Hello again, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed the third chapter!
After the thirty-minute dance rehearsal, Adrien had an extra Chinese and piano lesson before showering and getting ready for the celebration party. The fitting took a tad bit longer than expected. Still, Nathalie thought he looked handsome in his father's design: a three-piece tuxedo suit with a black embroidered gold jacket, straight tie, dress pants, and shoes.
Escorted by the Gorilla—his father and Nathalie were discussing the final details of the princess' wedding gown with their Majesties, Adrien was led into the splendor palace ballroom. His green eyes admired the glittering gold chandeliers, and upbeat music filled the room. Some of the guests he saw were dressed in the nines. Detailed and tailored attire, some of the most exotic patterned prints, headwear, accessories, and jewelry he'd ever seen.
Adrien waved and bowed to some guests when he heard the royal crier. "Princess Lalla Aisha of Nikenobia."
Adrien turned to see Aisha descending the grand staircase. She was in a capelet styled gown-designed by his father—colored in an ocean of violet lavender hues of silver and gold brocade, crystal and jewel embroidered mule slippers with a low heel, her braided hair up with a gold tiara—matching up to her amethyst necklace, cluster earrings, and cuff bracelets.
"Wow…" Adrien almost didn't notice Aisha approaching him until she was seconds away. He got himself together. "Your Royal Highness." Adrien and the Gorilla bowed to the princess.
"You still look perfection personalized as you do in your photoshoots," Aisha snickered. "You still have that strong aroma, though."
Adrien joked, "It's the model in me, I guess."
Aisha laughed lightly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to point out some of this country's most distinguished guests."
Adrien took the Princess' hand and wandered about the room. Aisha pointed out several notables.
"That's our Prime Minister, Prince Moulay Ade Kyautauna, and his wife, Nia. Our Foreign Affairs Minister, Prince Moulay Mike Kyautauna, and his wife, Bella. Our Justice Minister, Prince Moulay Sami Kyautauna, and his wife, Ama…"
"Being royalty in your country must be a family business, huh?" Adrien joked, making Aisha giggle.
"Aisha!"
Her dark eyes widened when she saw a young man with a flawless marshmallow complexion, hazel green eyes, short curly undercut hair with few dark blonde highlights, and in a tailored suit.
"Ziddy," Aisha held her arms out, and the two embraced. "I'm so glad you made it."
"Happy to be here," he replied.
Aisha introduced Adrien to the young gentleman. "Adrien, Zander Idris Mandlehogo from the Southern Africa nation of Zeataunya."
Adrien held his hand out to Zander Idris, and he shook it. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you. You're Adrien Agreste from Paris, France," he smiled. "I've seen you in your father's ads and hear he's designing the wedding gown."
Adrien replied, "He is."
Aisha continued. "His family has been working with our family for many years. In fact, his father's company has provided our family many jewels and…"
"Prince Adofo of Madakara."
Aisha's grin dominated slowly when she saw a man with a flawless chestnut complexion in an impeccably embroidered tuxedo, accompanied by two tall women in identical black sheath dresses, descending the stairs.
"Oh, great..." There was dread in Aisha's tone.
"It's him…" Zander Idris groaned, shoving his hand in his pockets.
Adrien asked, "You know him?"
Aisha enlightened. "He's the crown prince of one of our ally countries, Madakara."
Zander Idris added, "To say he is…insufferable…would be an understatement," he said 'insufferable' with such distaste.
"Oh, come on. I'm sure he's not that bad." Adrien is the kind of person to try and see the positives in people, even if they don't deserve it.
"Ah, Aisha," Prince Adofo bowed to the princess. "You almost look perfect in that gown. And…did you do something with your hair? Reminds me of an entangled nest," he snickered to himself.
Aisha plastered a polite smile on her face. "I can see you're not too entangled in your ego tonight, Adofo."
Adofo shrugged. "I'm in a good mood," he spotted Zander Idris. "Zeddy, boy! You could also pass for a gentleman. I say prince, but, uh…that could never happen."
Zander Idris responded with a side smirk.
Adofo faced Adrien. "And you must be Adrien Agreste. I've heard of you; you're a famous teen supermodel in Paris, and your father's designing Princess Jamila's wedding gown for tomorrow's celebration."
Aisha politely sneered, "Please try not to outshine the groom tomorrow."
"I'll do my very best," Adofo adjusted his tie and snapped his fingers. "You can leave us be," he dismissed his security team, shoved Zander Idris out of his way, and held his hand out. "Our fathers want us to have a dance on the floor, so…" he rolled his hand around. "Let's get to it."
"As long as it's just one and only one," Aisha suggested; she wasn't in much of a mood to dance with him anyway but wanted this done and over. "Adrien…"
"No-no, it's okay," Adrien sympathized. "As long as you could make time for our dance."
Aisha smiled as Adofo snatched onto her arm and made his way to the buffet. Zander Idris nodded to Adrien before excusing himself. He turned his head to see Aisha and Adofo's interactions. He picked up two plates and skimmed through arrays of berries, fruits, vegetables, tiny hors d'oeuvres, and pastries.
Plagg peeked out of Adrien's suit jacket and sniffed the air. "Huh…" he gasped. "So much…delicious cheese and bread to go with it. Do we have to leave tomorrow night?" he whined.
"Let's make it count while we still can, buddy," Adrien began filling his plate for Plagg.
"What's going on with you and the princess? A little crush?" Plagg teased Adrien about him and Aisha, making him blush.
Marinette closed her diary, sighing. She had her back against her bed, looking up at her ceiling.
"Something wrong, Marinette?" her Kwami, the sensible Tikki, asked.
"Ah, Adrien's in Nikenobia for a wedding for the weekend," Marinette explained, her fingers folded together. "He's staying with the royal family."
"Ooh, that sounds exciting!"
"Yeah, it sure does," Marinette rummaged for her cell phone under her pillow. After a few clicks, she showed Tikki a photo of them. "Look at them. Look at her," she pressed her finger to zoom in on Aisha.
"She's pretty." Tikki complimented.
"Of course, she's pretty; she's a princess," Marinette had her hand on her cheek. "And nice and friendly and perfect. Absolutely perfect."
"And…?" Tikki lifted an eyebrow.
Marinette began rambling. "Again, princess. What if he falls for her? What if she falls for him? He's practically a total Prince Charming, and she's a princess…"
Tikki patiently listened to her owner's rambles—she was used to it.
Adrien was at a table with the Gorilla, enjoying the dinner ball, and was even introduced to Jamila and her fiancé, Prince Abdul Initayo. His father and Nathalie were with the King and Queen, enjoying themselves from the upper ballroom balcony.
Soon Aisha approached his table after her second dance with Zander Idris.
"You haven't forgotten about our dance, haven't you?"
Adrien smirked, and the two led their way to the dance floor; they felt a little spark when their hands touched. The orchestra began playing, and soon their bodies were in sync with the traditional waltz, with every step and their eyes only on each other.
"I think we're gaining an audience," Aisha whispered; she could hear the crowd's murmurs.
Adrien smirked. "I'm used to having an audience."
"Aren't we all?"
With every twirl and spin, the crowd was getting increasingly dazzled by the two. Aisha couldn't take her eyes off his eyes. There was this exquisite emerald gem green. Adrien couldn't stop staring at her lovely smile. And before anyone knew it, the music slowly ended. There was hushed amazement before the crowd applauded; Adrien bowed, and Aisha curtsied.
"You're a good dancer," Adrien commended.
Aisha replied, "So are you."
Shortly after, more people, including Ekon, Jabari, Zander Idris, Jamila, and Abdul, came onto the dance floor, and festive music began playing again.
After Adrien spun Aisha again a couple more times, she whispered to him, "Come with me," she led him across the dance floor and to a side door.
A/N: Again, let me know what you think of the story...