MB: This was another one of those long, agonizing "Let's get this over with" chapters. But right after this one, the fun (and the pain) will begin! Mwahahahaha!
Some of you are probably wondering, "Are Tikki and Plagg going to be somewhere in this story?" My answer is... we'll see. ;)
Enjoy!
PART 2:
Chapter 4:
Get the Message?
The second she got to her room and closed the door, Marinette raced to the fireplace, which was still roaring with life. Then she ripped the black crossbow bolt out of the box and tossed it onto the burning logs. Then she threw the box in for good measure.
Marinette leaned against the mantle and watched the flames devour the wood. Within an hour or so, both items would be nothing but ash... and so would Hawkmoth's idle threats.
He won't win. I won't let him win.
And yet, she kept hearing his laugh echo off the stone walls. She kept seeing those blue eyes cutting through her like a knife to a block of cheese, hacking her off bit my bit.
But then Marinette thought about her lucky charm on Adrien's wrist... and her courage returned. She sighed and took off her mask. Then she closed her eyes and imagined the warmth from the fire as Adrien – holding her in his arms, giving her strength.
We won't let him win.
The door creaked open behind her before slamming shut with a loud BANG!
Marinette snapped around, immediately thinking Hawkmoth had heard her thoughts and returned here to punish her.
But it was only Chloe.
She had removed her mask as well, revealing those slender eyes that now glared at Marinette with disdain. "You really take me for a fool, don't you?" the princess of Bourgeois grumbled. "You thought I wouldn't be able to put all the pieces together: the smiles, the dreamy glances, the secrecy..."
Marinette placed her hands on her hips. "I give up," she sighed dramatically. "What do you want, Chloe?"
The blonde approached the blunette in small, delicate steps. "Lots of things," Chloe replied as though it was obvious. "A new wardrobe, a new carriage, better servants, a renovation in the dining hall... and some salted caviar. But firstly," she added more coldly, "I want you to tell me what's going on between you and Prince Adrien."
Just when things couldn't get any worse tonight. "Who?" Marinette asked.
"Oh, spare me," Chloe said, unimpressed. "Why else would your fancy feline take off the moment the King of Agreste arrived?"
Now Marinette was the one being serious – eyes narrowed, lips firm. "Hawkmoth is no king," she stated.
"And your "Cat Noir" is no prince, is he?" Chloe asked with a smirk. She let out a pig-like giggle before saying, "I never imagined you could be so scandalous, Marinette – throwing yourself at a notorious blaggard and then sneaking him into someone else's castle." She glanced upward thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, I am curious. Is dancing the only thing you two do together?"
The room suddenly became hotter in Marinette's perspective. "It's not like that, Chloe!" she snapped. "We've never even...!" She stopped herself, took a deep breath, and explained in a softer tone, "I haven't seen him in a long time. I didn't even know he was coming here tonight." Her eyes drifted off as she remembered spotting Adrien in the ballroom, and she smiled. "But he found me."
Chloe's face darkened once more and she spelled out two small words: "Forget him."
Now Marinette was the one smirking. "You speak as if that's so easy," she mused.
"Nobility is not meant to be easy," the princess of Bourgeois stated flatly. Her blue eyes burned with ice-cold fire fueled by years of power and self-indulgence. "All this wealth that we have, the things that we do help our kingdoms prosper – you think that comes without a price?" Chloe exhaled through her nose like a dragon about to lose its temper. "You think you get to live your "happily ever after" while everyone else pays for your happiness?"
Marinette shook her head. "I never asked for any of this," she insisted. "I never even asked to be Theo's bride!"
Chloe feigned empathy. "You were chosen, Marinette," she said. "You – the second-born princess, the spare – were given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to unify two of the most powerful kingdoms in the realm." Chloe's eyes narrowed. "At least try to be grateful for that."
Instead of being grateful, Marinette took a defiant step closer. "It wasn't charity you were thinking of when you suggested the marriage, Chloe," she said in a low tone. "It was the only way to save your kingdom; to cover up your mistakes."
Spots of red appeared on Chloe's face, and she clenched her jaw rather hideously. "Watch yourself, girl," she growled ominously. "I did not stake everything I have on this marriage just to have some "true love" nonsense throw it all away. This is a choice you made – honour it!"
But Marinette stood her ground. "The only choice I intend to honour is my choice to love Adrien!" she declared, feeling a sensation of pride when Chloe reeled back. "And nothing you say will ever change that!"
A dark pall of silence hung between the two princesses, broken now and then by a crackling snap from the fireplace.
Then Chloe – much to Marinette's confusion – smiled. It wasn't a smirk or a fake grin, but a genuine sweet smile, like warm spiced honey. "Suit yourself," the blonde said with a shrug. "It is your choice, after all." She then lifted her hand and began admiring her nails as though she had nothing better to do.
Marinette blinked, unconvinced by how easily swayed Chloe was. What is she up to?
Her fears were confirmed when Chloe raised a sly eyebrow at her. "I should warn you, though: conspiring with and fraternizing with a wanted criminal puts a heavy stain on a royal reputation," she advised. "One that would leave your parents ultimately shattered and humiliated."
A harsh rumbling noise filled Marinette's ears. It was one thing to have Chloe threaten her... but her parents?!
Chloe sneered at her reaction. "And don't get me started on the possibility of both of our kingdoms become eternal enemies," she added. "I'd hardly think Bourgeois would ever forgive Dupain-Cheng for walking out on a promising peace treaty."
Marinette couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you blackmailing me?" she asked, her voice almost cracking.
"I'm merely reminding you of what's at stake here, Ladybug," Chloe hissed, her tone deadly-low. She then waved a finger in the appalled blunette's face. "Do whatever it takes to get that boy out of your head, because nothing is going to stop this wedding. Nothing."
The princess of Dupain-Cheng opened her mouth retaliate, but she couldn't find her voice anymore.
Taking her silence as to meaning the discussion was settled, Chloe stomped towards the door as regally as a princess would, her heavy dress dragging along the floor. Marinette watched the golden queen bee disappear into the brightly-lit corridor before the door clicked shut behind her.
Marinette rubbed at her temples and began pacing around the room feverishly.
The wedding was in two days. Maybe she could find some loophole in the marriage contract that Chloe might have overlooked. Maybe Marinette could implore her parents to annul the marriage. Maybe she could convince them that what she and Adrien felt for each other was real...
The princess paused. Did Adrien feel the same way for her? He was kind of being vague about the whole thing when he had asked her his question. Had he been referring to himself or just anyone in general?
Marinette shook her head. She was letting her frustration and anxiety get her all riled up. She needed to think. If only I could speak to Adrien again. If only I could tell him how I feel.
At that moment, the princess's eyes fell on the polished stationary by the window. Fresh sheets of flat parchment sat untouched on the desk, along with ink and quills.
A confident grin lit up Marinette's face. "Nothing, huh?" she asked as she rushed over to the stationary and sat down. "Try and stop me."
She laid out one of the parchments before her. Then Marinette picked up a quill and dipped it into the pot of ink. After a few seconds, she put the quill to paper: "Dearest Adrien," she began.
It took only a short moment. In the end, Marinette smiled with satisfaction and waited for the ink to dry before rolling the parchment up into a small, tight roll.
She excused herself from her chambers and made her way ever-so-discreetly to the Aerie, the pigeon coup in the south spire of the castle. It was harder to ascend the steps due to her long dress – and it was colder too. But Marinette gritted her teeth and ignored the bitter breeze.
Once she made it to the top of the Aerie, she spotted several filthy birds' nests. Only a rare few were occupied. No doubt it was because of the horde of wedding invitations Chloe had sent out to almost every delegation in the neighboring kingdoms.
Luckily, Marinette found one pigeon that was still awake: one with snow-white feathers and beautiful pink eyes that perked up upon seeing the princess.
Marinette gently picked up the bird and tied the message onto its leg. Then she walked outside to the tower battlements and looked out into the open world.
The moonlit sky shimmered above the sea of dark hills and treetops. It all seemed so enormous. How could Marinette possibly know if her message would reach its rightful destination... in the right time? But the princess stroked the pigeon's back with optimism. This was Bourgeois. Here, even the pigeons were well-trained.
"Find Adrien in the Enchanted Forest," Marinette whispered to the bird pleadingly. Then she launched it into the air.
It fluttered away like it knew exactly where it had to go. Marinette prayed with all her heart that it did.
Find him.
Morning came too slow for Adrien. So did the afternoon.
Adrien lay on his back in a field of tall grass just outside the Enchanted Forest, arms behind his head as he gazed up at the shifting bushels of grey clouds. He chewed on the end of a grass stem, swishing it back and forth between his teeth in contemplation.
The weather was surprisingly warmer today, and the sun was shining. But it did nothing to lift the young prince's spirits.
The escape from Castle Bourgeois had been a walk in the woods, but once Nathalie's carriage had rolled out of town, Adrien felt like it hadn't been a total victory. His former governess had noticed the thief's vacant, dismal expression as he and the Seven Bandits prepared to leave her manor – each one dressed in their usual garb again. To his relief, Nathalie didn't press the matter, even when they had made their goodbyes.
"You should leave the kingdom for a while," Adrien had suggested. "Maybe go to that summer cabin we all used to visit when I was little. Or go see a distant relative. Just steer clear of Hawkmoth and the Bourgeois in any way you can."
Nathalie assured him she would make arrangements right away. "Perhaps you should take your own advice," she had said. "Leave the kingdom, Adrien. Come back when you're older, or with an army. Get away from all of this."
But Adrien knew couldn't leave, not as long as Hawkmoth sat on his father's throne and oppressed his mother's people. Not to mention he still needed to free Queen Vivienne from her sleeping curse. And then there was Ladybug...
The thief spat out the grass in his mouth before sitting up. Castle Bourgeois sat on the horizon, just on the other side of the valley where the great lake was. That tall, glistening spire was where Ladybug – no, Princess Marinette – was now, preparing for her wedding tomorrow.
Adrien tired to ignore the bob in his throat. Why didn't I just come clean with her at the ball? He cursed himself. Why did I wait so long to see her?
Now it was too late. Even if Marinette cared about him, there was no way Bourgeois was going to rescind the arrangement. Adrien knew what kind of person Princess Chloe was the moment he saw her: a proud, pampered daddy's girl who took pleasure in taking charge of everyone else's lives.
Adrien straightened up and stretched his arms out in front of him. That's when he noticed the lucky charm he still wore on his right wrist. Curious, Adrien angled his arm in different directions, and the beads on the red string slid up and down in a synchronized dance. The large green one with the flower carving reflected the sunlight on its smooth surface.
Suddenly, memories from the night before cascaded over him: the lovely music he couldn't get out of his head; the many lanterns glowing warmly around him as he danced with his lady; the way they had gazed into each other's eyes when he lifted her; their heartbeats joining as one when she pulled him a little too close...
Perhaps... it wasn't too late.
"Coo-roo, coo-roo!"
Adrien blinked and looked up just as a white, fluttering bird appeared out of nowhere and hovered in front of him.
The sudden itchiness in his nose came, and Adrien sneezed.
The pigeon backed away, then flew back and landed on the thief's outstretched arm.
Adrien sneezed again. "Sorry, little guy," he groaned as he wiped his nose on his sleeve. "I'm allergic to feathers... Achoo! No offence."
The pigeon just stared at him with those weird pink eyes and lifted its leg.
Adrien sniffled and peered at the tiny roll of paper through his tear-streaked eyes. Trying very carefully not to sneeze on the bird, Adrien wiggled the string off until the roll fell into his hand. Then the pigeon spread its wings and took off into the air.
Adrien quickly took out a handkerchief and blew his nose. It was almost hilarious, actually: a boy calling himself "Cat Noir" who couldn't stand to be near any kind of bird.
Once he finally got his sinuses cleared out, Adrien eyed the roll of paper suspiciously.
Who had sent it, and how did they know where to find him? It could very well be a trap – Rose and Alya often spoke of written spells that had devastating effects whenever ordinary people read them. Adrien huffed. I'll open it, and if it's something in a made up language or has strange symbols on it, I'll tear it up. And if it's from Hawkmoth... I'll tear it up and eat it. And if it's from...
Wait... could she have sent it?
Unsurprisingly, curiosity killed the cat.
Adrien unrolled the parchment, immediately catching glimpses of beautiful, cursive handwriting. His heart did a flip-flop and he started from the beginning, which had his name on it:
Dearest Adrien,
At the ball, you asked me if I would want to be with someone who couldn't give me anything but who he is and what he felt for me. My answer is yes... and I wouldn't have you, my silly kitty, in any other way.
I still don't know if it's your gallant heart or your childish charm, but whatever the case, not a day goes by when I don't think about you. You helped me remember that we have the ability to choose the happiness we so desire. And in that revelation, I realized that you, Cat Noir, are more than just my partner and my friend: You are my happiness.
But I also realized that it wouldn't be fair to not allow you to choose your own happiness.
In two days' time, I am to be married. Come to me before then. Come to me and show me you feel the same, and I can promise you that we will be together forever. And if you don't, I will have my answer. But even then, you will always be in my heart. And I will always be,
Your Ladybug
He read the letter again, slowly in case he misunderstood something. Then he read it again, just because he wanted to.
When he finished, Adrien finally looked up from the paper. His green eyes welled up with fresh tears, and it wasn't from his allergies this time. He couldn't stop smiling – it had grown considerably higher as he had read the letter.
"She loves me," he murmured.
Him – the prince who had no throne, no kingdom, and no army; the stepson of an evil wizard who wouldn't rest until his heart stopped beating; the thief who had stolen something precious from a stalwart princess and nearly got her killed getting it back; the unlucky Cat Noir, who had believed that true love was only a fairytale while she had dreamed of it her whole life.
And he loved her – the princess who never asked for anything more than what she had; the warrior who defended the meek and innocent with an iron will and a sharp killer instinct; the runaway who sought to forge her own destiny in a world where others decided it for her; the beautiful Ladybug, who wanted to spread her wings and go wherever the wind took her.
All of a sudden, the dry field around Adrien seemed warmer and livelier. The castle in the distance was no longer an intimidating gauntlet of high walls and sealed doors... but more like a structure of building blocks Adrien could easily knock down with a swipe of his hand.
Unable to hold back the triumphant joy in his heart, Adrien let out a shrill, "She loves me!" and fell back onto the ground, pounding his fists into the high heavens. "Whoo-hoo!"
And for the first time in over a year, Adrien felt something more than love erupt inside him; something he had barely clung onto before but now grasped with unrelenting strength:
Hope.
When Adrien came bursting through the door to the cottage, seven people jerked upright wherever they sat or stood, and seven pairs of wide eyes snapped to the vibrant thief.
Poor Rose fell out of her chair. Max twisted himself up in his hammock. Kim straightened up so fast that he bumped his head on the roof, bending over with a frustrated moan. Juleka and Nathaniel looked like they were in the middle of something (Alya playfully called it "cuddling"). The shape-shifter herself was sitting cross-legged on the bed stitching a ripped patch on Nino's tunic – with Nino still wearing it.
So when the huntsman yelped and leapt back, he dragged all of that loose stitching with him – and Alya too. The two lovers crashed onto the wooden floor with the huntsman on the bottom and his girlfriend on top.
Alya winced. "Sorry, honey."
"Oh, don't worry," Nino groaned. "I only hit my head. Nothing important." He then shot Adrien a glare. "Dude! A little warning next time?"
To his surprise, Adrien didn't even try to look the least bit guilty. In fact, he looked like he just ran a lap around the Enchanted Forest. His hair and forehead glistened with sweat and his breaths came out in ragged wheezes. But he wore a grin so big it went up to the roof.
"Ladybug!" he blurted out. "She...! Letter...! Castle...! Loves...!"
Max peaked up at Adrien as Kim helped him get out of his tangled state. "Care to elaborate?" the little black man called.
Nino and Alya lifted each other to their feet and gazed curiously at their friend. Nino knew that quirky look in those green eyes: like he had just been to heaven and back. The huntsman had felt that himself once... on the day he met Alya.
Juleka and Nathaniel tried to help up Rose, but the tiny blonde was already way ahead of them. "Did Adrien just say "loves"?" she asked excitedly. "Who loves what? Or who? Who is it?!"
The golden-haired thief held up something in his hand. It looked like a piece of paper.
After taking a few easier breaths, Adrien finally annunciated, "Ladybug! She sent me a letter... asking me to... come to the castle... because..." His mouth pulled back even more, bearing those princely teeth of his. "She loves me!"
Nino wasn't sure whether he should appear shocked or thrilled. Was there a word for both?
But once again, Rose was the first to act. She let out a happy squeal and threw her arms around Adrien in a tight, proud hug.
Soon, everyone was surrounding the poor boy – embracing him, clapping him on the back, kissing him on the cheek, pounding a fist to his shoulder, or ruffling his hair. Nino mostly did the second and last ones. Then they all got turns reading the letter, and one by one their faces lit up.
"Aww!" Rose sighed before squealing again. "What did I tell you? Love can overcome all obstacles! Oh my god – I'm getting shivers just thinking about it!"
"Hey, Nate," Kim said to their redheaded bard, "maybe you should write a book about it."
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. "If I had time for a book, I wouldn't be hanging out with you mangy vagabonds," he teased.
""Mangy"? Who you calling "mangy"?" Alya snapped at the storyteller. Her amber eyes burned as though she was going to turn fox and nip his fingers off.
Max raised a hand due to his short height. "You all do realize that the odds of perfect romantic pairings happening in an entire lifetime are about slim to none, right?"
Juleka shrugged. "Sometimes you find the right person even when the odds are against you," she deduced, glancing sideways at Nathaniel as she spoke.
"Can't argue with that," Alya broke in, seemingly back to her calm, contented self.
As they all squabbled and laughed and squealed, Nino saw Adrien blush and rub the back of his neck. The huntsman couldn't blame him – he'd be doing the same if his friends made such a big deal out of his relationship with Alya. He's a lucky man, he thought proudly. I hope he realizes that.
"So what are you going to do now, bro?" Nino asked, though he already knew the answer.
His best friend grinned, his green eyes gleaming with an idea. "What would any helpless romantic and handsome rogue do?" Adrien asked flamboyantly. "I'm going to crash the royal wedding... before there even is a wedding."
There was all manner of hustle and bustle in and out of Bourgeois's capital city. The people finished placing decorations all over the fronts of inns, taverns and shops lining the main street. It would be where the royal procession would march after the bride and groom exchanged their vows at the royal chapel. At the front gates of the castle, a gangly palace official holding a long scroll gave instructions for the last minute arrivals that came bearing gifts and supplies for the ceremony.
They all had no idea that their efforts would soon be for nothing.
Adrien strolled casually up the main street and towards the castle. He had no fear of being stopped or questioned because he now wore a white cloak bearing the green-and-gold arms of Dupain-Cheng, which he had swiped previously from one of the convoys entering the city. In addition, he carried a heavy basket filled with freshly-cut red and pink roses. To everyone around him, Adrien was just a wedding florist – not a black-cat prince coming to steal away their princess bride.
He carefully manoeuvred his way through the commotion and stood in line by the gate. Adrien fidgeted as he glimpsed the tall, dark stone structure ahead of him. The castle was much more ominous and intimidating under the veil of night. The golden rims now shined pale green in the moonlight, like phantom wisps from a children's tale. Adrien forced his heart to steady itself. Soon I'll be high-tailing it out of here... and Marinette will be with me.
He could already imagine the look on Ladybug's face once he would emerge into her room – her rogue knight coming to rescue his princess. He imagined her running into his arms before he would spin her around, his fingers combing through her hair, his lips brushing against her neck. Then Adrien would look deep into his lady's eyes and whisper those three little words like they were all he had ever learned to say: I love you.
Adrien wasn't quite sure exactly how he was going to sneak Marinette out afterwards. Tiptoe through the corridors? Carry her out the window and shimmy down the tower with his princess on his back? Adrien shrugged. Escape plans weren't usually his forte – he normally just improvised.
Finally, it was his turn, but not before the palace official called over his shoulders to the coachmen, "I want that carriage absolutely spotless for tomorrow's journey!" Then the thin man addressed Adrien formerly. "And what is your business here, sir?"
Adrien bowed and presented his basket. "Flowers for the Princess Marinette from the kingdom of Dupain-Cheng," he imparted smoothly.
The official squinted at his list, then at Adrien, and then at the list again. It made Adrien swallow and wonder if Bourgeois was even expecting a florist from Marinette's kingdom. I knew I should have taken that wine barrel instead.
Finally, to the thief's relief, the official sighed and beckoned behind him. "Top of the northeast spire," he mumbled. "Take the service stairwell or the guards will toss you over the walls."
"Thank you, sir," Adrien said graciously as he scurried past the man and through the open gate.
And as he trekked across the bailey towards the entrance of the castle, Adrien couldn't help but grin.
The hallways were so open it was impossible for anyone to wander through them without their footsteps echoing along the stones.
Well, impossible for anyone – except Cat Noir. His steps were swift and feather-light. It was a skill he had to learn while hiding out in a forest where the smallest rustle of leaves or the crunch of a twig could give him away.
Once he was sure there were no guards, attendants or decorators in sight, Adrien placed his basket of roses down on one of the tables. Then he shed his white cloak and hung it on a pole held by a suit of armour. "As you were, good sir," the thief whispered playfully as he hurried on towards the eastern side of the castle.
It felt weird, being inside a castle again after so long. While it wasn't as overly-lavish as Castle Agreste, Adrien had to admit that this place brought back memories of home: playing knights-and-dragons with the serving boys, sneaking to the kitchen to grab a late-night snack, and finding a good place to hide from his nursemaid whenever he got in trouble. I guess some princes are born rogues, Adrien mused, and some rogues are meant to be princes.
The way to the northeast spire was no trouble, and Adrien kept track of every turn he made, every door he passed, and every staircase he traversed. The way forward was clear – it was getting back that would be the real challenge.
As Adrien came into a small waiting area with thick stone pillars supporting the ceiling, he heard the sudden sound of a door slamming.
And footsteps... coming this way!
Adrien ducked quietly behind one of the pillars, but then something fell out of his pocket as he did so. He looked with horror to see his letter – Marinette's letter – lying exposed in the middle of the corridor. If whoever was coming found it and read it, they'd report to Chloe... and they would know Adrien was here.
Cursing, Adrien rushed over and snatched up the letter just as a shadow appeared around the corner. Adrien returned to his hiding spot and held his breath, imagining himself as a suit of armour.
The footsteps moved closer, and closer...
Sweat beaded down Adrien's brow as he inched further around the pillar.
Then the person those steps belonged to meandered right past him, utterly oblivious to the intruder.
Adrien peaked around... and almost gasped when he saw a woman dressed in cream-coloured riding leathers, her two tails of midnight-blue hair bouncing over her shoulders.
It was Marinette – his princess, his saviour, his Ladybug.
She was right there, and he had no idea she had walked right by him.
Adrien smiled big and emerged from his hiding spot. His mouth opened to call out her name...
...until someone grabbed the thief from behind, covering his mouth with a rough, gloved hand before he could utter a sound.
Panicking, Adrien writhed and pulled and kicked out with all his might, but whoever had caught him was undoubtedly strong. So Adrien did the only other thing he could – he played dead.
The moment he slumped to the ground, the assailant's grip on him loosened. Adrien snapped his eyes open and bashed the large man on both his ears, leaving him disoriented. Then the cunning rogue rammed his feet into his opponent's stomach and sent him sprawling on the ground before Adrien rolled back up.
But his attacker had brought friends: two Bourgeois guards with swords drawn and pointed right at him the moment Adrien was back on his feet.
Panting heavily, Adrien snapped around... Ah, crap.
Two more soldiers blocked the other end of the corridor, their own weapons drawn. And standing between them was a very sassy, very proud, very obnoxious golden-haired beauty.
"Well, well, well," Princess Chloe voiced with a triumphant sneer directed at Adrien. "Look what the cat dragged in, boys." She cackled wickedly and allowed her guards to move in on their prisoner. "See what I just did there?"
Adrien scowled at her, but raised his hands in surrender, wishing he had brought a weapon at the last minute. "Yeah," he grumbled at Chloe. "Hilarious."