Adrianna arrived shortly after one o'clock the next afternoon. Upon arrival, she spent about a half hour chatting with Rocky and Columbia, then went around to personally greet each of the servants – the genuine servants – who worked in the castle.
Finally…at long last…she was free to go to Frank. They had decided it would be better if he were not present to greet her; both knew that once they laid eyes on each other, after such a long separation, their compulsion to be together would cause her to neglect the other castle inhabitants. Predictably enough, they spent the first few hours of their reunion lost in passionate lovemaking. However, once that urgent physical need was taken care of – at least for the time being – they were able to have a badly needed conversation about several serious issues…
Two of which were ensconced in holding cells in the basement. The fate of Riff Raff and Magenta was the catalyst for a lively and lengthy discussion between Adrianna and Frank. Finally arriving at a "meeting of the minds," they decided to share their conclusions with the prisoners before the three Earthlings arrived for dinner.
Adrianna, not yet prepared to don Earthling attire, smoothed her silken robes and checked her carefully reapplied makeup. "Are you ready?"
Frank ran his fingers through his hair in a halfhearted attempt to restore it to something at least vaguely resembling neatness. "Absolutely. But what about you?" He looked at her carefully. "Are you quite certain you're prepared to see the man who wanted to mastermind your demise?"
She shrugged. "It won't bother me to see him. As far as I'm concerned, the coup attempt is not something to be taken personally. I had something he wanted. He would have done the same to anyone holding the title, had he thought he could be successful." She smiled. "The only aspect I find at all bothersome on a personal level is that he believed me to be such an easy target."
Frank smiled back at her, pride in her reaction written all over his face. "I doubt anyone will make that mistake again." He held out his hand to her. "Shall we?"
Hand in hand, the two walked into the dimly lit basement. Riff Raff and Magenta, in adjoining cells, looked up sharply at the sound of approaching footsteps. Once they were able to identify their visitors, their reactions were a study in contrasts. Magenta's expression was veiled and impenetrable; Riff Raff's was a perfect picture of resentment.
Magenta spoke first, her voice devoid of all emotion. "Hello, Your Majesty."
Adrianna smiled slightly. "Hello, Magenta."
With a noticeable effort, and a vaguely belligerent note in his voice, Riff Raff echoed his sister. "Hello…Your Majesty." The pause in that sentence spoke volumes.
Frank, catching the subtle malice in Riff Raff's tone, put his arm protectively around Adrianna's waist in a gesture of support. However, he said nothing, allowing Adrianna to handle the encounter in her own way.
Adrianna returned the gesture, gently pulling him closer in silent gratitude. Her eyes, however, maintained direct and unwavering contact with Riff Raff's own, until he was finally forced to drop his gaze.
With an ever-so-slight hint of triumph in her voice, Adrianna replied, "Hello, Riff Raff. How nice to see you here." Her words, polite on the surface, nonetheless sent a clear and very definitely unfriendly message to Riff Raff. He knew full well what she meant by "here."
Responding in kind, he said, "I must admit to being more than a bit surprised to see you. One would have thought you would have wanted to remain with your people, to guide them through this period of upheaval."
Adrianna was unflustered by the very thinly veiled accusation. "There would have been considerably more 'upheaval' had one of your cohorts succeeded in killing me. I will be returning to Transylvania soon enough. It remains to be seen, however, if you will be able to say the same."
At that last sentence, both Riff Raff and Magenta looked sharply at Adrianna. Observing their reactions, she glanced quickly at Frank, who nodded to her, then back at the two of them. She said, "Frank and I spent a considerable amount of time this afternoon discussing the best way to handle your situation. After a great deal of debate, we finally arrived at the proposal I am now prepared to offer you."
Riff Raff looked at Adrianna warily. "What kind of proposal?"
"It's quite simple, really. You and Magenta have a choice to make. You may return to Transylvania with us, knowing you will be charged with treason and, in your case, Riff Raff, attempted murder, and take your chances in the courts. I should add that your chances for acquittal are virtually nonexistent. Not only will General Luna offer testimony based on his conversations with you, but Frank will testify to personally hearing your admission of your involvement and anticipated role as Transylvania's ruler – not to mention your attempt to kill him." She smiled. "Frank is, as you are well aware, extremely popular in our world. I would certainly hate to have him testifying against me in a trial." She paused for a moment. "The case against Magenta is considerably more circumstantial. However, it should not be difficult to build a case based on her history of full involvement in virtually every aspect of your life."
Riff Raff looked even paler than usual, if that were possible. "What other choice do we have?"
Adrianna looked steadily back at him. "You may choose to remain on Earth, and live out your lives here. You should be aware that all other Transylvanian agents have been ordered to return home, and we shall be following suit tomorrow evening. There will be no future travel from Transylvania to Earth. Therefore, do not elect to remain on Earth with the thought that you might be able to find a way back to Transylvania at some future date. It will, I assure you, be quite impossible."
Riff Raff was aghast. "Surely you cannot be serious! How would we be able to survive alone here on Earth?"
For the first time, Frank spoke. "Surely anyone who believed himself capable of overthrowing a monarch and taking on the reign of an entire galaxy should be able to come up with some strategy for surviving on this rather backward little planet."
Riff Raff glared at him. "Kindly remember your rather inconsequential position as the Queen's personal sex toy, instead of deluding yourself that you have anything of substance to add to this discussion."
Frank merely smiled with smug amusement in response to the insult, but Adrianna was considerably more irritated. "You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about…not for the first time, I should add. Not only is there nothing 'inconsequential' about Frank's role in my life, but he is the last person you should be insulting. Were it not for him, you would not have been given any ability whatsoever to choose your fate. He felt Magenta deserved some leniency for her attempt to foil your laser attack on him, but knew she would not accept it were you not given the same treatment."
Riff Raff was still furious. "You actually believe this barbaric 'choice' constitutes leniency?"
Frank shook his head and sighed. "You were expecting a medal, perhaps?"
Before Riff Raff could answer, Adrianna broke in. "There is no point in our continuing this discussion. The terms are not open to negotiation. I have presented your options. You and Magenta have until tomorrow evening at 8:00 to make your decision."
Without another word, she and Frank walked out, leaving a shaken Riff Raff and Magenta behind.