Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 3

POV : Adrian

Adrian awoke to a feeling of excitement. Clarice would be starting today. He knew Mel would be avoiding her, so he had to come up with a plan to get Clarice to the library. Maybe a tour. He knew guests would be mainly focused on the party in the main hall and ballroom, but maybe he could get her to do the whole castle! It would cost a bit more, but he assumed money, hopefully, wouldn't be an issue. He wanted to impress a possible bride-to-be. That is, if he found anyone at the party. His thoughts flew to the apothecarian. He knew it was impossible and he would never get to be with him. Saints, he didn't even know his name! He sighed in resignation. He wished he could tell his father he only had interest in men, but for a prince to be gay! That was unthinkable. Princes were expected to find a pretty noblewoman, marry her, and have heirs. At that thought he swore that if and when he had children he would accept them no matter what gender they preferred. He smiled at the thought and got out of the bed. 
"Ah, young master, you are awake. I thought so but didn't want to wake you if you weren't." Hendrick said, kindly. He smiled and got up. "What would you like to wear today? I, also, have your bath going already." Adrian smiled at his servants tenderheartedness. 
"Something light I can move around in. I am showing the new florist the castle today." Hendrick's ears perked up at that. 
"New florist? As in you found someone?" Adrian nodded and Hendrick smiled. "Well, that's good." Adrian went to the bathroom and hoped into his morning bath. 

After going through his morning routine, he went down to meet Clarice. When he bounded around the corner, he saw her handing her cloak to Hudson, one of the butlers. 
"Ah, Miss Terren. I see you found the place alright." He joked. She had her baby in her arms again. 
"Do you have a place I can put her. I apologize, your highness, but my parents won't watch her, and my friend is busy today-" He put up a hand to stop her further. This is perfect!, he thought. 
"No need. I have someone who can watch her! Follow me!" He gestured for her to follow. She did, if not cautiously. He led her all the way to the library. He watched as Clarice took in the huge, imposing double doors that took up most of the wall. He pushed them open. He looked around for a minute before finding who he was looking for. 
"Mel!" She turned. Quite startled to be seeing The Prince. She took one look at who was with him before scurrying off. "Really, Mel?" She stopped in her tracks. Her face was redder than the book she was holding when she finally turned back to face him. Her expression was stone. 
"What do you need, Prince?" She said the last word with a mouthful of spite. He shrugged it off and walked up to her, wrapping an arm around her. 
"Could you watch my friend, Miss Terren's baby?" 
"No. I'm busy." He caught her before she turned. They both saw as Clarice's shoulders sagged. Adrian saw the war inside Mel even though she didn't show it. She sighed.
"Do you have a sling or something for the thing?" Clarice brightened instantly. 
"I do!" She pulled a scarf out of the folds of her skirt and wrapped the baby up in it. "I'll be back soon, Tamara." She kissed the baby's forehead before handing her to Mel to hold. "What may I call you?" She asked. Mel froze at the sound of her voice. 
"Ahh--, Mel is fine. Thank you." She got out, barely. Clarice smiled and Adrian barely held in a snicker.
"You can call me Clara." She held out her hand and Mel shook it. Clarice's genuine smile had Mel flushing bright red. Redder than before. 
"Well, Miss Clara, we must be on our way." Adrian said, laughter in his voice. Mel shot him a glare and he smirked, sticking his tongue out. He grabbed Clara's wrist and pulled her out, swiftly and almost running. She laughed, a soft, sweet noise. Once out the door, he let her go and hopped down the stairs. 
"Alright, the main hall is down here, but the ballroom isn't far from the library. Remember this is a winter ball. Well, close to one. If it were up to me, it would be closer to Christmas." 
"Isn't it your party?" Clara asked. He sighed. 
"On paper, yes. But in all actuality, it is more of my father's. He is the one setting it up. I'm supposed to find a bride this season. He says if I don't pick one out myself, he will. I don't want to be chained to some snotty princess for the rest of my life. Saints, if it were up to me, I wouldn't marry a woman at all..." He trailed off, realizing what he said. He blushed. "You won't tell anyone, right?" She shook her head. "Sorry, you are just really easy to talk to." She smiled. 
"I know what you mean. I am good at listening. People aren't like that anymore. You know, I have a friend who has a crush on you. I mean almost everyone in the country, probably, has a crush on you." She blushed at how she rambled. He looked shocked. "Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble."
"No, no, no ,no. You are fine. I guess I didn't realize how popular I am. I mean I realize I am good looking but, saints. I wish everyone was this honest. I have no idea how people perceive me. I mean, other than the occasional ride through town. People usually say what I want to hear." He sighed and looked up, finally remembering what he was supposed to be doing. "Ah, yes, here we are. The main hall. What are you thinking we should do?" She looked around for a moment before wandering. Inspecting a wall sconce, a large vase, a table cloth, anything that could possibly be of any interest. 
"Are these the final decorations for the party?" He shook his head. 
"The staff were hoping to go off of the flowers you picked." She blew out a breath before turning in a circle. 
"What would be ideal for you? It is closer to Thanksgiving than to Christmas. Does that influence how you want the flowers. The only problem would be getting winter plants. Like holly and mistletoe and poinsettias." He nodded. 
"We have foreign contacts we can get those from. But I think my father was going with more Christmas-y. He even got fake snow if it doesn't by my party!" She chuckled. 
"Well I'll get you a list for your contacts. She looked around once more. "Can I see the ballroom." He led her up and into the vast ballroom. She spun around for a moment taking everything in. "Yeah, I'll get back to you." She smiled and he nodded. He took her back to retrieve her baby from Mel. After another awkward encounter with his favorite person on staff, he led her to the door and on her way to get ready for the ball that will make or break his life.

Thank you for reading this chapter of Christmas Plans! I really hope you enjoyed! I will be posting more regularly now! Sorry for that long break! I will be posting a chapter every other day but not on weekends. Again thank you for reading and please continue!