AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO UP YESTERDAY. but ugh writer's block and my dad were working together to keep me from typing this. Anyways. Orion is just kind of here to be a dick and we get to meet and OC who is prominent in both my fics besides Aaron!

Also if you read An Awkward Situation be sure to check "Mrs. Rochester Came to Burn the House Down"

Part 02- The Challenge

The people crowded the streets as the king, the prince, and their party returned. The people began to shout in joy as they strode to the Castle upon their gallant steeds. Many women began to whisper to each other of the king and the Prince. While the king was considerably cold, it was no lie that he was a handsome man. The Prince was beginning to flourish into a handsome man as well.

Gabriel wanted the screaming to end but he kept it to himself. The people rarely ever seemed so excited, so he had no will to leave them to the quiet that he so desired. He was a king with absolute power, but he never liked using that power. It reminded him far too much of his father and his brother. He kept his face straight as he strode along trying not to trample anyone.

His gaze met upon another's. A young woman with perhaps the strangest blue eyes that he had ever seen; they were like the river that they had laid rest upon, a beautiful calm blue that could drown him at any given moment.

He moved his gaze before anyone could realize where it had been laid upon. He focused his gaze on the castle willing himself not to satiate his curiosity about the maiden with the strange blue eyes. He had other things to worry about, like running his kingdom and mourning his wife. Some maiden with pretty blue eyes would not concern him.

He could feel Philippe's glaze on the back of his head. Nothing could ever pass that idiot—which was he trusted him with his life. He wanted nothing more than to retire into the library and immerse himself in work.

He looked to his son quickly. The boy was off on his own reverie, something he was grateful for. Philippe catching him was one thing. His son was another. He wanted to ride ahead and forget that strange moment and focus on anything but that.

Maria had been stunned when she had met the glance of the king. His eyes had been an ice blue that seemed to pierce right through her. She knew the man was cold but his gaze made him seem incredibly unapproachable. She almost expected for him to order her death for daring to look him in the eye.

She looked to Marinette who seemed entranced by the procession before returning to searching for Aaron. She looked around and wondered if she had missed him. She frowned as her eyes continued to scan the party. She stopped when she felt another glaze upon her. Unlike the king's gaze which seemed more like closed doors, the other person felt like animal watching their prey.

"My dear girl, we should go to castle to see if our brother is there." She said putting a hand on Marinette's shoulder.

"Of course, I think I missed him." Marinette replied with a sigh.

The two girls nodded to each other before trying to get through the people to try and get through to the castle stable.

Marinette sighed as she and Maria made their way through the crowd. It was not unusual for the family members of the royal guard to be allowed into the main court yard of the castle to see their loved ones. But she detested it so. Some of the king's men had always brought her discomfort. The only reason she could stand to go was because of Aaron. No man would dare cross paths with him.

She followed Maria as they finally came to the court yard. The old gate keeper gave them a smile before letting them pass. She and Maria returned the smile. Maria skipped ahead of her and Marinette sighed and shook her head.

She walked towards them keep her steps slow and deliberate. While she had been grateful for the two taking her in, she had always felt like an outsider. They were kind to her, yes, but she was truly nothing to them but a weeping orphan. She looked to the floor before heading towards them.

"Move you stupid wench!" She heard from her side.

The world became slow as she realized a knight of King's Guard was speeding towards hers with no intention of stopping. She could feel her body freezing with each sound of the horse's gallop. She tried to move but her body would not listen. She could not open her mouth to scream. Then it came; A flash of gold and a heavy weight upon her body.

Adrien had been handing his horse to the stableman when he had heard the shouts of Sir Orion. He did not like the way that man had spoken earlier and his disdain for his use of language only increased when he heard him. His eyes widened when he realized that there was a young woman paralyzed with fear in his path. Without thinking he ran towards the girl and pushed her down with his own body. He held her close as they landed on the rough floor.

He looked down at her and was met by a flock of midnight blue hair. The girl lifted her head and his breath stopped. Her eyes were like blue bells; beautiful and natural yet somehow mysterious and alluring. He soon noted that some of the men were gathering around them. He looked to them then to the frightened girl he had saved.

He stood up and picked up the girl in the way one would carry their bride.

"Are you alright, Miss?" He asked.

"I-i…" She began as she slowly began to catch her breath.

"Marinette!"

"My Prince!"

Adrien looked to see Sir Aaron and young woman who bore similar features running towards them.

"My lord," Sir Aaron began. "I beg your pardon."

"A thousand apologies, sir." The woman said bowing.

"You know this young woman?" He asked looking the confused girl in his arms.

"She is our sister." The woman said.

"I see…," Adrien said looking again at her. "I was not aware your family was so large. Perhaps you would prefer to take her?"

"If it is not a bother sire." The woman said

"I should have a doctor check her first." He said.

"I-I will be fine, milord…" the girl said. His heart fluttered. Her voice was soft and it sounded as if she was naturally singing.

"Then, my lady," He said. "I will see to it that you are returned to your family."

He gently put her down and noted that she was rather tiny compared to him. She gave him a smile and he felt his heart skip a beat.

"What, more whore sisters, Balboa?" Adrien had to take a deep breath as he turned to glare at Sir Orion.

Aaron took a deep breath and then looked to Sir Orion. He gave him a polite smile.

"Sir, now it appears we have a quarrel," He began. "I have no problem with your insults pertaining to my person, but the insults you've placed upon my dear sisters are an entirely different matter."

"I do make not make insults. Everyone knows that women of the immigrant district are nothing but scant whores," Sir Orion said. "Even if they are held in high regard but capital's people, they're still halfblooded whores."

"Everyone knows that you were begging for one to be your wife this morning and when I refused on the nature of an oath to the goddess you became aggressive. Admit your pride is wounded and apologize and I will not take this to the arena." Aaron said moving to stand in front of his sisters and the Prince.

"Apologize for what. I give no insults." The blond man replied with a scoff.

Aaron rolled his green eyes and scoffed. The man had done nothing more than insult him and then took to insulting his family over his wounded pride. He would not stand for this.

"Get off your horse and fight me like the knight you claim to be!" He exclaimed.

"Why would I lower myself into fighting with a low life like you?" Sir Orion replied.

"Because it is the honorable thing to do!" Aaron raised an eyebrow when he realized it had been the prince who beat him to the answer.

Gabriel was about ready to take everyone to the executioner when he heard the shouting. He would have done it to if he had not seen his son and Sir Aaron glaring at Sir Orion. His breath hitched when he realized that strange girl from the crowd was there with him.

He took a deep breath and moved whatever thoughts about that second aside. He stormed to them.

"What quarrels happen now?" He barked causing his son, the two knights, and one of the young women to flinch.

"Pardon me, sire," Adrien said with a bow. "It is a simple matter of honor."

"And what matters of honor do you quarrel of?" He snapped looking to Sir Aaron and Sir Orion.

"My lord," Sir Aaron began. "I tried to keep my grievances over insults upon my person, but I cannot stand when the honor of my sisters is insulted by a hypocrite who only fusses when his pride is wounded."

"You gave insults to Sir Aaron's sisters?" The king asked. He was not amused at the bickering. He did not know why the knight on the horse still insisted upon causing more quarrels with the others. He was going to get himself killed.

"None which cannot be disputed," Sir Orion replied with a scoff. "Everyone knows about how loose the women of the Immigrant district are."

"Why you bastard!" Sir Aaron yelled.

"Aaron." The king stopped when he realized the knight was being held back by the brown haired girl. Much to his surprise, she was much stronger than she looked.

"Maria, let me go so I can kill him!" Sir Aaron barked.

"Enough." The king said.

"Forgive me my lord," Sir Aaron said. "But, I cannot make my peace. This man has insulted my sisters one too many times."

"Keep your peace," He said looking to sir Orion. "In a week's time you two will meet in the arena. Then you may have at it."

"My lord," the girl spoke. "Surely they can do something less extreme."

"Your honor is at stake and you question me?" The king said meeting the girl's stare.

"I do not wish to see my brother hurt, sire," She replied. "Surely you know the fear of a loved one being hurt."

Gabriel stayed silent. His eyes quickly darted to the prince who had only been staring before glaring at the girl again.

"Even so," He said. "There is a code to follow."

The young woman glared at him.

"Weak words for a weak woman." Sir Orion said with laugh.

"Go put your horse in the stable," Gabriel snapped. "Get your peace and go. Adrien, take this information to sir Philippe."

"Yes, father." The prince said with a bow before running off to find the king's right hand man.

Sir Orion gave one more scoff before leaving. Gabriel kept his face neutral and looked to the young woman with dark hair. She seemed to be a child compared to Sir Aaron and the elder girl. She was perhaps the same age as Adrien. He noted his son could probably use a friend his own age. There were very few lords who had sons that he could trust. Sir Aaron's younger sister seemed trustable enough to leave the prince in her graces.

He glanced to the elder girl. Her eyes held anger and a fear he could easily decipher. She, too, suffered the after effects of the plague. He should've expected it.

"Good day then." She said before turning and leaving grabbing the other girl by the hand. The king made note that her hair was quite long.

"Majesty, please forgive Maria," Sir Aaron said. "She does not express herself well… You understand that the plague did a horrible thing to the attitudes of the people."

"Who else in your family died?" The king asked.

"Our parents and our four younger siblings, my lord," The young man said looking down at the floor. "I will hold my peace until the week's end, but please sire, know that Maria and Marinette are all I have left. I cannot allow someone to even look at them with ill thought."

"I understand well. Give him hell." He replied taking his leave.

Through strange circumstances did the four encounter each other? Indeed, they were connected by a sun that shined brighter than most. In these moments fate began her works.

critisicm is always welcomed as well as any suggestions.

This chapter could have been better but sadly i lack any desire to continue it. Next chapter we get to meet Tikki and Plagg though :D