Chapter 3

Baron Theo Barbot was…well, he was something else, alright.

He certainly looked the part of a gentleman: clean, pressed clothes, neatly-styled hair, offering his arm to her. However, Marinette knew of the phrase 'not to judge a book by its cover' and she became well-enough acquainted with that saying during her walk in the park with him.

She could barely get a word in as they walked together, for he was too absorbed in his own speeches and boasting to pay any sort of attention to her. When she tried opening her mouth to speak, he could just consider that an agreement for what he previously said and dive into another topic.

He bragged about his money, his home, his ancestry, his artistic talents, his incredible wealth, his impressive lake behind his home, his great-great-great-great-great grandfather who amassed the family fortune and title, his paintings, his riches that could entice any female…

Marinette contemplated tripping and feigning a broken ankle in order for this torturous afternoon to end. But with her luck she would wind up actually breaking her ankle and probably her leg as well. As much as she wanted to get out of this, being hurt wasn't worth it.

To tune him out, her mind turned to thoughts of her mysterious visitor the night before. At least Chat Noir let her talk. In fact, he had been a perfect gentleman through and through, unlike this fop walking beside her.

She had given it much thought after he left, and more so now during Theo's monologue. After he proved himself not to be a thief, she found him to be likable. Especially since he made his intentions known: to pursue her and marry her should he succeed in winning her love. She could tell he wasn't lying. She despised liars, and so she could immediately tell when one was lying. But Chat Noir seemed true with his declarations; she couldn't detect any hints of deception in his eyes.

And what eyes he had…such a deep, pleasing green, like the hills of the countryside on a spring day. They were warm with kindness and underlying passion. All for her, a part of her mind whispered, resulting in a flutter in her heart and a blush to bloom over her cheeks.

He was undeniably handsome, and a man who knew how to speak to take her breath away, she was sure. She wasn't in love with him, but if she wasn't careful she might soon start falling for her roguish suitor.

Although, would that really be so bad?

"Miss Marinette?"

She turned, meeting the Baron's concerned gaze.

"Are you alright? I just asked you if you were interested in seeing the lake at my home but you never answered."

She wanted to say no. Oh, God, how she wanted to refuse him.

However, she wasn't that mean. She would feel bad if she just outright rejected him like that. But she still didn't want to go and spend even more time with him than was necessary.

"Maybe someday," she answered instead, hoping that would please him. It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't an outright 'no' either.

Theo grinned, a particular gleam shining in his eyes that made her feel uncomfortable. It was leering; as he looked at her she felt she was some sort of prey. The tingles that were shooting down her spine weren't of the good kind, either.

"I look forward to it, then. And who knows?" he murmured, stopping to pick up her hand. She had no time to think about his purpose behind it when he pulled her hand close to his mouth. His tongue darted out to wet his lips before he placed them on her knuckles in a moist kiss.

"Maybe one day it will be yours."

Her own lips twisted into a disgusted scowl as she wrenched her hand free, discreetly wiping the back of it on her dress.

"That was inappropriate, Baron," she addressed icily.

Theo frowned for a moment before his grin was back in place.

"Yes, of course, Miss Marinette. My humblest apologies."

She nodded, unsure of what else to do. She couldn't very well berate him in public; it wouldn't be 'lady-like'. But she did know of one thing she could do.

"I wish to return to my home, Baron."

Theo fought against a scowl threatening to break out across his lips. However, his efforts were in vain since Marinette was easily able to sense his displeasure.

"Very well. Allow me to walk you home?" he asked, the mask of a polite gentleman slipping back into place.

Well, it wasn't like she could refuse him. If she did then who knows what the nosy, gossiping women strolling in the park watching them like hawks would say. It wasn't so much that she was worried about what they could do to her reputation, rather what they could do to ruin her bakery's business. Because if word got around that Marinette refused a Baron's invitation for an escort home, there would undoubtedly be consequences for her family's bakery since she was connected to it.

"Alright, Baron," she replied, even though she very much wanted to just turn around and walk home by herself.

The short walk wasn't so bad. He didn't say or do anything more to upset her, and so by the time they reached the bakery's front door she had sufficiently calmed down.

"I really enjoyed our time spent together, Miss Marinette. I'm hosting a game of jeu de mail at my estate tomorrow, and was wondering if I may have the honor of your company?" he asked, flashing her a fetching smile.

Marinette faltered, her mouth tugging down into a frown as she pondered his request. To be honest, she didn't want to go to an event hosted by him…but she did like gatherings, plus she could possibly sell her parent's bakery goods to the people who would be there. And if he was hosting this game, then he would likely be playing it, and thus wouldn't be able to talk to her that much, right?

"Alright, Baron," she decided, forcing a smile to spread her lips. "I'll be happy to come to your event tomorrow."

"Excellent."

He took her hand and gave it a lingering kiss, not noticing how her lips twisted into a disgusted scowl.

"I shall see you at one, then. Have a wonderful evening, Miss Marinette."

"You as well, Baron," she replied easily as he bent into a curt bow before he strolled away, a grin set on his lips as he did so.

Marinette allowed a smirk to overtake her own features as well, as the thought of her new nightly visitor came to her mind.

…

"Good evening, My Lady!" Chat Noir greeted her once she stepped out into the warm night air. He had tapped on one of the glass doors to her balcony to alert her of his presence, stepping back once he saw her coming to meet with him.

He dipped into a low, gentlemanly bow as he held out a red rose, free of any thorns for her to take.

"A red rose?" Marinette mused teasingly, but took it nonetheless. "I haven't even given you my answer yet, Chaton."

"I know," he answered solemnly. "But I wanted you to have it no matter what your answer is."

"And if I refuse you?" she asked, her calm eyes locked on his anxious ones. "What would you do?"

Chat frowned as he gradually stood to his full height. His green eyes flickered once to the roof of the balcony before looking into her own.

"Then I can only hope you'll take me as a friend. And if you don't desire my friendship, then I shall leave you alone."

"Hm," she hummed, delicately fingering the stem of the rose in her hand. Her lips curved into an enticing smirk as she stepped closer to him, making her companion gulp and blush. Her smirk curled deeper at the flustered reaction she drew out of him.

"Then it's a good thing my answer is yes," she whispered, smiling as she backed away from him. Her purpose was to tease him, not to give him any wrong ideas about her. She didn't want to seem like one of those common harlots who regularly threw themselves at men.

"R-Really?" he stuttered in disbelief, hope swimming in those green orbs. An excited smile broke out on his face. "You're giving me a chance?"

"Yes," she confirmed, a warm feeling bubbling in her stomach at the delighted expression he wore. All just because she was giving him a chance to pursue her. "Just don't make me regret it," she joked.

"Never, My Lady," he vowed, reaching out for her hand. She gladly let him take it, allowing him to press a soft kiss on her knuckles. She decided then and there that she much preferred Chat Noir's kisses compared to Theo's.

"Thank you," he whispered, eyes shining with an emotion Marinette couldn't place.

Caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze, she stammered out a 'you're welcome' prior to taking her hand from his. In hindsight, she figured that she should've said something better than a simple 'you're welcome', but she was a bit frazzled in the moment and could only say what was expected to be said after a 'thank you'. Although thankfully he didn't seem to mind, as he kept smiling warmly at her.

She cleared her throat, her mind mentally noting just how late it was.

"As much as I would love to continue this, Chat, I'm afraid I must be getting some sleep. I have an event to go to tomorrow and it wouldn't do to look fatigued."

"An event?" he questioned curiously. "What kind of event?"

"The Baron Barbot has invited me to his game of jeu de mail he is hosting at his estate tomorrow afternoon, and I plan on attending. I was hoping I could sell my parents' pastries while I was there," she explained. With a bittersweet smile, she added, "hopefully the Baron will be playing the game so much that he won't pay attention to me."

"Does that mean you dislike him?" Chat asked with hope lacing his voice as he perked up.

Marinette giggled, shaking her head.

"I don't particularly dislike him, but I'm not…well," she paused, fumbling for the right words. "I don't wish to be around him all the time."

"Unlike me?" he purred, waggling his eyebrows while presenting her a comical flirtatious grin as he leaned his head closer to her.

"Maybe," she replied coyly, using her finger to push him back by the nose.

"So, an event hosted by the Baron Barbot," he murmured to himself after wriggling his nose, crossing his arms together as he obviously pondered about something.

"Chat…?" she questioned warily, wondering where his thought process was going. Her call seemed to snap him out of it, for he blinked before taking her hand and giving it a farewell kiss in parting.

"Have a purrfect time, My Lady," he crooned, looking up at her with mischief twinkling in his eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. Just what game was he playing?

"See you sooner than you may think," he bade with a wink before he walked to the edge of her balcony, to the railing. He stopped once to peer back at her to send her another wink and a confident grin before he took hold of the railing in his hands and flipped himself over and out of sight.

Marinette gasped, worried for his safety as she ran to where he last stood, dread welling inside her as she prepared to look over and see his body.

Well, she did see him, but he was far from hurt. Apparently he had landed in the bushes, safe and sound. He noticed her looking and breathing a sigh of relief, a smirk slowly curling his lips as he did so.

"Why, My Lady, were you worried for this stray's safety?" he teased.

Marinette tried her best to scoff nonchalantly as her cheeks delved into a rosy color. Thank goodness the night shielded the blush from him, otherwise she knew she would never hear the end of it.

"Not at all," she returned easily.

"Then you were just impressed with my daring feat?" he quipped, grinning as he knew there was no answer she could create to get out of this.

"Nope," she replied, turning away and letting the wind carry the rest of her answer to his ears.

"I just wanted to see if cats really landed on their feet."

Sorry for the long wait, fam. I hope this chapter was interesting enough, and I do plan for the next one to be even better ;)

Also, jeu de mail is an old form of croquet :)