"I don't understand why father insists we have dinner as a family when he never shows."
Prince Adrien stated disappointed once again that his father didn't show.
"Adrien, you know he works hard."
Queen Circe told her greened eyed son. She understood how he felt. She saw very little of her husband. He was usually off discussing trade agreement or planning to invade the Seven Tribes.
"Aren't we his family?"
Prince Adrien said. Knowing very well this was a pointless discussion.
"We are but we are also royalty."
The way the Queen said the word royalty was as if she despised it. She did hate that word. She wasn't born royalty nor was ever planning to be. She just fell in love with the wrong man.
A long pause of silence was drawn out between the mother and her two sons. All taking short glances at the end of the table in which the King would sit. The main course was served and Prince Adrien couldn't help but to think of Marinette picking the carrots. He wondered if she tried the soup. Could servant's afford such luxuries?
"Adrien, I heard you skipped etiquette lessons with Miss Bustier. May I ask why?"
The Queen questioned. Prince Adrien slumped down into his chair as children do when they've been confronted.
"I was spending time with a friend."
Prince Adrien confessed.
"Please, that little pet project of yours is no friend."
Prince Felix teased. Knowing that referring to Marinette as a pet project irritated Prince Adrien.
"Is this pet project, perhaps the boy I saw you spare with? He's not the best but has potential."
The Queen told Prince Adrien who couldn't help but laugh at the fact that his mother mistook Marinette's gender.
"There's potential there alright."
Prince Felix teased having his hand on a cup half filled with wine. His brother kicked him underneath the table as a response to his suggestive comment.
"Maybe, he could become a knight or the very least a castle guard."
The Queen was happy to give a servant the chance, especially when Prince Adrien took a liking to him.
"There's one problem."
Prince Felix added as he watched his brother mouth the word 'don't'. Prince couldn't pass up the opportunity.
"What may that be?"
The Queen asked clueless in the affairs of her sons.
"That boy is no boy. Just a simple servant girl."
Prince Felix explained. The shocked look on their mother's face was priceless.
"Adrien! I expected this behavior from your brother but you?"
She scolded. Prince Felix knew he wasn't the favorite of his mother. He was too much like his father but Prince Adrien was more like her. Clueless and usually over dramatic about things.
"She's just a friend. Not a consort or whatever Felix is calling his dalliances now of days." Prince Adrien defended.
"Just a friend? Adrien, be careful. Me and your father were once just friends."
Her comment made Prince Felix cough on his wine. Queen Circe always avoided telling her sons on how she and their father meant. It wasn't a pretty story.
"Mother?"
Prince Adrien questioned curious on how the story went but it was a secret the Queen swore she would keep.
"It was a long time ago. Just don't lead this girl on if you aren't going to leave up to your promises."
The Queen's advice to Prince Adrien was out of experience. King Gabriel didn't live up to the promises that he told her. They were simple promises but sometimes the most simple promises were hard to keep.
"I promise to keep her safe. She's my friend after all."
Prince Adrien adored Marinette. Her safety was the upmost importance.
"Friend? If that's all she is to you."
Prince Felix smirked. He liked blue eyed girls but he would have to have her want him. To seek his help and not his brother's. Just to get on Prince Adrien's nerves.
A/N: *Evilly rubs hands together*