Miraculous Robin Hood

First Time for Everything

Adrien started the day with breakfast and his studies.  He wanted to forget last night.  But his mind didn't want him to forget.  The image of Marinette's crying face was burned into his mind.  He sighed.

He didn't mean to hurt her.  It's just...what she said, her idea was impossible.  But then again, she was right.  Adrien had to speak to his father.  He had to relay his feelings.

  "His protective nature towards you is because he loves you."  

But his father as never showed his love.   Ever since Adrien's mother died, his father's personality completely changed.

" I may not know your father, but I do know you're in his heart. As well as your mother."

Adrien lightly chuckled.  "Hear that mom, we're both in dad's heart.  But why doesn't he show it?"

Besides, his father was always busy and he would never break his busy schedule to speak with his son.  That's just not him.

  "Of course he will! You're his son, and he will put you first."  

Her words continued to echo in Adrien's mind.  Why?  It was like she saw right through him.  She understood him.  The prince sighed.  Guess there's a first time for everything.

Adrien stood from his desk and walked to the throne room.  He met Nino on the way and told him of his plan.  Immediately, Nino wanted his best friend to back down.  He'd never gone to his father like this before.  Would he be punished for it?

The prince assured his friend that he would be alright.  The young duke sighed and let his friend go, but not without accompanying him to the doors.

"You sure about this?" Nino asked as the two before the throne room doors.

Adrien took a deep breath.  "I'm sure."

The prince opened the doors and entered.  Nino waited outside, knowing this was a private conversation.   As Adrien entered, all eyes were on him.  Including his father's.

"Prince Adrien requests an audience with his father, King Gabriel," he spoke.

His father looked at him for a moment.  "Whatever it is, can it wait?  I'm very busy right now."

"No, it can't," Adrien said sternly.

The king looked at his son again and ordered everyone to leave the room.  One by one the people left, until only King Gabriel and his son, Prince Adrien, were left.

"Now, you better have a good reason for skipping your studies and interrupting my duties as king."

"I do, actually.  Father, do you hate me?" the young prince asked so boLdly.

"What?"

"I said, do you hate me?"

"Of course not.  Do not be ridiculous, Adrien," the king returned to look at his papers.

"Well, it feels like you do."

The king's gaze returned to his son.  The look of indifference was an expression he's never witnessed on Adrien. 

"You've changed....A lot," the prince started.  "Ever since mom died, you've been so different.  You tell me to go study and be more like a prince, but how you can say that when you...aren't like a father."

Gabriel's eyes widened.  How could his own flesh and blood say that!?  He's the prince of England for goodness sake!  What more could he possibly want?

"Watch your tone, Adrien!  You are the prince of England, heir to the throne, what more could you possibly want?" the king bellowed.

"I want my family back!!" Adrien boomed with tear filled eyes.  "I-I want my family back.  I already lost mom and grandpa...now I'm losing my dad.  If being prince means that I have to lose the only family I have left, then...I don't want to be a prince anymore."

"Adrien..." 

The king had no idea his son felt this way.  Gabriel was oblivious to his detachments from his son.  And what his son spoke...was it the truth?  Has he really changed?

"I've said all I wanted to say.  Of course, there's still more, but I doubt you will listen since you never have before," Adrien glared, before leaving. 

His cold words left the king shocked and hurt.  All these years Adrien was holding in all this anger.  To make matters worse, this was only a small portion of how his son truly felt.  Has he really been a terrible father?  His wife...his beloved queen...did he let her down?

****

Adrien ran to his room and slammed the door shut.  His body slumped to the ground, and he cried in his knees.  He heard Nino knocking and asking if he was okay.  His reply was of hurt.  He didn't mean to snap at his friend, but he was not in a good place.  The prince heard the duke's footsteps slowly fade away.

"Adrien?" Plagg poked from his hiding spot

The prince sniffled, then wiped his tears.  "I can't live here anymore," he whispered.  "Prince Adrien can't live," he took off his crown and stared at it.  "He has no one....But he does.  He can be free."

Adrien placed his crown on the desk and proceeded to the passageway.  When the walls opened, he looked back at his room.  He then entered the passageway with only his kwami as company.  "Adrien," Plagg started.  "where are you going?"

"Anywhere, but here," he replied.

Plagg knew there was no stopping his owner.  He could only support the prince that had suffered so much.  But Adrien was wrong.  He did have someone.  A small black cat kwami, who would always stay with him.

"Plagg...Claws out!"