful man well before he struck.

For all those aspects of the modern world the Monarch still so struggled to comprehend his skilful ability to perceive politics remained unchanged. Dorian considering several methods by which they might approach this, the Fae thinking aloud in some fashion as he spoke off his intention to Skype with those parliamentarians and better gauge each of their feelings upon Sebastian and himself. His silver gaze inclined to his lover then. Sebastian, after all, held a distinct sort of skill in matters such as these, Dorian more than willing to seek his lovers input and advice. After all, he trusted his boyfriend's judgement in this irrevocably. His skill with people and political situations simply could not be denied. Dorian's own eyes lifting slightly in surprise at Sebastian's suggestion. An angle he himself had not considered and yet a sound one at that.

"I had not considered this, Mon Cher. You are right though, this Pope is vastly more open-minded then his predecessors. He recognises a changing world in the very least. We could use this as a veritable opportunity to not only show our support for the Church but our interest in assisting it into modernity. His support would hold a great deal of sway with parliament. I think it may be wise, this week, to see about arranging to meet with his Holiness."

It was a clever idea, Dorian unable to prevent that warm simper that found his lips in the wake of it, the Monarch entirely impressed by the way in which his lovers own mind had found but another option to consider. The Fae King satisfied in at least having something of a plan to work upon as Matteo continued, the Frenchman so explaining the Presidents desire to see the Italian Monarchy end with Dorian himself. It was Sebastian's query as to just how far that man might go to see about achieving such a goal however that so prompted Dorian's own concern once more, the manner in which Matteo so glanced away hardly missed, the faintest taint of worry fluttering within him now. That someone might wish him dead was not at all what he had anticipated. To be disliked so intensely was disconcerting in the very least, the notion that he feared the line of succession and a continuation of that Monarchy prompting only further apprehension in the Fae King. He had given so little consideration to the continuation off his own rule. After all, he had no true intention of dying and unless he was deliberately killed both himself and Sebastian would simply continue to exist for the rest of eternity. Perhaps he had been foolish in his belief that the modern world was a safer place so free of those political assassinations off his own time, Matteo's assurance that he would act to tell them if those visions changed affording him only a minor comfort. That Sebastian was a target because of him only saw that worry deepen. Dorian assured that he simply could not bear it if anything was to happen to that man he adored. His utter possessiveness over the vampire tugging potently at him now. The Fae so realising for the first time perhaps, how easy it might so be for the President to strike at him through that man he loved.

That soft snort that fell from his Consort at the very idea that he might so find himself a legitimate heir to the Italian Throne only assured Dorian of the very notion that his Lover truly did not realise just what he stood to inherit in the event of his own death. How he had so believed they need not ever truly speak of that! How wrong he had been! Yet for now, at least, such a conversation could surely wait. Dorian so putting his faith this evening in Matteo alone to provide them some forewarning if that future changed. Perhaps in those coming months, however, he need see about that state off his own affairs. One hand lifted to rub softly at his forehead as if such a gesture might rub away that stress that tugged at him over this entire ordeal. It was Matteo's announcement to take his leave that seemed to prompt Sebastian to ask that final question they had spoken off some days before. The vampire seeming oddly flustered over it in a fashion quite unlike Dorian had ever seen. If he did not know better he would near believe Sebastian found Matteo intimidating in some sense. Yet, if the vampire had so known of Matteo's connection to him for some time then surely he was not nervous to speak to his Father? Dorian frowning softly before allowing his knee to press to Sebastian's own beneath the table in some show of silent encouragement and the briefest touch of affection. Dorian wholly oblivious to the vampires belief he had committed several social travesties this evening.

Dorian remained wholly silent in those moments, allowing his Father and Lover alone to engage with one another, Matteo seeming to consider that proposal for perhaps a little longer then Dorian truly thought necessary before that flood of red so tainted his eyes in a manner the Monarch found distinctly unsettling and yet afforded no comment on. Sebastian himself glancing down towards the floor in a truly curious gesture Dorian was quite assured he had never seen the man offer before. Truly it almost appeared as if he was somehow attempting to appease the Frenchman. Dorian's own gaze shifting between the pair in a momentary confusion. The man oblivious to that exchange they had shared in those minutes he had been within the kitchen nor Sebastian veritable guilt over it. Matteo seemed to suddenly decide he was content to speak as Sebastian glanced upward once more, Dorian himself wholly curious of those answers on just what thy might do about Anna-Marie. Matteo's words, as he had anticipated, not as entirely as helpful as Dorian surely desired and yet to know that neither himself nor his Boyfriend Consort were to meet any permanent end at her hands was a relief in itself. That she would not be within their lives forever was perhaps the most pleasing news he had received all evening. Dorian unable to prevent that smile that found his lips all the same.

"Yes, thank you."

He moved to stand then, content to show his Father to the door as Sebastian so assured him he should stop by once more. Matteo rose easily in turn, his head nodding softly in response to that near open invitation presented to him before reaching to take that offered hand, affording Sebastian that companionable shake. His voice was distinctly low then and yet surely loud enough to be heard by those vampiric ears alone. You're doing fine. As to just what he was so referring too was perhaps as wholly vague as the man himself. Matteo so hardly having missed that worry that seemed to wrack the vampire boy, the man making at least some effort to alleviate it. After all, he liked Sebastian, even if the vampire seemed assured such a thing was unwarranted. Matteo finding his future son-in-law an agreeable being in every sense. Besides, he made Dorian happy and in the end that was surely all the mattered. The Monarch released the vampires hand to turn towards his own son then. Matteo, for once, appearing almost unsure so to how to engage with the younger Fae. It was good seeing you again, Dorian. I'll be in touch. I am glad we spoke about what we did today.

"So am I. Thank you for coming. As Sebastian said you would be welcome to stop by again. Shall I show you to the door?"
No need. I am headed back to France, I can do that just as easily from your dining room. If you see Alexander, tell him I have his rent money and he is free to take it when he desires. I have hidden it of course, but he has at least a year to find it. Good evening to you both.

That smile upon the Frenchman's lips was the last sight either was offered before the other Fae abruptly disappeared from sight leaving the pair alone at last. An almost veritable sigh of relief falling from Dorian then as he moved to lean back against the table. One hand reached idly for what remained of that cream, dipping his finger into it and- in a truly rare show of anything less than impeccable manner- so lifted it to his lips. Savouring that sweet taste. His lips pulling upward into a grin as his gaze returned to Sebastian then.

"I know we have much to speak off but do you think for a few hours at least we might so forget about politics and Maker's and religion? I should like to tell about the more pleasant things I learned this evening."

His hand reached out easily then, fingers knotting within Sebastian's own to lead him away from that tea table and into that lounge room with those plush leather couches that all but begged to be collapsed into. Dorian wholly determined, for at least a little, to push aside those political worries and merely enjoy but some of that evening. He waited only so long as it took the vampire to make himself comfortable before sliding onto that couch beside him, Dorian shifting to lay his head upon Sebastian's leg in a decidedly un-royal fashion for them alone and yet that desire to simply touch his lover was near overwhelming. The Fae glancing upward then, those bright silver eyes meeting the blue of the vampires own.

"Do you know what I learned this afternoon, Mon Cher? I learned that Matteo had been involved in a party escorting my Mother to her summer home in the south of Italy. It is where they met for the first time. He said to me they became friends first, that they used to ride out together or take walks in the gardens- they were all very proper about it and it was wholly innocent for a time. She often chose to have him escort her whenever she travelled from the palace and that over time that relationship became something more. My Mother's marriage to Ferdinand was arranged, Matteo, at least, seems to believe there was no real love between them. They were duty bound as many royals have been and I suppose in Matteo she found what she did not in her marriage. He speaks off her in a way I have never heard my Mother spoken off."

Dorian Aragona