Hello again, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!
For the duration of the seven-hour flight from Paris to Folami, Nikenobia's capital city, Adrien sat in his fine off-white-color leather seat and was instructed by his father to catch up on his Chinese lesson and remember some of the proper etiquette rules when meeting the royal family along with the customs.
His built and tall bodyguard sat next to him on the plane. Since he was terrified of flying, he liked having headphones and listening to self-help tapes to ease his plane sickness.
Across from them on the plane, Nathalie and his father were on their tablets. Adrien knew Nathalie was coming up with Adrien's entire schedule for the time they would be in the country. Gabriel last communicated with the assistants helping him with the princess' wedding gown.
"Welcome to Folami, Nikenobia," said the captain over the intercom.
Adrien looked out the window and gasped when he saw the country from the air. And this is where he will be spending his weekend. Such beautiful landscaping and architectural designed buildings—some of the country was so green and lush, and the water so blue and clear. He was sure he could see the royal palace from the air. He could have sworn there was a part of the country with an island with an unusual shape.
Soon the private plane touched down at Folami International Airport. Adrien felt the heat slowly go up in his body from the tarmac; he was sure almost everyone on the plane and maybe even the blue-uniformed traffic controllers could feel the heat. The plane doors opened automatically, and Gabriel disembarked first, followed by Nathalie, Adrien, and the Gorilla last.
A black limousine was waiting for them, along with a tall, dark man—Ayo was his name as it said so on his gold-plated nametag—and two black sedans behind.
"Mr. Agreste," said the man with a strong accent and bowed. "King Umar and his family are waiting for you at the palace."
"Excellent."
Their luggage was being loaded in the backseat. Gabriel entered the limousine first, followed by Adrien, who immediately sat beside him. Nathalie and the Gorilla sat across from them. Ayo stepped on the gas and drove off hard enough for Adrien to feel a little shake in his body against the seats.
"Whoa…" Adrien was still in awe when seeing the country.
Ayo began explaining about the city. "Folami is Nikenobia's developing 24-hour economy. Not only is it one of the most expensive cities in Africa, but some of the country's highest standards of luxury living."
"Interesting," Gabriel sounded almost bored already and asked his son, "Have you read up on the royal family, son?"
"Yes, Father."
"I expect nothing less than perfection from you this weekend," said his father, still on his tablet. "Especially from the Princess; she's seen you in the advertisements and was told she admires you. I hope you won't let me down."
Adrien shook his head. "Yes, Father."
Ayo rolled up to these massive gates seamlessly into a high fence, guarded by two-three military uniforms, opening to a smooth half-mile drive before getting to another gate with an attached guardhouse with four to six military. Behind the second set of gates was an avenue lined by tall, thick trees.
Then came the palace when the car stopped in front.
A stunning white fortress-like stone palace right by the clear water with red-color tile roofing and multiple duplexes. Gorgeous green and bright floral gardens. Four watch turrets with beefed-up security and a helipad.
Ayo and the Gorilla helped Gabriel, Adrien, and Nathalie out of their vehicle. A small team of workers lined up in front of the palace, led by three tall and umber-skinned people; one was a woman with a shaved head, gold dangling earrings, and a black fitted dress that reached to her knees and heels. The other two were built men in dressed suits. Their facial expressions were about as stern as the Gorilla.
"Hello, Mr. Agreste," the woman curtsied. "I'm Blessa, one of the bodyguards for the royal family and the princess' head of security." And these are my coworkers and fellow bodyguards for the princes, Abdou and Kasmin," the two men bowed.
"Their Majesties and Royal Highnesses are waiting for you," Abdou said next.
Kasmin was last. "Please follow me."
The three cocked their heads at the workers before they led the family to the large foyer. Adrien politely greeted the palace workers, and they quietly smiled back at him before presumably returning to their work. When in the entrance—a vast staircase so opulent and grand, along with the fantastic craftsman work, plastered walls, millwork moldings and columns, ornate ceiling and gold and shimmering chandelier and corridors.
Soon came a tall and cacao-complexioned middle-aged man and a woman about a couple of inches shorter than him but had delicate yet prominent features, an exceptionally long neck, and copper skin appeared at the top of the stairs before descending. The man was dressed in a black tailored suit with silver embroidery and a stash crossed his, and the woman was in a stunning, lavish kaftan-styled gown, sparkly gold jewelry, her long straight hair in soft curls and wore a sharp gold and diamond wreath tiara.
Next came two young men—looked a little younger than Adrien—and in similar custom suits with elaborate detailing.
Last but certainly not least, a young girl around his age, in a stunning floor-length dress, her hair in long braids and clad in shining gold jewelry, including a diamond water drop tiara on her forehead.
"Their Majesties, King Umar, and Queen Amara," The three announced their Majesties and Royal Highnesses present in union. "Their Royal Highnesses, the Crown Prince Moulay Ekon, the Prince Moulay Jabari, and the Princess Lalla Aisha."
"Your Majesties." Gabriel, Adrien, Nathalie, and the Gorilla bowed. "Your Royal Highnesses."
"Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Agreste," King Umar expressed his gratitude. "Thank you again for agreeing to design my goddaughter's wedding gown."
"Of course, sir." Gabriel figured it would be an excellent promotion for the upcoming openings in various parts of the continent and was paid very handsomely for his work.
"Hello, Mr. Adrien," Aisha looked with intrigue at Adrien and stepped towards him. "You are as perfection personified as your advertisements."
"Uh…thank you, Your Royal Highness."
Aisha sniffed her small nose and caught a whiff of something. She leaned forward and whispered to him, "Has anyone ever told you that you smell like Camembert?"
Adrien looked away—the things he does for Plagg.
After a short welcoming dinner with the royal family, the guards had Gabriel, Adrien, Nathalie, and the Gorilla escorted into one of the duplexes, each having their rooms, much like back home. It was mildly and warmly décored compared to the rest of the palace and his room back home in Paris. Still, these lovely velvet cushions, cashmere blankets, and magic carpet were there; Plagg commented that it reminded him of the Genie's lamp and played with some of the shiny trinkets.
Adrien was already in his pajamas, and Plagg was already fast asleep on the silk pillow after finishing up a cheese plate with about half a dozen cheeses, the other six being Camembert and three hunks of bread.
Adrien did some more research on the royal family. The Kyautauna family has ruled Nikenobia and about ten overseas territories for centuries. The king and queen's families are the richest in the continent due to their histories of trading, distribution, investments, and their multiatomic holding conglomerate company, Kyautauna Group.
Even Adrien heard a little bit of them back home in Paris. The King's youngest brother, Prince Moulay Chi, resides in the city with his wife, Geneviève Sebastian, and their children since both are members of his father's club of all of the most influential people in Paris.
He checked the messages on his phone to see if he had any from his friends back home. He clicked one from Nino.
"Hey, dude! Hope you're enjoying yourself and not letting your old man ruin the fun!"
Adrien chuckled and saw one from Alya.
"Hope we get to see pics of you with royalty soon."
Adrien smirked and saw one from Marinette. Just as he was about to click on it, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Adrien made sure to hide Plagg under the blanket.
The grand double doors opened, and there was Aisha in a floor-length floral-embroidered couture caftan crafted in silk charmeuse, slippers, and a headscarf.
"My apologies, Adrien," Aisha folded her hands and bowed her head. "I…just thought I come and check in on you," she walked over to his bedside and stood with her hands in front of her. "See how nicely you and your family are being settled in."
"Uh, thank you, Your Royal Highness."
Aisha insisted, "You may call me Aisha. Unless your father suggests otherwise out of cultural respect because of my status here, so…" she shrugged her shoulders.
He knew what she meant and chuckled.
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" she asked.
Adrien sighed. "I know I'm only here for this weekend, but my father's assistant, Nathalie, has pretty much got my entire schedule down. Fittings, fencing, Chinese, piano, and other stuff my father wants me to do. Thought I was going to have some time to explore, but I guess not this time," he shrugged. "It's even like that for me back home."
"Hmm…I know that feeling," Aisha sat on the edge of the bed—Adrien didn't seem to mind. "It's been that way all my life. A new schedule every day and barely having time for yourself."
"Yeah," Adrien added, understanding her position. "Always being told what to do all the time and having your decisions made for you."
Aisha gasped lightly. "Yes…your every move and every thought under constant scrutiny and control…"
"Being told to stay in your place," the two realized what they said, and they both beamed lightly.
"Princess!" Aisha's eyes dilated when she heard that voice. She hastily exited the bed and snatched the empty plate and glass from the nightstand. The double doors opened, and there was her bodyguard, Blessa. "Oh, I was just getting Mr. Adrien Agreste's plates for him and checking up on him."
"Oh," Blessa nodded. "Come, Princess. You have a hectic day ahead of you tomorrow," she bowed her head and excused herself.
Aisha bowed again. "Good night, Adrien."
Adrien grinned to himself. "Good night."
A/N: Again, let me know what you think of the story...