His Royal Majesty

Dorian Aragona

The King of Italy

It was quite curious, really, to watch the hardened exterior of that woman crack and tremble in the wake of Maxwell's utter delight and puppyish play. The dear little dog so had habit of coaxing a smile from anyone and everyone he was given to meet. Even Vhalla seeming to soften her often prickly nature in that clear delight at being promoted to the title of aunt. The woman seeming all-too eager to take on such a role in a manner the man found surprising for someone whom he was rather sure was inclined to tease both Sebastian and himself behind their backs over the sheer amount of fuss they tended to bestow upon Maxwell to begin with. Still, it was rather pleasant to see her happy. Dorian quite assured he liked seeing her in such a manner. Even despite his initial dislike of the woman all those months ago he had come to find her a decidedly odd sort of person and yet one he rather enjoyed being around all the same. She was nothing at all like any of the women he was used to or indeed- quite like any he had met so far and yet he found her to be a truly good friend.

That query of just where she had been and why was answered almost brusquely. The woman seeming determined not to discuss her affairs, Dorian distinctly aware of her efforts to direct that conversation elsewhere. The man finding himself truly curious as to why on earth she seemed determined to do so and yet, he supposed, her business was her own and if she was determined not to tell him then so be it. For now, in the least, he was content to allow it to pass. The Fae far more fixated upon her apparent request for a drink! Surely it was far to early for such things! Dorian blinking in surprise before uttering just that sentiment. Vhalla content to assure him some people had been up for hours and that 'never' was too early for a drink. The Monarch content to afford her a slight scowl all the same. How much drinking had she been doing? Was that what she had gone to Europe to do? Although truly it seemed terribly far to travel to merely get drunk when one was perfectly capable of doing that here. Dorian settling himself readily within his own chair then, that small simper of amusement finding his lips as Sebastian all but tumbled into his. The poor Englishman struggling to stay awake as his body so desperately attempted to cast off that embrace of death. That soft chuckle finding him then before his attention returned to Vhalla in seriousness once more.
"I quite think you should only have one all the same."

It was, perhaps, a touch more...forward, then the Monarch so normally allowed himself to be with guests and yet he was assured it was still far to early to drink in any sense and indeed, he was not at all about to let someone he so considered a friend delve into some manner of alcoholism. The man largely unconcerned as to whether or not he might well be overreacting to such a thing. The woman afforded a pointed look that so suggested she should sip the drink she had. Still, the talk of that wedding had a way of bringing that grin to his lips. Dorian all-too readily nodding as Sebastian extended that invitation to the woman all the same. Truly, he found he would rather like to have her there, his eyes rolling nearly playful at that teasing moniker of 'lovebirds' she afforded them. Dorian querying whether or not she enjoyed museums and that possibility of a holiday of sorts in Italy while she as there. The man largely oblivious to the depth of thought his mention of 'our' palace had so stirred within his lover as Charles brought that tea. The manservant appearing positively abashed at that singular glance from Sebastian that assured him the vampire was displeased. This evening, however, Dorian was wholly inclined to agree with Sebastian's displeasure in the man. He had failed, distinctly so, to be aware of that intrusion as was surely his job. The Monarch taking that tea from him all the same with a word of thanks.

Any further words Dorian had so been inclined to add in response to the woman's desire to explore Italy were abruptly cut short by the sudden eruption of a fireball that saw Sebastian clutch Maxwell tighter to his chest while Dorian himself jolted backward in surprise- very nearly spilling that tea as the fireplace erupted into life. That look of utter shock surely clear on his features as those distinctly accented lyrics left Sebastian's own. Vhalla appearing nothing but proud. Dorian very near inclined to tell her off for such hazardous use of flames and yet, for now, he so restrained himself if only for the sheer look of pride on the womans face and that clear desire for....approval from him that seemed to linger. It would be a rather shameful thing, surely, to belittle her efforts- so much better then they had been before- simply because they had startled him.

"Perhaps a little less flames in the house darling- but that is significantly better than it was the last time I saw you do it. I was assured you could learn that control if you applied yourself. It seems you have come a terribly long way, that is excellent. You shall have to show me what else you can do. I should like to see it. Perhaps outside though."

That warm simper found his lips all the same, Vhalla near reiterating that very sentiment before she lent back within her chair with the assurance she need be somewhere else this evening and yet she surely had time for another drink. Dorian frowning slightly once more as she poured another glass and yet he hardly offered any further criticism as she inquired after what else she had missed aside from that engagement. Sebastian placing his tea back upon the table to inform her of that near disastrous dinner party they had been too but a short time ago. Dorian quite unable to prevent that chuckle that fell from his lips in response. It had been, by far, one of the most eventful evenings he had ever had at a dinner. The Monarch having been baffled for days over the idea of a meal in a bag- such was near his first experience of any such things. His head nodding all the same.

"We were just about to sit down for dinner and she promptly went into labor. Although I was quite pleased to leave, I must say. I rather dreaded that she might have the baby then and there else she might ask us to stay and assist in some fashion. A man's place is not at a birth. That is a business for women."

Heavens but he was assured he would not forget that night any time soon. The Monarch taking another sip off his tea then. Dorian largely oblivious to how terribly old-fashioned he had surely sounded in that moment. The Fae King largely unaware that, nowadays, men so often stayed in the room itself for the birth of their children. His own time, much like Sebastian's, had seen men wait downstairs or in another wing entirely while their wives and the women of the household attend that birth to present them with a child when it was all over. The Monarch content to continue to inform Vhalla of anything she had missed.

"We had a very lovely christmas. We spent some time in England, at Sebastians home and then we returned here for a second christmas of sorts with my Father and Godfather. It was very enjoyable. My Father is convinced he can teach me how to swim and yet honestly I am positively terrified of the prospect of his 'teaching'. Heaven knows what that might be."