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

There was a tenseness of sorts that so overcame the Monarch each and every time those photographers swarmed. He hardly feared those bright flashes or indeed, even the Paparazzi themselves. More so, Dorian was simply unused to the sheer amount of people rushing towards him all at once! The Fae King assured that were it not for the body of the car surrounding them that they would surely have been crushed. Sebastian forced to drive at a veritable crawl lest he run down one of those foolish people and so start an international incident the sort of which those papers would have a field day with. It was a small mercy perhaps, that those guards at the gate were finally able to reach them, forcing those crowds back and away and clearing a safe path for Sebastian to drive through. The pair at last admitted through the gates and onto that sprawling estate. Dorian breathing a sigh of relief as he collapsed back onto that comfortable leather seat, his head turned only at Sebastian query as to whether or not the press might be as such forever.

"I think, in time, we might be of less interest to them. At least, they may stop camping outside the gates- though I think we will always be photographed. I shall have to take some of my security back to our city in the least, though I hope they will remain as inconspicuous as possible. The palace has no plans to release our location either. For a while, at least, we should be able to exist as we did before this. Though perhaps you might need consider gates for your house. I shall have the palace pay for any renovations you might need."

In truth, the Monarch had given particularly little thought as to how they might handle this once they returned home. They would hardly be able to hide forever, those cameras would surely find them again and yet when they did the Fae held little true knowledge of how they might handle it. His own security team, surely, would see about ensuring both Sebastian's mansion and his own apartment remained secure. Along with both his and his Consorts safety and yet- for perhaps a few weeks at least- they might still be able to enjoy that city they called home without being followed down every sidewalk. Any further thoughts upon the topic were abruptly ceased they moment they reached those front doors and the onslaught of Benito's attention at having left without escort. Geoffrey was summoned from bed, despite Dorian's assurance he was hardly needed, to inspect the both of them for any grievous harm that may have occurred in those few hours. Sebastian was declared entirely too pale still and told to continue his brisk walks in the sun while Dorian, in turn, had been informed off his need to rest. The Fae King entirely assured Geoffrey prescribed rest to almost everyone and yet for now at least he merely thanked that man for his service before hurriedly escaping upstairs with Sebastian in tow. That palace, while far better to outside its gates, remained entirely overwhelming at times.

It seemed however, that at least one more surprise was destined to await them, his silver gaze widening slightly as Matteo's reclining figure became apparent upon that couch and yet Dorian hardly found he minded the presence of the Frenchmen. Matteo was, by nature, a decidedly calm creature and one whom required truly little effort to host. The other Fae more often than not content to amuse himself. Dorian effortlessly regaling his oldest of friends with their tale of the evening before Matteo saw fit to remind him of that Christmas. In the wake of that celebration he had already held with Sebastian in Belton the notion of Christmas had been largely forgotten by the Fae. After all, those Christmases within his Palace all those years had hardly been delightful in any sense. That Matteo had seen fit to bestow gifts upon them perhaps equally as surprising as his presence and yet Dorian rose effortlessly to follow the man into that reception room. That once dusty relic of a piano so quickly drew his gaze. The instrument returned to its former glory almost as if it had been crafted this very day! His own fingers reached towards that polished surface, tracing alone those fine curves and edges before shifting just so as to allow Sebastian to examine it, that look of delight upon the vampire's features entirely glorious to Dorian himself in turn. Those few simple notes the piano offered beneath his lovers touch stirred his own curiosity. How different it sounded from the piano he had become used to hearing! That soft murmur of thanks from the vampire seeing both Matteo and Dorian turn in nearly the same instant to offer Sebastian those grins.

"We shall have to work out how to get it home."

How one went about transporting a piano Dorian hardly knew, his thoughts resting upon that matter for barely a moment before Matteo turned to him then. The Fae reaching in to his jacket pocket to remove something swathed in dark blue velvet- handing it to Dorian now. It was about time you had this. When you and Sebastian decide to visit France I have a chalet in the Alps you are welcome to make use off. Paparazzi are rarely inclined to stand in the snow to long. I also have several villas I rarely use if you plan to see the rest of the country. That should admit you entry to all of them. Dorian moved then to rest that gift atop Bernard, carefully unwrapping that cloth to revel that glorious Seal within- one vastly different to the gold and griffins off his own or the blackened lions of Sebastian. This coin entirely white ivory in design with a unicorn at its centre, the grand creature held one leg up as if intending to prance forward, its head turned to look back over its shoulder. The beast surrounded by those delicately carved swords interwoven with vines and flowers, that Latin motto inscribed at the base. Dorian entirely inclined to some curious fluttering of emotion within himself. In all the years he had known the elder Fae he had never once seen something so private as Matteo's home. That Deveraux family crest, to his knowledge, never having been given to another. Family was but one topic the other Fae simply never spoke off.

"Thank you Matteo, this is very generous of you. We would like that. I shall look after this."

His gaze rested briefly upon Sebastian, that soft simper upon his lips still as he turned that seal about within his hands, fingers running over that carved surface. It is not the type to be worn as yours or Sebastian's, Lion's and Unicorns rarely agree after all, but to be kept as a token until you require it. My guards will know what it means when they see you. Dorian paused briefly to glance down at Sebastian's own crest that hung so eternally against his chest, eyeing those carved lions a moment, that reference to those every famous words of but those two creatures lost upon him entirely or indeed any deeper meaning that may have nee conveyed within it as he simply nodded, lips parting to speak only to find an envelope held suddenly towards him now. Matteo grinning softly in a manner almost impish, Dorian so regarding the other Fae with wariness now, that envelope adorned in ancient cursive with both his and Sebastian's name. That is for you both for later. Dorian's own gaze lifted once more, nodding softly at that request before extending his hand to the other- knowing well the Frenchmen held every intention of leaving again as he had done for centuries.

"You would be welcome to visit if you should feel inclined. I should....like to spend time with you."

It was a curious admittance and yet for the being whom he had known longer then he had any other there was little, perhaps, he truly knew of the man. Free of those palaces walls he was assured he would not be opposed to knowing Matteo all the better if so given the chance. I am returning to your city now, in fact, I have convinced my companion to abandon his coffee house for but one weekend so we might enjoy the world as we once used too. I lost the French Riviera to him in poker last week. I quite need to get it back.

"Should one truly be gambling with monuments?"
What is the point of gambling if the stakes are not high? I owned part of Macedonia for three years several centuries ago because he lost a bet to me. It is a game we play. Even so, I shall visit you all the same. You have my word.
"You do not own anything in Italy do you?"
I do, in a manner of speaking- but....that thing is not at all worth gambling.
"I should hope not."

The idea of it! Dorian frowning slightly at this notion of gambling with historical monuments. The Monarch entirely unwilling to allow Matteo to give away parts of Italy to his companion in any sense. A part of the man curious all the same as to just what his companion so meant by enjoying the world as they used too. The thought of it so stealing a simper to his features all the same as he offered that Fae a firm shake of his hand. Matteo turning then to offer Sebastian the same simple shake before so warning them that more trouble with the president was sure to come, that the man held other plans and they simply need be aware of it. Dorian assuring him they would before he took his leave. Dorian so at last left alone with his consort- his head turned to press his lips with affection to the vampire's cheek.

"It is late, we should get ready for bed."

His own fingers continued to turn about that Seal for several moments, admiring that crest before wrapping it in that velvet once more for safe keeping as they made their way into his bedroom at last. It was easy then to pull that shirt from his figure and slide those jeans from his limbs- leaving him in but his boxer shorts as he clambered onto that bed. Sebastian as always, took several moments longer, the vampire by far the most diligent brusher of teeth Dorian had ever known. His lover so barely having slipped beneath those sheets before the Fae King so rolled very near atop him, resting on his chest, lips pressing to the man's own as he regarded him with that glorious grin.

"Shall we see what was in that envelope?"

He reached easily to that side table then, taking the envelope from it, something clearly within it as Dorian simply upended it to let it fall onto Sebastian's chest. That look of surprise so adorned his features, the Fae reaching to pluck that set of keys from him- holding them up for his lover to see.

"I do believe he just gave us that car."

dorian aragona