Nobility and Grace
King and Queen Bourgeois arrived at the manor an hour earlier than expected with the princess in tow. None of the trio looked particularly happy, and considering the circumstances behind why, few could blame them for their ire. Upon entering the home of Baron Agreste, the king ordered "Take me, and my family, to the baron at once!" to Nathalie. There were a great many things she wished to say to the trio, but kept those particular thoughts to herself as she did as instructed, although she scowled the entire way to Gabriel's office.
Opening one of the doors, she stood there for several seconds, noting how Gabriel stood at one of the windows, gazing at the statue of his wife in the garden. "Baron, the Bourgeois family is here to see you." she announced.
"Thank you, Nathalie. Send them in, and bring Adrien to my office." he ordered, although his tone of voice was more conversational than King Bourgeois's sharper one, it was no less authoritative. Opening the other door, she waited for the trio to enter, stepping aside as they strolled in with a haughty air of rule about them. Closing the door behind them, she turned and made her way to the younger Agreste's room.
"You know why we're here!" King Bourgeois started.
Audrey spat out, "Your son insulted our daughter!"
Gabriel's eyes happened to glance at the princess, noting the smug smile and twinkling of those blue orbs, before his cold ones returned to the king. The baron watched as the aristocrats tirade started, and picked up steam the more he spoke. Across the manor, Adrien finished putting a couple changes of clothes in a leather backpack, a bedroll underneath, and a few necessities packed inside. He was just setting out a collection of nondescript clothing, and a rapier when the door opened to reveal Nathalie. "Your father requires your presence."
Nodding, he sighed. "The royal family?"
"The royal family." she admitted. "I recommend not coming armed."
Unclasping his sword belt, he set his weapons down onto his bed, and wrapped another belt around his waist as he walked. In the back of his mind, the thoughts of 'I won't marry her!' and 'If she believes they can force me to sign any contract, they all have another thing coming!' filtered through, threatening to spill out of his mouth as he scowled on his way to his father's office. Once they arrived, Adrien waited until Nathalie opened the door to walk into the room.
"... at this point, your son better get down on his knees in front of all Paris and apologize to my darling, beautiful, Chloe before I even consider allowing a marriage between our respective houses!" King Bourgeois all but shouted in Gabriel's face.
Whether his father had even heard what the king was saying, or had the patience of a saint, Adrien couldn't tell, because Gabriel's face was neutral with half-lidded eyes, and a line that indicated a mouth. "You summoned me, father?"
Reaching out with his right arm, Adrien watched as Gabriel motioned him forward, while never taking his eyes off of the king. "Yes, please come, I believe there is much for the five of us to discuss." When he walked close, he felt his father wrap an arm around his son's back, his fingers gripping his shoulder. "King Bourgeois has made his case for the marriage to progress, and outlined several, shall we call them, requirements should such actions be taken this day." Keeping his eyes on the royal family, he spoke very softly.
"Yes," Adrien commented, "I heard a few."
"I wish for you to tell them of what transpired in my office upon discovering the betrothal?"
Nodding, he stepped forward and looked straight at the royal family. "I burned the contract you had with my mother and father."
Adrien watched as their smug countenance was replaced by the shock of realization, then anger. "How dare you?!" King Bourgeois shouted. "That was the only copy of..."
"HOW DARE YOU, SIR?!" Gabriel shouted so loud it reverberated in his office. "I don't care if you are the king of France, you will not speak to my son like that!" That caused King Bourgeois to take a step back. "The contract is null and void!" he then narrowed his eyes angrily, "Now get out!"
"You can't..." Queen Bourgeois started to say, but was cut off by the door opening to reveal both Nathalie, and half a dozen guardsmen.
Gabriel glared at her. "In fact, I can. You are in my house, madame!" He then looked at Nathalie. With a nod of his head he gave a final order. "Make sure these three never darken my doorstep again." A small tug on his son's shoulders caused the two Agreste men to turn away from the royal family to look out at their personal gardens.
King Bourgeois glared at the two males as they were ushered out of the office, a finger pointing at the pair. "You have just made your worst mistake, Agreste! Do you hear me?! You've just made your worst mistake!" His voice was suddenly drowned out with the slamming of the door.
"He always was a sanctimonious ass." Gabriel breathed as he took in the beauty of the gardens with his son. For a few seconds they just stood there, looking at the statue of Adrien's mother. "I'm sorry that I didn't get to talk with you about what to say before they arrived," he sighed, "but I was trying to come up with something, anything, that would smooth over any hurt feelings in an attempt at being tactful."
"What happened to that plan?" Adrien queried, looking up at his father.
"Oh. That got kicked in the head the moment he started ordering you to beg for his daughter's forgiveness." His eyes turned icy, and dangerous, "Agreste men never beg. We ask with confidence and respect in our voice, accepting what we get, or we go without."
"Thank you, father, for standing up for me like that." Adrien paused as his father closed his eyes and turned to regard him. Gabriel opened his eyes, and there was such adoration, pride, and love in those blue orbs that it caused his breath to hitch.
"You are my son, Adrien. No matter what, I am always in your corner. I may be hard on you at times, and busy almost non-stop, but that will never change how I feel about you." Wrapping him up in a hug, he pressed his cheek to the top of the young man's head, while his son wrapped him up in a hug. "I love you, son."
"I love you too, father." Adrien's voice was muffled by his father's arm, but that didn't stop the tears glistening in his eyes, or the sounds of his father's heartbeat against his ear.
oOo
Outside, the Bourgeois family entered their coach, their driver Jean Pierre starting up their ride back to the palace once he was sure they were comfortable. Inside of the coach, Chloe seethed hurling a tirade of hateful comments about the Agreste family at anyone who would listen. "You have to do something, daddy! Remove his noble status! Force them out of Paris! Declare them traitors!"
"You know we can't do that, Chloe." King Bourgeois stated with a sigh. "Gabriel Agreste obtained his baron's title when he married a noble woman," he rubbed his chin, "declaring him a traitor could work, but only if he outright defies the French crown."
"Hasn't he already done that?!" Chloe shouted.
"Technically, no." Closing his eyes, he shook his head. "Your betrothal was a quiet thing. We didn't want to announce it until six months before the intended wedding because of the possibility of an assassin trying to kill both of you." The king then looked at his daughter as her eyes widened, and she looked away. "Of course, someone let that particular cat out of the bag a couple of years ago during an official dinner with several nobles."
Chloe turned her nose up at the insinuation. "Don't look at me! Sabrina overheard you talking about the betrothal, and she..."
"Wasn't there for the official function," Audrey countered, "but you were." Both parents glared at the princess as she sat across from them.
"I-It wasn't me... one of the guards might've..." Chloe started to say, looking at her parents with trepidation before she was cut off.
"Nobody said anything, except for you, Chloe." Audrey retorted. "I overheard your bragging to the Polish, Italian, British, and Belgian princesses that Adrien would be yours just after your sixteenth birthday. Do not deny it, because I was easily standing within earshot of you."
Blinking, she shook her head before dropping her chin to her chest. "I... I just wanted to show each of them how much better I was, and how much I was looking forward to the betrothal. That's all."
Leaning back, her father closed his eyes. "Chloe, you have made yourself, and Adrien, a target by assassins by revealing that before the betrothal was ever finalized. By your own actions, he had every right to break the contract, and his father had every right to defend his son's actions." Shaking his head, he sighed. "Due to that, I can no more call them traitors than I can call my own daughter one, and trying to force someone with that much money and influence out of Paris will only aid our enemies."
Slouching down and crossing her arms, Chloe glared across to her parents. "Then how about we run the Dupain-Chengs out of France?" she grumbled.
"Why?" Audrey asked. "Have they done something illegal, or treasonous?"
"I... well... Adrien bought some food from them, and..." Chloe started.
Audrey held up her hand, "Wait! Adrien bought food... from a bakery?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Yes! Finally, someone else sees what was going on... you see their daughter..."
"Stop for a second," Audrey interrupted, "you mean to tell me, that Adrien willingly purchased food, adding to the taxes they would be paying this month... to us?"
The shock of recognition passed by Chloe's eyes as she noted where her parents were going with this. "You don't understand! I think he's in love with the baker's daughter!" she shouted.
"Do you have any proof?" King Bourgeois asked.
"N-No... but he smiled at her..."
Both parents looked at each other, then back at her. "Adrien smiles at everyone, Chloe. He smiles at Sabrina when he sees her, is he now in love with her as well?" Audrey asked.
"Mother! You don't understand!"
Shaking her head, she sighed. "I think I understand perfectly." Audrey countered. "You met a young woman who has a personality that was your polar opposite, and was threatened by the idea that Adrien could've found such a thing as attractive." The fact that she saw her daughter's jaw drop caused the woman to smile. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"Ye-N-No! Of course not!"
"Then why should it be a crime for Adrien to purchase food at a vendor?" King Bourgeois asked.
Chloe screamed in frustration just as they turned to enter the palace grounds. "You don't understand! Neither of you do!" she all but shouted at her parents.
"Personally, I think we understand quite well, Chloe, it's you that is lying to yourself." Audrey countered. When the carriage stopped, their daughter practically leaped out, storming off to the palace with her hands gripping her skirts, and a scowl on her face. Looking back at her husband, the queen sighed. "You know she's going to be insufferable in the foreseeable future, right?" A small smile graced her lips.
"Undoubtedly." King Bourgeois conceded, holding out his arm. When his wife took his offered appendage, the pair strolled toward the palace.
oOo
"You are sure of this?" Gabriel asked, looking at Adrien sitting across from him in the carriage.
Adrien nodded. "Absolutely, father. I just want you to give Marinette Dupain-Cheng a chance. That's all." Nathalie sat beside Gabriel, one leg over the other as they rode across town to the bakery. Outside of the coach, the sun started its slow descent toward the horizon, while most places were shutting down their stalls. When the carriage slowed to a halt, the younger Agreste opened the door, emerging onto the cobblestone street.
Sabine and Marinette had just finished with their last customer when the coach slowed to a stop in front of their shop. Glancing at her daughter, she motioned to the small bag. "Mama... it could be anyone..." her excuse died in her throat when she saw Adrien step down, and her mother picked up the bag, handing it to her daughter. She blushed hard as she stepped forward, her heart pounding against her chest. "Y-You forgot... your... purchase..." she practically whispered, missing the emergence of Gabriel and Nathalie.
"True," Adrien said softly, "but it gave me a chance to come back and see you again." He saw a shiver course down her body as she handed over the bag of goodies. "I also need to apologize for the way Princess Bourgeois treated both you, and your family. What she said wasn't right, and I never knew about the betrothal."
"Really?" Marinette asked, her eyes wide.
"He speaks the truth, young lady." Gabriel intoned. Offering a gracious bow to the entire Dupain-Cheng family, the reclusive baron spoke softly. "The betrothal was made when Adrien was only months old, and we kept it secret due to political reasons. Unfortunately, it was to be a political marriage in order to strengthen France's alliances," he then motioned to his son, "but upon discovery of the contract, it has been subsequently destroyed."
Marinette looked from Gabriel to Adrien and back. "Th-That means..."
"Adrien has expressed a desire to choose his own bride..." Gabriel announced.
"If you would have me, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Adrien said softly, gently taking her hands in his, "I wish to get to know you further before we ever even speak of wedding bells, but... I just know that since I saw you that first day, my heart beats harder than it has at any other time of my life, I would say you enchanted me because I long to see you when we're apart, and can't quell this warmth that grows inside of me when you're close. Your smile is like the sun, your laugh like the sweetest music, and I can't..." he didn't exactly get to say anything more because she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him passionately... if only to stop him from killing her with his next words.
Bringing her hand up to her lips, Sabine smiled. "Oh my..!"
Everyone else seemed taken aback by her actions, except Gabriel. Looking at Sabine and Tom, he smiled at the pair. "If you agree to their courtship, I would be willing to have her visit our manor when ever she wishes, and allow Adrien to visit you, provided there is an appropriate..." he looked at his son and the young woman still embracing each other "escort." He cleared his throat, at which point everyone watched as his son let Marinette slide down his body until he was simply holding her. "I believe it's clear to all that she has accepted his request."
"Without any reservations, Baron Agreste," Marinette said with her arms wrapped around Adrien's waist, the side of her head snuggling against his chest, "I have no reservations whatsoever."
"Over the course of their courtship, I will, naturally, have you all over to my manor so that we might discuss the particulars of the prospective dowry, and everything that entails." Gabriel looked at the way the two teens held each other, a smile spreading his lips. "For now, however, I believe that we should be on our way."
"You are welcome to join us for our evening meal, Baron Agreste." Tom offered, while Sabine smiled at the man.
"I... had planned on having you over to the manor for our first official meeting," he then saw Nathalie nod, a small smile splitting her lips, "but I believe that we shall join you this evening." He saw Adrien and Marinette step away from each other, but their hands lingered together.
With that said, the six of them entered the small dining area. Everyone noted that it was a little cramped with everyone around the table, so Nathalie, being their personal guard, stood beside the only door to the room, her left hand on the hilt of her rapier. The conversation was light, allowing Gabriel to learn more about the Dupain-Chengs, Marinette, and how the teens had first met. It was when they spoke of meeting Chloe for the first time that he saw the ghost of a frown cross the young woman's face. "I don't know how you could be friends with someone who treats people like that, Adrien."
"She and I have been practically raised together. Our parents thought it would allow us to fall in love, and know our betrothed, but it just made me feel like she was a sister. Someone who I felt could be wonderful if she acted the same way to everyone that she did to me." Adrien sighed. "I never knew how she treated people until today, and that upset me greatly."
Marinette lightly touched his hand, giving it a squeeze. "If she's so precious to you as a friend..." she started to say, but he cut her off.
"Not anymore. The way she treated you, Alya, and Nino," Gabriel looked at his son as he mentioned two names he hadn't heard before, "seriously made me reevaluate the way I felt about her." Shaking his head, he sighed. "I still care about her, but if she doesn't mature quite a bit more, I have no problems leaving her behind."
"Regardless," Gabriel intoned, "she is still the princess of France, and I would recommend you at least attempt to patch your relationship with her, albeit with the express belief that she would finally hear how you feel about the young woman in question." As they talked, Sabine and Tom worked at cooking the meal, and for several minutes the baron smelled a heavenly aroma.
"We're sorry that we don't have any fancy place settings, but" Tom stated as he and his wife dished up the food, "we do have a bit of wine we were saving for when such an event like this happened. If you wish to join us in a toast..."
"By all means." Gabriel smiled at his host, and the larger man brought out six goblets. Pouring a liberal amount of the wine into each one, he handed it to each person in turn. Nathalie was even given one although she initially refused. "A toast, to a hopefully happy union between Adrien and Marinette." Baron Agreste offered, standing up.
Everyone took a sip before Tom offered his own, "... and to, hopefully, a long friendship between our respective families."
"Agreed." Marinette and Adrien said in unison. Smiling at each other, everyone took another sip before Sabine finally came over with the food. Although he wasn't used to peasant fare, Gabriel ate, albeit sparingly, yet with every bite he seemed to enjoy the taste, and the texture.
"Madame, you have to give my personal chef this recipe," Gabriel said after a few bites, "this is positively exquisite!" Taking another sip of his wine, he set the goblet down.
"Gladly. It's simple ratatouille, but the secret is to slow simmer the vegetables while creating the sauce." She then looked at Nathalie, who had eaten with the poise of a lady, even while leaned against the wall, but had all but licked the plate clean.
Taking another bite, they watched as Gabriel sighed again. "Are you learning to cook like your parents, Marinette?"
"Yes," she said with a blush, "although I'm not nearly as good. I'm a little too impatient when I cook, sometimes, but when I learn to slow down and focus on who I'm cooking for... it usually works out."
Watching, they saw Gabriel nod. "It would be a shame to lose this skill after you're wed."
"I'm... not sure what you mean?" Marinette blinked, looking around at her parents. "Surely you don't think I would ever stop cooking for my husband."
Looking straight at the young woman, he nodded. "You are aware that Adrien is the son of a baron, and that certain requirements need to be maintained?" He saw her face cloud over, her eyes going down to the food. "You would be elevated to a position of prominence, perhaps the two of you might be crowned Lord and Lady, or Baron and Baroness Agreste, but in so doing you would have a manor at the very least... and I was planning on building my son and his bride, whoever she might be, a castle."
Everyone sat there, stunned. Adrien blinked, a smile starting to form, but then he heard "I don't want that..." from Marinette.
Her head was bowed, eyes closed, before she raised her head to look straight at Gabriel, his eyes widened a little in stunned silence. "Please, forgive me if this ruins any chance of Adrien being with me, but... I wouldn't be comfortable in a castle... or a manor... the most I would want is a small cottage, a place where I could have a small garden, a yard for any children, and... a home filled with the laughter and love of a family."
That caught everyone off guard, but especially Gabriel. "I thought it was every girl's dream to be a princess..."
"A dream... yes..." she then looked at Adrien with a smile, her eyes shining with undisguised love, "but why compound a dream with a dream come true?" Marinette looked back at the baron, "I'm sorry, but I've always had this feeling, just looking at a castle, that they're cold, unfeeling homes filled with grandeur meant to impress others but with unused hallways and rooms that do nothing but give servants something to do. I would feel lost. Alone."
"You wouldn't be alone." Adrien countered.
Smiling at him, she nodded. "I still would rather have something smaller, more intimate."
Gabriel leaned back, rubbing at his chin. "There... is one possibility." Everyone looked at him as his eyes went to the table and then to Adrien. "You remember how I mentioned your mother being from England?"
Adrien nodded. "Yes, father."
"What you might not know is that she originally lived in a manor almost a day's travel from a British town called Nottingham." Looking at Marinette, he smiled. "By all rights, the manor is still there, disused and, I believe, abandoned. Only a simple caretaker and his wife use the guest house, while maintaining the five acre property. As the son of the Graham family, Adrien has a right to the manor if he so wanted to take it over."
"I... even that might be..." Marinette started to say, but Adrien gently gripped her hand. When she looked at him, she saw a smile on his face. Smiling back, she realized he was asking her to compromise on what she wanted. "No. That would be perfect, Baron Agreste, but on the promise that you and my family will be able to visit as many times as possible."
A chuckle caused Gabriel's smile to show pearly white teeth. "You would see me as many times as possible, Miss Dupain-Cheng, as long as you cook half as wonderfully as your parents."
Marinette smiled and nodded. "I'm going to hold you to that."
"Then it's settled. I will make the necessary arrangements, and we'll convene next month to iron out a few of the details." he then smiled at Sabine and Tom. "I've noticed that you have said very little about these proceedings."
"In all honesty, I think our daughter has a good head on her shoulders, knows what she wants, and has made a decision that we wholeheartedly agree with." Tom commented.
Sabine nodded. "There was very little that we actually had to say."
Gabriel nodded. "Of course." Smiling at the family, he finished his meal, and wine, before standing up. "As much as I detest the thought of eating and running, I really do have a few minor things to get started, and finished up at home. This time together has been both informative and undeniably pleasant." He looked at Adrien, "You truly have selected a young lady of poise and grace the likes I have only seen in one other, my son."
"Who was that, father?"
"Your mother." The praise caused Marinette to blush, and Adrien to gape at him open mouthed. With that, he bowed to the family. "I thank you for the dinner, wine, and such a pleasant conversation that I thoroughly enjoyed myself."
Tom shook his hand. "We must do this again soon."
"Agreed." Gabriel remarked before Sabine bowed to him. He bowed in return, before looking at his son. "We should be getting home, Adrien."
"Of course, father." Looking at Marinette, he smiled at her. The pair wrapped each other up in a hug, holding each other together for several seconds before Nathalie cleared her throat and the pair broke apart again. "I will see you soon."
Smiling at him, she nodded. "I'll be counting the minutes until we're together again."
With that, the trio left the Dupain-Cheng household, and entered the carriage. The soft sounds of the horses pulling the conveyance through the streets was the only thing they could hear for several seconds before Gabriel spoke again. "I am truly impressed with the young lady."
Adrien smiled and nodded. "I am too."
Gabriel nodded at his son's comment. "Aside from the physical, what specifically impresses you about Miss Dupain-Cheng?"
"Her kindness, her open willingness to speak from the heart, and to be honest about what she wants." Adrien commented.
He watched as his father nodded. "That impresses me as well, although I was thinking more about her ability to debate, to offer solutions to problems quickly, and to compromise with little or no prompting." Gabriel watched as his son blinked. "Each of those talents no school, no amount of experience can teach. It is an ingrained aspect of her personality, and that has truly impressed me son."
"I... didn't even notice."
Baron Agreste nodded. "When she talks, I can hear the skills of a talented diplomat, but without the underhanded personal bias or self-centered belief in one's own superiority that I typically have to contend with regarding the council." He sighed. "She would be at home talking with each of them, and yet I could trust what she says implicitly without so much as a single worry that she had ulterior motives."
Nathalie turned to look at him. "Wow! That's... quite a compliment..."
"... and it's all true. After only talking with the young woman for roughly an hour, I know more about her personality, her wants, desires, dreams, and hopes than I do speaking with any of the council for years." Gabriel rubbed at his chin. "She is a rare young woman, Adrien, keep a tight hold on her."
The younger Agreste nodded. "I plan on doing just that, father."