The sound of pottery shattering echoed throughout the castle, just seconds before Ferdinand came dashing down the main staircase, with a very angry Vlad in tow. The servants all clung to the walls, not daring to possibly get in the way of this familial dispute. It was only when the king threw himself forward, tackling Ferdinand to the ground that they slowly made their way out of the room, returning to their duties.

Standing up, while holding his sons arms in a vice grip, Vlad glowered down at his son, who could see the metaphorical steam being emitted from his fathers nose with how flared his nostrils were. This was a look that Ferdinand had grown to know well, and, if he could learn anything from the past, it meant that something bad was about to happen to him. Wanting to get an upper hand, foolishly, the prince spoke first.

"Father, let me just say, that I am truly, deeply sorry. I... I was just so happy to see her again, and with me going of to enlist next month, I wanted to spend as much time with her before then as I could. Also, I-" the prince said, stopping at the end, with a strong feeling of unease. Looking up at his father, Ferdinand didn't see the angry eyes he was expecting to meet with, but instead, was met with a smirk, and a chuckle from his father.

"Oh, you don't even realize how much of a hole you dug yourself, boy. I told you, all I wanted from you was to cooperate with me for this one, little event. That's all I asked of you, and you went and fucked that up. You really think I am letting you off the hook if you apologize?"

"Well..." Ferdinand said, sheepishly. "I... I thought that if I expressed just how sorry I am... If I pointed out that I was just happy to see my girlfriend, then, maybe..."

"Maybe? Maybe what? Maybe I wouldn't make you stay home and do work around the castle? Maybe I wouldn't give one of the servants a paid vacation, and force you to do their work?" Chucking with hearty laughter, Vlad patted his sons shoulders heavily. 

"Boy. You aren't a boy anymore. You had an entire childhood to learn about consequences, but it seems none of that stuck. So... How about this? This time, you won't have to do any work whatsoever. In fact... How about you go meet up with your girlfriend and spend the day together?"

Concerned, confused and slightly scared, Ferdinand raised an eyebrow. "...Really?"

"Really." replied Vlad, completely honest. 

"No punishment?"

"None."

"... What's the catch?"

Laughing, Vlad bent over so his eyes were level with his sons. In a serious tone, he gave his son a hint as to what his intentions were.

"Ferdinand. Go spend time with your girlfriend, while you still can. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. So, if I were you, I would get going. Okay?"

Eyes widening, Ferdinand paused for a second to think, while mindlessly nodding. 

"Good. Now, get going. You can even take the car, if you want."

Nodding just once more, Ferdinand slowly turned, and walked out the door, thoughts racing through his head.

"No... It... It can't be... He wouldn't... Would he?"

[b]Two hours later, at an elegant restaurant in Bucharest[/b]

Ferdinand stood outside a restaurant, dressed in a very formal suit and tie, hair slicked back, and just generally looking as nice as possible. He nervously tapped his foot on the sidewalk, as he scanned the streets, looking around for a certain vehicle. Seconds later, he caught sight of it, as well as it's passenger. Sitting in the back was Adrianna, her dark brown hair slightly curled, and flowing to one side of her face with the wind. When the vehicle carrying her stopped, Ferdinand was sure to be outside, ready to give her his arm, and help her out. 

"M'lady" He said, with a smile, which she returned tenfold, while using his arm to help herself to the ground outside, revealing a marvelous green dress. 

"Like it?" She asked Ferdinand, who wan standing there quietly. "Well?"

Snapping out if it, Ferdinand replied in a slightly sarcastic tone. "Well... Well! Clearly you look so amazing, I was stunned speechless!"

After a small laugh together, Ferdinand took his girlfriend by the arm, and used the other one to prompt them forward. "Shall we go inside, now?"

Nodding, Adrianna let Ferdinand lead her inside the building, which, to her surprise, was completely empty. 

"Isn't this place normally so full, you have to wait?" She asked, slightly shocked. 

"Well... I, uh... I made a request of them, as well as the other patrons, and they all agreed. So... We have this place to ourselves tonight."

Giggling slightly, she looked at Ferdinand, and was about to ask something, but, seeing a nervous look on his face, she decided not to ask, and just smiled at him. 

"So. What's on the menu tonight?"

Smiling at her, Ferdinand happily replied. "French cuisine."

Sitting down after helping Adrianna to her seat, the two began to browse the menu toghether, while laughing and making jokes. Once the food arrived, they sat and enjoyed their meals together. Once the dinner portion was done, the table was cleared, and they were left alone while desert was prepared.

"Um... Adrianna... I have something important to tell you."

Concerned, she nodded. "What is it?"

Gulping, and then letting out a nervous sigh, Ferdinand looked her in the eyes, not letting the contact break.

"Well... I don't know exactly if my guess is right, but with how my father is, I can only assume it is true." Sighing once more, the prince continued. "Adrianna. Earlier tonight, my father told me that, as punishment for sneaking out with you on my birthday, I was not going to be punished. I would have no spare work around the castle. Nothing. He just told me that I should enjoy myself with you while I can."

Eyes widening, what was left of Adrianna's smile faded. "Go on."

"Well... I can only come to once conclusion. I think that my father spoke with General Pauker, and got me placed into the army earlier than he promised. He... He made it sound like I am getting shipped off tomorrow."

Jaw dropping, Adrianna shook her head. "No way... He can't do that, can he!?"

"Anna. He's the king. He can do whatever he wants, especially when it comes to me, and nobody will question him. I mean... Mom might have fought him on it, but once he decides something, there's usually no going back. When I was leaving, the servants were all giving me apologetic looks, so it seems likely."

"But!" Ferdinand said, the tone of his voice changing, along with his posture straightening, and him changing to smiling. "Because of that, there is something I want- no. Something I need to ask you."

Letting go of Adrianna's hand, Ferdinand stood up, and walked over to her side, kneeling down and reaching inside of his coat. 

"Now... I'm pretty shitty when it comes to things like this, so you'll have to excuse me. And we both know if I tried to say any more than this, i would trip over my words, and mess the whole thing up, so I'm just going to be blunt, and straightforward."

Pulling out a small, black box, Ferdinand looked up into Adrianna's eyes, which were looking back down at his, looking both amazed, shocked and terrified. 

"Adrianna. I know that we are young, and that this will probably be something outrageous to hear, but please bare with me. I love you, and have loved you since the day I met you. I am dreading life without you when I leave, just as I did those three months before my birthday. I honestly still can't believe myself that I am about to ask this, but I feel that it is only right, given the circumstances. It can't happen anytime soon, but I feel the promise will be more than enough. So... Adrianna Biaram. Would you possibly consider doing something crazy, and allowing me to ask for your hand in marriage?"

Instead of a verbal answer, Ferdinand instead got his answer in the form of Adrianna crying happily, nodding frantically, and nearly leaping out of her seat to hug him, nearly knocking them both over. 

They both sat there on the floor, crying and laughing together, until their desert finally came, warranting a concerned look from the waiter, who asked them if they were alright. Nodding, the two returned to their seats, and apologized. They quickly finished their desert, before once again running out into the night to enjoy themselves further.