A/N: Sorry for the sporadic updates, I've been transitioning to a new job, trying to keep up with school and life and ugh it's been a lot the past few weeks! I'm almost finished with the semester though, so I'll have much more time to update! Regardless, enjoy :)

~Earlier that day~

Adrien paced his room, his hands rubbing his eyes as he replayed the conversation with Marinette over and over again.

His heart longed to be near her, to spend each day with only her. But it was his duty to propose to Lila Rossi this evening.

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a heaving sigh.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he quickly walked over to open it.

Nino stood before him, smiling at him with a toothy grin.

"Today's the big day!"

He clapped a hand onto Adrien's shoulder, walking past him and into his chambers. Adrien tried to return the smile, but faltered.

"Why the long face your princely-ness?" Nino had taken a seat on the edge of Adrien's bed.

Adrien turned to face his best friend, rolling up the sleeves of his button up.

"I don't want to marry Lila, Nino." Adrien flopped beside his friend on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "It was never my intentions to hurt Marinette, but here we are. I've been pushed around my entire life and told what to do because it is 'what's best for the kingdom' but frankly, I don't care about the kingdom. I've never even wanted to be king!"

He covered his face with his hands, taking a deep breath. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and it was eating at him on the inside. Disobeying his father was never an option.

He had learned that lesson the hard way. After his mother had passed, Adrien found himself acting out a little bit more than usual. Dealing with that much trauma at such a young age had a greater affect on him than even he himself had anticipated. Managing not only the loss of his mother, but being cut off from his friends when he was so young was a recipe for rambunctious behavior.

One evening Adrien had snuck out and ran away, desperate to leave the castle behind forever.

He had only been twelve years old.

When some guards from the town had spotted him and recognized him as the prince, they quickly escorted him back to the castle. He was reprimanded immediately by his father's steward Mister Damocles, but when the doors of his father's chambers opened and he stepped out to greet his mischievous son...

Adrien had never felt such great fear in his life.

His father had not even hesitated before Adrien received a hit to the face with his scepter.

The king then wordlessly left his bleeding son on the floor, only speaking when he told Mister Damocles to retrieve the castle doctor to stitch up his wound.

There had only been few occasions since then that Adrien had received lashings for. Maybe three times. These wounds were inflicted on his back rather than his face, though. The king had realized that beating his son's face would surely attract negative attention to their family, so when Adrien misbehaved he got whippings instead.

These few outbursts that had caused him such pain had left hefty scars.

Adrien winced as he remembered those days, quickly sitting up from his spot on the mattress.

"I can't be dishonest. I'm afraid of my father, I'll admit. But I can't sit idle while Marinette suffers and I'm forced to marry a girl who is untrustworthy and shady and-"

"Then face your fears." Nino interrupted.

"You mean tell all of this to my father? He would never accept such a proposal. Marrying a servant girl is a non starter in his eyes, he wants this marriage with Lila to happen for the sake of the kingdom. He would never allow me to marry Marinette. To be truly happy."

They both sighed.

"I'm not sure what to tell you then, Adrien. I just want you to be happy as well."

Adrien squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before he quickly stood.

"I'll be right back."

With three raps on the large doors of his father's chambers, Adrien was shaking.

He rubbed his sweaty palms on the sides of his pants just as father opened up both doors, standing between them, looking as intimidating as ever.

"Adrien, what is it?"

With a shaky breath Adrien looked up and said, "We need to talk, father."

Gabriel moved and motioned Adrien to join him inside. Adrien slipped past him and paced as his father took a seat in an armchair in the corner.

"What's troubling you, Adrien?"

His father had both hands on either armrest, legs crossed. He had some sort of magical ways of always keeping his composure and showing no emotion, at all times.

After a few beats, Adrien paused his walking and looked his father in the eyes. He clenched his fists, trying to sound stern as the fear inside of him began to bubble up.

"I'm not going to propose to Lila Rossi."

Gabriel's eyebrow twitched.

"Is that so?"

Adrien gulped, wiping some sweat from his forehead. "The Rossi's are devious and shifty. I don't trust Lila, and I don't think it would be in the best interest of the kingdom."

The words tumbled out of him, falling over themselves. He pinched the insides of his wrists, his knuckles turning white. He tried to remain calm and collected though his mind was whirring and spinning.

Gabriel stood, taking a few strides to stand in front of his son.

"You mean this has nothing to do with Miss Dupain-Cheng?" The king stood tall before his son, still remaining emotionless and firm.

"N-No, father."

Gabriel raised his hand, smacking Adrien across the face.

With a quick wince, Adrien turned his head, reaching his hand up to hold the red mark left on his cheek before his father slapped his hand away.

"If you're going to disobey, you're going to face the consequences, Adrien."

Another hit to his temple, though this time the king's ring had cut open Adrien's skin, blood trickling down his face.

With gritted teeth, Adrien pushed his father backwards.

"I'm not going to marry her. I refuse." His breathing was ragged, and as hard as he tried to remain strong, he could tell his father sensed his fear. Gabriel smirked, a glint appearing in his eyes.

Gabriel suddenly then grabbed Adrien by the collar, pulling him close as he said,

"You will be marrying that Rossi girl, end of story."

His words came out like venom, seeping into Adrien's veins and leaving a quick shiver down his spine. With one final hit to the head, Gabriel walked out of his own chambers, leaving his son bloodied and panting.

Later that evening, Adrien felt his heart beating through his chest as he was introduced to the Grand Hall and it's stirring guests. More people had arrived for this ball, knowing that Adrien would be proposing and they would get to meet their future queen.

His head was throbbing, even though Nino had helped him clean up his wounds that morning after he had returned to his chambers.

The hatred he had for his father was growing inside him by the second. The king announced the festivities for the evening with a sickeningly charming grin, the crowd roaring with excitement.

Adrien kept his head straight, his eyes unfocused as he awaited the moment he had been dreading for weeks.

He barely listened as his father spoke, waiting for his time to step up and bring Lila to the throne.

When that time came, he cleared his throat, straightening his suit jacket as he called out to the Great Hall.

"I will be taking Lila Rossi to be my future bride."

The words came out and left stab wounds in his side as he said them. Lila was ushered forward, hugging him and beaming. He scanned the crowd, trying to keep a straight face to mask the pain he was feeling. When his eyes met those of Marinette, he quickly looked away.

The ballroom cheered and hollered as the two bowed before their guests, then the evening was finally led into dancing and refreshments.

Adrien didn't smile once the entire time.