The following day Adrien heard, "Master, do you think there is enough leaves to make a pile for Miss Rosalyn to jump into as well?" Chandler asked as the two of them surveyed the castle grounds, littered with hundreds, maybe thousands of fallen brown, red, orange, and yellow leaves.
"I know not. It has been a long time since I have participated in such an activity. Let us begin. Miss Rosalyn should be here soon to join us." Adrien answered and together he and the boy began to gather the leaves and pile them into one.
The sun was high in the sky when Rosalyn left her home. She was dressed once again a simple blue gown and wore a dark brown cloak over her shoulders. The leaves had fallen in droves overnight, making it perfect for leaf piles. She saddled up Philippe and headed off towards the palace.
A few of the villagers gave her glances and whispered something to the person next to them. More rumors, she assumed. But let the villagers have their gossip. She was not concerned with their whispers. Once she was out of town, she headed towards the palace, anxious to see Adrien again.
Within the hour, she had arrived at the castle stables. Adrien and Chandler were already outside gathering leaves. She left her horse in the stables and approached the two. "I see you two were so excited that you couldn't wait for me to arrive," she teased.
"It was the Master's idea. I wanted to wait for you Miss Rosalyn." Chandler confessed and Adrien turned to the lad with a mock scowl on his face as he spoke, "Traitor, you are supposed to take the blame." Though the grin that crept out of the corner of his lips revealed his true humor beneath.
Chandler waved to Miss Rosalyn and said, "Come on you can help me with continuing making this pile. It's supposed to be for you actually. I remembered you said you liked jumping into the leaves. I bet there is enough for both of us to jump into one big pile if we workreallyhard."
Adrien continued with a tool to gather forth leaves that were from a greater distance away and bring them forth to the singular mound that was being constructed.
She laughed at the two as they passed the blame back and forth, then walked over to stand by the young boy. Rosalyn smiled and looked at the pile of leaves. "I would say it is big enough for the both of us already. We will just have to make King Adrien watch." A smirk formed on her lips as she looked towards the king. "We could just make him rake them all back up again," she whispered to Chip.
"The Master has no intention of jumping into the leaf pile Miss Rosalyn. That means we get to do so and he can do the raking up the leafs again and again." Chandler whispered back with a mischievous grin on his face.
Adrien looked over at Rose and Chandler at the two shared a giggle. "If I didn't know any better I would imagine you were planning something." he said loud enough they would hear him. Soon the leaf pile was nearly as tall as Adrien stood and quite vast considering how many trees the castle grounds.
"Best be careful, Chandler. I don't desire the wrath of Mrs. Pom if you get into that leaf pile and cannot make it out." Adrien warned, though he was certain it would be impossible for the boy to get lost in the pile, despite it being larger than him by a lot.
"We could always tie a rope around his waist so we don't lose him," Rosalyn suggested with a laugh. She looked at the leaf pile, a look of childish wonder on her face. It was the largest pile of leaves she had ever seen. It was taller than her and looked like there was enough room to hold four of her, if not more.
"Nonsense. He will manage." Adrien said and promptly picked up the lad and tossed him into the pile right on top. Chandler gave a shout of surprise followed by laughter as he sunk into the leaf pile and disappeared from view.
"Your turn." Adrien said playfully as he grabbed Rose by the waist with intention to toss her into the pile as well. A bit away from where he threw the boy, so they didn't pile on top of him.
Rose watched as Adrien threw Chip into the leaf pile. The boy vanished, as if he had been swallowed up by them. She turned to face the king, but he was already in front of her with his hands on her waist. Her blue eyes widened as she realized what he was going to do.
"No!" She shouted, but too late. The king had lifted her into the air and thrown her into the piles of leaves. Just as Chip had, she sank into the pile, dried leaves crunching beneath her weight. Once she was able to catch her breath, she popped out from the top of the pile. "Is that how you treat ladies?" Rose taunted and threw a handful of leaves at Adrien.
"I'll get him for you, Miss Rosalyn! Two against one! We got him now!" Chandler hollered as he joined in the fun.
The three of them erupted into fits of laughter and happy squeals as they tossed leaves at one another.
It was well into making up the pile for a third or fourth time that Colin came onto the grounds, "Your Majesty, so sorry to intrude. But we have a situation that needs your attention, Sire." Adrien had long ago gave orders to not disturb him when Miss Rosalyn was visiting, unless it was to announce a meal, refresh a fire, or of upmost importance that couldn't wait until the following morning.
Instead of telling the gentleman off, Adrien gave Rose's hand a affectionate kiss. "My apologies Rose, it appears I must depart from our game of fun. You two have a good time." He spoke and regretfully departed from the ground into the castle.
Upon reaching the throne room it became clear the issue. There stood the woman of the husband with one hand.
"Your Grace, how kind of you to see my unannounced Sire. I would not have insisted if it was not urgent." She said with a deep bow, her hand attempting to straighten out a wrinkle in her dress.
"What brings you here announced?" Adrien asked, doing his best to keep his voice neutral. He need to reveal that irritation was there. "It is my husband your Majesty. He sought and audience with you seven days ago and returned that night with enough coin to keep was well off for 14 days. He departed the next morning, he said it was to find our daughter who had been missing since the night she was taken during a dance here, Your Majesty. He said he would be back in a week and took the remaining 7 days worth of coin with him. It has been 8 days Sire and I fear he has run into trouble on this quest and my family will have no means of provisions without him. I humbly ask that he be found and returned to his family. We will not do well, if at all, without him."
Adrien was starting to wonder how the village survived all these years without him being fully present. Perhaps that was why they had such a large graveyard. "Your request is granted. I will send for him and have him returned within three days time. I make no promises if your daughter plans to return with him. That is her choice that I am not privy to. Return home now while daylight is still available." He ordered of her.
Duties as a king did not permit Adrien to see Rose again. He did sent her a letter telling her of his duties with a note of a new constellation and how much he missed her. He sent a huntsmen to find the lost man and have him returned. He focused on selecting six names of men to re instate a Kings Counsel. He had new castle staff members hired and new guardsmen.
It was on the third day that he sent her a note, asking her to visit the castle on the morrow. He needed a break, but couldn't find enough of one to include leaving the castle. He woke up the following morning feeling refreshed and excited at the prospect of her visit about noon.
That was until noon came around and instead of being able to enjoy a mid day meal with Rosalyn, he came to face to face with the Huntsman, the one handed father, and the fiery red orange haired daughter who had once been a Chosen.
They all three bowed to him but she was the first to speak, "Greetings, your majesty. My father said you were as human as he is. I needed to see it with my own eyes."
The man looked petrified, "Hold your tongue, dear girl. Show some respect. Forgive her Your Majesty. Sienna has always been a bit touched in the mind."
Adrien did not want this. He wanted them out of his court and on their way. But he needed to know a few things first. Ignoring the girl he addressed the father, "Why were you delayed in returning home after having found your daughter?"
The man swallowed hard, "I...um...I some coin left yer Majesty when I arrived to Sienna's. It was to be used for the trip home but instead I gambled it and lost. I could not leave until my gambling debts had been paid. I found no work to pay them and thus became a burden for my daughter while as her visitor."
Adrien looked to the huntsman who confirmed this tale, "I paid off the debts Sire and brought him back as you ordered. The girl came by her own free will."
"Your Majesty, are you really going to pretend that I am not here? If I may be so bold to say, my father wouldn't have lost his hand in the first place if you hadn't ordered him to travel home through the woods alone simply for allowing a proper goodbye to be said the night I was 'chosen' as a castle 'guest'." Sienna barked.
Adrien finally looked at her, his eyes hard and unwavering, "Right now my only concern is with him and his transgression with using my generosity in a way he was warned not to if he valued his remaining hand. As my note stated, you as a prior Chosen your previous order of banishment is revoked. You are welcome to return to the kingdom of Amouria and the village from whence you came if you desire, without the ire of the King. That does not mean while you are here, anything you say or do, is immune to my ire or that of any laws concerning treason against the crown or laws that citizens are required to adhere by." King DeLavergne spoke, his tone carrying a finality to it as he turned his gaze toward the father.
The man's eyes widened, "Please Sire, no. It was a fool's mistake of me to take the last portion of your generous offering and gamble it away. I was warned and I did not heed such warning. But I need my hand, Sire. Please I'll do anything..."
Rosalyn's smile fell and her laughter died when Collin approached and told the king he had other matters to attend to. It must have been important, as Adrien had told Rose that when he was with her, he was just Adrien. She watched as he departed, then enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon with Chip.
It was almost sunset when Collin came out once again to tell Rosalyn that the king would not be able to send her off. "Thank you, Collin," she said. She gave Chip a hug before sending him back inside with her mother. Her heart ached as she left the palace grounds, unknowing of the next time she would see the king.
The ride back to her home was quick and uneventful. Rosalyn spent the next day sitting on her porch reading a book, enjoying the last couple warm days they had before winter started to push her way into the kingdom. It was well into the evening when we courier delivered a letter to Rosalyn. The king's golden seal kept the envelope shut. Her heart leapt with joy as she opened the letter and read every word carefully.
On the third day away from the castle, another letter was delivered to her doorstep. It was once again from the king, but this time it requested she visit the following day at noon.
Rosalyn arrived at the palace the next day, precisely at noon. But she was not the only one to arrive at that time. Two men, one which was missing a hand, and a red headed woman also entered the palace. She felt the three were not there to express their concerns with the king.
The three entered the throne room and left her waiting outside in the hall. Curiosity got the best of her and she pressed her ear against the door. She knew she should not be eavesdropping, but in that moment she could not help herself.
The woman had been one of the former chosen, and just her voice made Rosalyn's stomach clench. And the way she spoke to her king made her blood boil. She tried to stay out of the matters and keep quiet, but the woman irked her to no end and the man was about to lose his hand. She had to do something.
Rosalyn threw the doors to the throne room open and made haste in approaching the four on the other end of the room. She would address the woman first, then speak with the king about the man's fate. "I would consider you rather lucky, Sienna. I did not get to say a proper goodbye to my father until he laid upon his death bed."
When she stopped, she was standing face to face with the ginger woman. Anger burned behind her icy eyes, while her body remained calm. "You seem to forget that there were seven chosen in total to stay in the castle. Out of those seven families, your father was the only one to receive payment to help you return home.
"Your circumstances have been much better than my own. I spent many more months in this palace than you, was forced to marry a man who abused me, and now I struggle daily to find my next meal. Your father is a fool who took advantage of the king's kindness to bring you home to your family.
"I do believe that your poor attitude towards your king isgreatlyuncalled for and should not be tolerated further. If I were you, Sienna, I would not speak another word until you have left this palace and are safely nestled in your home next to the fireplace."
Rosalyn took a deep breath and turned to face the king. The fire behind her eyes faded and turned to that of sorrow. "Your majesty, as I stated, this man is a fool. He took your kindness for granted and should be rightfully punished. But please, King Adrien, show some compassion, some mercy. Spare this man his other hand and send them on their way."
As if the situation couldn't get any worse, Rose made an appearance. Under normal circumstances Adrien would have been thrilled to see her. But her here while he was attending to tense king business was a part of him he would rather hide from her. As illogical as that desire was, he intended to make her his wife therefore a queen of Amouria someday. Her knowing the hardships of his title was not something he could hide from her forever.
The fiery haired woman looked stunned. She held her tongue as the brunette spoke her piece, making valid points despite the hostile tone she spoke with. Sienna looked between the brunette and to the king, coming to the conclusion that she must be the seventh chosen that somehow changed him from what he was before.
None of the other chosen besides Rose, had been told of how to break the Kings Curse. He simply sent them away when they rejected him on appearance. Figuring there was no chance of love to be found, if they had not fallen for him even some emotionally before revealing his physiology to them and was instantly rejected.
She held her tongue and said no more but did give the brunette a hard stare. Feeling sorry for her and her many plights, on top of whatever her connection was to the once beastly prince.
Adrien had to suppress the smirk that wanted to cross his lips as Rose stood her ground against Sienna. He turned his attention back to the more important matter. "Had this man gambled away all the generosity money given to him for means to provide for his family while he was away for a week and to make trip to see his daughter and return I would not hesitate to take his remaining hand. However, he only gambled the last portion of it that was meant to bring him home. As such I will not be taking his hand. The smallest finger will suffice."
The man looked around in a panic as the throne room guards suddenly appeared more alert on the chance the one handed man attempted to run. "Please your majesty, have compassion and mercy on me. Is there nothing I can do to to reconsider avoiding this punishment? I'll do anything I am capable of to serve you as penance for the errors I have made."
Adrien stood, "Would you rather I take a toe and make it difficult for you to walk for a few weeks? Should the biggest to toe be removed I hear it is impossible to walk. You were warned what the consequences would be if you did not heed the orders with the generosity I gave you when you asked. I am not taking your hand but merely a finger for your transgression. Is this not mercy?"
Rosalyn gently grabbed the king's arm, fear in her eyes. "Adrien, please. Stop this madness. He regrets what he has done. Leave him be," she said, her voice unwavering and quiet. She would not stand to see this man lose any more of his body to the hand of the king. If Adrien were to go through with this, she would not stay here to watch the spectacle.
Adrien's fists curled momentarily, his arm tensing up as he felt Rosalyn's gentle touch and heard her speak to him by his name. He released the tension in his arms but the tumult of emotions still raged within him. This was not a matter of how he, Adrien, felt against the man. This was a matter of a king ruling righteously over a subject that made a choice that had explicit consequences he knew about before making unwise choices. To call it madness was a bit of a stretch. Madness would be demanding his execution or public hanging for his transaction against his king. She obviously could not see that, but he had no obligation to explain this to her in this moment.
Despite Rose's quiet, unwavering tone of voice she had managed to speak with, it was still loud enough for the other commoners in the room to hear. Which obviously Sienna picked up on because she had this smirk that made her think that if this brunette was on a first name basis with the King then surely they were in courtship. The desire for the full story in her eyes and surely she would be venturing to the local tavern to get the full gossip as soon as her fathers fate was decided. Her inner personality was a wild and fiery as her vibrant as her hair. What Adrien had seen in her to begin with he knew not anymore.
He reluctantly made eye contact with Rose and saw fear in her midnight blue eyes. While his own summer sky blue eyes held uncertainty. After a long moment he turned his gaze back toward the man.
"Do you accept that you are guilty for disobeying an order from your king and were fully aware of the consequences for such disobedience?"
The man nodded, "Yes, your Majesty."
"Do you feel that the consequence of your disobedience is fair for your transgression?"
The man nodded, "Yes, your Majesty."
"On this day I bestow compassion and mercy to you despite your transgression and the demands of justice. You are forgiven and will recieve no consequence. Go forth to your home where your wife eagerly awaits your return. Tell your wife of this and those you call friends of my further generosity. Now depart, all of you." He said, except to Rose which he placed hand on hers and whispered, "Stay...please."
"Oh, thank you Sire. Bless you, your Majesty. Long live the king." The man said, practically singing his praises as everyone left, including the Guards, leaving just he and Rose in the throne room.
He removed his hand from hers and turned his gaze to her, "Your counsel was appreciated. However, when I am in here, in this room or on this throne, I am King of Amouria. I will be addressed as such. I did not appreciate it when you used my name. Especially in front of subjects that I have rightful ruling over in deciding what is appropriate to the situation. As king I have to make hard choices. Choice that I Adrien may not like, but they must be done."
Rosalyn frowned when she saw the smirk on Sienna's face. What was this woman up to? Surely whatever it may be, it was no good. Rose would have to keep an eye on her after she returned to village. When the king released the man, Rosalyn released a breath she did not know she was holding. The man thanked his king and quickly left the throne room with his daughter, the guards and everyone else following suit.
Her frown deepened when the king turned his attention to her and began to lecture her on the situation. "As a king you have to make hard choices, but those hard choices Adrien must live with also. Adrien must live with the distrust and fear people hold against King DeLavergne. Taking a man's appendages is no way to earn their respect, especially when lies about the king are so easily woven during this time. His daughter would twist the truth, no doubt, to make people feel sorry for her and add to the flame of hatred for the King of all Amouria. Is that what Adrien wants? I understand that you want to keep yourself separate from your king status, but you are KingAdrienDeLavergne."
Rose's features softened and she once again reached out to gently touch his arm. "I meant no disrespect, your majesty. As stated before, I just want what is best for you. You are a kind man and I don't want you to be feared as a ruler."
Kind was not a word he would have used to describe himself. Under her influence, it was a trait he had relearned to be kind to himself, to her, and to those around him. He still had a long ways to go. It was going to be an even longer road before his ruling was respected rather than feared.
Why must they both be right and make the reality of the situatuon equally difficult? While he had been doing his best to 9gnore the presence of Sienna, he forgotten that she in of herself had as sharp of tongue as a serpent. Very much like Mr. LeGun once had. They would have been a harmonious couple.
Adrien took a deep breath and stood up. "What is done, is done. We both have validations. There is no need to discuss this further. Follow me, please." He asked although he gave no option for her to really not follow as his feet carried him out of the thrown room.
He led them to the West Wing and into his personal chambers. The quarters had beeb transformed for some time into a whole new area of living, compared to the last time she saw it in the shambles it once had been in. The blue stem of snap dragon flowers sat on the bedside table of the four post curtain bed.
Everything in the room was spectacular, except for the family portrait. It was of him as a lad, his mother and his father. The lad had been scratched over with claw marks, while the parents in the family portrait remained untouched. He kept it up. As a reminder to himself of the lessons he learned as a beast.
He went to the bedside table and opened hidden latch compartment that revealed a cushioned place for the crown to be kept when not in wearing use. He placed the crown within and removed the royal sigil shoulder cloak and tossed it onto the bed.
An invisible weight lifted from his shoulders. He felt as if he could breathe better. He was starting to realize why hid father had ruled away from thr public eye. The weight being personable was immense.
"Now, I owe you a game of hide and seek. You claimed that Chandler showed you all the good hiding places. I beg to differ. Care to go hide? I will be the seeker."
Rosalyn followed the king silently. She loved Adrien with all her heart, but did she love him as a king too? He almost seemed to be a different person with a crown on his head. A person she wasn't sure she wanted to adapt to liking if today's justice without her around were normal.
The king led her into the West wing, where she stopped to look around. She had only been in the West wing once before and he had frightened her so much she had fled from the castle. Now the room was bright with candlelight and seemed almost welcoming. When the king shed his crown and cloak, he seemed to relax.
Rose smiled at the mention of hide and seek. She knew the perfect place to hide. She walked towards Adrien and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "Good luck finding me," she teased.