It had hardly occurred to the Monarch in any true sense that his very views upon that familial unit were, in any fashion, antiquated. After all, he had spent the better part of his life so firmly ensnared in a singular portion in time and history. One in which illegitimate children (like himself) were not only anticipated of a man but very near expected. So much so that those of natural birth held a designated role in society and an understanding that the moment their Father produced a legitimate child, born into marriage, they would be all but cast aside to fulfil other roles in life. Precious few illegitimate birth were ever made legitimate. Cases in which a man went on to produce no further sons were rare. Dorian himself having so experienced first hand the veritable woes of the misfortune of birth. Although, he had come, over the years, to believe that he had surely been spared the rather unfortunate fate of....unattractiveness that Ferdinand seemed to sire within his offspring. Dorian assured his half siblings had lacked pleasant features in much the same way they had lacked height. The majority of them having inherited Ferdinands gout in turn. The matter of Raven and her husband however was, in turn, so hardly alarming to him. That Tobias had other children from his bachelor days was, to his mind, hardly unusual. That Raven should find herself distressed at their presence was surely an unfettered concern. After all, it was she whom Tobias had married. She whom would be the mother of the children that mattered. This, quite simply, the way the world worked. Dorian near assured of it. Raven, in that moment, so suddenly inclined to argue the case of the illegitimate ones! The fae King near inclined to stare towards her in disbelief. Dorian's features frowning slightly in contemplation.
"Laws in support of bastard children? Whoever heard of such nonsense! The world has become a truly baffling place. What is this....child support? A monetary payment? Ha, but Matteo and Alexander must owe a fortune in such support! I must tell them of this. I shall ask Sebastian about it too, he is very good with laws and I am curious of this."

What a truly remarkable thing to learn of! Dorian so seeming near fascinated but such a topic and yet by that same notion, if the very law itself was inclined to force recognition of such children then those Tobias had fathered were perhaps so destined to remain prominent within his life. How very unfortunate. How very unhealthy for a marriage. How very....pressured Raven might feel in turn were she not to have her own children in a timely manner. These new laws, he was assured, had not been well considered. Later tonight perhaps, he would surely need speak of the matter with Sebastian if only to sate his own curiosity. His husband sure to know something of this business. Sebastian, after all, knew a great many things. Raven so reached for another biscuit then, the young woman biting at it before going on to explain that the mother of these other children was none other then Aiden's own sister. Such a complicated web! Dorian inclined to frown but slightly once more at that very consideration before Raven continued. The Monarch's features softening readily.

"I have no doubt at all about the intelligence of your husband. I have witnessed it for myself. It is unfortunate though, as you said, that he was so denied that chance to engage with his children. I am sorry for that."

That Tobias might have desired to take up a greater role with those children and had thusly been denied it was, after all, a truly unfortunate thing. Any man should so surely have that right, in the very least, to spend but some time with his children if he chose it. Matteo, after all, had gone to...sufficient lengths over the years to spend time with himself. The Fae King having only recently so truly come to appreciate that very effort. Such thoughts, for now, were easily dismissed in response to Raven's own insistence that he would so surely be a suitable role model for her own child. Such words prompting that bright grin to his features even of he was so hardly assured of such a thing himself. That very mention of gold however so readily saw that grin falter. Raven so attempting to suggest that gold was not an appropriate gift for a child! Dorian assured it was, in fact, the most appropriate gift for the celebration of a newborn, especially one so wanted and tried for. The Fae King content to fold his arms across his chest in that moment, that Italian accent becoming all the thicker as he so argued that very point. Raven arguing right back in turn. How long it had been since anyone had so argued with him! Dorian very near...amused at the prospect even despite his assurance he was right.

"I am quite assured the Ark has valuables under its protection that have so far not been stolen. Such a gift would not be publicized all the same. I am also certain that gold can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of rank. If is should displease you to such an extent though I shall give you the choice of gold- or a building somewhere named in your child's honour and a significant donation in their name."

One eye rose ever so slightly as if daring Raven to argue with him further. A quiet gift of gold or a decidedly public building named after her child. The choice surely her own if she was wholly determined to be difficult. So strong that gold for....later was also a viable option he was sure. Raven destined to lose this battle no matter what she chose. The sudden impact of that biscuit agianst his forehead so readily prompted that look of surprise. Dorian glancing from that biscuit that had fallen on the table in front of him to Raven and back again. Such playful, teasing behaviour distinctly...unexpected from the woman. Her goading words equally so. The Monarch very near....dumbfounded by such a turn of events.

"I cannot remember the last time anyone so ever struck me with anything."

Dorian's silver gaze so lifted back toward Raven once more, that sudden grin breaking out across his features as that genuine laughter so fell from him then.That rich sound so echoing within the pleasant warmth of that darkness.

"It was quite a good shot too. Can you lift more than one thing at once with your power? What is the heaviest thing you can lift?"