"It's okay." Adrian steadied himself as he looked down the hallway that connected the east and west wing. "Everything's gonna be alright." Truth was, he dreaded this moment. From the ending of dinner all the way to this moment, he truly dreads the thought of going down the central east wing hall. What happened to his father? What couldn't he say at the dinner table? Just the thought of what could leave a dry bitter taste in his mouth. To be fair, I. Adrian thought to himself as he ventured his way down the hall. Maybe I was a little too… harsh. As he walked he tried to find any reason why his father held some animosity towards him. Was it because he was too wild? Too crazy? Too childish? But he wasn't anymore, he was growing up, seeing the world for what it truly is, why won't he listen? What would he have to do to get his attention? Why was he fond of Viola so much? He took another deep breath, for now he was in front of the door that he once saw his father in years ago. Still having a heavy heart, he swung open the door to see King Veyron.
"Oh hey! You're just the person I needed to see." He waved his arm to motion the boy to advance further into the room. "Come, sit." Adrian, still feeling suspicious, decided not to do so. Why was he here? Why was he the 'person he needed to see?' Instead of showing his concern he looked his father dead in the eye as he spoke.
"What is it you need?" But he didn't continue. The father's eyes kept moving back and forth between Adrian and the seat that sat ever so closely to him. After a few seconds Adrian sat into the chair feeling defeated. So much for that plan. He began to fidget with his collard sleeves to avoid eye contact.
"So," Veyron finally began to speak, instantly grabbing the attention of the 'act cool' son. "As we both know, you're turning seventeen next week." Adrian only nodded to not halt the conversation… but nothing came. Silence quickly scouted its way across the room as Adrian waited patiently for his next words.
"Are yo-
"You're going to be king one day, you know that right?" His eyes widened at the topic the conversation has switched to. Finally, the conversation he's been fiending for years. Ever since he was younger, he'd dream about the ways he would make this world more to his image. Make it a better place. Make it his place.
"Yes sir, I know."
"Good." As he spoke he stood up, his body towering over everything that littered this office. "As a King, you have a debt to pay."
"A debt!" Adrian couldn't believe his ear. Why would a king have debt? To whom? Didn't the king rule everything? "Who do I need to pay back?" His father smiled at the now frazzled boy. Adrian would have ran out of the room angry, if it wasn't for the fact that King Veyron, for the first time in years, wrapped his arms around his son.
"Firstly, you owe a debt to me." You could practically hear the way he tried to hold back an ocean of laughter. "Secondly, you owe it to the people."
"The people!" Adrian swatted his father away as he heard the dastardly news. "What do I owe them?" The king, still having a smile on his face, answered.
"They are the reason he has what we have son. Despite us having power. They decide how much we have. Remember that." His words cause anger to sear far deeper than ever.
"I not paying any debt to tho-"
"Furthermore." He raised his hands to dismiss any side conversation that may arise. "On your birthday, we'll be holding a ball to find your wife." When the king looked at his son, Adrian was flushed a bright red.
"A…wife." Adrian once again couldn't believe what was happening. A wife? Why in the hell would he want a woman to marry? "I'm sorry… a wife. His father nodded. As he spoke he had a hand covering his mouth to hold back a vicious laughter.
"How did you think I got into the family, son. Each time someone is about to turn eighteen. We hold a ball, a ball where all the Mutts (as you put it) have a chance to marry, well… you." What was he talking about? Dad used to be poor?
"How were YOU poor? You're king for crying out loud!" A hand was placed on Adrian's shoulder as he tried and contemplate this new information. For some reason, the thought never tickled his mind. His father had to come from somewhere to marry mom. He came from here. Being poor as ever. No wonder why he acted the way he did. He was just as greedy and self-righteous as the rest of them. He could feel the tear swelling up more and more as silence echoed through the corridors. "So I'll have to marry one of the poor people."
"Adrian," The boy looked up to meet his stern gaze. "From now on, I want you to stop using that word. They're people, just like you and me."
"No they're not! They're…" Adrian couldn't find the words. No, more like there weren't enough words. "They're rats, they're agitators. Always taking and never giving. They'r-"
"That's enough!" Adrian immediately shutted his mouth in response. "I tell my truth in private and you have the nerve to look down on me and my people." He began to back his son into a corner as he spoke. "I won't ever let anyone speak that way about any of my people." His reprimanding seemed to go on forever as he pointed out everything. From the hardships as king to the simple tradition of choosing a partner. The one sided conversation lasted so long Adrian could hear roosters already starting to make their presence known.
"Okay. Dad, I'm sorry." He lowered his shoulders as he spoke. He shouldn't have come is what he continued to repeat as the seconds passed on the clock. "I won't say anything like that anymore." While still feeling somewhat tense, he only received a nod in response.
"I know, you won't. Now, go get some sleep. You've been up for quite a while." With words of dismissal, Adrian hastily ran out of the office to the direction of the West wing.