Adrian opens his eyes only to be greeted by his bedroom walls. Since he was a kid his room had a massive upgrade from before. Instead of a light blue, his walls were painted just the normal white. The toy that once took up copious amounts of space was thrown away in place for new interests like video games and computers. Gosh what in the heck happened? He thought as he began to shift his body slightly before being met with his arm wrapped in bandages. Then the memory of last night's ball came running back to him. The talk with his dad, the awkward dancing, to eventually the girl ripping off his flesh.
"It knew dancing with that rat would end badly." He winced at how tightly it was wrapped, but knew it was necessary as well. "It's not like she was pretty enough to even be my wife in the first place." Adrian continued to shame the girl as he tried to find some energy to move. Although he could say what he wanted. He would never admit the truth. That girl really scared him. No, not scared, petrified him. Did the people down there really act like that? Were they really that uncivilized? Of course he could get not wanting to leave your family, but hurting someone? That was just way too far beyond him.
"Hey Ady" The rattled bit looked over to the door to see where the sound arose from. He didn't see anyone, but he knew who the voice belonged to. Before speaking again he sighed due to the fact he knew what was next.
"Come in Vi" He averted gaze to the window, but could tell the girl had made her entrance. It was silent at first, but eventually one of them couldn't handle the idea behind peace and quiet.
"Your arm okay?" Adrian sensed the concern in her voice, but still couldn't look at her.
"What do you want, Viola?" Adrian could read right through her. Her being concerned wasn't unusual, just coming into his room was. Most times, she asks him to meet her in her room, or maybe sometimes she talks at the door, but never this.
"Well you know ho-"
"Just spit it out!" Adrian's face was not getting just as red as his blood. He suspected her to have a hidden agenda, but for her to actually have a different reason besides checking up on her brother was disheartening. I mean, he was her brother for God's sake. What would be more important than making sure he was alive and well.
"I want to marry Anry!" The girl's words were probably loud enough for the people down in the mines to hear. Marry? We're still on that? Adrian's mind began to race with a myriad of terrible thoughts. I got hurt and all you can think about is me marrying some low-life. His teeth gritted just as thought of Vi's selfishness.
"So that's what it's about, huh!" He was then the one yelling now. "I get hurt and the only thing you care about is me marrying your wretched friend." His sister opened her mouth for an excuse, but quickly came to none.
"I just think y-"
"For the love of everything that walks. Don't tell me what you think!" He threw his hands in the air almost as if he had given up. "Maybe I just don't want to hear it. You barter for these… hooligans everyday, but you have nothing to show for it!" His words seemed to strike a nerve with the other as she began to speak without cutting any corners.
"No, you listen. Because of my age I'm going to be a princess all my life. If someone is gonna rule over me, it better be someone I like." Her words left silence in the air as they stared at each other. Suddenly feeling tired. He sighed at the soon-to-be woman advances.
"What you don't understand." He spoke calmly now. For once she was starting to make sense. Since he was older, him becoming king was inevitable, but Vi… didn't have a better title. Whoever he married would be destined to have a title over her for all of eternity. No, it wasn't fair, but it was their duty. It was their life they were assigned no matter what. No matter how sick or hurt he got. He was always destined to do a king's duty. No matter what. "I'm putting my life on the railway, not you." He then stepped closer so he could be straightforward and honest with her. "If I were to marry her, would you give me your life?"
"What does that mean?"
"It means…" He sat back down. Eager to leave anticipation in the room. "It means that if I ask you to do anything, even die… you'll do it." Adrian almost got shocked with joy seeing his sister turn pale. But eventually she came to her senses.
"Yeah, if you marry her, I'll do ONE important thing for you. Nothing more. Adrian nodded and held out his hand to shake on it. He could tell she was hesitant to shake back, but did so anyway to further seal the deal. Just then the sound of rushing footsteps brought their conversation to a halt.
"Viola! Adrian! I heard screaming! Are you guys," When they looked into the hall they saw their father drenched in sweat. As he spoke, there was always a huff coming right after. "Oh, you guys are okay."
"Yeah, actually." Adrian looks at his sister only to receive a nod of agreement. "We were just talking about who I decided to marry." While he spoke clear as day, his father still wore confusion. Then he sighed.
"Please don't tell me it's the child who bit you. C'mon I expect better than th-"
"No no no!" Adrian waved in hand to dismiss the thought. Marrying her is like throwing yourself to a wild pack of zombies. She'll just eat you in the end.
"I want to marry Anry Heins."