PART 1:

Chapter 6:

Put a Ring on It

The trip back to Bourgeois took almost an entire week on foot, longer still while trying to avoid prowling patrols of Akuma Guards. In addition, Adrien and Marinette felt compelled to escort Ivan and Mylene back to their village. It was the least they could do, considering what the two lovers had been through.

The group managed to reach the village on the third morning. Mylene offered Adrien a place to stay in her family's home, but the thief kindly refused. As long as his face appeared on every door, Adrien's presence endangered anyone harbouring or assisting him. Besides, he assured them he already had a safe place in mind, though he kept the details of which to himself.

After they made their farewells – and Ivan and Mylene once again showered them with their unconditional gratitude – Adrien and Marinette headed back out on their journey.

The days were spent walking through the Enchanted Forest, keeping their eyes peeled for Akumas or any other dangers. When night fell, they could camp out in a sheltered spot, eat and talk quietly around the fire, and sleep until sunrise.

While finding a place to rest on the fifth evening, the pair unexpectedly stumbled upon an encampment of armed Akumas. By that time, Marinette had learned a few new hand signals and lip-reading techniques from Adrien. They formulated a plan in silence while the guards drank and joked around the campfire, utterly unaware they were about to be robbed.

It took until mid-morning for them to wake up... only to find themselves in their underclothes, their hands and feet bound together. All of their gear, weapons and uniforms had been stacked in a jumbled pile, on top of which was a pinned note bearing a message: WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING.

The two royal rogues were still bending over from laughter by the time they were long gone.

Adrien still couldn't believe the change he noticed in Marinette, watching her think and perform like a true outlaw. When he had first met her, the princess had rubbed off on Adrien as stiff, well-mannered, bossy and painfully sensitive. Now, after six days of traveling with her – talking and laughing and watching each other's backs as friends always did – Adrien saw Marinette in a new light: brave, creative, thoughtful of others, smart on her feet and confident in her choices – the virtues of a true leader. Adrien wondered dreamily: Why can't every other princess be like her?

That's when he realized he might actually be falling for this girl. He kept shrugging it off as just a mere fascination, but the closer they got to Bourgeois, the weirder and less cheerier it made Adrien feel. Soon I'll have to say goodbye, he thought on the final night as he watched Marinette fall asleep. Probably for... well, ever.

The dreaded day came too soon.

The blinding sunlight reflecting off of the gold-rimmed towers and windows of Castle Bourgeois astounded Adrien. He and Marinette stood on top of a small hill which led down into the valley, where the entire castle and surrounding town sat like a glistening jewel on the edge of a beautiful lake.

"There it is," Marinette said with less enthusiasm than she went for. She turned to her partner. "What do you think?"

"Well, as far as castles go, that's the shiniest one I've ever seen!" Adrien exclaimed, shielding his eyes with his hand. "It's so bright you can't find your way down the hill!"

Marinette giggled. "You should see it from the inside," she joked. "It's actually quite dull: too much space and not a lot of windows."

Adrien turned so that his back was to the reflected light... and so he could look upon her without getting a crick his neck. "So that's going to be your new home now, huh?" he asked, his voice betraying that selfish need for her to say "no".

Marinette sighed and only nodded. Her blue eyes lost a bit of that sparkle Adrien had grown so accustomed to.

The thief swallowed hard and offered her a smile. "Well then... I sincerely hope you don't die of boredom in there," he said awkwardly. "It would kind of defeat the purpose of me saving your life."

The princess's face lit up with amusement, and her mouth curled upward. "Aw, and here I was thinking you actually cared about me," she taunted.

Adrien cocked his head to the side. "That too."

They both chuckled softly. But once they stopped, Adrien couldn't find anything else to say. It made him a little flustered, because usually he always had something to say – good, bad or hilarious. What is wrong with me?

Thankfully, his lady disturbed the silence for him. "Where will you go?" she asked him considerately.

Adrien beckoned to the trees behind them. "Back to the forest," he replied. "I've got some friends hiding out somewhere who have no love for Hawkmoth and his Akumas either." He knew was long overdue for another visit. Maybe he'd actually stick around longer. The renegade prince's experience with Marinette left him with a desire to not be left alone anymore.

"And now that I'm fairy-dust-less," Adrien went on with a smirk, "I'll need to find something else to break my mother's curse." That part of the plan still gnawed at him. He almost lost an arm and a leg getting that dust, and he knew that the golden queen – as benevolent as she was – wouldn't be willing to part with more.

Marinette must have been reading the stress in his eyes, because then she looked down and said, "Sorry for upending your big rescue plans."

Adrien quickly changed his dismal expression to one of warm confidence. "Don't be. I'm not." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and for a moment he thought he felt his fingers tingle a bit. "She would have wanted me to save you. She's... stubborn like that."

It was true. Queen Vivienne had always put other people's needs before her own, especially whenever her son was involved.

Marinette hummed. "Reminds me of someone I know," she mused at her partner.

A light shiver flowed down Adrien's spine, followed by a surge of warmth. Yes, he was definitely falling for this girl. He knew he shouldn't be (She was getting married, for the love of god!), but he didn't care.

Marinette looked away, blushing slightly. "So... umm, thanks for your help, Adrien," she said. She then reached into her pack and pulled out her leather pouch. "I don't think I could've gotten this back without you."

Adrien swept into a deep bow before her. "Think nothing of it, my lady," he said before giving her a sly grin. "I'm just grateful you decided not to sell me for a couple thousand gold pieces."

Marinette shook her head with snort. "I personally don't think you're worth that much."

"Yeah, you're right... It should have been five thousand."

The princess raised her head to the sky and made a noise between a laugh and a groan. "You are such a scoundrel," she snapped playfully.

"Ooohhh..." Adrien purred. "That's definitely a new one."

She laughed again, and he laughed with her. Damn, he was really going to miss this.

Marinette opened up her purse and pulled out a small, silver ring infused with a bright-green emerald on the band. It was far too big for her tiny little fingers, of course, so Adrien knew what it was right away.

"This was the ring my mother gave my father when they got married," Marinette explained while staring thoughtfully at the jewel. "I promised him that one day, I would give it to the boy I would fall in love with." Her face fell, and Adrien knew from that look that she had made that promise before she had been forcefully engaged to Prince Theo.

Adrien tried not to appear disappointed. "I'm glad I decided not to keep it, then," he said.

Marinette smirked and held the ring out in front of him, as though comparing it to him. "I don't think it's your style anyway," she stated.

Adrien took that as a challenge and sneered. "Only one way to find out," he sang.

Before he could stop himself, the thief snatched the ring out of Marinette's fingers. She stared at him, jaw dropping, as he slipped it on his right hand and held it out on display. It did fit him perfectly, and green was his favourite colour...

Adrien glanced at Marinette, suddenly wishing he hadn't been so daring for once. But the moment their eyes met, the princess's expression melted from appalled to star-struck. A ghost of a smile appeared, and the snow-white skin on her cheeks turned a dusty shade of red.

Adrien's own cheeks heated up, but he couldn't take his eyes off of hers. He was utterly spellbound. His heart pounded furiously in his chest, and he almost forgot to breathe.

Finally, he shook his head and quickly pulled the ring off and extended it to her. "Yeah... um, you're right," he stuttered with a chuckle. "Not my style. But I'm sure your fiancé will love it."

Marinette took such a long time taking the ring back from him, her voice drifting off as she squeaked, "Thank you."

I should go now, Adrien thought, before I deeply regret it. But he refused to move at all.

His mind was so jumbled, he wasn't paying attention to what Marinette said next... until he felt her hand on his.

Inhaling sharply, Adrien watched perplexed as the princess lifted his hand and placed something long and colourful in his open palm. It was the string of beads from her belt. The centre green bead was bigger than the rest, and it was engraved with the outline of a large flower.

"Now that you don't have the dust anymore," Marinette clarified, "you'll need a bit more luck to stop Hawkmoth."

Adrien gaped at her, shaking his head. "Ladybug, you shouldn't have to –"

"Trust me," Marinette urged him, closing his hand around the string. "It's worked for me pretty fine. Just promise me you won't sell it to some old hedge witch... or goblin king."

A breath of a laugh escaped Adrien, and he nodded with smug assurance. "Cross my heart," he vowed.

They smiled at each other for much longer than was necessary. Why are you still here? The logical voice inside Adrien's head snapped. Stop ogling her already and go!

"So listen, uh..." Marinette began, drawing the thief's attention once more. "I know you're still a wanted fugitive, and you'll probably be busy anyway... you know, saving the world and all that..."

Adrien's mouth curled up higher as she stammered on.

"But, I was thinking... well, actually hoping..." Marinette twiddled her fingers and shrugged. "If you ever happen to stop by... or need help in any way –"

"I'll find you," Adrien said.

Marinette finally looked up at him.

"Unless, of course, you find me first," the thief offered with a wink. "You're pretty good at that."

Marinette gave him a proud grin. "Always," she murmured.

With nothing else to say – and not enough courage in him to utter a goodbye – Adrien began backing away.

Marinette did the same, not taking her eyes off of him... until she stumbled and nearly tripped over herself with a frightful yelp. Adrien snorted into his empty hand before Marinette straightened up giggling, waved goodbye and then turned sharply on her heels, her ladybug cloak flowing out behind her.

Adrien finally turned around. He pulled his black hood over his head and slung his pack over his shoulder before hiking back up the trail towards the Enchanted Forest. He counted the steps ...five, six, seven, eight...

Then, he stopped.

And without meaning to, he looked back.

He waited until his Ladybug disappeared down the hill before resuming his hike.

All that time, Adrien never stopped smiling.

MB: Part 1 finally finished!

Coming up in Part 2: scheming bandits, romantic dances, sinister plots, broken hearts, and daring escapades!