Welcome back. I am horrible at keeping promises, but forgot I had two exams this past week. I will put more effort into punctuality. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 11: Adelardi / Pt. 1
Zelda got home in the car, with Sir Noire driving quietly in the front and Madame Skyline shouting at the top of her lungs about etiquette and punctuality.
"You made me and Sir Noire wait, do you know how long we had to wait for you? You wasted our time! They told me you were going to be a well-ordered orphan, what is this? Your trips outside are going to be more sporadic because of this!" Madame Skyline shouted. Zelda felt really embarrassed about the whole ordeal, but really didn't care much for what she did. Of course, it was wrong, but if it weren't for running away she wouldn't have met such an amazing boy who was so friendly and nice! Nothing this boring lady said was going to take away today's experiences that were so great!
"You're not eating when you get home. You'll go upstairs and think about what you did, you insolent little girl." Zelda sighed. No one in the car said a single word until they were home.
~xXx~
When entering the mansion, Robin sat at the living room table painting her nails and drinking tea. She got up and looked at the brunette with her superiors. She smiled in victory. Then, she looked shocked.
"You left me waiting at the store Zelda! I put my full trust in you, how could you do me this?!" Robin gasped for dramatic effect. Sir Noire excused himself before the problem got bigger, and Madame Skyline joined her niece.
"It's okay darling, she's getting punished for what she did. She isn't going to get away with this."
"I am truly sorry; I promise it won't happen again. I'll retire myself to my room, have a nice evening." Zelda took a deep breath and turned around towards the grand staircase.
"Serves you right." Robin murmured under her breath. Zelda's fists clenched, but decided to walk away. As she was leaving the room, Raphael quickly ran in the opposite direction, spearing no glances to the brunette. Zelda left the room and ran to her bedroom. She quickly changed into her pink nightgown and peaked out the door at Raphael's shouting.
"Auntie! I believe someone's in the driveway!" Madame Skyline swiftly got up and put on her glasses.
"Are they here? I didn't expect them to be here so late… children, let's go great them!" The Skylines ran out of the room and opened the front door. Robin fixed her hair and straightened out the folds of her dress. Raphael rolled his eyes and kept walking. Zelda loomed above as she watched the events unfold.
"Hello Madame Skyline!" A man in a very nicely dressed shirt and dress pants waved at the trio. The driver of his vehicle took out his suitcases and brought them inside. Large black and red velvety type bags came out by pairs into the entrance hallway. Each bag had a golden seal on the front, making Zelda roll her eyes at the man's pretentiousness. Raphael smiled at the boy. Robin looked like she was losing her balance at the mere sight of such a handsome individual. Madame Skyline guided the driver to the room where he would be staying. Zelda kept watching with piqued curiosity of this man's identity.
When he came in, he looked at his surroundings and huffed with pride. His hair was nicely styled, his opaque blonde hair gelled and coiffed. He wore the best fabrics, and his stride contained his confidence. He pulled on his shirt for a quick fix, smiled and turned towards the trio.
"I didn't think you would be coming so late young man, where are your brothers?" Madame Skyline asked. She inspected his nicely fixed attire and nodded her head in approval.
"We came in separate flights since my step-mother wanted that for a reason. My flight was late, but if anything I believe my brothers will be here by tomorrow afternoon at most."
"How did your father allow you all to come alone? You're all, what, fourteen years old? I'll have a stern talk with him tomorrow." Madame Skyline hugged him tight. After she let go, Raphael and him shook hands and embraced one another.
"I've missed you man! It's been such a long time!"
"I believe it has been! I've missed you!" He smiled. Robin approached him and gave him a hug, which made the boy a bit uncomfortable.
"I can't believe you're here! I missed you too!" Robin hugged him tight and wouldn't get off. The boy moved her slightly off him.
"I'm glad to see you too, Robin!" The boy exclaimed. As Robin let go, she noticed Zelda looking from the second floor. She noticeably looked at the girl until everyone noticed her.
"Zelda White, come greet the guest! Don't you know how to treat guests!?" Madame Skyline's voice rang nice and clear in Zelda's ears. She sighed and walked in her nightgown down the staircase. Raphael smirked at her appearance, while Robin looked like she was about to laugh. Zelda avoided their eyes.
"Zelda, this is Corrin Adelardi." Zelda smiled and looked at the floor, feeling the imminent stare from everyone in the room.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Corrin."
"The pleasure is mine." The young boy delicately held her hand in his. He bowed down as if he were to kiss it, but looked up to Zelda and winked. Zelda was taken aback by the gesture and blushed madly. Robin's mouth stood agape. She scoffed and looked away. Zelda politely smiled and composed herself.
"I'm so sorry you had to meet this girl in her nightwear attire, it isn't proper etiquette." Madame Skyline emphasized on Zelda's poor choice in clothing.
"I'm sorry, I just believed the day was done so I was about to go to bed!" Zelda exclaimed, trying to defend herself.
"Don't worry Madame; I'm not offended in any way. She believed she was going to be in her room, it's alright." Zelda mentally relaxed a little bit more that she was being defended by a boy with good intentions. Madame Skyline sighed and rubbed her temples. She knew that it was the best was to leave the topic to rest.
"Well, since Margarita wasn't prepared for such an honorable guest to arrive, I believe that there might not be enough dinner for everyone. Join us for dessert, Corrin." She smiled kindly and turned towards Zelda, with a depreciating glare. "You on the other hand will come down with better attire than this, I assume." Zelda quickly nodded and ran up the grand staircase and went to her room. She shut the door and threw herself on the bed and freaked out.
He did not just wink at me, did he? These kinds of people are so bold; does he even know the consequences I could've faced? I doubt that even if I had gotten into any trouble, I would've even cared. He's really nice and courteous… She spoke to herself as she changed into something more 'suitable', according to Madame Skyline's standards. She took a long brown long sleeved dress and paired it with some slippers, since she didn't want to be uncomfortable. She quickly walked downstairs and was greeted with everyone sitting at the table, anxiously waiting for her. Vanilla ice cream and fruits were served at the table, and Zelda's eyes shined. She had only tried ice cream once with Samus a long time ago, so the memories of her best friend filled her mind.
I wonder how she's doing…? Zelda shook her thoughts as she sat at the table across from Corrin.
"Tell me about your trip, Corrin. I'm really interested." Corrin put his spoon down and wiped his mouth softly, which made Robin almost faint.
"Well, father told us about his issues in the Mediterranean. There's been some arising of some sort of war against other parts of the world, I'm not really sure. He just told us it was very dangerous for us to stay, so he told me and my brothers to leave on different flights at different times." Corrin explained eloquently the situation. Everyone listened to him carefully.
"Yes, I have heard of this issue going on in the Mediterranean. Some people like being bold against others, it'll get fixed soon enough!" Madame Skyline smiled at her words and kept eating. Robin and Raphael made from time to time questions that Corrin happily responded. Whenever he explained something to the group, he always made sure to look directly at Zelda. Zelda took note of that. Zelda ate along and decided that because no one was looking, to take her slippers off and be barefoot under the table. As she tried to take them off, she accidentally kicked one of the slippers and it hit Corrin's leg. His eyes perked up and he looked perplexed. Madame Skyline quickly noticed the sudden change of emotions.
"Corrin is there something wrong?" Before Corrin could respond, Zelda looked at him straight in the eyes and kicked him under the table. He winced slightly but kept his composure.
"Nothing Madame!" He quickly smiled and went back to eating. As he ate, he looked at Zelda, and would mouth out words. What's wrong? Give me my shoe back. What? My s-h-o-e! Corrin quickly understood and tried looking for Zelda's slipper under the table. The slipper accidentally touched Robin's foot.
"What was that?" Zelda was embracing the screaming she was about to receive from her superiors in the next upcoming minutes. Corrin looked at Zelda's face that clearly displayed her dreadfulness, and interjected.
"I'm sorry, did something hit you? Let me move it away from you." Corrin smiled and got under the table and threw the slipper to Zelda's foot. Zelda smiled and was relieved. Robin thinking it was an act of chivalry, seemed to be melting.
"Why… thank you so much Corrin! You're such a gentleman." She blushed and slowly went back to eating.
~xXx~
As the family kept eating and talked at the table, it had gotten really late and it was time for everyone to retire to their bedrooms. Everyone walked upstairs and had gone to their rooms. Zelda went back downstairs to retrieve some hair ties she had left downstairs, and Corrin was glad to accompany her.
"So, you took off your shoes at the dinner table huh?" Zelda laughed loudly, surprising the boy and catching him off guard.
"First of all, it was my slipper. Second of all, who's looking at me from underneath the table that is going to call me out for taking off my slippers anyway? No one, for that matter." She crossed her arms playfully and smiled. The boy chuckled.
"You're going to get in trouble one day!" The boy exclaimed, with Zelda subsequently waiving off his concerns.
"Please, I've gotten in trouble since I got here two weeks ago. I don't think it can get worse than this." The boy looked perplexed and caught up to her, who was already heading for her room with the hair ties in her hand. The pair stopped in front of the door.
"Since you got here? Where do you come from?"
"I'll tell you eventually, but right now is not the time. You'll know soon though." She smiled sheepishly and turned back to her room. She quickly remembered a question she was going to ask the boy, and turned around.
"Wait!" She extended her arm and the boy turned around and walked back to the door.
"You said your brothers are coming, who are they? What do they look like?" The boy smirked as he thought of an appropriate answered.
"Since you didn't want to tell me where you come from, I won't tell you either. I'll just tell you one is older than me and one is younger." He laughed as Zelda crossed her arms.
"Fine… I'll just see them tomorrow anyways! Ha!" She stuck her tongue out. "Good…night Corrin!" She laughed and closed the door. He shook his head in amusement and walked back to his room.
He winked at me, he helped me get my slipper back, he has a sense of humor… oh boy! Zelda leaped into her bed with excitement of what tomorrow would bring.
I split this chapter in two parts since I noticed it was going to be very long and time consuming. I would advise everyone to reread these chapters, and read between the lines. You'll discover many, many things.
Xoxo,
Carmengirl.
