To My Dearly Detested | ✎

10 | heart gone rogue

After the audience with his father, Adrien had to take a moment for himself. Even Kagami who had accompanied him to the throne room that morning and trailed behind him insistently was dismissed because he had no desire to have her see him in such a state. He could find Marinette, who he knew would comfort him instantly, but a part of him didn't want to worry her. Despite her good intentions, he also didn't want to be questioned as to why his eyes were so red.

So, he returned to his chambers, where he knew he could indeed be alone. Nino was waiting in front of the door when he arrived. Nino stepped aside as soon as he saw him, and although he noticed Adrien's swollen eyes and offered him a silent, concerned look, he didn't say a word.

Adrien offered him a wan smile before he opened the door and closed it behind him. Sighing, he leaned against the door and closed his eyes.

Adrien couldn't even remember the last time he and his father had had such a heartfelt conversation. He was even shocked that he had partially initiated it by asking his father such a personal question.

It was so... odd and not normal between them at all, and yet, his father had treated the whole ordeal as if it was normal.

Maybe it was his father's way of trying to make up for lost time... but still.

Adrien hadn't expected it and now he was trying to figure out how to process it all.

He allowed himself a moment to take a deep breath and prevent those tears already brimming on his lids from cascading down his cheeks. He moved towards his bed and fell back into it with a sigh, the comfort of his satin sheets already tempting him to succumb to sleep.

He rolled onto his side, his eyes fixating on one of the wardrobes in his room. He stared at it, his mind truly lost of any thoughts. His heart felt warm, yet confused. He wanted to be alone and yet at the same time he wanted someone's company.

No... not just someone's company. He wanted Marinette's.

With a conflicted groan, Adrien closed his eyes as his brows furrowed in frustration. Burdening Marinette with something so minuscule would be pointless. He could process these thoughts on his own. He could sleep it off. He could sleep off everything he was feeling.

The wrinkles in his forehead slowly vanished as Adrien allowed himself to relax. In the back of his mind, he knew that he would have to see Marinette eventually, and he still planned to dine with her that evening (because he surely wouldn't let her eat alone), but perhaps she wouldn't mind if he took the day for himself just this once.

After all, if Marinette was anything, she was understanding.

With that thought in mind, Adrien found himself relaxed enough to fall asleep.

When he woke, he was sweating profusely to the point where the collar of his shirt was drenched. He sat up in alarm and practically peeled it off his skin, grimacing when he realized just how icky he felt.

A knock sounded on his door a moment later as if right on cue. Nino's voice sounded on the other end. "It is already passed seven, Your Highness. You are late for dinner."

Adrien's eyes widened in absolute horror. He had slept all day?!

He swung the door open so forcefully it had Nino jumping back in fright.

"Why did you not wake me?!" Adrien demanded as he stormed back into his room to collect a fresh pair of clothes. Considering the open door as an invitation, Nino hesitantly stepped inside the room.

"I tried waking you..." Nino said with a hesitant shrug of his shoulders. "But you must have been out cold because I never heard a response."

Adrien whirled around to face him, frantic to make it down to the dining room as quickly as possible. But in doing so, he fully revealed just how drenched his shirt was, leaving Nino to gawk at it in confusion.