Adrian looked outside his carriage window as it passed by the normal townsfolk. In front of him was an elderly old lady bargaining what could be assumed as fish, so she could feed her kids. All the while her kids silently slip pieces of fruit into their pocket. The buildings that stationed themselves in this neighborhood were shammy. The roofs that were supposed to be covering each and every room, instead were spotted full of contradictions. Water ran off the tiles into the separate rooms.
"Gosh, it's horrible here." He whispered as he and his father rode their white and gold transport. Their presence was impossible to be ignored as people of the town. Beggars and shop keepers alike, looked at the shining epitome of luxury. Adrian could swear he heard one of the children telling their parents about the sweet ride that appeared in front of him.
"Despite it being horrible," King Veyron looked outside to see exactly what his son looked at. "It's still home. A place I used to call home." Adrian watched as his father's eyes softened at the other people. He scoffed. Why was this place worth keeping? It's not like they'd miss a place like this. Adrian once remembered what they were here again. Apparently it was his job to 'tell' Anry that she won and whisk her away into some fairy tale land. That is at least how Vi put it. But overall, he hated it. His shoes were once again hiding blisters. His hair was uncomfortably slicked back and worse of all. The bandages that caused him so much pain, now had an extra layer of clothing over it.
"Did we even have to come?" He sighed as he slumped himself off the satin chairs. We could've just sent people out to fetch her." His father squinted his eyes at his son's words and behavior.
"Firstly, get your feet off MY seats. Secondly, you don't fetch people. You invite them." Even though Adrian didn't care about his banter, he put his feet down anyway. "You need to look nice, you're going on a date, Adrian." His words only received a sigh.
"Yeah, a date. Right before marriage."
"Oh relax." He swept his hand to dismiss Adrian's words. "You got a whole year till then." Just then the carriage door swiftly opens to reveal the top of their dear conversation. In front of him was Anry Heins. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. On her body she wore an Eggnog colored dress. She had jewelry, but Adrian could tell she didn't bother to try to match it. It looked as if she and her family just decided to grab anything out of the box.
"Hello everyone, sorry I'm late." She spoke more softly than she does with her friends. Adrian would always scowl at the sound of her voice in the back of the room.
"Yeah, you are." Adrian didn't want to make any of his feelings unknown. He hated her and everything she stood for, but he needed this favor. One that would make Viola regret ever begging him to marry her. His attitude did receive a nudge from his father, but he didn't care. "Next time don't be." With those words, silence throughout the ride was destined to happen, with the exception of the King coughing, everything was relatively dead.
"So," Anry looks around the room, striking for something to conversate about. "How's your arm been?" Although her words sounded nice, Adrian couldn't help but wince at her concern. In his mind, she's just like Vi. only checking in when it benefits her. She wouldn't have cared if he hadn't chosen her.
"It hurts." He leaves the conversation there before having his door opened by one of his bellboys. "Hopefully this all just blows over." He knew his father would scold him for his behavior, but he didn't care. The only reason he wants to marry her is for his and Vi's agreement. As he walked in the different halls, he could hear different voices, each talking about the same thing.
"He didn't even open the door for her."
"Gosh, I feel so bad for her."
"Him married, I'd never seen the day." Many different arrangements of words kept flying by Adrian's ears as he marched towards his room.
"Why don't they ever question her, huh? Why do they feel bad for her? She's the one that's taking money from ME!" The anger that rushed through his mind caused him to ram his fist into his mirror. "It's all HIS fault. HE forced me to do this." He covered his hand over his now bloody fist. His mind raced with what ideas he could do. Then it hit him. He quickly ran to the room beside him to talk to his sister.
Bang
Bang
"Adrian what they heck! Wait, are you bleeding?" Although she spoke urgently, Adrian immediately pushed her right back into the room.
"You want to pay back that loan?" He could see the fear, yet confusion in her eyes. For a second he thought he saw anticipation.
"Yeah, what is it?" Her question brought a wave of dryness to his mouth. Could he say it? Would he? Is there anyone listening? Could he even pull it off? "Hello! What is it?"
"If I tell you, you must keep your mouth shut." He lowered his voice in case anyone like Jaya decided to venture where they weren't supposed to. This had to be kept. For if he was caught for it, everything, everything would be at stake.
"Just tell me!"
"No!" He pulled back as Viola tried to comfort him, "you must promise to keep your mouth shut." He looked around the room to see if there was anything recording. No, that's stupid? He thought. Nobody would think I would do this, right?
"Fine, I promise." She held out her pinkie so Adrian could seal the deal between the two.
"Good," he pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear. "Because we're killing dad."