good news, this is a new chapter. more good news, i had it mostly done before depression and work got the better of me. i'm slowly getting back to normal. but i don't think I'll be 100% until i'm off meds that prevent me from sleeping. i had sugary last year to remove a growth from my nose and it's threatening to come back so my doctor put me on meds. the side effects are weight gain (really), acne (i'm used to that), and lack of sleep. but don't worry, I'll be fine.

hope y'all enjoy!

if any of you want to draw any fanart of any of my stories, GO FOR IT! just make sure you show it to me because fanart is awesome. ya'll can hit me up on twitter or Instagram my username is the same for basically everything so hopefully I'm not to hard to find... if you google inudigfan201 you'll get my fanfiction and youtube as the first results. but yeah, also I would love it if one of you wonderful readers could draw a cover image for this story. I'll give 100% of the credit to the artist (because what monster doesn't?)

enjoy and please review!

~inudigifan201

Ch, 11. Return to the castle

Nino and Nathaniel dumped water over their campfire as Adrien rode up to the campsite as the sun rose.

"Hey guys." He smiled at them as he dismounted his horse.

Nino gave him a smirk. "Oh look, the prodigal prince has returned."

Adrien rolled his eyes. "I'm not that bad."

His friends laughed.

Adrien bit his lip. Should he tell Nath what he learned?

Nath looked up at his prince. "Adrien? Are you ok?"

Adrien shook it off. What Nath didn't know wouldn't hurt him... right? Besides, it wasn't his secret to tell. "I'm good."

Nino patted him on the back. "He's probably just thinking about Marinette. Newly weds, am I right."

Adrien chuckled. "Something like that."

Nath sighed and shook his head. "Can we get back to the castle now? I don't know about you two, but I've had enough camping for a while."

Both Adrien and Nino nodded.

The servants bowed to Marinette as she stepped back into the castle.

Nathalie greeted her with her ever-stern look. "The king wishes to see you in the throne room. And welcome home princess."

"Thank you." Marinette nodded and turned to walk to the throne room like she was told.

King Gabriel looked bored as a new minstrel played on his lute.

The minstrel had black hair with turquoises tips, turquoises eyes, a blue hood resting on his back, and black pants.

She had to admit he was kinda handsome.

Gabriel held up a hand. "That's enough Luka." He then looked over at Marinette. "My daughter-in-law is here."

Luka, the minstrel, stood up from his stool and bowed to the king. He then glanced at Marinette and gave her a mischievous smile and wink as he gave her a small bow.

She blushed not knowing what in the world he meant by that or who told him he could even do that in the first place. He knew she was a married woman right?

Luka rose to his full height. "If my music displeases you your Majesty, then I will go practice until I can play something you like."

"Please do." Gabriel rubbed his temples.

Luka started walking, as he passed her he gave her another wink.

She raised an eyebrow. She shook her head and looked back at the king. She gave a small curtsy and smile. "You wanted to see me Sire?"

Gabriel seemed... bored. He sighed as he sat up. He then patted the throne beside him. "Have a seat my dear."

She did as she was told.

"I trust your travels were safe." He looked down at her to gaze into her eyes.

"Yes sire." She nodded.

"My apologies for your short honeymoon. No one could have predicted Andre's death. How is Chloe handling herself?"

"She's really grown up. It's almost like she's a different person. She'll still mess up from time to time, but I feel she is trying to be better." She fiddled with her fingers.

He nodded. "Good."

There was an awkward pause between the two.

The king cleared his throat to break the silence. "How's your sister? I understand she was at the coronation."

She smiled wide. "Oh she's great. She was telling me Jr said his first word. I know she has three children, but it is still a big deal."

He smiled. "So when can we expect you and Adrien to have one of your own? I'm not getting any younger and I want to make sure my heir has an heir."

She blushed. "Actually your Majesty, I think I'm pregnant now. But, I'm not experiencing any of the symptoms other than I haven't bled this month and it's past my time to bleed. Bridgette, whenever she's pregnant, gets sick as a dog. And Chloe is pregnant and she got sick. Is there something wrong with me?"

He blinked at her in shock, not knowing what to say. "Do you talk like this with your own father?"

She covered her mouth and blushed. "I'm so sorry your Majesty. I forgot! I mean I..." She began to ramble.

He blinked at her again, but then gave her a small smile. "It's fine my dear. It's nice that you are comfortable talking to me like this... I wish Adrien felt the same."

She lowered her hand. "He doesn't want to disappoint you."

He nodded. "I was the same with my father. On his death bed he told me I made him so proud and he loved my wife like his own daughter."

She smiled.

He lit up a bit. "He said she breathed new life into this stuffy castle. I believe you are doing the same thing."

She smiled wide. Hearing this from the stoic king relaxed her a bit. Although, he picked her out in the first place, so why was she worried about him liking her?

He then put a hand to his mouth to think a moment.

"You are excused." His sudden voice took her off guard.

She stood up and gave him a small curtsy. "Yes your Majesty." She then proceeded to walk down the long throne room. She sighed as the giant doors behind her were closed by the servants.

The soft sound of a lute entered her ears as she walked to the stairs to go up to her chambers. She turned her head and found the musician responsible. She scowled as she turned a heal and marched toward him.

He noticed her and stopped strumming as he put on a warm smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Your highness." He winked.

The way he said 'your highness' sent a creeped out shiver down her spine.

She took a deep breath. "I am a married woman and I do not appreciate your flirting with me. Especially in front of my father-in-law the king."

he blinked at her. "My apologies your highness." He gave her a small bow.

She nodded and turned back around, heading toward her original destination.

The main door opened and Adrien, Nino, and Nathaniel walked in as servants carried their kill to the kitchen.

Adrien smiled as his eyes fell upon his wife. He ran to her, picked her up, and twirled her around in his arms.

"We just saw each other a few hours ago." She whispered in his ear.

"We need to make it look like we haven't." He whispered back. "And maybe I did miss you." He kissed her on the cheek.

She giggled.

He set her down as Nathalie approached him.

"Welcome home Adrien. Your father wishes to see you." She adjusted her glasses.

He sighed as he walked up to the large door and entered.

Marinette turned to Nino and Nathaniel with a smile. "How was the hunting trip gentlemen?" She felt it was important to get to know Adrien's friends. Afterall, they would probably be spending some time together.

Nino smiled and started talking while Nathaniel blushed. She listened intently.

A few moments passed and Adrien came back out of the throne room. He sighed, but smiled when he saw his wife talking to his friends.

Although he noted the new minstrel had eyes on his wife.