GUEST: You will have to see on all of those curiosities, now won't you?

A/N: And now I get to the chapters I truly could not wait to write! If you thought their bonding was strong before - it only gets better from here, I hope.

To be clear, I am aware technically there would not be more than one king in France. But for the sake of the fact that it's generally accepted they are king and queen after marriage in the cartoon, and it is not bound to the more realistic France in the live action... I simply am going to take it as an alternate history of sorts. How this works is pretty much brought up here - hopefully this works, since really I'm doing my best to use at least some logic.

And yes, I am borrowing the name of their kingdom from the one in Descendants because I couldn't really think of a good one.


CHAPTER 9
The Royal Family

"What are you looking for in the library, papa?"

Adam smiled at the word "papa" that rang through his ears. It had only been a day since he'd adopted Percy as his son. But the child had already taken to calling him "papa" in light of it, and frankly, with each passing usage of the word his heart soared. It had been used only in fear for Percy before, but now it was full of brightness and joy, all directed at him.

And to be frank, it felt good to hear the word "papa" used that way.

Finding the book he was looking for with one claw, Adam pulled it from the shelf gently. For the old book was to be perfectly preserved for times like these. "Ah, Percival, I simply thought that this may be a good book for you to set yourself out to read. Perhaps with me, if you wish," he noted, carrying the book towards the boy where he waited for him. "I had never thought I'd have a use for it, but now it would seem I do."

Percy tilted his head, and turned to look at what his father held in his paws. It was a large, thick book, and bigger than anything Percy had read before. "What is it?" he asked curiously. "The title's letters are faded."

"Yes, well, it has been on this shelf since I was a boy," Adam chuckled gently, patting the child on the back. "This, my son, is the collected history of our family. The royal bloodline of King Archard Dubois, the first king of our region in France."

Percy looked at the book in wonder, then stared over at Adam quietly. "Is that to be my last name now that I'm your son? Dubois?"

Again, a broad smile crossed Adam's muzzle. Gently reminded of the fact he did, indeed, now have someone to carry on his family name. "Yes, I suppose that would be your name now. Should you chose to carry it."

Percy smiled back, and then repeated it to himself. "Percival Dubois, has a lovely ring to it, don't you think?"

A laugh escaped Adam at that, making note of his full name. Indeed, Prince Percival Dubois had a very nice ring to it. "I do believe it does, mon petit," he carefully seated himself in a chair, and motioned for the child to sit on his lap, which he did without difficulty. "The history of our family goes as far back as my ancestors, and as far forward as your grandparents."

Percy sighed happily at the mention of "his grandparents". Sure, with Belle he had his wonderful Grandfather, but no longer would those on his father's side be that of Gaston's blood. No, even if he was not Adam's by blood, he understood by the way the beast now treated him that this was his family now. And while he knew they were not all perfect, his grandfather being among them, their history would surely be better.

"So we are going to read this together?" Percy asked, looking up at the beast curiously.

Adam let the boy snuggle into his fur, as he had the night he had come, and nodded, opening the book to its first page. "Yes, and I believe we shall start from the beginning. Given my ancestor is among the greatest kings in all of France," Adam explained, his eyes lighting up. "When I was a lad, I strived to be a king as great as he was one day."

Percy's eyes lit up, giving Adam more reason to speak about it. Already enjoying this far more than he'd already expected in terms of speaking of Percy's new heritage. And as he began to tell the tale, he could not help but feel perhaps being a father would not be too hard after all...

They sat there for the better part of two hours reading from the book. And to his surprise, Percy latched onto every word he spoke with great wonder in his eyes. After that time, Percy asked. "Are you in this book papa? Or are only your parents?" he asked mystified.

Adam looked thoughtfully at Percy, and nodded his head. "Ah, only my birth, but I am in here. My reign as king had not started, and thus my pages were not added," Adam explained. "It ends with my father's reign as a tyrant over our kingdom, sadly. A legacy I wish I could erase."

"Gran-pere really was a cruel man, wasn't he?"

Adam was silent, unsure of how to answer that question. He did not like speaking of his father, but he also knew that Percy would learn eventually. "My father was a lot like Gaston, from what you've told me of him. More concerned in his own affairs than my well-being, or that of my mother," Adam explained, his voice tight as he explained this. "He forbade me to make friends outside of this castle. And furthermore, he treated anyone outside it as no better than dirt."

Percy shuddered at the thought of his grandfather already. It sounded like what might happen if someone like Gaston was put into power indeed. "He ruled with an iron fist and caused great famine, for a time. It was only your gran-mere that helped us out of it and made sure the villages were happy, and then when she passed..." Adam's voice became distant. "Well, I believe that is enough of that story today."

"You miss her, don't you?"

Adam's smile grew sad as he held the boy close, nuzzling him a bit. "Probably just as much as you miss yours. But I chose to believe she went to a better place, where I shall meet her again one day," he explained, wishing to give Percy some relief in this belief as well. "She is probably waiting there with your maman as well."

The small child smile again, and leaned in close. He'd never thought he'd be happy about this - being close to a man he called "papa" but here with Adam... He was reminded why he wanted this to begin with. "So, can we read a little more now?"

Adam simply hummed. "And where did we leave off?"

He could most certainly sit like this for hours.


"Master Percival, your father wishes to inform you it is time for dinner."

Percy took a moment to realize that Cogsworth was talking to him as he entered his bedroom. Had Cogsworth just called him "master"? The child raised his eyebrows a bit and looked up from the book he was mulling over. "Cogsworth, I'm not your master, papa is," he corrected the clock honestly. "I'm but a boy."

Cogsworth gave a little laugh at that. Adam was right, the boy really hadn't caught on to anything that this entailed yet. "Ah, that is where you are wrong. You are now the son of Prince Adam Dubois. This makes you as much a master of the castle as he is," Cogsworth offered. "It is, after all, your home. One which you one day stand to inherit, once your father passes on."

Percy furrowed a brow, having never thought of that before. He hadn't expected to become a master of the castle like Adam, he'd just assumed nothing would change. And the more he thought about it... "Cogsworth, would that not make me a prince like Adam, then?"

Cogsworth knew they were not supposed to put this on the boy. But given the child had already made the assumption, he knew it was pointless to hide it. "Yes, it would make you a prince. Though it is merely a title I'm afraid. As Adam is no longer in power to rise to king," he explained calmly. "I'm afraid with everyone's memories gone, this region simply falls into the jurisdiction of the overall king of France."

Such a statement answered one of Percy's long standing questions. He had never known their region to have a king for itself. Though he knew that, along with the self-proclaimed "high king" of all of France, there were many smaller kingdoms with their own kings under them. But he supposed that once upon a time, prior to the curse, his village and many others seemingly fell under the jurisdiction of the Dubois family.

After a long moment of thinking this over, Percy looked out the window of his room. Out toward the kingdom that he now understood may have once upon a time been his. "How far did his kingdom reach?" He asked curiously.

"Ah, not very far. It was a smaller kingdom. It went from your village to the larger city of Faltune," Cogsworth explained, thinking it over. "It's a modest kingdom, as are most of the smaller kingdoms under his highest majesty."

Percy smiled, his mind wandering with a million thoughts at that. "Think of it, Cogsworth. Me, a prince, in title only or not," he turned around and looked at the older clock with wide eyed disbelief. "Of a whole small kingdom of... Of..."

"Did Master Adam truly not go over this in your studies today?" Cogsworth chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. "Auradon, your majesty would be the name of your kingdom. If your family was still in power."

Percy looked over at Cogsworth, scrunching up his face. "'Master', 'your majesty'? Why do you call me these things if my family is not in power?" he explained. "Or papa for that matter? Don't you feel as though you have been freed from that?"

It was a good, albeit blunt question. With a small smile, Cogsworth worded his answer carefully. "Because I have served Master Adam's family for close to forty years," it surprised Percy to hear that. "And as such, though I am of course loyal to the high king of France. I will always remain loyal to the Auradon royal family, yourself included."

Percy gave a small smile back, taking in the touching notion. Though he truly doubted he could ever truly get used to being called a prince, "your majesty", or "master" in any way. "Well, as your prince, I decree you simply call me Percival or Percy." He attempted in his best try at a "princely" tone.

"Nice try, my young "prince"," Cogsworth replied cheekily. "But now that you have caught on, I cannot ignore my duties, or what I was taught. Now come along, your father is still waiting."

Percy rolled his eyes gently, now that he was staying, they were definitely going to work on Cogsworth's constant desire for formalities.


"... But the prince of a whole kingdom!"

"I know, exciting isn't it? Even if no one remembers!"

Percy sat with Chip in the parlor later that night. The dim glow of the fireplace illuminating the walls, and the two of them. Adam hadn't been particularly happy Cogsworth had said anything, but really, Percy was smart enough he would have figured it out eventually. Now it was just a matter of taking it all in.

He'd gone from a peasant to royalty overnight, however informal it was.

The boy carefully looked at the cup with a look of nervousness. "I suppose my clothes fit better now," he jested quietly, then added. "I don't suppose you'll start calling me titles now too?"

Chip giggled, as if he had just made a joke. "Of course not! You're still my friend," he explained. "Maman and the others have to because you're now their boss!"

"And their friend..."

"And their boss!"

It was true, he guessed. Now that he was a "prince" so-to-speak, he was the second highest rank in the castle, just bellow Adam. He shifted a bit, and then added. "Why aren't you happy? After everything? Don't you want to be Adam's son, and a prince?"

Percy smiled, knowing that logic was true. He just had never imagined he would be under this title. Never imagined he would stand to one day inherit a castle as grand as that. Perhaps even a fortune of some sort if Adam still had his family's money. "It just happened so fast. I never even thought of it when I asked him to do this," Percy replied. "I suppose it's only a title at this point. But it is an honor."

Chip bounced up and down in what Percy assumed was a nod. "Don't worry, Percy. Nothing will change, we're still your friends," he reiterated. "Maman said Prince Adam used to feel the same way. She told him to just remember calling you stuff only means they respect you."

Percy supposed that he could understand that at least. It made sense that it was meant in a respectful way at least. "Chip speaks the truth, son," Percy turned his head as Adam made his way into the parlor. "Be yourself, and you will always have that respect, and always have friends. I learned such a lesson the hard way."

Percy stood up, looking at Adam. "I just hope I can live up to your name, papa."

Adam carefully reached a paw forward, cupping one of the boy's cheeks with it. With soft eyes, he looked his son in the eye and noted. "I have no doubt you will. Or I would not have made you my son," he then added. "Now say goodnight to Chip. It grows late and you both should be in bed. Mrs. Potts is no doubt looking for you."

"Aw, not already!" Chip whined slightly. "Goodnight, Percy."

The last part was said with a groan. And to be honest, Percy wished that he could stay up longer as well. Especially to talk a little more with Chip about his worries. "Goodnight, Chip."

It was not the first time that Adam took Percy to bed, but it was the first time he did so on a day like this. Sure, he had adopted him the day before, but Percy had taken himself to bed that night. Tonight, however, Adam led him carefully with one paw around his shoulders in a careful hug. Showing a subtle change in his attitude toward him.

For the first time, Gaston was far from his mind. Perhaps, one day, he would have to confront that demon again, but for now he was safe in the arms of the father he had so desired for many years.

Before long, he was so lost in his thoughts he was almost surprised to find them in front of his bed. Carefully climbing inside, he allowed Adam to tuck him into bed again. But was not surprised as the beast chose, without hesitation to stay a little longer. A claw traced his hair, and before he truly knew what was happening, he felt fur at the top of his head.

He took note that, though it was an odd feeling to be kissed by a beast, Adam's tender kiss on his forehead reminded him so much of his mother's.

"Goodnight, papa."

"Goodnight, Percy. Pleasant dreams."

As Adam turned to leave, Percy could tell that he was not the only one who was happy with this arrangement. As strange as these ideas may have been to Percy, he knew he would never regret it. For this was one family he already knew he would be proud to be a part of.


A/N: I know, lots of fluff and info this chapter. Hope it came off well at least! XD