Pure Intentions? Chapter 13
A/N: This chapter had a mind of its own. My muse took over taking the story where she wanted it to go.
Adam made his way to his parents' suite with a spring in his step. Despite not getting more than a few hours of sleep last night, after his work out and shower he felt great. Knocking on his parents' door he waited to be let in.
Scotchly, his parents' butler opened the apartment door for him. "Beautiful morning, isn't Scotchly?", Adam greeted the older gentleman.
"Indeed, Sir, it is", the butler answered in his genteel voice. "Your parents await you in their dining room, Prince Adam."
"Thank you, Scotchly", Adam responded and shook the butler's hand. Walking into the dining room, Adam perused the lavishly set table. Off course, Cringer was already lying down in his spot, with a large platter of his favorite meats heaped high set in front of him. Cringer was definitely spoiled by all of the Palace's inhabitants. As soon as Adam approached the table, his mother who was looking out of the window into the garden below turned to face him a joyous smile on her lips. Adam noticed his father was engrossed in a telephone conversation, a look of contempt on his face.
Tiptoeing to him as she held her fingers over her closed lips, the Queen motioned for Adam to join her on the balcony. "What's going on?", he asked as he tilted his head to his father's direction.
"Your father is on the phone with Lord Teary who is adamant that you visit Calcutwhita!", the Queen exclaimed.
Recognition dawning that Lord Teary was the Viscount he met on the night of his birthday ball, Adam wondered what excuse the Viscount was giving his father. The Prince hoped it wasn't for a presumed courtship with the beautiful Lady Stephania. Looking behind his shoulder to gaze upon his father, he noticed that the King was making funny faces at the receiver. Throwing his head back, Adam laughed at his father's antics. It was times like these that the Prince was reminded of his father's true personality, one that brought much laughter to his and his mother's life.
Finally, finishing with his call the King joined his family on the balcony. "Good morning son, I'm glad to see you are on time", Randor greeted.
"You know me and food, dad", Adam replied easily not taking offense to his father's greeting.
"I'm starving too", the King clarified as he lead his family toward their awaiting breakfast. Pulling out a chair for his wife, King Randor waited for the Queen to be seated before finding his own seat. With pride, he noticed that his son also remained standing until his mother was seated with a napkin across her lap. Randor was glad to see that lately, Adam followed formal etiquette to the letter. Nodding to the servers, the King reached for the coffee carafe to fill his wife's cup, Adam's, and finally his own cup. Once their breakfast was served he dismissed the servants to ensure some needed private family time between the three Royals.
Directing his gaze toward his son the King spoke up, "Adam I must say, you've made me very proud this last month with the zeal you've exhibited in preparing for the Royal Tour."
"Thank you, Father", Adam stated respectfully. It was easy to make his father happy when he didn't need to pretend to be a cowardly aloof prince.
Cutting a piece of omelet the King continued getting straight to the point, "I hope you employ the same fervor when it comes to selecting a bride."
Oh, his father and his tactic of always speaking what was on his mind. Swallowing the bite of food he was chewing on, Adam chose his words carefully before responding "Father, I hope that Lord Teary doesn't expect me to call upon Lady Stephania and that you are not in favor of that match."
"Lady Stephania is a beautiful, respectful, intelligent, and caring young lady, Adam." "You will do well pairing up with someone like her", his father responded.
Studying his father, Prince Adam took a deep breath before responding. In than split second he decided to be truthful to his parents about his feelings for a temperamental red-head so that he can dispel any notion they had that he would be hunting for a wife on this Tour. "Father, mother I know who I want to marry."
Her son's words brought a bright smile to the Queen's face who until this moment was frozen to her seat hoping that this conversation didn't end up in a brawl between father and son. She watched as her husband put down his utensils, folded his napkin, formed a steeple with his hands before resting his chin on them. "Do go on", the King urged.
"The woman is a friend of mine, whom I've developed a deep respect for because of the altruism she displays as she helps protect Eternia", Adam answered. "She also happens to be the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance who is graced with intelligence, kindness, poise, and an impetuous wild streak", he continued with a smile.
Adam's description of the mystery woman brought a giggle to Marlena's lips. He had to be describing Teela especially with the last part of 'an impetuous wild streak'. Reaching out to grab her son's hand she asked, "To be sure Adam, are you talking about Captain Teela?"
Pulling his mother's hand forward, he lowered his lips to her hand giving her a loving kiss before answering, "Yes, Mother, I am."
Standing up the King of Eternia approached his son's side clasping the younger man's shoulder. "We approve Adam", the King stated quickly, surprising Adam with their easy acceptance of his choice.
Turning to look at his father, Adam saw the wide smile on the King's face. Directing his gaze to his mother, he took in the happiness on her face too. Suddenly feeling as if he was a mouse trapped between two feral cats, he scratched his head before asking "Is this why you are forcing me to marry by the end of the year?"
"It's about time your relationship with Teela changed Adam", his father noted. "I don't like you sneaking from her room at night", he threw over his shoulder as the King returned to his seat and continued eating.
"What do you mean?", Adam asked in a shaky voice, his eyes blinking in rapid succession.
"Adam your father and I caught you sneaking out of Teela's room at inappropriate times of the night on several occasions", his mother stated.
Incredulously he stared at the very serious countenance on his parents' faces. 'They can't mean what I think they mean', Adam argued inwardly.
Remaining mute he waited to see what else his parents had to say.
"Adam we know your secret", his father clarified.
"What secret, Father?", Adam asked panic quickly rising within his chest.
"Actually, both secrets", his father elucidated. Again standing from his place at the head of the table the King changed his position coming to sit on his wife's right as he continued pointedly, "You've been sleeping with Teela as He-Man!"
Adam gazed at his father through squinted eyes. He didn't believe the words coming out of his parents' mouth. 'Am I dreaming?' 'Was this a test from Zodak?' 'Did his parents really know his secret?' 'Have they really seen me leaving Teela's room?', he wondered. Adam couldn't take any chances. Before responding he had to be sure what his parents were thinking. Bringing two fingers to his temple, he closed his eyes as he made telepathic contact with the Sorceress. She quickly dispersed his fears revealing to him that indeed his parents recently became aware of his secret. He then wondered why she didn't tell him. Still connected with her she answered, 'It was best you found out directly from them.' Quickly asking her what he should do, he was surprised at her response. The Sorceress of Grayskull advised him not to deny the truth. Shock reverberated through his system. Swallowing forcefully, he opened his eyes to stare at his expectant parents.
Standing up he walked away from the table to gaze out the window. Running a hand through his hair he formulated his next words carefully. Continuing to look out of the window he queried, "How did you both find out my secret?"
Coming to stand behind him the Queen of Eternia wrapped her arms around his midsection placing her head in between his shoulder blades stating, "I always knew." Before he could address his mother, Adam felt his father come stand behind him placing a large hand on his bicep as he stated, "I saw you transforming."
Looking down at his father's hand Adam asked, "When and where?"
"Two months before your birthday, I saw He-Man climbing over the West Gate walking toward your apartments during the pre-dawn hours." "Intrigued, I followed him." "You can imagine my surprise when I saw him somersaulting onto your balcony before transforming into no other than my son", the King stated.
"You followed me?", Adam asked.
"Yes, I was wondering why He-Man was coming back to the Palace at such hours, wondering if he was coming to inform us about an impending attack." "I wanted to ask him about it; however, I didn't have to once I saw the transformation", Randor explained.
"How come you didn't confront me with this before today?", Adam asked.
"Adam, please don't take this as a confrontation", his mother stated. "Your father and I had many discussions about how best to let you know what he saw."
"Yes, son." "We just wanted to let you know you don't need to hide your true self from us anymore." "I wanted to acknowledge and thank you for all you've done for Eternia." "Knowing how capable you are is what prompted your mother and I to make the decision to turn the Kingdom over to you, son", the King stated.
"Thank you father", Adam stated humbly. "However, it will be very difficult for me to be King and He-Man."
"We know that…that's why we are so adamant that you marry." "Teela can help", Randor stated.
"Teela doesn't know that I'm He-Man, Father", Adam informed them.
"She doesn't?", he asked.
Shaking his head Adam finally turned to face his parents. "No and you can't tell her." "Teela also doesn't know about my feelings for her."
"So….what about you leaving her room…..", Marlena asked.
Ashamed at having to keep his extramarital affair with his best friend a secret he answered, "That was only with me as He-Man and it ended on the night of my birthday ball." "Teela doesn't really like me as He-Man right now."
"We realized that son, she is definitely a woman scorned", he heard his mother state. "Adam all that is in the past, how do you plan on telling her how you feel?", she asked.
"I'm hoping being away from the Palace will allow me to be my true self with her and that she realizes she is in love with me as Adam and not just He-Man?", he asked with a shrug of his shoulder.
"Oh boy, you expect that to work?", asked the King.
"What else am I supposed to do?" "I can't tell her the truth", Adam stated the anguish evident in his voice.
"Well then son, I wish you good luck", the King stated returning to the table.
"It's hopeless isn't it?", Adam asked.
Following her husband's move, Marlena also took her seat at the table. "No Adam, I think that when Teela 'sees' the real you she'll come to terms with her feelings for you."
"You think she cares for me already?", he asked hopefully.
"I do, but she doesn't know it yet", his mother stated. "I think it's complicated because of your platonic relationship with her as Adam and the not so platonic one as He-Man; however, I noticed how she watches you."
"What do you mean?", he asked as he was oblivious to what his mother was alluding to.
"She's definitely attracted to you", Marlena informed him.
"Really?", Adam asked.
"Really, Adam", she clarified. "If you want my opinion, I think Teela is connecting the dots between you and He-Man."
"What makes you say that?", he asked nervously. He had to ask the Sorceress if that was true, but before he could do so his mother answered, "Mother's intuition", before stuffing her mouth with a piece of French Toast.
Returning to his seat, Adam contemplated his mother's words. 'Could that be the reason Teela had began a light flirtation with him?', he wondered. Keeping that to himself he asked, "You're both approving of my choice?"
Looking between them and smiling warmly to each other his parents answered in unison, "Son, with Teela you will have what we have." "Have you spoken to Duncan about your intentions?", his father asked.
"Yes, Father."
"Good", the King stated ending the conversation. Eating some more of his omelet, the King studied his son. Adam's answers this morning had confirmed a lot about why his son had declined to court anyone else. He could tell from his demeanor that he was truly in love with his best friend. However, knowing Teela well, Randor knew that she wouldn't make this transition easy for Adam. Catching his wife's gaze he cocked his head to side, whispering "Later." He planned on having a long discussion with her to see how they could play matchmaker. King Randor remembered how he finally got Marlena to declare her own feelings for him. He thought the ploy would work very well between Adam and Teela. Randor knew that a little competition can never hurt in a game of love.
Finishing his breakfast, he stood up from the dining table calling to Adam, "Son before you leave, I want to go over your itinerary one more time." "I've decided that a stop at Calculwhita will be good for you."
"What?", Adam asked. "You still want me to go there, after what I just shared with you?"
"Yes Adam, I do." "Our relationships with Calculwhita need strengthening." "You are representing your mother and I on this Tour, I need you to meet with Lord Teary to come up with an agreement about the ore mines", the King informed him.
"Yes, off course", Adam easily conceded knowing the importance of the mines to the people in the neighboring villages.
"Adam, I'm going to bid you farewell now as I have to meet with Duchess Pana of the Lower Kingdoms", his mother stated as she came to stand by his chair. Pushing back his seat, Adam stood pulling his mother into a warm hug.
"I'll miss you, Mother", he stated honestly.
"Me too, Adam." "At least Adora will be staying while you are away", his mother stated. Raising herself on her tiptoes, she pulled her son's head down to whisper "Is she She-Ra?"
Perplexed at the question because he thought that once his secret was revealed to his parents they would automatically know that Adora was in a similar situation, Adam nodded slightly. His answer earned a gaping stare from his mother, one that quickly turned into a scowl.
"What's wrong?", Adam asked.
"How can she continue being She-Ra if she is pregnant?", his mother blurted then covered her mouth.
"Adora is pregnant?", Adam asked having heard his mother's admission.
"I wasn't supposed to say anything yet." "She doesn't want anyone to know."
Hurt that his twin was keeping a secret from him, Adam hugged his mother stating, "Don't worry, I won't tell her you spilled the beans", before following his father into his study.