Up in the castle lived Prince Adrien Agreste. With golden blonde hair and emerald green eyes, he was the most handsome boy in the whole kingdom. Being the prince, he lived a pampered life of luxury. If he wanted something, all he had to do was say it and it was his.
But, Prince Adrien also lived a lonely life as well. After the spread of a terrible sickness, not only did the commoners lose friends and family, so did the royals as Adrien lost his mother. Ever since, his father, King Gabriel Agreste, was always busy and never had time for him. The only people who showed his any attention was his best friend, Captain Nino of the royal guard, and Governess Nathalie. When Adrien wasn't fencing or playing with Nino, Nathalie would be seeing to it the prince was attending to his royal duties and lessons on time.
Adrien would give anything to make a friend outside the castle. He was forbidden from leaving the castle grounds without his father's consent, which was never. He only had one friend and that was Chloe Bourgeois, who liked to use their friendship to rub in people's faces. She had her faults, but the two had been friends since they were little kids, so he saw a whole side to her that no one else has.
So, Adrien was surprised when his father called him to the throne room to discuss something.
Outside the closed doors of the throne room, Adrien took a deep breath and walked inside. King Gabriel sat on his throne while Adrien walked down the long red carpet until he stopped and bowed low to him.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" he asked.
"Yes, Adrien. I have been thinking about you and this kingdom's future lately ever since your mother..." he couldn't say the words, so he went on, "and I have decided that it is time for you to choose your future bride."
"What?" Adrien gasped.
"Your Majesty, if I may. Please excuse me for my boldness, but the prince is only 14 years old and is not of marrying age yet," Nathalie pointed out.
"True. But the sooner we start, the sooner our kingdom's future is secured with a girl that will one day be queen," the king said, "Everything has already been arranged. There will be a ball held by the end of the month with every eligible maiden of the kingdom in attendance. If you do not choose a girl, I will choose one for you. Is that understood, son?"
"But, Father-"
"Is that understood!"
"...Yes, Father." Adrien gave a stiff bow and left the throne room. He was so aggravated at his father and needed to fence with Nino. Fencing helped clear his head when he needed to blow some steam.
Like the best friend he was, Nino was already there with gear on and sword in hand. As they went at each other, the two talked.
"I just can't believe him sometimes. Thinking he knows whats best for me," Adrien vented, "He didn't even ask me about what I wanted!"
"Are you sure it's a good idea to be talking about the king like this? What if he hears you?" Nino worried.
"Don't worry. He hardly ever leaves the throne room. If I even just want to say hi to him, I have to make an appointment, which, by the way, is in 2 weeks," Adrien said.
"Bummer, man. But he is the king and your dad. I'm sure he thinks he's doing the right thing."
"But it's my life! I should decide when and if I want to get married! And as far as I can tell, I'm not ready."
"Tell him then."
"I tried. He won't listen. Besides, he said if I don't choose someone, he'll choose for me and I just know he'll choose Chloe."
"I hope not, dude. Why would he choose her anyway?"
"Because not only is she a girl of nobility, but her father happens to have connections with many trade merchants from different kingdoms. Father had hoped the two of us growing up as friends would lead to us getting married one day, but I just don't see it. If I do marry, I want it to be because we love each other."
Adrien wanted someone who loved him for himself, not the crown. With each movement Adrien took, he began to feel better.
It had been two days since Chloe had given Marinette the name Cinderette.
It was afternoon as Chloe was in the music room "singing" while Cinderette was washing the main foyer stairs, humming to herself. She loved to dance, sing, and play games while she did her chores to make the time go faster.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, Cinderette opened it to find a footman with a letter in his hand for her.
"Thank you," she thanked and took it.
Seeing the royal seal on it, she quickly ran up the stairs to give it to Lord Bourgeois.
"My lord, Chloe," she said as she opened the door and interrupted music time.
"Cinderette, what have I told you about interrupting us at this time when my angel is singing!" he scolded, "There had better be a good explanation."
"Forgive me, my lord," she apologized, "But this letter just arrived and it has the royal seal."
"The royal seal?" Chloe gasped, "My Adrikins must be inviting me to the castle again."
Chloe snatched the letter from Cinderette's hand and gave it to her father to read. Lord Bourgeois gasped when he read it. When Chloe demanded him to read it, he read it out loud:
His Majesty, King Agreste, is hosting a
masquerade ball for His Highness, Prince Agreste,
to choose a bride.
By royal command of the king,every eligible maiden in the kingdom is to attend.
The ball will be held at the royal castle
in the ballroom
at 6:00 PM
at end of the month.
Chloe screamed at the top of her lungs. The very thought of marrying the prince made her so happy.
"But I don't understand why he's throwing this ball when he's clearly going to ask me to marry him," Chloe said, "Why invite a bunch of losers who clearly have no chance?"
"Perhaps he does not want to ask you in private, my darling. He wants to propose in front of everyone in the kingdom," her father said.
"Of course! But, Daddy, I can't go to the ball dressed in any of my old outfits! I need new ones!" she whined.
"What about those new ones your mother sent you? Those are the latest style."
"Those are not ballgowns! Those are party dresses! Big difference!"
"Yes. Of course, sweetie. Cinderette, run to the dressmakers shop and order my Chloe a new gown and a new suit for me."
"Oh perfect! Maybe I'll find something I like there too!" Cinderette cheered.
Chloe looked at her for a second and started laughing hard.
"You? Go to the ball? Ha! That is the most utterly ridiculous thing I have ever heard of in my life!" Chloe laughed. Even her father started laughing.
Cinderette had nothing but the raggy maid clothes she wore everyday and were dirty. The very thought of her at the ball made Chloe laugh even harder.
"You might want to read the letter again. It says 'By royal command of the king, every eligible maiden in the kingdom is to attend'," she quoted.
They both reread the letter to see it was true.
"Oh Daddy! Please don't let her go! She'll ruin everything and embarrass me!" Chloe begged.
"Now, Chloe. Cinderette has been working very hard these past few months she has been here," her father said, "She deserves a night off for some fun. But, Cinderette, you can go if you finish all of your chores and find something to wear."
"Oh thank you so much, my lord!" Cinderette thanked and went to leave for town.
"Daddy! Do you realize what you just did?! I'll be the laughing stock of the entire kingdom because of her!" Chloe yelled, "You don't love me!"
"Ah, but darling. I never said she could go," he told her, "I said if."
Chloe quickly caught on and laughed at her father's plan.
Hope you guys are liking it so far. I am so sorry, but I don't think I'll post another chapter tonight. My allergies are bad tonight after I cleaned my room yesterday and got a lot of dust in me. Take my advise: open a window and air out the room before, during, or after cleaning to let the dust out or else you will end up like me: tired, congested, unable to breath because of how clogged up you are. If I am feeling better tomorrow, I'll post two chapters. If I still feel blah, one chapter. Point is there will be a chapter!
