Hey y'all! I know I haven't updated in a long time and I am sorry for that. I kinda have been having a hard time mentally and school has been getting a little more difficult. Hopefully I can post more during the summer!
"Prince Adrien," the rapping on the door became more insistent. "Prince Adrien you need to get up."
The tired boy moaned and flopped a hand over his eyes, missing the sweet relief of sleep already. Not fully awake his eyes glossed over the intricately setup suit on a mannequin next to the privacy divider and stared at the door, almost able to see Natalie on the other side, scroll in hand and watch in the other as she banged again.
"You need to get ready, the festivities begin in an hour." running a hand through his already mussed up hair, Adrien rolled over, not wanting to leave his bed for another boring day. "Prince Adrien. If you don't wake up now, you'll be late for breakfast!" Natalie never shouted at him, but he has gotten her pretty close, something he prides himself in. "Do you want to miss your brother's coronation?"
Those words snapped inside him as he sprung from the bed, still staring at the door. "The coronation's today!" The exclamation was mixed with a question but he didn't care. Racing through getting dressed he burst out into the hallway, rushing over the carpeted floors.
As he ran he felt the morning sun against his skin as people opened the windows, the light breeze following him to the banquet hall where he was able to watch the plates being carried into the kitchens and prep rooms. Many desserts had already been placed on tables to the sides of the room, and he couldn't help taking a few and shoving them in his mouth before somebody caught him. Although it was a little in vain as one of the passing servants, Nino if he remembered correctly, laughed as he passed, delivering a chocolate sculpture to its podium next to the tables.
Adrien blushed and turned away from the sweets, his eyes already catching on the white sails filling the harbor, with many people getting off. There was a bustle of activity around the gates and Adrien couldn't help his squeal as he sprinted to the courtyard, excitedly waiting for them to open. The moment he could he squeezed through, much to the shock of the townspeople and visitors behind the gate.
What he saw couldn't begin to quell his excitement. Bakers stood outside their shops, the smell of freshly baked goods hung heavily in the air and combined surprisingly well with the salty breeze from the sea. Merchants and shopkeepers all had items bearing the royal crest, banners and ribbons as well as clothes. He passed more people in his life than he thought could even exist. Rounding a corner he saw two girls and what he thought was a reindeer having a discussion next to a carrot cart, the younger of the two had her back towards him. He was sure the older one recognized him as he ran past because there was a small squeak and then some laughing.
Turning onto the pier side of the dock, with water not yet crowded by visiting boats, Adrien watched the big ships sail into the harbor, his boots just barely skimming the water's tips. He sat there for a while before footsteps approached him from behind.
"You there, servant boy, why are you sitting around?" Adrien turned to find an olive skinned girl, possibly a year older than himself, standing behind him with her hands in her hips. He almost cringed at the horrible shade of orange the girl's gown was in, obviously from out of the kingdom as no one here uses cages that big.
"I'm not a servant." Adrien began, hoping to give the young lady another chance, after all first impressions aren't everything. "I'm Adrien." Standing he moves to give a welcoming bow like his tutors drilled into him.
"Adrien as in the Prince?" The girl shrilled, and he winced slightly. She immediately began to apologize, sidling closer to him and taking his arm as if he had offered it. "Oh your highness I am so sorry for the confusion. I must not have seen you well with my poor eyesight." She pouted slightly, her free hand brushing away her weirdly styled hair, which to him looked like honest sausages. "The doctors back home are trying to find ways to cure it, although right now it is not looking all that possible." The poor blonde had no idea what to do, not wanting to seem rude but absolutely not wanting this girl on his arm. They walked past the two girls again and they gave him looks of pity after seeing the orange leech.
"Oh and I am Princess Lila of the Italian Isles, a rather nice kingdom although rather run down in comparison to yours I bet. This will be my first time to Arendelle, would you be so kind as to give me a tour?" She turned in front of him and puffed out her lip, trying to pout. Adrien hid a cringe at the attempt, and tried to find some way out of this situation.
"Excuse me, miss?" The two turned and saw the younger girl, her dress had no cage beneath it letting it flow naturally around her body. He could see the defined muscles beneath her sleeves as she moved, and barely heard her steps as she approached. Adrien was caught in her blue bell eyes, framed nicely by soft black hair that rested just a bit past her shoulders, some tied behind her head in a red ribbon. "The prince needs to get back to the palace for preparations for his brother's ceremony." The last part was said with a raised brow at the blonde who paled slightly before prying Lila's hands off his arms.
"She's right I better be getting back, wouldn't want to be late to my own brother's coronation!" And with a last smile Adrien took off running back to the palace.
He had just barely made it before the music started, Natalie fussed over his clothes and hair until it was his turn to walk down the aisle. Moving off he stood to the side and waited for his brother.
Glancing to the crowd, he saw Lila in one of the front rows, two older ladies sitting on either side of her and she seemed to dislike being in their presence. In the back he also found the girl from the town and her friend, who looked remarkably like her except for the reddish ends of the older girl's hair.
The music rose to a crescendo and the crowd stood as the large doors in the back opened, revealing his father in a wonderfully tailored suit. The King walked down the aisle, commanding respect from everyone who bowed as he passed. He reached the dias where the priest stood and let the older man kiss his forehead. Then the crowd turned again and Adrien saw his brother.
Plag was dressed regally, a black shirt with a deep green vest, white pants and black boots, clasped on his chest was a long dark green cloak with black embroidery. His hands were covered in the black gloves, green stitching almost invisible. The cloak bellowed a bit as he walked, commanding the room much like their father had, yet there wasn't a sense of fear in the air, more a sense of curiosity.
As Plagg reached the dias, the priest began the ceremony and Adrien found it hard to stay focused. He was excited for his brother for sure, yet it is hard to feign the smile through an almost hour long ceremony. He spent most of it coming up with back stories for many of the strangers he saw in the room, disincluding Lila and the bluenette girl from earlier.
He almost missed the exchanging of the crown as it was lifted from King Gabriel's head and moved over to his brother's. The crown which had rested rather oddly on their father fit perfectly on Plagg and Adrien had to guess that it was refitted to his brother. Plagg turned ready to grab the objects to complete the ritual yet seemed to have forgotten the gloves still on his hands, something that the priest had to remind him of.
Plagg looked up and then stole a quick glance at the blonde, a small shimmer of fear glistened in his eyes before determination took over and he laid the gloves down on the cushion. Out of the corner of his eyes, Adrien saw his father take a step back in barely hidden fear as well. The closing words felt a bit rushed and Plagg barely waited till the last word was uttered until flinging the objects back on the cushions and putting his gloves back on.
The procession led out in much the same way, Plagg leaving first followed by his father and then himself, although he didn't quite manage to get away before being swarmed by girls of all ages, many of them pulling at his arms.
"Umm, excuse me ladies, but I have to get ready for the ball, care to wait for me till then?" He figured that would be the best response to getting them to let go and was excited that it worked out. It took only a few minutes for his change, the servants had brought his suit down close to the ballroom. When he had finished, he was dressed in all black, with a cloth mask that fit his face well. On the mask was stitched a likeness of a cat, with ears at the top. He also kept his hands free, for unlike his brother, he didn't like wearing gloves.
"Are you ready Adrien?" He startled as his father walked up behind him, the former king still dressed as he was for the coronation as he chose not to participate in the costumed festivities.
"As ready as I'll ever be." The younger blonde smiled nervously as his father placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Remember you are representing Arendelle, the moment you step on that floor, you are the brother to the king, no longer a naive prince. I expect your behavior to reflect that."
"Yes Father." Gabriel accepted his response before entering the ballroom, applause announcing his arrival.
"Geez, no pressure." Adrien gave himself a moment before he passed through the curtains to the waiting party.
Hope this chapter was ok! I tried to at least give yall something since I had this much written. It is supposed to cover the portion "For the first time in forever" covers so i hope it was done well. Also we got Lila already lying about a disease with in her first two sentences!
Hope y'all are doing well!