Author's note:  In order to prevent the dinner party scene from becoming the Endless Chapter From Hell (I think I already have at least a couple of those in this story g), I'm splitting it into two chapters.  So there will be at least one more full chapter, with the length of the one after that To Be Determined.

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As they were walking to the table, a pretty young maid nervously approached Adrianna, curtsied, and murmured a message to her.  Adrianna, in turn, grabbed Frank's arm and murmured something to him.  He quickly turned to the others, who'd been trailing behind them, and said, "Please excuse Adrianna and me for a minute.  We have a call in the communication portal we need to take."

By the time they arrived in the dining room, everyone had taken their seats, and their plates and wine glasses were filled.  Frank and Adrianna sat down at opposite ends of the table, and Frank picked up his wine glass.

"A toast."

Janet piped up, "To 'absent friends'?"

Frank smiled.  "No.  To present friends, to successful missions…," he paused to look straight into Adrianna's eyes, "…and to future spouses."

Columbia glanced sharply from Adrianna back to Frank.  "Are you referring to Brad and Janet, or are you and Adrianna finally engaged?"

Frank laughed.  "Both, actually."

In a jumble of voices, everyone – even Eddie and Dr. Scott, who had been oblivious to most of the goings-on during the course of the evening – simultaneously shouted their congratulations.  When the din had died down somewhat, Rocky asked, "What made you decide this was the right time to get engaged?"

Adrianna said, "Actually, for all intents and purposes we've considered ourselves 'engaged' since we were 19 years old.  From the time we first declared our love for each other, we knew we'd marry someday.  It was simply a matter of our lives finally being as ready as our hearts have always been.  All we're doing now is declaring we're ready to set the wedding date."

Rocky persisted, "So what has changed to enable you to take your commitment to each other to this next level?"

Adrianna replied, "To make a long story short, the defeat of this most recent, and most elaborate, coup attempt is what has changed everything.  Frank and I just spoke to General Luna, and he reported the arrests went completely according to plan.  The news media has declared the defeat of the coup as proof I am strong, and completely up to the challenge of ruling Transylvania.  That is what I've been waiting for.  I was afraid if we were to marry while I was still fighting the perception of weakness, the marriage might have been seen as a desperate attempt to strengthen my standing with the people…especially after Frank became so famous and popular in his own right."  She looked at Frank with mock severity.  "Your career really did complicate things."

He shrugged and smiled.  "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Janet asked, "Why did you become an actor?  Is it something you'd always wanted to do?"

He shook his head.  "I didn't have enough ambition to want to do anything in particular.  My parents were wealthy, and l was their sole heir, so I wasn't feeling pressured by the need to earn a living.  I was attending the Upper Academy – what you would refer to as a university – and one of my best friends was a film student whose father was an extremely successful producer.  For his final year project, my friend decided to write and direct an actual feature length film, about the rise and fall of a rock star.  His father saw to it he had access to the facilities and equipment he needed, so he just had to provide the cast and crew.  He got almost everyone he needed from the film and drama programs, but he thought of me for the starring role since I had the right 'look' and could sing.  Nobody ever expected the film to be anything more than a class project, but as it happened, one of the people evaluating the projects was an actual film studio executive.  He was totally knocked out by the film, and his studio ended up releasing it.  It was an enormous hit…and, well, suddenly I had a career."  He smiled.  "Other performers absolutely hated me, since almost everyone has to struggle for years to achieve success, if they ever do, while it was just handed to me on a silver platter.  But once they saw I was willing to work, and didn't try to lord it over anyone, they came around."

Brad asked, "Will you keep performing after your marriage?"

Adrianna replied, "Oh, I think he'll be too busy for that."

From the expression on Frank's face, it was obvious the couple had not gotten around to discussing that "minor" detail.  "I'll be 'too busy'?  Busy doing what?  Holding your purse?"

"Busy ruling Transylvania with me, of course."  This bombshell was delivered as casually as if she'd said he would be too busy mowing lawns.

He stared at her in open astonishment.  "What are you talking about?  That isn't the way it works.  The hereditary ruler never shares power with his or her spouse."

She shrugged.  "This one will.  As a matter of fact, I already do.  Think about my approach to the situation with Riff Raff and Magenta.  My ultimate decision came about directly as the result of my conversation with you - and, in fact, was quite different than what I'd originally planned to do.  You already have the power; it's only fair you should be acknowledged for the role you'll play."  Suddenly a bittersweet expression crossed her face.  "I can't think of anything that would have made my parents happier than seeing the two of us rule Transylvania side by side.  It was always their dearest wish that we'd end up together one day. They loved you like a son, you know."  She shook her head slightly, as if to shake off an incipient bout of melancholy.  Smiling, she asked, "So will your real life role be compelling enough for you to give up the staged ones?"

Slowly a smile crept across Frank's face.  "I suppose a five year career is insufficient to receive one of those 'lifetime achievement awards' someday, but I think I can make the sacrifice."