Hey guys! I know I said there would be 2 parts to Adrien's backstory, but I have WAY too much stuff planned so it's gonna be 3 parts instead. I've been outlining and reoutlining these chapters for almost five years lmao. I really want to get them right, but that kinda led me into nine months of writer's block so I'm just gonna go for it now.

Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!

Enjoy ;)

Ten Years Ago

All Adrien remembered was pain, an unbearable pain that tore at his insides as he clutched his mother to his chest. Her body was still warm. It gave his fragmented mind the illusion that she was alive, that she could hear him as he begged for her to wake up. It was the only comfort he had, even if it was completely drowned out by the flood of agony consuming him, piercing right through his heart.

There were arms around him. Soft cries in his ear. Shadows loomed overhead. Cold rain battered down on him. These were all things he was aware of, but none of it mattered. Nothing mattered anymore.

There was a distant splashing sound, and suddenly the warmth on his back was gone. He heard a yelp, and then there was yelling, screaming. Chaos surrounded him, but it couldn't pull him out of his grief. He was stuck clinging to his mother's final moments, trying to hang onto the life that had already left her.

Something was on his shoulder, and then someone spoke in his ear. He had no idea what they were saying. He didn't care. A hand wrapped around his arm and pulled, and a flash of anger came through him. No, he couldn't leave her. He wasn't ready.

He yanked his arm back and clutched his mother's body with an iron grip, the brief moment of separation from her sending a new, sharp stab of pain through him. Sobs shook his form, his cries tearing through his throat uncontrollably. He couldn't let go. If he did, then she would truly be gone.

The world around him was moving much faster than he was willing to accept, and in seconds the hands were grabbing his upper arms, forcefully yanking him backwards and onto his feet. It felt as though his heart was torn in two, and now the other half lay on the ground with his mother. He could see all of her now: the blood seeping from her abdomen, the pink puddle pooling beneath her in the rain, the stillness.

Where was her bright smile? Where was her loving gaze? The sound of her calming voice telling him everything was going to be okay?

How was he supposed to go on without her by his side?

He screamed, he shouted, he sobbed. Adrien had never felt so out of control, and he channeled his unbridled emotions into fighting against the hands restraining him. He wanted, no, needed to get back to her, but he wasn't strong enough. He was dragged backwards, and the sudden distance from his mother opened up the rest of the chaotic scene to his blurry vision. He tore his eyes away from her, blinking away the tears as he scanned the street.

All of the sweet and kind merchants he had grown to love were hauled to the side of the road and thrown into the mud. The soldiers were yelling commands. Some people cowered under them, others fought back. It was absolute mayhem, and everything about it was wrong. The countless swords being drawn, the cries and shouts ringing through the air, his mother's lifeless body laying amongst it all…

His broken gaze landed on three people kneeling in the mud, and what was left of his heart crumbled to dust. Marinette was staring at him, her expression nothing but grief and fear. Any tears falling down her cheeks were disguised by the rain soaking her shrunken form. For a brief moment, all of the panic and rage left him, and he was overcome with the sheer gravity of all he had lost.

It was too much, everything was too much. There was no thinking anymore, just the weight of his entire world coming down on him all at once. He wasn't aware of it then, but that final moment looking at his best friend would be etched into his mind for years to come, and all too soon, he was turned away and dragged to the horses.

The whole ride back to the castle, he never gave up his fight to return to his mother. His arms ached from the tight grip restraining him, from the forcefulness of the guard required to keep him still.

Everything else passed in a blur. Reaching the castle. Seeing his father run down the steps to find what remained of Emilie. More chaos as Gabriel attacked the soldiers. Being tugged through the castle doors and seeing his cousin there before he ran away. Adrien's feet slipping and sliding as he was pulled through the halls, up stairs and around corners until he was in his room.

The two soldiers gripping his arms didn't know what to do with him, and their feeble attempts to placate him were unsuccessful. If anything, their presence was making it worse, so they opted to leave, closing the door and holding it shut as Adrien attempted to escape and return to his mother.

Now that he was alone, it wasn't long before the fight slowly left him. Reality was sinking in, and Adrien fists weakly hit the door as he slid down to his knees. He cried his heart out, giving in to all of the pain and anguish.

She was gone. He would never get to see her again. He would never be able to tell her just how much he loved her.

And worst of all…

He never said goodbye.

The funeral was surreal. A numbness had taken over Adrien. He barely registered the pitying looks from the maids as they dressed him in his all black attire. Even in the castle's grandiose chapel, the eyes of a hundred mourners sought out the small boy. Only those closest to the royals were in attendance, so everyone knew what had happened, that he had been there. None of them truly understood what he was going through, and their sympathy did nothing for him.

Adrien sat at the very front, the coffin containing his mother's body in full view, but his eyes were on the floor. His father sat beside him, and the distance between them had never felt grander. Emilie was the one who engineered any kind of time for the three of them. She was the only piece holding their fragile father-son relationship together, and without her, there was nothing left.

Adrien had always longed for a relationship with his father. He used to draw as a small child, and he'd spend over an hour working up the courage to walk into his father's office and giving him one of his pictures. While Emilie would always shower him in kisses and hugs if he gave her one of his drawings, Gabriel would reluctantly take it with no comment. There came a day where Adrien found the pictures he gave his father in his mother's desk, the paper wrinkled as if it had been crumpled up. He stopped drawing soon after that.

Adrien spent much of his formative years trying to appeal to his father, but no matter what he did, it was never enough. His mother made up the difference with her undying love for him, and whenever she was caught up in her duties, Adrien spent his time with her personal guard.

His favorite soldier was undoubtedly Ludovic, the head of Emilie's security detail. The man was quite young for his rank in the guard ‒only in his early thirties‒ but anyone who met him would instantly learn that he was incredibly intelligent and hard-headed, not to mention one of the most skilled fighters in the country. Ludovic was stoic in nature, but he had a soft spot for the little Prince. On occasion he would carry Adrien around on his shoulders so he could visit with the soldiers stationed around the castle. With Emilie's permission, he even took Adrien to watch the soldiers train on the far side of the grounds.

Adrien always begged Ludovic to teach him to fight, but Ludovic only ever agreed to show him a few punches and kicks. Once, when Adrien wouldn't stop pestering him about learning to wield a sword, Ludovic carefully let him hold one. The weight of the weapon had been too much for Adrien's small arms to hold, and it dropped to the ground in an instant.

Ludovic laughed and said, "What did I tell you, kid? You're gonna have to wait until you're older."

"No, I've got this," Adrien said, his face set in determination. He struggled to lift the sword again, but Ludovic stopped him before he ended up accidentally hurting himself.

"Alright, that's enough." He pried the sword from Adrien's hands and delicately returned it to its sheath. Ludovic knelt down in front of him, a smile forming on his face at the boy's growing pout. "Listen, let's make a deal. Once you're tall enough, I'll teach you how to wield a sword."

Adrien's face slowly lit up. "How tall is that?"

Ludovic considered this, and then he stood and put his hand at the bottom of his chin. "When you come up to here on me."

Adrien straightened his posture, trying to stand as tall as possible, but he was still a few inches too short. Even on his tip-toes, he wasn't quite there yet. Disappointment spread over his face, and Ludovic knelt back down in front of him.

"You're growing like a weed, kid. Before you know it, we'll be out here starting your lessons."

Adrien held out his pinky finger. "Promise?"

Ludovic smiled before wrapping it in his own. "I promise."

As Emilie's funeral ceremony came to a close, Ludovic was among the soldiers to lift the casket and lead the procession to the burial ground. Adrien followed, eyes downcast as he walked beside his father.

Everything else passed in a blur. More words were said, hymns were sung, and Adrien watched with blurry eyes as the casket lowered into the ground. Ludovic approached him then, kneeling down before him. All of Adrien's grief and sadness was reflected in Ludovic's eyes, and the flood of tears returned to sting him once again. Ludovic gently secured a white rose in Adrien's hand, and Adrien took his cue.

He walked to the grave on shaky legs, fighting the onslaught of sobs rising in his chest. Adrien peered down at the casket, his mind filling in the image of his mother's body inside. A small noise escaped him, and he pressed his lips together tightly. Anywhere but here. Not in front of all these people.

After a few composing breaths, he held out the rose. In a broken voice, he whispered, "Goodbye, mom," and then the rose fell down to her final resting place.

The rest of the attendees followed suit, each with their own flower to adorn the casket, but Adrien couldn't stay to watch. He ran as hard as he could and as far as could until he was sure he was alone, somewhere he could fall apart once again. He stayed there, pressed against a pillar of the castle for who knows how long until the sound of footsteps let Adrien know he was no longer alone.

He wiped his eyes and looked up at Ludovic. The soldier had freshened up for the ceremony, so he looked slightly different than normal. The usual black stubble on his jaw was now clean-shaven, and his short hair was slicked back. He was no longer wearing his suit of armor, which told Adrien that the funeral must have already ended.

Ludovic sat down beside Adrien, sighing deeply as he leaned back against the stone. He wouldn't look at Adrien, instead tilting his head up to look at the sky. "I'm sorry, kid." His voice was quiet and meek, completely lacking his usual confidence and self-assurance. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect her." He looked at Adrien then, and there was guilt in his eyes. "And I'm sorry you had to see it."

Adrien didn't know what to say. He didn't blame Ludovic for what happened, but as head of Emilie's personal guard, he was partially responsible for her death. It was his duty to keep her safe, and he had let both the Queen and Prince leave the grounds unattended for years. To Ludovic, he was now facing the consequences of his actions.

Adrien couldn't tell him it wasn't his fault. Despite the joy he felt during his visits with Marinette, the exhilarating rush of breaking the rules and running through the streets unattended, there was a reason those security measures were in place. He was royalty, and his mother was the leader of the entire country. Even if most people adored them, there still existed the few who would do them harm. Emilie's death was a tragic wakeup call, for both Adrien and for Ludovic.

Adrien didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Ludovic, who cradled the young boy's head as he hugged him back tightly. The sound of Adrien's soft cries broke Ludovic's heart and drove the blade of guilt deeper inside him.

Three days after the Queen's assassination, her murderer was caught. Four eyewitness accounts placed a middle-aged homeless man at the scene, and not to mention the murder weapon was found on his person. Every finger pointed to him as the culprit, except-

"Let go of me!" Adrien wrenched his arm from his father's grip and backed himself further into the bedroom. Amelie closed the door behind them as Gabriel stared down his son in disapproval.

"Do you have any idea what you've just done?!" Gabriel's tone was commanding, and Adrien shrunk into himself at the volume. "After all our efforts to find that bastard, what makes you think you can make a claim like that?! At a sentencing nonetheless!"

Adrien's voice was small. "Father, I-"

"There was no doubt in the council's mind until you decided to open your mouth! Now we have to clean up your mess!" Gabriel paced in front of Adrien, running his hands through his hair in exasperation.

"But I-"

"What would your mother say of this?" Gabriel muttered, and a spark of anger came through Adrien.

"She would support me because I'm telling you the truth! He didn't kill her!" Gabriel stopped to stand before Adrien, and even though the older man towered over him, Adrien stood tall.

"We have four eyewitnesses-"

"They're wrong," Adrien stated firmly. "I was there too. I watched it happen, and whoever did this was mom's height. That man is too tall-"

"That man was found with the murder weapon!"

Adrien couldn't refute that point, but he did know one thing: his father was going to execute an innocent man. With every fiber of his being he knew this to be true.

There was a smoking gun, though. The Graham de Vanily ring, passed down from generation to generation, monarch to monarch, was missing from Emilie's body. She always wore it on a necklace, but when her body was recovered, only the broken chain was left behind. "But he didn't have her ring!"

"Anyone in that crowd could have stolen it!"

No, the merchants would never do that. Besides, Adrien was with Emilie from the moment she hit the ground until the soldiers arrived. Whoever stole that ring was the same person who killed her. Adrien voiced this sentiment, but it fell on deaf ears.

"Whatever. That bastard's homeless! He probably sold the ring before we caught him!"

I-," Adrien faltered before he held his ground once again. "All I can tell you is that he wasn't the one who stabbed her! That's who you're looking for, and I'm telling you, he wasn't there!"

Gabriel scoffed. "And why would I trust you over everyone else? Over all of the evidence?"

"Because I'm your son!" Tears of frustration stung Adrien's eyes. "Mom would've listened to me." He clenched his fists as years of pent up rejection and anger swarmed to the surface. "Mom always listened to me! But you never cared to! You're my father but you've never acted like it!"

Gabriel's face twisted up in rage. "How dare you say that to me? After everything?! If it weren't for you, your mother would still be here!"

Gabriel's words hit Adrien like daggers, and the following silence was deafening. All Adrien could do was stare at the man before him, the man who was supposed to be his father, and pretend like those words didn't go straight to his heart. Adrien felt that guilt and blame deeply, but to hear someone else say it was devastating.

Before either of them could say anything else, Amelie, who had been silently watching the entire time, placed herself between them. "Gabriel, a word please." She ushered him to the door, and he stormed out of the room with no complaint, leaving Adrien alone with Gabriel's words still echoing in his head.

In the following days, Adrien refused to go near his father. This meant that in order for Adrien to comply with all preparations and rehearsals for his upcoming coronation, Gabriel was barred from any involvement. Apparently, this was causing quite a stir amongst all of the castle's staff, but Adrien refused to back down. His mother wasn't here to mediate anymore, and if he was supposed to somehow take her place as the monarch, then he couldn't have Gabriel anywhere near him.

Maybe, maybe he could forgive his father for what he said. Emotions had been high ever since Emilie died, and perhaps Gabriel had been worked up. Plus, Adrien didn't disagree with what he had said; if it weren't for Adrien, maybe his mother would still be alive…

But Gabriel pushed to have an innocent man executed, and he succeeded. For that, Adrien would never forgive him.

Growing up, Adrien always viewed France as a free and safe country. Their government was just and did right by their people in every way. Yet in the last two weeks, Adrien was forced to witness the flaws, the ugly parts of the world that innocent, childlike eyes were incapable of seeing.

Or maybe his mother was always there to shield him from this. Either way, if he was going to take the throne now, he could no longer do it as a child. He needed to grow up, fast.

Adrien sat at his vanity with his head in his hands. Today was the day; his coronation. He always pictured himself as an old man for this, but the universe had different plans. Here he was, an eleven-year old boy, about to swear an oath to lead France until the day he dies. He had spent hours and hours sitting in on meetings and doing observations to prepare him for this task, yet it wasn't nearly enough. He wasn't ready for this.

Adrien's chest tightened as he pictured the faces of the soldiers, the council, the maids, the merchants and blacksmiths and farmers and seamstresses and the millions of people in France-

All of them, depending on him.

In a flash, Marinette's face came to his mind. Tears pooled in his eyes as he thought of her, of how scared she looked that day. Where was she now? Was she doing okay? She had seen everything. She was right in the middle of it all just like he was. When would he be able to see her again?

He thought of all the times he imagined running away from here to go live like her. To be free like she was. He had a dream of building his own little house by the orchard, where he could visit her every day and live off of Tom's pastries and the delicious fruits from the merchants. He would become a regular at the market, would see every magic show and concert and buy Marinette anything she wanted. His life would be on his terms; every day a new adventure.

But he was foolish to even dream.

Because today, he would swear that life away forever.

A firm knock at his door drew him from his thoughts. He wiped at his eyes and cleared his throat. "Come in."

Amelie entered his room, accompanied by an older maid. "Adrien, dear! Are you ready for your big day?" Amelie said in a sickly sweet voice.

Adrien looked at her strangely. Her tone felt abrasively positive, especially considering the circumstances under which he was now having this big day. It didn't help that Amelie was the spitting image of his mother, so now anytime he looked at her he was thrown into a new wave of grief. "Um… I guess so."

Amelie's face fell at the sight of him. Suddenly, she was at his side and rubbing his back in a soothing gesture. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit." She knelt down before him and gave him a sympathetic look. "How are you feeling?"

Adrien blinked at her, a bit taken aback. His relationship with Amelie was just as complicated as his relationship with his father. The only difference was that Amelie tended to be more straightforward with her disdain for Adrien. He never understood why she was like this, but it resulted in Felix treating him poorly as well. Once his mother alluded to something about the Emerald superstition being an issue between her and her sister, but either way, he knew to tread lightly around his aunt.

So her showing up and seemingly… caring about him? That was unexpected. Maybe her sister's death had an impact on her and now she wanted to make amends?

"I'm… nervous," Adrien admitted, feeling sheepish.

"Oh, that's normal." Amelie smiled softly. "I remember your mother was a nervous wreck before her coronation. If she could do it, then you'll be just fine." She took Adrien's hand and gave it a small squeeze. "Now, I have a question for you." Amelie waved for the maid to step forward, and the woman held up a thin black cloth.

Adrien eyed the garment curiously. "What's that?"

"It's a veil," Amelie said. "I'm wondering if you'd like to start a new tradition with me. One important thing about the coronations is that we're welcoming a new monarch, but we're also saying farewell to the one we lost. I think if you wear a black veil during your coronation, it can be your way of honoring your mother."

Adrien considered this. "So… I'll wear this for the whole ceremony?"

"That's the idea. What do you think?"

Adrien wasn't sure what to think. He wasn't opposed to the idea, but it did seem random to him. "Sure. I'll wear it."

Amelie nodded her head at the maid, who bowed deeply before saying. "I'll let the others know." With that, she excused herself.

"Now Adrien, there's something I'd like to show you. Can you come with me?"

Adrien wanted to say no. He preferred to spend some more time alone before the ceremony, but the people-pleasing part of him led him to follow her out of the room.

Amelie made small talk as they walked, and walked, and walked. She led him to a section of the castle that had always been off limits due to construction, and as she pulled out a large keyring to unlock a pair of double doors, he felt unease creep up. Adrien glanced around. There wasn't another person in sight. "Where are we going?"

The lock clicked and the doors popped open. Amelie pushed through them and motioned for him to follow. "We're going to a library. There are a few royal documents you need to review before you can take the throne."

Adrien furrowed his eyebrows. This was the first he was hearing of this. Hesitantly, he followed her down the cavernous hallway. Bricks and stone slabs littered the floors, and there were large holes in the walls that opened into what looked to be offices and bedrooms. Small rays of sunlight dimly lit the hall, clouded by the dust floating in the air. Amelie walked swiftly while Adrien struggled not to trip over the stones.

At the end of the hallway was a single metal door, and again, Amelie pulled out the keyring. As she sorted through the many keys, Adrien asked, "Why are the documents kept all the way back here?"

Amelie selected the right key and inserted it into the lock. "To keep them from prying eyes. It's best if no one knows they're here." The door creaked open, and Amelie motioned for Adrien to enter.

Something felt wrong, but Adrien couldn't identify what it was. A knot was forming in his stomach, and suddenly he wanted to leave. Now. He glanced up at Amelie, who gave him the same soft smile his mother always did. "Can we bring them back to my room? I don't like it here."

Amelie considered this for a moment. "Sure, let's go in and find them, and then we'll head back." She nodded her head towards the library, and reluctantly, Adrien stepped inside.

The room was massive, yet it was still smaller than the library he had grown up using. Before him were a dozen wooden tables; some rectangular, circular, and square, but all of the furniture was covered by white, dusty sheets. Behind them was a maze of bookshelves stretching high to the steepled ceiling. Most notable were the windows stretching from floor to ceiling on the far side of the room, but they were all boarded up, save for a small section at the very top letting minimal light into the room.

The door creaked behind him, and Adrien turned around just in time to see the door slam shut. He was alone. "Aunt Amelie?" The unease shifted into a panic as he heard the lock click back into place, and he bolted to the door. "Aunt Amelie?!" He slammed his fist against the door, his other hand desperately trying to turn the door handle. It wouldn't budge.

What's happening?!

"Let me out!" Adrien could hear the muffled sound of Amelie's heels clicking on the stone floor, fading with each step. "Please!" He felt like he couldn't breathe. The air was thick with dust, and the panic was taking over his senses. He wanted out. Now.

Adrien slammed his fists against the door harder, yelling louder in the hopes that maybe she would hear, maybe she would turn around. That this was just some cruel joke that her and Felix thought up.

Adrien screamed until his voice was cracking, and once all of his energy was gone, he slid down to rest his back against the door. With every passing minute his anxiety grew, the need to leave this place taking control of his thoughts.

And then he remembered…

His coronation.

He was going to miss his coronation. No, Amelie wouldn't do that. If he turned up missing right before the ceremony, surely everyone would notice. The whole castle would be looking for him in no time. This has to be some plan of hers, perhaps to throw him off before the ceremony. Yeah, that's what it was. She'll come back soon, and if not, someone will find him.

Adrien brought his knees to his chest and hugged his legs tightly, breathing deeply and repeating the same mantra over and over again.

Someone will come for me.

Day 1

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien shifted in his sleep, burying his face deeper into the crook of his arm.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

His breath hitched in his throat, and he coughed. A cloud of dust filled his lungs and he shot upright, unable to stop the spasms shooting through him as he fought to breathe. He swiped a hand through the air, looking around blearily.

He was on the floor beside the door, a thin layer of dust surrounding him and coating the side of his clothes where he had been lying down.

How long had he been here? The light from the top of the windows was dim now, so surely it had been hours.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

What was that noise? Adrien glanced around until his eyes found a tall structure covered in a sheet. It was off to his right, pressed against the far wall. He stood up, careful not to kick up another cloud, and approached it.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

He pulled away the sheet and covered his face with his arm as dust surrounded him. Before him was an ornate grandfather clock, its pendulum swinging back and forth in a hypnotizing manner. Adrien watched it go, and a feeling of dread crept through him. He scanned the darkening library, still as empty as it was when he first arrived.

No one came.

Or maybe they did, but he was asleep. Maybe the whole castle was on high alert as they searched for him. He needed to stay awake. He couldn't miss someone if they came looking.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien stared at the clock again, a small spark of hope gleaming inside of him. Surely someone would find him.

Tick. Tick. Click.

Adrien whipped around at the sound of the lock, and relief spread through him as the door creaked open. He surged forward. "I'm in here! Oh thank you I-"

The newcomer only opened the door a crack. They dropped a sack on the floor, and then the door slammed shut. Adrien stopped in his tracks at the sound of the lock clicking back into place. The relief morphed into panic as his eyes fell on the sack.

"No… No, come back!"

Just as before, no amount of screaming or slamming his fists into the door did him any good. After looking in the bag and finding portions of food and bottles of water inside, one thing became crystal clear to Adrien.

He wasn't just trapped in here.

He was being kept here.

Day 2

Dong. Dong. Dong.

It was noon now, and Adrien hardly slept the night before. How could he?

His thoughts were swirling, wondering why. Why would his aunt do something like this? Why was he being held captive? When would this end?

It must have something to do with his coronation. She must be trying to put it off for some reason, but for what? Everyone must know he's missing. There's no way the royal guard isn't tearing apart France in search of him; Ludovic would never let this slide, especially not after the loss of Emilie.

Whatever Amelie thought she was doing by locking him in here, it wouldn't last long. Someone had to catch on. Anyone.

For the time being, all Adrien could do was wait. He had explored the library in lieu of sleep last night, and he was disturbed to discover a bed and spare clothes in an old office off of the main room. His captivity was planned ahead of time. There was a small bathroom as well, along with random closets and other offices. Adrien had also removed all of the sheets from the furniture, and it had taken an hour for the dust to settle again.

Perhaps the only positive of being locked here was the grand piano at the center of the bookshelves. Adrien had been taking lessons for a couple years, and while he could carry a simple tune, he was by no means a professional. His piano tutor and his mother always told him he had a gift, but he never believed them. There was still so much he needed to work on, and now with all this time he had on his hands, that's what he did.

He found sheet music amongst the books, and while a few of the piano keys were out of tune, he made do with what he had. He played scale after scale and song after song until his hands cramped up, and unbeknownst to him, another sack was dropped while he was preoccupied.

Day 3

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien was feeling restless, so he took to cleaning. He found a broom in one of the closets and got to work sweeping up some of the dust. It was a taxing process as every swipe of the broom kicked up a cloud, and he had to take frequent breaks to go catch his breath while the dust settled. Occasionally, when the dust got so bad, he became angry. The need to get out of there grew with every passing hour, the frustration of being trapped was all-consuming, and he was overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness.

But just as quickly as these feelings arose, they died down as he reminded himself to be patient. Someone was coming for him.

Day 5

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien finally caught a glimpse of the mysterious figure dropping off his food and water. He just happened to be sitting at a nearby table, reading some Shakspearian novel that made no sense to him, when the lock clicked.

In a flash he bolted to the door, hoping that maybe he could slip out before the door closed. However, the figure was too fast. They dropped the sack, and just as Adrien reached the door, it slammed shut, but not before he caught sight of the man's face.

The same face of the soldier from that day. The man who tore him from his mother's body, who dragged him back to the horses and restrained him for the entire journey home. Adrien didn't know his name, but as he stood before the locked door, catching his breath, a realization washed over him.

How did the guards show up so quickly that day? After his mother's murder? An entire troop arrived…

No. Adrien quieted these thoughts. Someone must have alerted them. A bystander must have found them on a patrol or something. Yeah, that's it. By pure chance, they were already in the area.

But… the trailer they used to carry his mother's body…

Why was it with them already?

No. No, they must have borrowed it from someone…

Right?

Day 10

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien laid spread eagle on one of the tables, staring blankly up at the high ceilings. Dozens of paper airplanes and origami flowers littered the floor beneath him, but they could no longer hold his attention.

Adrien sighed heavily. He was so bored. Never in his life had he ever felt like this. Somehow he was restless but simultaneously fatigued, and neither the thought of getting up nor falling asleep interested him.

So, he started talking. Rather than keep every thought crammed in his head, he voiced it aloud. Who was he talking to? He didn't know. He didn't care. He had been alone for over a week now, and if he couldn't talk to an actual human being, then he'd simply pretend.

It felt nice to talk to the air. Adrien was always shy around people, so usually he filtered the words coming out of his mouth to the point where he sometimes said nothing at all. Here though, he was alone, and once he got comfortable with it, he couldn't shut up.

He entertained himself with his nonsensical chattering, going off on tangents and down rabbit holes and making stupid jokes that only he would find absolutely hysterical. He giggled to himself after making a particularly cheesy pun, and he could practically see Marinette rolling her eyes at him.

His smile dropped, and suddenly the room felt smaller, the air thicker.

Marinette…

His eyes found the minimal sunlight streaming in through the top of the windows. Was she in the orchard right now? He pictured her with her basket swinging by her side, her big blue eyes scanning the trees in search of a ripe bunch. Adrien closed his eyes, focusing on the image. He much preferred that over the view of the dusty ceiling.

Ten minutes later, Adrien was laying on his stomach, pencil in hand, as he delicately sketched his best friend. He hadn't drawn in ages, but by the time his first piece was complete, he already had ideas for another. Soon, he had accumulated a small stack of papers. Most of them featured Marinette, but others focused more on the orchard and the bakery.

Those places were his second home, and despite his whole world collapsing right outside on the street, he yearned to be there now. He yearned to see his Princess. By the time the sun had set outside the boarded up windows, Adrien had curled himself into a ball on the table, his face buried into the crook of his arm.

He drifted off as he imagined being there again. The smell of bread filling his nostrils, Tom's humming drifting in from the kitchen, and Sabine watching with a smile as he and Marinette stocked the shelves. Adrien clung to the peace and contentment her memory brought him, and when a nightmare eventually woke him up in a cold sweat, he was comforted by the sketched image of their apple tree.

Day 15

Tick. Tick. CRASH.

Glass shards scattered across the floor, yet the clock continued its pace.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Adrien was losing his mind. The isolation, the dust, the incessant ticking. Everything was sending him over the edge. He yelled in rage as he swung the broom handle against the clock yet again. And again. And again.

Tick. THUMP. Tick. CRACK. Tick.

Adrien channeled all of his pent up anger and grief and frustration into every swing. A loud pop sounded as the pendulum broke free and clanged against the floor. The clock finally ceased its movements, and only in the following silence did he realize he was crying. Still, he swung over and over until a stray shard of glass grazed the skin of his cheek.

He dropped the broom and stumbled back until he hit a table. Flashes of his mother's death entered his mind. The blood coating her abdomen, the stillness of her body, the chaos of the royal guard, the fear on Marinette's face, his father's rage upon their return.

The innocent man standing at the sentencing, Gabriel shouting at Adrien that he was to blame, the sound of Amelie's footsteps leaving him in this makeshift prison…

Adrien wove his hands in his hair as he shrunk in on himself. His breaths came in short gasps, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get enough air. He felt like he was suffocating, and the images bore down on him and drove him further and further into a deep, dark hole.

Day 22

Click.

Adrien didn't move from his seat on the piano bench. He knew that even if he ran, he wouldn't get to the door in time. His thumb idly pressed Middle C. The key had a tendency to get stuck, and while it didn't bother him at first, even the little things would set him off now. His emotions were an ever turning tide, and while he felt okay now, in an hour he could be breaking something again.

"You've made quite a mess."

Adrien's heart jumped to his throat, and he whipped his head towards the voice. It was the soldier who dropped the bag every day. He stood in the open doorway, and Adrien's eyes immediately sought the hallway beyond, already planning his escape.

"Don't even think about it," the man said firmly. "I'm here to make a deal with you, and if you try anything, it's off the table." He pushed the door shut behind him and stalked forward, his eyes scanning over the upturned chairs and books scattering the floor before landing on the mangled clock. Adrien had cleaned up the glass, but he left behind a pile of bolts and screws and the severed pendulum.

The man sighed. Then, he motioned for Adrien to join him at a table. Adrien didn't budge, he simply watched apprehensively as the man settled down in a chair.

"Really?" The man leaned forward on his elbows. "I'll leave right now, and you'll never see me or another person ever again."

Fear gripped at Adrien's heart, and finally, he stood.

"Smart boy." The man waited until Adrien was seated in the chair across from him to speak again. "How has your stay been?"

Adrien clenched his jaw, feeling the rage stir up once again. "Why are you keeping me here?" he grit out.

The soldier tapped his fingers on the table mindlessly. "You didn't answer my question. You see, I'm here to," he waved a hand through the air, "negotiate with you. Make your stay a bit more… humane. You're just a kid after all."

Adrien was staring daggers across the table. "How about you let me out?"

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

Adrien slammed his fists on the table. "Why the hell not?!"

The man didn't even flinch. "That's not any way for a boy your age to talk."

"I don't give a damn! I want out of here! Now!" Adrien was starting to see red. The days and days of isolation had been gnawing away at his psyche, and the only solution was to escape this hell.

In a quick movement, the man pulled out a knife and stuck it in the table between them. Adrien jerked back. He eyed the knife warily as the man stared at him with a hardness in his eyes. "I don't think you understand, boy, so let me spell it out for you." He swiftly pulled out the knife and pointed it forward, and Adrien shrunk back in fear of the blade now inches from him. "Killing you was the plan, okay? But not everyone could agree, so instead you're here. Consider yourself lucky. Now, I'm here to offer you something out of the goodness of my heart, so if you're going to sit there and be ungrateful," he prodded the knife closer to Adrien, who leaned further back with wide eyes, "then I'm going to walk away and let you starve. Sound good?"

Adrien's hand's shook on the table, and he swallowed the lump in his throat. He was petrified, and deep in his mind he called out for Ludovic to find him. He couldn't do this on his own. He needed help.

And more than ever, he wanted his mother.

"I said, sound good?"

Adrien quickly nodded. Any thoughts of escaping were now gone. If Adrien even moved a muscle, he was sure he'd be killed in an instant.

The man retracted the knife and tucked it away. "Now, onto my proposal. I'm aware it can get lonely in here, so I'd like to offer you visitation rights."

Adrien still felt paralyzed, but he managed to speak in a small voice. "What?"

"If you behave yourself, meaning, if you don't try to attack me or escape, then I'll let you have a visitor."

A visitor… If there was one thing Adrien had longed for over the past three weeks, it was to talk to someone. Anyone. He had started talking to the walls out of sheer boredom, and even though he couldn't be more terrified of the man before him, this meeting reminded him of how deprived he was of human interaction. "Do I get to choose who it is?"

"No, but I think you'll be happy with my choice. He was once your bodyguard."

Adrien's eyes lit up ever so slightly. "The Gorilla?" The man nodded, and Adrien felt a deep longing to see his bodyguard again. Just like Ludovic, The Gorilla had practically raised Adrien from the day he was born. He was there for every birthday and every milestone of his life. The Gorilla was mute, but he had his own form of sign language that he used to communicate simple phrases. Otherwise, he always had a notepad with him. Adrien used to spend hours coming up with different hand signals to expand The Gorilla's vocabulary, and in a way, the two of them had their own language.

Maybe… Adrien could work with him to find a way out. For now, he'd agree to these terms, but somewhere down the line he would come up with a plan. There had to be a way.

"Do we have a deal?" The man asked, his eyes trained on Adrien's face.

As much as it pained him to surrender to captivity again, it was his only option right now. "Deal."

"Good." The man stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll bring him tomorrow."

Adrien watched as he pulled open the door and resisted the urge to make a run for it. Before the man could leave, Adrien stopped him. "Wait! What about Ludovic?"

The man turned in the doorway. "He's in a situation similar to yours. Trust me, you won't be seeing him anytime soon." He made a move to leave again, but then he stopped himself. "And before I forget, don't get any ideas here. The Gorilla agreed to the same terms I presented you, but he has a lot more at stake. If you two try to plot anything, we'll execute him and his family."

The last glimmer of hope in Adrien died. Was there truly no way out of here? He clenched his fists on the table. "Who are you?"

The man thought for a moment before saying, "I'm your Warden." With that, the door slammed shut, and all Adrien could do was sit and listen to the muffled sound of The Warden's retreating footsteps.

The next chapter is called "The Prisoner"