Harbored

Cautious

Everywhere he looked there sat a coating of dust bunnies. Old cobwebs encrusted the bindings of antiquated, leather encased books that sat frivolously in the abandoned section of the family owned library. Scooting the rather squeaky cart of various cleaning supplies around, Adrien realized just how much work he had cut out for him. He mentally applauded Father for finding yet another distracting job that had nothing to do with their legal contractual agreement.

Sighing deeply, he deemed the piles upon piles of work as productive, but damn, how did the crevices of the library get so appalling?

In complete disclosure, he really was considered fortunate, as his apprenticeship did not honestly require much vigorous activity. Just merely the remembrance of the alphabetically categorized books. It earnestly was not difficult to work in Father's library at all, it was only emotionally draining. With false bravados of a positive mind and gleeful attitude, Adrien swiped at the sooty bookshelf while singing along to his favorite melodic tune, in feeble attempt to keep somewhat happy. 

His knees were starting to hum in disagreement, fighting for a chance of relaxation. Maybe he should have been concerned with dirtying his last pair of clean pants, but his mind was elsewhere.

Surely, it would only be a matter of time before he could save enough money and open his very own used bookstore. Adrien longed to group each book based off feeling rather than title. When he wanted, he needed fulfilling. Hunting down books by the author was never going to satisfy his desires. 

He could picture a quaint building with colorful signage that would house an entire Mecca of hardback books, as paperback ones were too flimsy and not durable. One might find it saddening to have a goal so minuscule, but it was all Adrien ever wanted. That, and a mountainous pile of spaghetti, as it was nearing his lunchtime. His stomach screeched in protest as he continued to trudge along.

"Psst! Adrien," he heard the familiar voice of his best, and only, pal, Nino, whisper. Gingerly gliding across the abandoned room, Adrien swiftly opened up the massive gold plated air vent, just a few inches away from the floorboards. A scowl coated his face. He usually had a sunnier disposition, so the odd expression threw Nino for a miniature loop. 

"Nino do you recall how to be stealthy in the instance that, oh I do not know, Father dislikes your very existence?" Adrien questioned with scolding, agitated eyebrows. "Uh, why do you think I quietly commando crawled through the air vents? Bud, it was not for my health, trust that," he retorted. Adrien's only response was that of a hardened glare. Forever cursed were those who came across the trademarked Agreste "angry face".

"Okay, getting to the point. In my hand I happen to have two invitations to the long lost princess' annual birthday dinner, which is just so happens to be tonight," Nino finished with ridiculous jazz hands that only added unwanted dramatic flare. "I am assuming you have talked with Father, assuring that he is not going to be extending my working hours this evening? And however did you claim rightful possession of such invitations?" Adrien asked.

With an impressive roll of his eyes, Nino said, "Okay so I forgot a minor detail, but no fretting my friend. My persuading skills are top notch. As for these bad boys, I happen to know the all the right people in all the right places," he finishes with a hearty wink. Appearing heavily unamused, Adrien merely rolled his eyes.

Across the dingy room, clear footsteps could be heard. Adrien snapped his head in the direction of the precise steps. Quickly, he snatched one envelope from Nino and hushedly swung the vent closed, gesturing for Nino to skedaddle without trace. Returning to the first bookshelf, Adrien amply pawed at the dust, appearing busy.

"That is quite enough for today Adrien. I do however expect for you to take care of our last customer at the front desk. I shall see you at home later tonight," Gabriel reported. Along with Father's previous statement, Adrien assumed his work was completed for the day. 

With a swift nod, Adrien sped walked to the front room, haphazardly tucking the dirty rag into the lip of his pants. At this juncture, his only worth thrived off completing simple tasks for Father.

***

"So say I could sneak out to this dinner, what would I even have to wear?" Adrien pondered aloud. "Not to worry, Bud. Working as the apprentice to a tailor has its definite perks." Nino replied as he flopped down on Adrien's lumpy mattress after adding another log to the fireplace, enduring the continuation of such warmth.

Anxiously pacing the ground, creating a new pattern in the well worn rug, Adrien carefully contemplated every conceivable outcome that the night could bring with it. "For once in your life could you let loose and lighten up? I'm starting to get depressed watching you overthink yourself into oblivion again," said Nino. 

Halting his movements, Adrien squinted his eyes at Nino in a poisoning manner. "Surely you are not suggesting that I am a goody two shoes and am incapable of having any fun," he replied.

Nino merely put both of his hands up in the air, suggesting his surrender. "Look Bud, I don't wanna start a fight but I'm just pointing out facts here," Nino said.

"You know what Nino, you are absolutely right. Let's do it. You find me suitable attire while I fake sickness to Father. Then we shall meet up at the entrance to the palace," suggested Adrien. With no hesitation in sight, Nino agreed and expertly climbed out Adrien's window.

Taking extra caution, he applied scalding water to his forehead as to falsify a fever, messed up his otherwise flawless hair and slipped into wrinkly and slightly smelly pajamas. Due to snapping up more hours at the library, chores like laundry were thrown to the backburner. Next, he played the waiting game, as Father makes a habit to check in on him hourly. The following twenty minutes were the slowest Adrien had yet to experience. 

One can only stare at their bare bedroom wall for so long.

Upon hearing a sturdy hand rap against the door, his heartbeat hastened. Fingers and toes crossed, solely for good measure and fortune, Father walked through the threshold.

Never had Adrien been able to lie so promptly. Smooth untruths rolled off the tip of this tongue and protruded out into the air. Amazingly, it took a rather short amount of time to convince Father, as he did not wish to spread sickness among his narrow cabin of a home. With the promise of silent privacy to nurse his body back to health, Father left a rather stunned Adrien.

He did not waste another minute, escaping as he hopped out the paint chipped window, plunging his lank body into the sorrow night's frosted chill.