Good News Travels. [Marton and family]
Feb. 17th, 2005 08:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
palace_martonMarton discovered that his luck was in when he wandered into the living room for breakfast to find almost everyone was there. He helped himself to toast and eggs, took his seat and poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot on the table. "I've got something I need to talk to you all about." he said before starting to eat. "So if you could just hang around a bit after breakfast, I'd appreciate it."
Harry looked up at Marton then down at his bowl again, paying particular attention to his cereal. So- today was the day was it? At least that meant he could tell Orlando and stop having this particular secret between them, even if everyone else was kept out of it.
Anna smiled at Craig as she stole a bit off his plate. "Maybe I'll find out which of you boys is taking my spot with the barbarians." She whispered to him.
"Hey, he could still change his mind and come back for you." Craig tugged on her hair. "All that heir-needing. You and Gwyn can talk all about changing diapers and teething." He laughed as she stuck her tongue out at him.
Christian wandered in and picked out some toast. He strolled around the table to a vacant seat, giving Craig a brotherly whack around the back of his head as he passed. "Welcome home." he said, sitting himself down and reaching for coffee.
"Why thank you, Chris." Craig smiled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Actually, I wasn't getting enough of a tan out in the country, so decided to come home and bask in your glory. And tell you all the things I've heard people saying they would want to do to you if they could. You know, since they can run their hands over your face every time they pay for their rent."
Harry and Orlando snorted in tandem and started to laugh.
Christian grinned, ducking his head so no-one could see, while listening to the laughter at the table. When they quieted down he leaned forward so he could see past Anna. "You're welcome, little brother. Though you do know they only picked me 'cause they couldn't figure out how to fit your nose onto a coin, dontcha?"
"Of course. A profile such as this can not be contained on a mere coin. I'm waiting to be asked to pose for the new dollar bill." Craig batted his eyes at Christian, blowing him a kiss.
"You know, the more and more time I spend around you lot, I just become more grateful... that I'm an only child." Harry quipped, scowling as he got a shot in the arm from Orlando.
Pretending to wipe it off, Christian grimaced. "I don't think they make notes that you have to roll up to fit in your wallet, Craig. Not enough paper in Calera for that." He had a thought and added casually, "Lots of forests in Erador though."
"I heard about that. That King Callan took one look at Anna and decided he'd rather his country fall to ruin without heirs than have to deal with her. Quite sad, actually." Craig shook his head, quietly tsk-ing.
Anna choked on her coffee. "Yeah, realized a Dnaran woman was too much for him, but that a Caleran man would be easier to boss around."
"Craig'll fit in nicely then." Christian spoke through a mouthful of toast. "Don’t you think so, dad?"
Marton grinned and looked thoughtfully at Craig. "Nah." he said. "Can't see Craig in an apron. You however . . ."
Christian bridled. "Hey! Just cause I prefer to do my own housework!"
Craig snorted. "Cause we couldn't pay anyone enough to do it for you."
"The heir to the Caleran throne in the kitchen, barefoot and... well, not that I suppose." Orlando sniggered.
"Craig, there is a reason why all your housecleaning staff are white-haired!" Christian shot back. "It’s due to stress and having to pick up your smelly socks. And shut-up, rabbit!" Christian threw his napkin at Orlando. "No-one asked you!"
"That's right- they didn't ask me," Orlando said, grinning happily at Harry.
"But Christian does looks so cute in the apron and the dishwashing gloves." Anna smiled sweetly.
Marton dismissed the servants with a wave of his hand then cut into the good-natured banter. “Craig and Orlando are safe. Christian is meeting with Princess Caeline shortly with a view to marriage, so you can both relax, be grateful, and quit picking on him over his strange housekeeping habits." He couldn't help but grin and took a sip of his coffee before continuing.
"So sayeth the pizza delivery man." Christian muttered.
"Told you." Anna mouthed to Harry.
Harry smiled and nodded at Anna, preoccupied with what he knew Marton was going to say.
Craig stood up, holding his hand out to Christian. "Welcome to the Club, Chris. You're in for a wild ride."
"Gee, thanks bro. But it's 'meet' not 'marry'. Don't condemn me yet."
"Now, if you lot could manage to be quiet for five seconds, I'll finish." Marton put down his coffee cup. He wasn't offering much more than what he'd told Will the previous evening and so he was relaxed and casual as he said, "A few weeks ago I was over the road at the pub, met a young woman, had a few drinks and, well . . . now she's pregnant."
Anna's fork clattered loudly onto her plate. "WHAT?"
Orlando dropped his spoon into his bowl, his mouth opening in surprise, closing it quickly at Anna's exclamation.
Christian's mouth dropped open and he blinked a few times as the news sank in. Then he began to laugh, nudged Anna with his elbow and gave Orlando a pointed look. "Uh-oh guys. Gotta watch it now. You're moving up the pecking order."
Craig froze halfway to sitting down. "Father? You're kidding, right?"
"No Craig, I am not kidding. She's pregnant." Marton repeated patiently. "With child. Having a baby. Preggers. Fatherhood is about to smack me right between the eyes once again."
"Dad, that's great. Congratulations." Christian was the first to offer them. "When's it due? Do you know what it is?"
"Congratulations Marton," Harry added, a moment after Christian. "Hope this one turns out better'n, well, all the rest of them I suppose. Except for Orlando, who is, in fact, perfect." He added, following a glare from Orlando, his smile not quite meeting his eyes.
"No, not yet. Not sure I want to. I haven't asked Angelina, err, Angel, what she wants to do. She's staying here, by the way. Down on Royal for the duration and anytime thereafter she desires. Part of the contract we're signing." Marton turned to Harry. "Thank you, Harry." he added.
Harry nodded in response, reaching for his orange juice and draining the glass.
Anna frowned. "How did this happen? I mean, I know how, but...how? It doesn't really seem like you, Father."
"It's not." Marton ruefully confessed. "I wasn't well, had too many drinks on an empty stomach. Simple human failure." He shrugged his shoulders and made to get up.
"Are we going to meet this Angel?" Craig looked steadily at his father.
"I'm not going to have to change diapers or anything, am I?" Orlando said with a smile.
Marton stopped. "If you like." he said. "But it's a just business transaction really, Craig. There's no need for you to get 'involved' with her if you don't want to. Not for my sake anyway." His voice was still casual as he did not want to sound deliberately discouraging. Leaving Craig for the moment, he turned to Orlando and smiled. "Only if you want to." he told him. "And knowing your 'sterling disposition' as well as I do, I doubt you would. We’d end up with two messes to clean."
Pushing in his chair, he nodded toward Christian. "Need a word with you on your way out." he told him.
Christian nodded in return and got to his feet. "I'll come now." he said, taking a last bite of toast. "Need to get changed anyway."
Anna got up, moving around the table to her Father and giving him a kiss on his cheek. Then she smiled and walked back to her chair.
"We'll help with the baby anyway we can, Father. Even if it's grilling the nannies for you." Craig followed Anna, shaking his father's hand.
"Thanks guys. Sweetheart." Marton buttoned his jacket with a hidden sigh of relief. He'd not expected any adverse reaction to the news, babies weren't exactly an uncommon occurrence, but he was happy to have escaped more pointed questions. "I'll see you all later." He left the dining room, with Christian behind him, intending to tell his heir the complete truth.
"I hope Father was happier than that when they found out about me." Anna looked at her brothers.
"I heard they declared it an official day of mourning actually." Orlando said soberly.
"That was for you."
"How would you know- you weren't even there!" Orlando stuck his tongue out at Anna.
"We told her.” Craig put in. “Father and Mother thought they were getting a human child. Got you instead."
"You're all wrong- Craig's birth was the national day of mourning because Christian thought Catherine was having a puppy, and when Anna was born, Gwyn threw a temper tantrum so huge that the entire servant roster had to be replaced, because they were afraid of her. I remember." Harry intoned as he got up from his chair, wrapping an arm around Orlando.
"I thought I heard something about a Great Purge." Anna smiled, than grew serious. "They signed a contract. Usually do that with people you don't trust." She got up, finishing her coffee. "Something says I should be hoping this goes good."
"No big deal, Anna- contract protects both sides. C'mon, little one- I need to actually wear shoes to work- my pet rock keeps stepping on my feet." Harry said, smiling at Anna and Craig as they walked out the door.
Craig sighed as he followed suit and rose from the table. "Thought the country was boring. Now I'm starting to wish for boring."
Harry looked up at Marton then down at his bowl again, paying particular attention to his cereal. So- today was the day was it? At least that meant he could tell Orlando and stop having this particular secret between them, even if everyone else was kept out of it.
Anna smiled at Craig as she stole a bit off his plate. "Maybe I'll find out which of you boys is taking my spot with the barbarians." She whispered to him.
"Hey, he could still change his mind and come back for you." Craig tugged on her hair. "All that heir-needing. You and Gwyn can talk all about changing diapers and teething." He laughed as she stuck her tongue out at him.
Christian wandered in and picked out some toast. He strolled around the table to a vacant seat, giving Craig a brotherly whack around the back of his head as he passed. "Welcome home." he said, sitting himself down and reaching for coffee.
"Why thank you, Chris." Craig smiled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Actually, I wasn't getting enough of a tan out in the country, so decided to come home and bask in your glory. And tell you all the things I've heard people saying they would want to do to you if they could. You know, since they can run their hands over your face every time they pay for their rent."
Harry and Orlando snorted in tandem and started to laugh.
Christian grinned, ducking his head so no-one could see, while listening to the laughter at the table. When they quieted down he leaned forward so he could see past Anna. "You're welcome, little brother. Though you do know they only picked me 'cause they couldn't figure out how to fit your nose onto a coin, dontcha?"
"Of course. A profile such as this can not be contained on a mere coin. I'm waiting to be asked to pose for the new dollar bill." Craig batted his eyes at Christian, blowing him a kiss.
"You know, the more and more time I spend around you lot, I just become more grateful... that I'm an only child." Harry quipped, scowling as he got a shot in the arm from Orlando.
Pretending to wipe it off, Christian grimaced. "I don't think they make notes that you have to roll up to fit in your wallet, Craig. Not enough paper in Calera for that." He had a thought and added casually, "Lots of forests in Erador though."
"I heard about that. That King Callan took one look at Anna and decided he'd rather his country fall to ruin without heirs than have to deal with her. Quite sad, actually." Craig shook his head, quietly tsk-ing.
Anna choked on her coffee. "Yeah, realized a Dnaran woman was too much for him, but that a Caleran man would be easier to boss around."
"Craig'll fit in nicely then." Christian spoke through a mouthful of toast. "Don’t you think so, dad?"
Marton grinned and looked thoughtfully at Craig. "Nah." he said. "Can't see Craig in an apron. You however . . ."
Christian bridled. "Hey! Just cause I prefer to do my own housework!"
Craig snorted. "Cause we couldn't pay anyone enough to do it for you."
"The heir to the Caleran throne in the kitchen, barefoot and... well, not that I suppose." Orlando sniggered.
"Craig, there is a reason why all your housecleaning staff are white-haired!" Christian shot back. "It’s due to stress and having to pick up your smelly socks. And shut-up, rabbit!" Christian threw his napkin at Orlando. "No-one asked you!"
"That's right- they didn't ask me," Orlando said, grinning happily at Harry.
"But Christian does looks so cute in the apron and the dishwashing gloves." Anna smiled sweetly.
Marton dismissed the servants with a wave of his hand then cut into the good-natured banter. “Craig and Orlando are safe. Christian is meeting with Princess Caeline shortly with a view to marriage, so you can both relax, be grateful, and quit picking on him over his strange housekeeping habits." He couldn't help but grin and took a sip of his coffee before continuing.
"So sayeth the pizza delivery man." Christian muttered.
"Told you." Anna mouthed to Harry.
Harry smiled and nodded at Anna, preoccupied with what he knew Marton was going to say.
Craig stood up, holding his hand out to Christian. "Welcome to the Club, Chris. You're in for a wild ride."
"Gee, thanks bro. But it's 'meet' not 'marry'. Don't condemn me yet."
"Now, if you lot could manage to be quiet for five seconds, I'll finish." Marton put down his coffee cup. He wasn't offering much more than what he'd told Will the previous evening and so he was relaxed and casual as he said, "A few weeks ago I was over the road at the pub, met a young woman, had a few drinks and, well . . . now she's pregnant."
Anna's fork clattered loudly onto her plate. "WHAT?"
Orlando dropped his spoon into his bowl, his mouth opening in surprise, closing it quickly at Anna's exclamation.
Christian's mouth dropped open and he blinked a few times as the news sank in. Then he began to laugh, nudged Anna with his elbow and gave Orlando a pointed look. "Uh-oh guys. Gotta watch it now. You're moving up the pecking order."
Craig froze halfway to sitting down. "Father? You're kidding, right?"
"No Craig, I am not kidding. She's pregnant." Marton repeated patiently. "With child. Having a baby. Preggers. Fatherhood is about to smack me right between the eyes once again."
"Dad, that's great. Congratulations." Christian was the first to offer them. "When's it due? Do you know what it is?"
"Congratulations Marton," Harry added, a moment after Christian. "Hope this one turns out better'n, well, all the rest of them I suppose. Except for Orlando, who is, in fact, perfect." He added, following a glare from Orlando, his smile not quite meeting his eyes.
"No, not yet. Not sure I want to. I haven't asked Angelina, err, Angel, what she wants to do. She's staying here, by the way. Down on Royal for the duration and anytime thereafter she desires. Part of the contract we're signing." Marton turned to Harry. "Thank you, Harry." he added.
Harry nodded in response, reaching for his orange juice and draining the glass.
Anna frowned. "How did this happen? I mean, I know how, but...how? It doesn't really seem like you, Father."
"It's not." Marton ruefully confessed. "I wasn't well, had too many drinks on an empty stomach. Simple human failure." He shrugged his shoulders and made to get up.
"Are we going to meet this Angel?" Craig looked steadily at his father.
"I'm not going to have to change diapers or anything, am I?" Orlando said with a smile.
Marton stopped. "If you like." he said. "But it's a just business transaction really, Craig. There's no need for you to get 'involved' with her if you don't want to. Not for my sake anyway." His voice was still casual as he did not want to sound deliberately discouraging. Leaving Craig for the moment, he turned to Orlando and smiled. "Only if you want to." he told him. "And knowing your 'sterling disposition' as well as I do, I doubt you would. We’d end up with two messes to clean."
Pushing in his chair, he nodded toward Christian. "Need a word with you on your way out." he told him.
Christian nodded in return and got to his feet. "I'll come now." he said, taking a last bite of toast. "Need to get changed anyway."
Anna got up, moving around the table to her Father and giving him a kiss on his cheek. Then she smiled and walked back to her chair.
"We'll help with the baby anyway we can, Father. Even if it's grilling the nannies for you." Craig followed Anna, shaking his father's hand.
"Thanks guys. Sweetheart." Marton buttoned his jacket with a hidden sigh of relief. He'd not expected any adverse reaction to the news, babies weren't exactly an uncommon occurrence, but he was happy to have escaped more pointed questions. "I'll see you all later." He left the dining room, with Christian behind him, intending to tell his heir the complete truth.
"I hope Father was happier than that when they found out about me." Anna looked at her brothers.
"I heard they declared it an official day of mourning actually." Orlando said soberly.
"That was for you."
"How would you know- you weren't even there!" Orlando stuck his tongue out at Anna.
"We told her.” Craig put in. “Father and Mother thought they were getting a human child. Got you instead."
"You're all wrong- Craig's birth was the national day of mourning because Christian thought Catherine was having a puppy, and when Anna was born, Gwyn threw a temper tantrum so huge that the entire servant roster had to be replaced, because they were afraid of her. I remember." Harry intoned as he got up from his chair, wrapping an arm around Orlando.
"I thought I heard something about a Great Purge." Anna smiled, than grew serious. "They signed a contract. Usually do that with people you don't trust." She got up, finishing her coffee. "Something says I should be hoping this goes good."
"No big deal, Anna- contract protects both sides. C'mon, little one- I need to actually wear shoes to work- my pet rock keeps stepping on my feet." Harry said, smiling at Anna and Craig as they walked out the door.
Craig sighed as he followed suit and rose from the table. "Thought the country was boring. Now I'm starting to wish for boring."
