Chapter Twenty-One
The entire time during the lessons Adam wanted to ask her about the names and the hearts and what her feelings were, but he somehow had managed to resist. He merely handed her the journal back, reminded her that she should take better care of her things, and just jumped into the lessons. He noticed everything about her during this lesson. The determination in her eyes as she read, the concentration in her mouth when she read or she wrote her words, as well as her fidgets. She twisted her fingers when she recited the poetry or they reviewed what she read, whenever she was writing and she struggled her fourth finger on her right hand would tap. She was left handed so every now and again her elbow would fall off the table in the middle of her writing and she would make such a cute annoyed face. She did so well in distracting him from his anger and bloodlusts, but with every motion, every blink, every little thing that she did she only made his heart race more.
"Have you found it yet?" She asked as she closed her blue reader. Those doe brown eyes blinked in eagerness at him.
"Not quite, my dear Snow White." He couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. "Your requirements are rather difficult to meet, and with your reading progressing so well it has been rather difficult of a challenge."
"It doesn't have to be exactly everything." She blushed and looked guilty. "Just so long as it has a happy ending, I'll be happy."
"No, no, no, my dear." He shook his head. "Do not limit yourself to something you shall expect. If you always read the same things, or if you are guaranteed a happy ending, it will be difficult to enjoy. Always find a way to challenge yourself, especially in reading. The more that you read the more you learn."
"Oh, I could never imagine not reading anymore." She sighed and rested her pretty little head on her hands. "It is so nice, it is hard sometimes, but it is really enjoyable."
He smiled and felt his face warm as their eyes met. "That is so good to hear."
The soft click of the doors to the library caught both of their attention and they turned to see Frederick entering the library. He stood nervously and skimmed the room before he caught sight of both Adam and Snow White. He heaved a sigh and had an apprehensive look before he finally approached them. Snow White perked right up, as if she were seeing an old friend, but Adam could not help but feel wary of him. He looked nervous, as if he really wished he had not seen the two of them together.
"Frederick." Snow White smiled up at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Princess." He gave her a warm smile. "I'm here to tell the two of you that Prince Florian has arrived, though I think you've already met him. The Queen has requested that you both be present in the throne room for a proper introduction.
"Oh my goodness." She blinked with wide eyes. "Then we shall have to go immediately! Oh, but the books -"
"I'll take care of the books." Adam reassured her. "You go on ahead, I'll clean up here."
"Thank you, Adam." She flushed a soft shade of pink before she pushed herself away from the table and walked out of the library. Both Adam and Frederick lingered at the table.
"Were you here to snitch to me, or about me?" Adam groaned as he stood.
"Lil' of both." He scratched the back of his head. "Hilde wanted me to confirm if you were teaching her. She's not exactly pleased about it, but since this prince is here she wants Snow White to be impressive, not embarrassing."
"You mean she wants to embarrass herself." Adam snorted and crossed his arms.
"But I also came to tell you that she's up to something." He said in a hushed whisper. "She is very amused by the prince, but it is like a cat playing with its food sort of amusement. I don't expect she'll put up with him for long."
"I know I won't." Adam snarled. "I almost killed him this morning."
"I know, I almost let you." Frederick put his hands on his hips. "Despite how annoying he is, though, he is still a prince, he is relatively innocent, and Apfel doesn't really need a war right now."
"He had it coming. . ." Adam stacked the books and placed them back in their proper shelves. Frederick followed behind him.
"I'm not saying he didn't." He sighed. "I'm just saying, watch out how you interact with him. Right now you're entertaining Hilde, but as soon as she gets bored that's when things are going to get difficult."
"If she wants to pit this idiot against me, I will win." Adam determined as he turned to face Frederick. He was actually pleasantly surprised and relieved to actually have someone he could look in the eye. He'd been the tallest one for the longest time here that he almost forgot what it was like to look at someone on the same level rather than looking down at them because they were shorter than him.
"I don't doubt it." Frederick crossed his arms. "He's far too flashy for Snow White anyways; though if she would have met him first she might have liked him more. . ."
"What?"
"Look, the point is." Frederick shook his head. "You need to be very mindful of what's going on right now, especially around Hilde. She's putting on her greatest act of being a graceful queen, but that does not mean she will show mercy. If you're going to save Snow White, don't let her out of your sight."
With the warning being given, Frederick left Adam. Adam stood dumbfounded for a few moments. He had been so caught up in his emotions that he had completely forgotten his mission. Snow White was such a lovely distraction, and now that he was growing more and more aware of his feelings. . . Well, things were only getting more difficult; especially now that there was this prince that expected to get what he wanted. Adam was going to enjoy destroying that expectation and take what was his.
Not wanting to keep the Queen waiting or keep Snow White alone between the two for too long, Adam made his way down the long halls to the throne room. Much to the pain growing in his eardrums, he knew he was getting close because the damned prince decided to show off his 'skills' by singing again. He heaved a groan before entering the throne room and looked as disinterested and annoyed as possible as he ever so conveniently interrupted his singing. Much to his surprise he saw a small throne off to the left of the Queen in which Snow White sat and another medium sized chair off to the right of the Queen.
"Ah, Prince Adam." Queen Grimhilde looked ever so thankful for the interruption. "Thank you for coming!"
"But of course, my Queen." He bowed respectfully and with a smirk as he looked down at the prince and took his seat on the other side of the Queen. He sat in his chair with his legs crossed and his head resting on his fist in a demeanor that demanded that Prince Florian do his best to entertain him now. His face swelled up like a frog and Adam could not help but smirk.
"Prince Florian here was just singing for us." Queen Grimhilde spoke through gritted teeth. "He was showing us his . . .talents."
"Oh was he?" He continued to look down at Prince Florian. "Well don't stop on my account, I would love to hear your singing."
"W-With all do respect, your highness." Florian smiled nervously at Queen Grimhilde. "I do not think that I could continue by myself now. You see, I was ready to sing a lot for you, but now that I have been interrupted I'm more nervous than I thought. . ."
"Does that mean you won't be continuing?" The Queen almost seemed hopeful that he would be done.
"Oh no, I would hate to disappoint you!" Adam had to put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. He already had to suffer this morning and he couldn't help but be pleased that the Queen herself was to have her turn. "I was merely building up to my request."
"Request?" She cocked a thin eyebrow at him.
"I request that I have a partner." He held his hand out in the center, mostly aimed towards the Queen and Snow White. His eyes most definitely lingered over to Snow White who was looking for a way out of having to sing with him. Although he was amused at Queen Grimhilde's discomfort, he did want to give Florian too many opportunities of actually being next to Snow White if he could help it.
"Well, if you're that nervous. . ." Adam huffed as he stood up from his chair. "Then I shall partner with you."
He could hear Frederick laughing somewhere in the background, Snow White's mouth fell open, and Queen Grimhilde held the bridge of her nose as Florian blushed a deep shade of red. He by no means, nor Adam for that matter, ever expected to actually have Adam sing with him. Adam climbed down the small stairs and stood beside Florian who was growing more and more ashamed. Adam could not help but smirk at further embarrassing the foolish prince.
"No - I meant -" Florian tried to wiggle his way out of having Adam as a partner so he could have the sole spotlight, however even the Queen was growing more amused at this situation.
"Proceed." She waved her hand to silence the foolish prince and leaned on her hand to watch the show.
"So what are we singing?" Adam coughed and cleared his throat.
"U-U-m." Florian's voice cracked and he coughed to clear his throat. "Do you remember the song I was singing this morning?" His voice was more in a whisper now.
"The 'One Song'?" Adam asked mockingly politely.
He grimaced and put his head in his hands. "Y-yes."
"Well, I hope that I am able to relieve you of your nervousness." Adam put his hand behind his back. "Shall you start, or shall I?"
"I t-think you should. . ." He began to glare at Adam.
"As you wish." Adam gave a shrug. He cleared his throat, closed his eyes, and held his arms out at his hips as the words rumbled from his singing pipes. His voice was as smooth as honey and as deep as Josh Turner as the words danced in a warm melody.
"One Song,
I have but one song
One song,
Only for you."
He wasn't sure how he knew the words, but they just flowed from him. It was as if somewhere deep down he was supposed to sing this song, even though it was something completely out of his comfort zone.
"One heart
Tenderly beating
Ever entreating
Constant and true."
He just allowed the melody to flow from him. He felt completely in his element and even enjoyed listening to himself sing, which caught him entirely by surprise. He found himself glancing over at Snow White and could not help but smile as he felt her eyes on him. Yes, he wanted her eyes on him not that fool who claimed to be a prince.
"One love
That has possessed me
One love
Thrilling me through"
When he finished he realized that Florian never and could not hide the smirk that stayed on his face, especially after everyone with a growing crowd began to applaud him for his work. He gave a small bow to his audience and could not help but feel a little pride swelling up in him, especially with the utter surprised look on Queen Grimhilde's face. The ever growing furious look on Florian's face as he realized that he had been outdone.
"Are you ready to join in now?" He looked casually over to Florian.
"It would appear as though you took the show away. . . " He watched as the prince gritted his teeth and balled his hands into fists.
"So you don't care to do a duet then?" He did not even bother to hide his smirk.
"Since you went into a solo I do not feel as though a duet would be necessary." Florian smiled through gritted teeth.
"I couldn't agree more." He then turned his back to Florian and returned to his throne.
When Adam returned to his seat the introductions were over, prince Florian continued to state his business about ensuring peace between the lands as well as seeing what sort of trade items were available. Queen Grimhilde explained that they were starting their Spring Festival this week and that he was welcome to stay and investigate and see what items he deemed worthy of trade.
He bent to one knee and shot a sneer at Adam before giving a nice respectful face to the Queen. "There is one other thing that I wish to discuss with you, your highness."
"And what would that be?" She tried to sound gracious, but Adam knew she was tired and beyond annoyed as of this point with the prince and was ready to go lurking off to her lair.
"As my messenger spoke to you last month." He stood and held his hat in his hand. "I am also here seeking the hand of the fair princess of Apfel."
"Yes, I do believe that I remember him saying that." She mused and cast a side glance at Adam. "Although you may wish for her hand, do you even know the name of the princess?"
Adam's hands balled into fists and he noticed that the Queen's nails were digging into the wood of her arm rests. Adam was bothered by the fact that this fool waltzed in here wanting Snow White's hand without knowing who she was and how much she was worthwhile Queen Grimhilde was bothered by the fact that this fool knew who Snow White was without knowing who she herself was.
"Princess Snow White." He smirked over at Adam. Adam could feel that lust for blood rebuilding yet again today. The lack of sleep was already enough to agitate him, but this prince was dancing too close to a deadly line.
"Do you hear that, Snow White?" She chuckled and glanced over to Snow White. "The prince of Franca knows who you are and wishes for your hand in marriage. What say you to all this?"
Adam sat on the other side of the Queen's throne so it was nearly impossible for him to see Snow White's face due to the positions of the chairs. The secondary chairs were seated just carefully enough where they could see their shoulders but not their faces if they leaned back, but if they leaned forward they would only see the Queen. Although Adam could not see Snow White's face he could see from her shoulders and the way that she sat in her chair that she was beyond anxious. She was already put into an uncomfortable position of having to listen to the fool's singing twice in one day, she had her first audience today, and now she actually had to respond to the fool's betrothal. There was something within Adam that made him want to kidnap Snow White and run from the room, but due to the number of witnesses in the throne room that would not be happening.
"I think. . ." Her voice was wobbly as she spoke and Adam knew she was fidgeting with her fingers. "I think it is far too soon to tell."
"I beg your pardon?" Florian gaped. Even the Queen seemed to be as surprised at her response.
"We only just met." Her voice quivered as she spoke. She was trying to re-still her resolve. "I don't know anything about you. How would I know if you would be a good husband after I just met you?"
"You want me to prove myself?" He blinked in utter surprise.
"I believe that it would be necessary." She gained her confidence as she spoke. "Although you are a prince and we perhaps met when we were children, as you explained, you can't just expect me to allow you to sweep me off my feet. Although you do have a nice singing voice, it is not a way to sway me to simply agree to marry you."
The room grew quiet at her astute response to the prince's proposal. Everyone almost seemed more horrified rather than surprised that she practically rejected him while still giving him the hopes of winning her hand so long as he could prove himself. Adam couldn't be more proud.
"I couldn't agree more." Adam shifted in his seat and looked at the Queen. "It is not suitable for some stranger to waltz in here demanding a proposal request. Especially since it would appear that he really doesn't have anything to offer. " Although his face was aimed towards the Queen, his sneer was aimed towards Florian.
"Well, since Prince Florian shall be staying with us for the Spring festival." The Queen spoke through a tight smile. "For now, how about Snow White give you a tour of the castle? Surely she can help you get used to your surroundings during your stay."
"I would enjoy that!" Like a puppy, his hope was instantly restored.
"Yes, well, I shall have my first knight Frederick be your chaperone." She smiled and the hope within Florian almost seemed to go out. Frederick appeared from the doors behind the thrones and stood at the right hand side of Queen Grimhilde. Adam had not realized that he was actually a knight. He was wearing a full suit of silver armor. It had dents and a few patches welded in certain spots on the chest and there were two crests resting on the emblems. A red apple with a gold trim represented Apfel and a black raven feather stabbed into a skull represented Hassige Magie.
"You are acquainted with Frederick?" Queen Grimhilde smiled politely. Though it was polite, Adam knew that there was something more underneath it. The fact that she was having Frederick escort them meant that she wanted to talk to him; he could only assume that it would be a discussion of future plans.
Florian gulped as he nervously looked up at Frederick. "Y-Yes."
"Good, then that makes things easier." Queen Grimhilde clapped her hands together. "Snow White, make sure you give him a nice tour."
"Yes ma'am," Snow White stood and went over to Frederick who she linked arms with to be escorted.
"Then let us begin the tour." Frederick called as he and Snow White turned to leave the room.
The three of them left the room and as soon as they and the staff were dismissed, Queen Grimhilde turned to Adam. She had the oddest amused face that wanted to make several inquiries, but she merely stared at him as if expecting him to be able to read her mind.
Adam sighed and looked at her expectantly. "I assume that you have something that you want to discuss?"
"I don't know whether to be proud of you that you managed to embarrass and shut that fool up or to be furious with you." She admitted and crossed her arms. "If I knew you could sing I would have had you get up in that before he ever tried to entertain me."
"At least you didn't have to listen to it this morning." Adam groaned and rubbed his temple. "He is possibly the biggest idiot I have ever met. And that is really saying something given the people I know." Several of the Recruits who he deemed as immature or annoying ranked just barely higher than the foolish prince.
"Oh, trust me, I heard him." She chuckled and slouched on her throne. "He has done little to nothing to actually entertain me other than creating some sort of competition for you."
"He was never a competitor." He snorted. "We both know that he made it this far only because his father had to set something up."
"Besides the point," She rolled her eyes and stood. "He is here and so long as he impresses Snow White, now that she has suddenly discovered that she has value, all I need him to do is make the girl fall in love with him and get her the hell out of here."
"Even if that is the reason," He sneered. "Surely you could find someone else other than that fool."
"Well I thought you were capable of killing her or removing her from my presence, yet you seem to be obstinately procrastinating on doing the job in which you told me you could do!" She flared.
"She has yet to give me a reason to actually kill her." He said coolly. "Despite my teachings and upbringing the one thing you could not get rid of from me was the consciousness of killing the innocent. Snow White is the most innocent person I have met and she does not deserve the death that you keep insisting upon!"
"So you finally admit to being the traitor I have suspected all along!" She burst out into an odd fit of laughter. "I knew it! I knew it was too good to be true!"
"He is not a traitor." The Mirror's voice droned from the Queen's pocket. Her green eyes widened and her nose flared as she reached her hand inside her robes and pulled out a small handheld compact. The Mirror's mask face appeared on the small handheld compact and Adam immediately began to grit his teeth. He simply could not get rid of the infernal Mirror. . .
"You say he is not a traitor, yet he just admitted to it!" She hissed to the Mirror.
"He is not a traitor." The Mirror argued. "He is the key to the plan, the Happy Ending, and to ultimately free all of us from the shackles of doom. He has not killed Snow White yet because the time has yet to come! She has yet to betray him."
"A betrayal, you say?" She mused in disbelief. She cocked her eyebrow at the Mirror and turned her seething gaze to Adam who was beyond disinterested and overly infuriated with this conversation. "So are you to tell me that I don't have to give up my hopes of this boy actually killing Snow White?"
"He will get rid of her from your life when the timing is right, and not in the way that you expect." The Mirror confirmed in the most ambiguous way. As Adam listened he could not believe everything that the Mirror was saying.
If the Mirror ever spoke of anything that would happen in the future, it would no longer be in existence. The fact that the Mirror spoke of the future with such determination Adam was worried that the future would actually come true. He would never, at least his heart pounded in his chest that this was so, kill Snow White; she's proven she is too innocent. He would easily kill Florian if he dared to raise a hand at Snow White or touch her at all; even if Snow White merely asked him to get rid of Florian he would without question.
"Very well." She huffed and closed the compact mirror and tucked it away within the pockets inside her robe. "The Mirror claims that you are not a traitor. . . You should consider yourself very lucky at that."
"Only so many would actually claim to be lucky. . ." He shook his head and crossed his arms at her. "I would enjoy nothing more than shattering that Mirror into a thousand pieces."
"Watch what you say, you bastard." She grabbed a fist of his coat and glared poisonous hatred at him. "Even wishing for thoughts such as that is enough to make them a reality. No one dares to wish themselves seven years of bad luck!"
If only she knew the true horrors of them like he did. . . He was overtly aware of the cost and how painful the consequences were, and he still found them to be very worth the cost.
"I don't know how you turned out this way." She spoke with such disdain in her voice. "I cannot believe that I would have raised you to be so heart driven."
"Heart driven?" He snorted.
"It does not matter." She rolled her eyes and waved her hand to dismiss the end of that conversation. "The future will reveal itself to us sooner or later. At this point in time, I will inform you that we will be going on a private picnic with Prince Florian this afternoon. And although it is entertaining to watch you antagonize him, I need you to attempt to be on your best behavior."
"I will not make a promise I cannot keep." He growled with a glare at her. "If the fool decides to act his part I shall act upon my own."
"I assumed as much."" She tisked and rolled her eyes. "Just don't kill him until it is time for his departure."
"I will try." He snorted. With nothing else to say she turned on her heel and dramatically left the room.
Adam stood in the throne room and waited until the click clacking of her heels went away. He was still processing the future that the Mirror predicted and could only hope that the Mirror was being truthful in his prediction. He could have very well said what he said to placate the Queen, but it also seemed to be a way of reassuring Adam. If the Mirror said that he would kill Snow White, then that would mean that Adam would not; unless it was a lie then he had no idea what to believe.
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it so far!
I just want to say a special thank you to those who have been reviewing my story. It means so much to me and it gives me more confidence in this story. I know as of late that I have been updating much slower than I normally would. I've made a lot of progress on my house and will slowly but surely be moving furniture into it soon, and I am finally no longer unemployed! I'm writing my stories when I can and updating them after I go through and read my material.
Please continue to send me your reviews, comments, and messages with suggestions and feedback, they are oftentimes helpful and assure me that I am on the right track.
Thank you so much for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!
Ko-fi/SarahtheWriter
