Caught In A Storm

Chapter XXX

Everybody but Marinette had gone back to their homes once the King and the Prince had made their way inside the mayor's office. She was waiting for him next to the steps and Adrien practically ran to her and threw his arms around her. He took in her warmth and comfort, before leading her away, as they started heading towards the bakery.

Tom and Sabine stayed silent as they saw the young married couple arrive. Both had started to cook dinner, hoping that both of them would return soon without any hiccup. As it appeared, Adrien would be staying with them. They didn't dare to ask the young man, after Marinette just shook her head whereas Adrien directly headed upstairs.

Even though, he knew his father was a cold person, Adrien had wished that his father would be accepting Marinette and that everything would be fine in the end. But of course, Adrien had been dreaming and reality slapped him hard. He yearned for his father's approval, even if he brought up how much his father had loved his mother, he couldn't make his change his mind.

Soon after, Marinette got Adrien and beckoned him downstairs for dinner. They stayed silent, only the sounds of the ticking of the glasses and porcelain resonating in the room. Nobody wanted to talk about the big elephant that sat with them at the old wooden table. But Marinette's parents now were at least less worried that Marinette would get in trouble. The King would have already given orders if she was. But it seemed as something had broken between the King and his son, who had barely eaten anything.

Adrien made his way upstairs back to their bedroom, after Marinette had told him that he should rest. Having no power to protest, Adrien headed upstairs, while the Dupain-Chengs cleaned up the table and the kitchen.

Suddenly a loud knock resonated on the front door. Shooting a curious look outside, M. Dupain finally headed towards the shop in order to open the front door, we couldn't recognize the person from the window, now that is was dark outside. His heart nearly stopped beating as he saw the King himself waiting in front of the door.

"King Agreste !" M. Dupain exclaimed as he bowed down rapidly.

"M. Dupain I presume." The King said.

"Yes, Your Honor. Please come in, Your Highness, the weather is still fresh these nights." M. Dupain said as he slowly closed the door behind the King. Soon, Mme Cheng appeered an greeted the King politely as well, offering him refreshments and food. The King entered the living room and kitchen area only to be greeted by Marinette's stare as she stayed silent.

"You must be Mlle. Marinette." The King stated. Marinette simply nodded, as she kept staring at him. She appeared to be calm, but anger burned in her eyes.

"Mother, Father, could you leave us alone for a few moments." She asked her parents calmly.

After they had left, she gestured for the King to take a seat on one of their old, but comfortable cahirs.

"Adrien is an angel. He is looking for two things in his life. Your approval and being happy. But in order to be fully happy he wants your approval. You would think that making your son happy, would be a normality, but apparently it is too much asked these days. When he talks about you, he looks for every possible excuse for your behaviour and coldness. He keeps telling himself that it is his fault. The thing he doesn't see if that he isn't the problem: he is the perfect son, the perfect husband and mostly a perfect human being, who takes care of those he loves. Everybody can see it.

Everyone but you.

You wanted to force him into an unhappy life, even if you knew that it wasn't and still isn't what he is seeking. He seeks happiness and love. He wants a family that always will be there for him. He wants to be able to express himself without waiting for repercussions each time. He wants to be free. He made his decision and if you would act like a father, act like you should have been already for years, then you would let him be.