"Miss Marinette Dupain-Cheng, what do you consider to be the most important quality in a princess?"

Marinette took a deep breath as she considered the question. There were many qualities that a princess should have. To be a good leader Marinette had to be just and fair and a good listener and a confident, brave, speaker, but none of these seemed an adequate answer. There was something else that she thought was an important foundation for all of the other qualities.

"The most important quality in a princess is compassion," she said firmly, "a princess must be able to consider how her people feel before she can make decision on their behalf. She must emphasize and understand her people before she can be just towards them," at this she glanced pointedly at Chloe who fumed furiously, "a princess must always be compassionate."

The audience roared its approval at that. Her parents had jumped up to clap, Alya and Nino were cheering loudly as they could, and Chat Noir looked just so proud of her that her heart skipped a little bit and she was unable to stop herself from grinning right back at him.

"A fantastic answer," the present said cheerfully, "and no our judges shall deliberate for a brief moment before they finally decide who shall be our Qu-"

"But I haven't given my answer yet," a cold voice echoed up above them. "And I have such a good one too."

The audience gasped, utterly horrified, and someone screamed as Chat Noir stood up rapidly. Marinette spun round to see an Akuma standing on the top of one of the speakers. Her face was deadly pale, her lips blood red, and her silver-blonde hair framed her face in an elegant, complex, plaited style. Her silk, blue, gown that Chloe had ripped was suddenly mended with a fuller skirt made of pink, purple, and black netting. There was no doubt that this was Victoire.

"Oh no!" Marinette cried out, utterly dismayed. She knew she should have followed her first instincts and chased after the distraught girl. "Victoire!"

"That's Princess Victory to you!" Victoire snapped. "A princess should stand on her own two feet," Victoire – Princess Victory - said as she jumped down and landed neatly on her feet, "she should fight her own battles and take what is rightfully hers."

And with that she strolled over to the stand where the crown for the winner had been sitting on at the other side of the stage and plucked it off of its red velvet cushion before placing it firmly on her head.

"Get your grubby Akuma mitts off that tiara!" Chloe hissed. "That's mine!"

"This crown is rightfully mine," Princess Victory said coolly, "but as you said, a princess must be just, and I shall give you your just deserts."

She suddenly swung her hand out and bright blue first place ribbons shot out of it and suddenly trussed Chloe up like a turkey for Christmas. Chloe instantly collapsed on the floor as she was unable to move her limbs and wiggled pathetically in her attempts to break free. She screamed but it was thankfully cut off instantaneously with another first place ribbon.

"Victoire!" Marinette cried out desperately. She couldn't transform, she couldn't fight, and Chat Noir was somewhere preparing a sneak attack, and so she would willingly play the distraction if she had to. "You made your point now. You have the crown and Chloe has her just deserts, you can let it go now. You don't need the Akuma anymore."

"You…" Princess Victory's tone was icy as her eyes flashed furiously. "You would steal my victory too!"

"What?!" Marinette yelped. "No!" she shook her head rapidly. "I wouldn't! I – Eep!"

Marinette tripped over the abandoned microphone that the presenter had been using (the man himself had run for it the first moment he got and was now currently cowering behind a speaker) and landed sideways. She scrambled to sit up right when Princess Victory pulled out a sceptre from thin air and aimed it at her.

"Victory," Princess Victory smirked, "is mine."

The sceptre let out a large bang like a gun and Marinette paled as a first place trophy went flying in her direction. She heard Alya and her parents scream her name as she desperately tried to move out of the way but her dress was too tight and suddenly found her movements restricted. She cursed herself for the lack of hindsight (of course someone was going to get Akumanised in a beauty pageant with Chloe in it!) as the trophy flew closer and closer and closer and –

Missed by a whole three feet as Marinette was suddenly swept off the floor and moved to safety in the security of Chat Noir's arms. Her arms automatically locked themselves round his neck as she buried her face into his shoulder and let out a huge sigh of relief against the cool leather.

The trophy buried itself into a wooden pillar sending splinters flying everywhere. Marinette shuddered as she took in the damaged it cause and could easily see her ribs ending up in a similar mess if Chat hadn't saved her in time.

That was a close call.

"Are you okay, Princess?!" Chat asked urgently.

"Y-y-yeah," Marinette stuttered. She took a moment to soak in Chat Noir's warmth, his strange scent of cheese, leather, and what was probably the best and most expensive cologne in the world, and that safe, tingly, feeling she felt whenever she was in his arms, and instantly gathered her wits once more. "I'll be fine," she said calmly, "Thank you, for saving me."

"Anytime," Chat grinned as he placed Marinette back on her feet at the side of the stage, "now go and hide, Princess," he ordered sternly, "while I'll deal with Miss High and Mighty over there."

"Chloe isn't the one that got Akumanised this time," Marinette replied instinctively.

The corners of Chat Noir's lips flickered in amusement at that. "Go!" he said firmly. "I'll have this over and done with in no time, purr-mise."

Marinette rolled her eyes at the terrible pun but obeyed Chat's command as she staggered into the 'dressing room' which honestly should be used as lightly as possible as it was a makeshift one with curtains and fumbled for her purse.

"Tiki, Tiki, Tiki!" she cried out. "There's an Akuma out on the stage and Chat is out there alone fighting it!"

Tiki floated out of Marinette's purse with a concerned expression on her face. "Well then," she said softly, "you know what to do Marinette."

"Mm!" Marinette nodded. "Tiki!" she said firmly. "Transform Me!"

Tiki instantly zoomed into Marinette's earrings and the usual pale red-white light passed over her as the magic changed her clothes to her battle suit and then, within seconds, the transformation was over and Ladybug now stared back at her from her mirror's reflection.

MLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLB

As soon as Chat Noir knew Marinette was safe he turned his attention to the Akuma who was now currently standing over a sobbing Chloe. He reacted immediately by dashing in and swinging his baton at the Akuma before they could lay a hand on his childhood friend (Chloe might deserve a slap on the wrist for her bad behaviour but he could never let her get tortured no matter what). The Akuma dodged and immediately turned her hateful eyes upon him.

"This is nothing to do with your Chat Noir," she said frostily, "this between me and that bitch."

"MMMPH!" Chloe screamed furiously against her gag. Her blue eyes flashed furiously at the insult.

"Don't be so sure Miss High and Mighty," Chat gritted his teeth, "it's my duty to keep any citizen of Paris safe from the likes of you."

"It's Princess Victory!"

She shot out more number one blue ribbons and Chat Noir batted them away easily with his baton. "I only have one princess," he said calmly, "and it's most certainly not you."

The Akuma snarled furiously. A purple, glowing, outline of a butterfly appeared over her face and Chat Noir had no doubt it was Hawk Moth urging her to take his Miraculous. "After!" she hissed back. "I have yet to take my revenge!" the butterfly disappeared and she immediately lunged for Chloe and forced the blonde to look at her. "You such beautiful blue eyes," she cooed and Chloe gulped fearfully, "such a shame they belong to such an evil stepsister. Do you know what happened to the evil stepsisters in the original telling of Cinderella?"

Chloe shook her head rapidly and Chat suddenly had a terrible feeling about this.

"They had their eyes pecked out by crows," the Akuma smirked. Chloe's eyes widened in terror as she screamed and squirmed against her bindings. "I think your blue eyes are the perfect shade to match my dress, don't you think? I could use a new pair of earrings"

"MMMPH!" Chloe screamed.

Chat Noir extended his baton and pushed Chloe away from Princess Victory. "You have to get through me first!" he snarled as he pounced between the two girls and crouched protectively in front of Chloe. "And you'll lay a finger on her over my dead body."

"I don't need to lay a finger on her when I have others to do my bidding," a cruel smirk curled itself on her face and Chat had a really terrible feeling about this, "Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!" Princess Victory began to sing in a high-pitched voice.

Chat grimaced as her voice got higher and higher, then, from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a pigeon landing on the stage, and then another, and another, and another, and….well, they were soon surrounded by not only pigeons but squirrels and rats too, and Chat's stomach sank in realisation.

Seriously did Hawk Moth just binged watch children movies before he made this Akuma or what?!

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Princess Victory's voice finally reached a blood-curdling high note that she prolonged for as long as possible.

The animals took it as their command to attack and lunged at them. Chat Noir did his best to bat them away with baton but it was beginning to become quite a struggle with all the feathers in his face and the sneezing it was causing. He was utterly surrounded, definitely being poisoned with these feathers, and completely on his own…so it was no surprise he could hear Chloe scream in agony from behind her gag as the animals had begun to claw and peck at her skin.

And then Ladybug suddenly leaped between the two of them. Her red yoyo a blur as she whirled it round and round so fiercely it created a shield and a weapon at the same time and began to send the pigeons and squirrels and rats flying across the stage.

"Mmph-mmm!" Chloe cried out delightedly behind her gag. "Mmph!"

"Just in the nip of time, My Lady," Chat smiled in relief, "I thought we were going to be bird food fur sure."

Ladybug and Chloe rolled their eyes in unison at that. "Let's get this one over and done with quickly, Kitty," Ladybug said calmly. Her blue eyes narrowed in Princess Victory's direction. "I happened to have been having a good day up until now."

"How could you have been having a good day?" Chat Noir asked. "I was not there to wait on your paw and paw," he grasped her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles, "you poor thing," he said in a mock sorrowful voice. "You have been subjected to the incompetency of bumbling fools."

Ladybug radiated amusement at that as she burst out laughing. "Oh trust me, Kitty," Ladybug said between giggles as she pulled her hand out of his. Her lips were curved into the sweetest smiles, her cheeks glowed, and her beautiful blue eyes sparkled behind her mask. For one breathless moment Chat Noir fell in love with her all over again. "You could not have served me better than this bumbling fool."

Chat Noir felt a surge of hatred towards this unknown man that got to make his Lady happy today.

"Now then," Ladybug said as soon as she stopped laughing. Her back straightened and her eyes suddenly took a steely gleam to them. "Less talking and more fighting."

"Don't you mean less chat-?"

"Nope!"

They sprang into action and began to attack Princess Victory. Punches, kicks, swipes from both Chat Noir's baton and Ladybug's yoyo were either dodged, blocked, or were completely ineffective as Princess Victory fought back with her trophy sceptre and blue ribbons. They were able, at least, to keep her busy that she was unable to summon her fury and feathery army.

"I think the Akuma is in her sash!" Ladybug gasped as she dodged another trophy blast. "We need to distract her. Hold on." She threw up her yoyo high in the air. "LUCKY CHARM!" she shouted. The yoyo instantly transformed mid-air and two dolls suddenly appeared and dropped into Ladybug's arms. "Ladybug and Chat Noir dolls?!" Ladybug yelped in surprise. "What am I supposed to do….." she trailed off as her eyes widened with an idea. "Chat! This time I'm the distraction. You get the Akuma out of the sash."

"Awesome idea, or should I say-"

"No!" Ladybug cut in before he could utter another pun. "Just do it!" Chat Noir saluted her and she plastered a fake smile. "Congratulations Princess Victory, you have won the competition wouldn't you like to take your prize?" and with that she held out the dolls.

All hate and anger and iciness left Princess Victory's face for a moment as her eyes widened and something rather innocent and vulnerable appeared in them. "The Ladybug and Chat Noir dolls," she murmured, "yes…" she dropped her sceptre and reached out to take her prize when –

RIP!

Princess Victory screeched furiously as Chat Noir grabbed her sash from behind and yanked it off of her, hard. The silk contestant sash ripped easily and the dark purple butterfly burst out and began to fly away.

"Oh no you don't!" Ladybug said grimly. "No more evil doing for you little Akuma. Time to de-evilize!" she threw out her yoyo and it opened up and caught the butterfly before it could make its hasty escape. "Gotcha!" Ladybug grinned in satisfaction. She let the magic do its job and soon enough the compact of her yoyo opened up to reveal another pretty white butterfly that fluttered away hastily. "Bye, bye little butterfly," she called out with a little wave as she always did. "Now to clean this mess up," she said as she threw her yoyo up in the air. "MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!"

The usual burst of ladybugs fluttered across the park as the stage was suddenly mended, Chloe was released from her bindings and all her bites, scrapes, and cuts were healed, the pigeons, rats, and squirrels all vanished back to where they belonged, and Victoire returned to her normal self.

"Mission accomplished!" Ladybug and Chat Noir chanted as they did their usual fist bump.

"OH MY GOD!" Alya shrieked as she speared out of nowhere, Nino panting after her as he held up a video camera, "That was incredible!" Alya enthused. "That must your fastest and least damaging battle to date!"

"Alya?!" Ladybug cried out horrified. "Have you been there the entire time?! You could have been injured or worse."

"Purr-lease," Alya winked in Chat's direction as she perfectly delivered her pun, he grinned back approvingly at her, "I was in no danger and what damage we did get in recording your awesomeness was instantly healed."

"Speak for yourself," Nino grumbled, "my cheek still feels bloody sore from being pecked by that stinking pigeon!"

"Never mind," Alya dismissed his pain with a wave of her hand, "it was all in the good cause of the Ladyblog. I've got some excellent footage. Can I have an interview on your thoughts about the battle? Actually," her eyes flickered upwards, "can I also ask about your new hairstyle? Is there a particular reason for the change? A special occasion perhaps? In honour for Princess Day?"

It was only then that Chat Noir realised - without the adrenalin of the battle clouding his mind and Akumas throwing things at him and therefore distracting him - that Ladybug's hair was not in her usual pigtails but held in a sleek up-do that added maturity and grace to her beauty. His throat suddenly felt dry as he struggled to think of a compliment.

Ladybug seemed equally tongue-tied and flustered but her eyes were wide with panic and Chat suspected it was more to do with not knowing how to answer Alya's questions without revealing her identity rather than a sudden realisation of how attractive she was.

Beep beep! Beep beep!

Saved by the bell or, in this case, the Miraculous. "I'm sorry," Ladybug said apologetically, "but I'm out of time."

And with that she threw her yoyo into the trees and used their branches to swing out of sight and into the sunset like the hero she was.

"….Chat Noir?" Alya turned hopefully to Chat. "An exclusive with Paris' favourite cat hero would be an honour."

Beep beep! Beep beep!

"Your flattery won't work on me," Chat Noir said pompously, "I am Paris' only cat hero and sadly Mademoiselle Journalist, time is running out for me too. Cat you later!"

Chat Noir then used his baton to leap out of sight. He managed to land in some bushes just in time for Plagg to suddenly push himself out of the ring. He might not have used cataclysm this time round but he had been transformed all day and suddenly in a battle and it obviously took its toll on Plagg as Adrien hastily had to reach out and catch him as the little black cat collapsed.

"Urgh!" Plagg groaned. "Can we go home now?"

"Not just yet," Adrien said softly as he held out some cheese. Plagg took it gratefully and immediately shoved it into his mouth. "I need to transform again and check on Marinette. I can hardly leave without saying goodbye."

"Strangely enough," Plagg swallowed his chest down and immediately held his paws out for another bit, Adrien obliged without argument, "I don't think the Princess would mind if you skip out for the rest of the day," he shoved the second piece into his mouth, "in fact I think she would understand," he said with his mouth full. Bits of cheese were instantly sprayed over Adrien's cheek.

"Plagg!" Adrien squawked as he wiped his cheek hastily with disgust. "Has no one ever taught you to not speak with your mouth full?!"

"Eh," Plagg shrugged.

And then promptly stuffed his mouth with even more cheese.

"Come on, Plagg," Adrien cajoled him, "just one more hour. Only one more hour, and I promise you that not only will you have all the cheese you want tonight but we'll do whatever you want tomorrow."

Plagg eyed him with an assessing stare that made Adrien's skin prickle with unease. "What if I just want to laze in your bed all day with some camembert?" Plagg asked in a falsely indifferent voice.

"Then that's what we'll do," Adrien said sincerely.

Though God knows the maid that does his laundry will never forgive him for getting camembert all over his bedsheets.

….again.

"Al right," Plagg sighed, "throw in a cheese fondue and you have yourself a deal. One more hour but I want you to use some of that time to go home, got it?"

"Got it!" Adrien said happily. "Thank you, Plagg! You're the best!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Plagg said impatiently, "now give me the rest of that cheese!"

MLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLB

After almost being crushed to death by her parents' embrace, and then almost smothered to death by a squealing Alya, listening to Nino complain about the pigeons, block out Chloe bemoan and wail about the torture she had been through, and assured Chat Noir that she was fine for the billionth time, Marinette soon found herself back on the stage standing next to Chloe as the audience returned eager to find out the result.

She stood there calmly as she ignored Chloe's preening and arrogance. The judges had meekly returned and spent a great deal muttering between themselves before they all nodded in agreement and wrote their answer down.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the presenter cried out cheerfully, "it's been a long battle and a difficult time choosing between these beautiful girls but we are now ready to announce our Queen of Princesses." The presenter opened up the envelope and slowly pulled out the card with the name scrawled on it. "And the winner is…" there is a long, dramatic, pause as someone played a drum roll and the presenter took his time to open up the envelope. "Miss Marinette Dupain-Cheng!"

"NO! NO! NO!" Chloe screamed furiously as she stomped her foot childishly. "THIS IS MY COMPETITION! I'M SUPPOSED TO WIN! I DEMAND A RECOUNT!"

Chloe's screams, however, was completely ignored as the audience stood up to cheer and applaud so loudly that birds (recently released from Princess Victory's control) shot out of their trees in terror. Cheesy music blasted from the speakers as Marinette suddenly found herself bundled in a fake ermine robe, a tiara forced onto her head (she winced as the grips of the tiara's headband bit into her scalp), and a bouquet of red roses suddenly shoved into her arms.

"Any words you wish to say, Princess?" the presenter asked as he shoved the microphone under her nose.

"Erm…" Marinette had to bite her tongue from telling the presenter to not call her princess. The fact that someone other than Chat Noir called her that made her skin crawl uncomfortably for some strange reason. "Just that I couldn't do this without the support of my family and friends."

The crowd cheered even more loudly at that and Marinette caught Chat Noir's eye and grinned in his direction. He winked back which made her grin all the more wider.

She was soon ambushed by other contestants who spilled out on the stage to congratulate her. Some were probably only being nice and happy for her because she beat Chloe rather than actually genuine contentment but the thought counted. Victoire hung back slightly with an uncertainty and timidity that Marinette didn't think possible for someone as graceful and talented as the previously Akumanised victim. She looked out of place in a pair of jeans and t-shirt, Victoire's ethereal beauty was made for pretty ball gowns and costumes.

"Hi," Victoire said shyly as she rubbed her arm nervously, "I….erm…just wanted to say congratulations and that I'm sorry for being such a sore loser."

"You had just been humiliated in the worst way possible," Marinette said fiercely, "you weren't being a sore loser unlike some I can mention," Chloe was now on the phone to her father shrieking and wailing and apparently getting nowhere. She and Victoire shared an amused smile, and it suddenly dawned onto Marinette how unfairly treated this girl had been as she didn't even get the honour of being runner up. "Do you want a pair of dolls?!" she blurted out. "I can't keep all of them, I have no room, so you'd be doing me a favour if you took a pair."

"Really?!" Victoire lit up radiantly. "That would be amazing!"

"Come on," Marinette dropped the flowers in favour of taking Victoire's hand as she dragged the girl to where the dolls were displayed, "you can pick any pair but the 1920s one….I'd like to keep that one," she admitted with a sheepish smile, "Chat Noir looks rather dapper in that suit."

"Why thank you, Princess," Chat Noir purred behind her. Marinette's face instantly turned pink as she became extremely aware of how close Chat Noir was standing behind her. She could literally feel his body heat against her back, and his breath against the back of her neck, and his bloody smug smile that she would like to wipe off right now. "I agree. I look like the cat's pyjamas."

Marinette groaned. "You're terrible," she said, "utterly terrible!"

"Oh my God!" Victoire said breathlessly. "Chat Noir! Is Ladybug also here?!"

Marinette shifted uncomfortably at that.

"Unfortunately not," Chat said with a courtly bow, "but I'm sure she would have just been impressed with your plate trick as I was."

Victoire flushed with happiness as she seemed lost for words. After shyly picking out the eighteenth century Ladybug and Chat Noir (both dressed in monstrous grey wigs, Marinette was not sad to lose those ones), and swapping email addresses with Marinette, and shooting a shy adoring glance at Chat, Victoire finally left to go home.

That was when Alya ambushed her.

"Oh my God, girl!" she cried out as she threw her arms round Marinette. "You were amazing! Since when can you fling yoyos about like that?! I almost didn't recognise you! If I didn't know any better I would say you were Ladybug."

"Erm…." Marinette glanced round hastily for an answer. Chat had been easier to appease as she told him during practise that she used to do yoyo tricks as a kid but Alya knew virtually all of Marinette's secrets (apart from the obvious big one) and would know that Marinette never picked up a yoyo in her life before as she spent her childhood learning to sew. "Hey!" she said brightly as her eyes landed on her new doll collection. "Do you want a pair of dolls too?"

"You're giving them away?!" Alya cried out incredulously. "Why?!"

"Alya, you've seen my room," Marinette said exasperated, "I don't have room for them! I'm keeping the 1920s pair definitely but I thought you'd like a pair too."

"You're the best friend ever!" Alya gasped out as she hugged Marinette tightly. Her strangled 'Alya! Can't breathe!' was ignored completely as Alya held on tightly. "Can I have the Egyptian pair?" Marinette opened her mouth to answer but was instantly interrupted. "I think those were the original Ladybug and Chat Noir and they look so awesome! Can I also take a photo of the collection for the blog?" she blurted out. "And interview you for the blog? I mean you spent the whole day with Chat Noir! That would make an excellent piece for the Ladyblog. It's been very Ladybug heavy recently."

"Probably," Nino said in amusement, "because you called it Ladyblog."

He was duly ignored.

"I'll give you an interview if you stop breaking my ribs!" Marinette choked out. Alya released her instantly and the pair laughed sheepishly. "Seriously," Marinette gestured to the dolls, "take a pair."

Alya did so….after she took a photo of the set (and bemoaned the missing pair that Victoire had left with).

"You too, Chat," Marinette said as she turned towards him, "you definitely deserve a pair after today."

"Thank you furry much, Princess," Chat Noir grinned, and Marinette rolled her eyes and looked rather put out by the pun, "I certainly shall take you up on that offer." He took his time to browse the options and eventually selected the pair dressed in late sixteenth century clothing. They looked as if they had literally stepped out of a Shakespeare play with Ladybug's many layers and a grand red, glittery, ruff that reminded Marinette of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth who had a similar one in gold, they looked almost like wings and added to the whole Ladybug theme while Chat Noir's doublet and breeches being complimented with white ruff where his bell usually sat. "Who else will you giving these dolls away too?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, Alix, Mylene, Rose, and Juleka should definitely get a look in," Marinette said as she toyed with the flapper Ladybug's dress, "and I think Manon would like a pair too but I should run it through with her mother first. Don't want a repeat of the Puppeteer incident."

Chat, Marinette, and Alya all shuddered at that particular reminder. Chat Noir opened his mouth to say something along the lines how they definitely did not want a repeat of that (he still had nightmares of Lady Wi-Fi kidnapping Marinette which might not have happened at the time but for one scary moment he had thought it possible) when his ring suddenly let out an angry beep.

"Apologies Princess," he said regretfully, "but I have to go."

"I understand," Marinette smiled softly. She wished he didn't have to go but it had been a very long day, and a very exhausting battle for Chat as he had to fight alone without her for a bit, and she understood the need to help a Kwami recharged and was actually surprised he was still here and hadn't left the moment the battle was over. "Thank you!" she said breathlessly. "For….well, everything. Today has been amazing and I will never forget it."

The words felt inadequate, like an understatement, and rather clumsy and clunky on her tongue but Chat Noir grinned brilliantly as if she had just told him that Ladybug thought his puns were funny, and his beautiful green eyes sparkled, and suddenly she felt warm and fuzzy and right.

"You're welcome, Princess."

He took her hand between both of his and held it up reverently to his lips. His emerald eyes boring directly into her very soul as they never left her own.

His kiss was softer and absolutely tantalising as his lips barely fluttered against her skin. Despite herself, Marinette felt her breath catch in her throat and her cheeks burn in flattered embarrassment.

The two of them were so caught in their own world that neither of them were aware of Alya taking a photo of them.

That is not until three hours later when Marinette finally found out what exactly Alya had been blogging about in the corner of the Dupain-Cheng living room during the celebratory dinner her parents threw last minute.

And much to Marinette's never-ending frustration, she refused to take it down.

MLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLB

Chloe sat on the edge of the abandoned stage with her head cradled into her hands as she tried desperately to not cry like some pathetic loser.

She had lost.

She had lost. And what's worse she had lost to Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Again.

It wasn't fair! This was supposed to be her day and her competition and her crown! She was supposed to be paraded and doted and worshipped as the most princess-y person in Paris and she was supposed to enjoy the vouchers on a brilliant shopping spree and she was supposed to get to play with the entire doll collection and she was supposed to have her photo taken with Adrien, not Marinette Dupain-Cheng! Not the ridiculous girl who has no idea the worth of her prize and started giving away dolls!

Who does that anyway?

Just give away rare and valuable dolls away like they were croissants or something.

Oh wait, the Baker's daughter would do that.

How on earth did the judges think a Baker's daughter of all things was a better Princess than her?!

Two feet in cheap, scruffy, trainers appeared before her eyes and she glanced up to see Nathaniel staring down at her in concern.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"No I am not all right!" Chloe snapped. "It's not fair!" she wailed. "I worked so hard to look my best and sing my best and say the right words, and I lost. To her. I don't get it! I just don't get it!" she snarled in frustration. "Why didn't I win? Am I not pretty enough? Am I not talented enough? How can Marinette Dupain-Cheng be prettier and more talented than me?"

There is an uncomfortable silence as Nathaniel bore his too pretty for his own good eyes into her. "You are very pretty and very talented," he said quietly and sincerely. Much to Chloe's irritation she felt her cheeks burn at the compliment. No one has ever told her that so bluntly before. "I happen to think you're capable of anything if you put your mind to it and could probably win any competition."

"Then why didn't I win this one?!"

"The thing is… you're also very mean," Nathaniel said. He was hesitant at first but the moment Chloe bristled at the very mean, he suddenly threw himself in confidently. "It doesn't matter how pretty you are or how talented you are, it means absolutely nothing when you're not nice to people and upset them," he scolded her, "No one is ever going to respect you the way they respect Marinette until you can at the very least learn to be civil."

Chloe spluttered indignantly at that. "OH YEAH?" she shrieked as she stood up and glowered right in Nathaniel's face. Their noses were mere millimetres apart as she gave him her best furious glare. "WELL WHO THE HELL ASKED YOU?!" she demanded.

"You just did," Nathaniel said flatly.

"Oh!" Chloe huffed irritably. "Go away!" she then stormed off in the general direction of home with her arms crossed and tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. This was the worst day ever! She heard footsteps behind her and peered round to see Nathaniel was following her closely. "Why are you following me?!" she whipped round angrily.

"I am escorting you home," Nathaniel shrugged. "It is, after all, still Princess Day and I would be remiss in my manservant duties if I didn't make sure you got home safe and sound."

Chloe growled in frustration at the sound logic she could not argue with. After all she forced him into this stupid role in the first place. "Fine!" she threw her arms up in the air huffily. "But I want you to stay twenty paces behind me, do you hear me?"

"Yes," Nathaniel bowed sarcastically, "Your Highness."

For some reason, much to her never-ending irritation, that made her smile.