Chapter Text
The Great Duke of House Agreste threw a crumpling letter away from his study. His son looked at it in wonder and read its contents:
“You are invited to the great Ball in celebration of the coronation of our new Empress, Ondine Saerith, and her union with Sabrina Raincomprix in matrimony.”
Adrien didn’t understand why his father was mad at the news. The House’s Counselor of House Agreste took him to a separate room and explained why the man was bitter.
“Until the day of her kidnaping, Ondine was the one you were arranged to be wed to. With her committing with the sheriff’s daughter, it means that we have to find a new princess for you to be their consort.”
“What about Princess Chloé?” He asked the Councilor. “She seemed nice when she was around the house.
“SHE ISN’T WORTHY FOR US!” The Grand Duke’s voice echoed through the hallways scared Adrien to his core; he never felt his father so enraged before. Counselor Sancoeur patted Adrien’s head to comfort him.
“Being nice does not mean that they are good.” Adrien didn’t understand the Councilor’s wisdom. “And you are too good for her; always remember that.”
Just because the Great Duke wasn’t happy that the deal was denied, it didn’t mean that they were rude to ignore the invitation. The Councilor of House Agreste suggested that the Great Duke and his son to go to the ball; citizens from around the world from different kingdoms and empires would go to not only celebrate the coronation and the wedding. Surely he and his Counselor would find maidens similar to the newlyweds to arrange a marriage.
“Why even bother the effort? Every year you arrange a wedding for me with a maiden who would leave the house the day before. Why is it important now?” Adrien’s question lead to deaf ears, as the Great Duke was looking at the guest list to see maidens that are worthy of his son. Counselor Sancoeur had to explain it for him.
“We are doing our best to fulfill your mother’s dying wish: for you to find a maiden that you will love and will love you back.”
“Then, shouldn’t I try to find a maiden on my own?” Adrien’s question got him a cold stare by his father, letting his silence be the answer he needed. “Right… sorry for doubting your choices, father…”
“We have two weeks to prepare yourself and to go for the ball. You have to look and behave your best to impress the kings and emperors there.” Gabriel said without looking at his son.
“Yes Father.”
Two weeks have passed, and House Agreste were preparing to leave for the wedding, as well as some of the citizens of the Bourgeois kingdom. In the other side of the kingdom, a mother and father were watching their daughters testing their luck to see who would go to the Saerith Ball. The luck shined at the youngest child, leaving the elder one to take care of the seamstress shop while the rest of her family goes to the wedding. The oldest daughter looked in melancholy as her younger sister was living the life she used to dream.
A gust of wind shut the shop entrance shut and candles lighting the room were snuffed out by the wind. An uninvited guest was at the store, but Socqueline Dupain-Cheng didn’t know who.