It's a special chapter about how Adrien's parents, the king and the queen fell in love and got married. Please enjoyđđ
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Five noble ladies arrived at the royal palace on a bright spring morning, their carriages rolling through the grand iron gates like a small parade of elegance. Each lady came from a powerful household known for loyalty, wisdom, and refinement. They were chosen not only for their beauty but also for their grace, intelligence, and talent.
In the grand hall, golden sunlight spilled through tall stained-glass windows. The royal family waited at the top of the marble steps. The king stood tall and dignified, the queen poised beside him, and the prince calm yet curious about the guests who had traveled so far.
One by one, the ladies entered.
Lady Seraphina of House Valmont, known for her sharp mind and mastery of diplomacy.
Lady Elowen of House Rivermore, gentle and admired for her kindness toward the people.
Lady Celestine of House Ardent, a brilliant musician whose piano performances were famous across the kingdom.
Lady Isolde of House Marquette, a skilled strategist who studied history and governance.
Lady Vivienne of House Evermere, elegant and confident, trained in court etiquette since childhood.
The queen stepped forward, her voice warm but commanding.
"Welcome to the royal palace. Each of you has been invited because your character, talents, and upbringing make you worthy candidates. During your stay, we will come to know you better. One of you may one day stand beside our son as his wife⌠and future queen of this kingdom."
The ladies bowed gracefully.
That evening, the palace glittered with a grand welcome celebration. Crystal chandeliers shimmered like captured starlight while musicians played lively waltzes. Nobles gathered, curious to see the future bride of the prince. Following tradition, the prince danced with each candidate.
Lady Seraphina moved with sharp precision and confidence.
Lady Elowen danced softly, like flowing water.
Lady Celestine matched the rhythm perfectly, every step musical.
Lady Isolde held herself with calm control.
Lady Vivienne dazzled the crowd with her effortless elegance.
The hall filled with applause and whispers. Five remarkable ladies had arrived. But only one would eventually become the kingdom's future queen.
The next morning the palace transformed into a quiet academy of grace. Tutors, court ladies, and senior nobles gathered in the great salon where the first trials would begin. The tests were not of strength or wealth but of the subtler arts that shape a queen: manners, elegance, and poise.
One by one the candidates faced the challenges.
They demonstrated proper court greetings for diplomats of different kingdoms. They practiced walking through the long marble corridor while balancing delicate silver trays. They were asked how they would greet common citizens, comfort a grieving noble family, and host visiting royalty without offending anyone.
Lady Seraphina answered questions about diplomacy with sharp intelligence, speaking with the precision of a seasoned negotiator.
Lady Elowen moved through the etiquette exercises with natural kindness, even remembering the names of palace servants who assisted her.
Lady Celestine impressed the court ladies with her flawless posture and refined gestures.
Lady Isolde analyzed complex court situations calmly, her responses thoughtful and strategic.
Lady Vivienne handled social conversations effortlessly, charming even the strictest etiquette instructor.
By sunset, the royal court whispered the same thought: every candidate was remarkable.
The day had been long and exhausting.
That night, Lady Vivienne wandered into the palace gardens. The moon hung like a silver lantern above the quiet fountains, and the night air carried the soft scent of roses. She leaned lightly against a stone railing, enjoying the calm.
"You look like someone escaping an exam," a familiar voice said. She turned. The prince stood nearby, hands behind his back, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Perhaps I am," Vivienne replied coolly.
They began talking, first about the tests, then about the kingdom, politics, philosophy, and even history. What began as polite conversation quickly turned into a lively debate. Each tried to outwit the other with clever arguments and sharper observations.
Finally, the prince tilted his head. "Tell me honestly, Lady Vivienne. What do you think about this marriage selection?"
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Vivienne crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"I am not here so that you like me," she said calmly. "I am here so that I like you."
The prince blinked once.
She continued, completely serious. "If I decide I do not like you, then even if Your Highness begs me, I will reject the prince."
For a moment there was silence. Then the prince burst into loud laughter that echoed through the quiet garden.
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "What is so amusing?"
"Oh nothing," he said, still smiling. "I simply did not expect a candidate to threaten the crown on the second day."
Her cheeks warmed slightly with irritation. "Well then, Your Highness," she replied sharply, "I will also test you. And there is a high chance you will fail."
The prince raised an eyebrow.
"I will never marry a boy who has knowledge," she said firmly, "but cannot make the right decisions."
With that, she turned and walked away through the garden paths. The prince remained standing under the moonlight.
A quiet, hidden smirk curved on his lips.
The next day, during a brief pause in the ongoing tests, the palace hummed with activity. Tutors whispered, pages shuffled, and the candidates rested in the sunlit halls. But the prince, ever restless and thoughtful, had other plans. Quietly, he approached Lady Vivienne as she stepped into the courtyard and took her hand.
"Come!"
"Where are we going?" she asked, curiosity and caution mixing in her voice.
He said nothing, only smiled and led her through winding corridors. They passed empty chambers and quiet galleries, her questions lingering unanswered, until at last they stopped before a slightly ajar door. Beyond it, the muffled voices of the king and queen drifted out.
Vivienne froze. "Your Highness⌠thisâ"
"Trust me," he interrupted, firm but gentle. "Just come in."
Before she could protest further, the prince guided her inside. The king and queen turned, surprised.
"Prince, what isâ?" the king began, frowning.
"I like her," the prince said boldly, standing tall. "And I will marry only her."
A stunned silence filled the chamber. Vivienne's eyes widened, her cheeks burning crimson. The queen pinched her lips, trying to hide a smirk, while the king let out a deep, amused laugh.
The prince turned to Vivienne, his gaze unwavering. "After thinking all night with my admittedly limited knowledge, I have concluded that you are the best person for me..... Every other candidate tried to impress meâfocused on manners, elegance, titles, or the crownâbut you⌠you are genuine. You think about marriage, not about what comes with it."
Vivienne could barely find words, caught between embarrassment and disbelief.
"I declare," the prince continued, voice firm, "that I will marry no one else. Only you. No one else will stand beside me as my queen."
The king chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, while the queen, ever perceptive, had already surrendered to fate, raising her hands in silent concession.
Vivienne, flustered, tried to respond but only managed a small, stammered bow.
The prince's lips curved into a quiet, proud smile. He had made his choice, and in his mind, it was the right one. In the chamber, filled with surprise and laughter, the prince had asserted his decision with certainty, claiming not just a bride, but someone whose heart and mind matched his own.
The palace glittered under a golden morning sun. Years had passed, and the prince and Lady Vivienne now reigned as king and queen. Today, they watched as five noble ladies were invited for the same trial they had once faced. The great hall hummed with excitement and anticipation.
The king wrapped his arms around the queen from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder who is standing beside the window thinking about her son's confession.
"Don't worry too much. Do you remember how I declared I would marry only you?" he murmured, nostalgic.
The queen smirked, teasing. "Oh yes, quite the bold proclamation. You embarrassed half the kingdom that day."
He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Even if I could travel back in time, I'd do it again. After all, you are the best decision I've ever made in my life. And he is my son as he already proved."
She turned and gave a light chuckle, their eyes meeting, and they shared a gentle, lingering kiss. Around them, the palace carried on, but for a moment, time itself seemed to pause.
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SIDE NOTE: I hope everyone liked this special chapter. I want to show that there was a time when the king and the queen were young and thought with their heart too.
If you like my story then give it a star and share it with your friends, this will help me to keep motivated and write new stories.