"Nino?" Marinette exclaimed in horror, "What are you doing here?"
Chat Noir's ears straightened, alert, "You know this person?"
"Marinette knows everyone in Parthis, Lord Noir," Nino muttered, "That's the reason I came, actually. I need Marinette to-"
"Lady Noir is not to be involved with the akumas," Chat hissed, his eyes narrowed slits, "No one harms my lady, your quarrel is with me and me alone. Leave or be destroyed."
Chat Noir's destructive black matter swirled around his hands again, and Marinette instantly jumped off her throne next to him, getting in between him and Nino.
"I will not leave," Nino retorted, "Not until I've asked Marinette and she tells me to leave."
"Why you-!" Chat snarled jumping up angrily from his throne.
"Chat Noir, don't you dare touch my friend!" Marinette yelled at him shoving him back down into his throne roughly.
Chat blinked wide green eyes at her in horrified shock as he rapidly pulled his hand away from nearly touching her as the destructive matter faded. His shock quickly faded to anger at her.
"Don't come near me when my cataclysm is active. And I told you, you can't go near the akumas." Chat snarled. "The akumas will-"
"FOR FUCKS SAKE, I DON'T WANT A DAMN AKUMA!" Nino yelled, swearing angrily.
Chat blinked, his face blank. "Oh."
Marinette sent him a filthy glare to which Chat shrugged sheepishly.
Nino exhaled deeply, and started again, "Lady Marinette, I came to ask if you could visit Alya just once, please Marinette. She's been reading all kind of strange books in different languages non-stop, she's not eating or sleeping, she's gone insane. Please, she's trying to rescue you, but she's going to kill herself first! Just visit her once." Nino had tears in his eyes by the end of it.
Chat Noir twisted uncomfortably on his chair.
Marinette stared at him, "Well?"
"I'm sorry. You know only death can set you free from our marriage." Chat wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Not that," Marinette dismissed impatiently, "What do I have to do to convince you to let me visit Alya?"
"What do you mean?" Chat Noir looked up at her in confusion, "Princess, you're free to come and go as you like. The front doors aren't exactly locked."
"WHAT?" Marinette shrieked.
"What?" Nino said in disbelief.
"What?" Chat repeated looking even more confused.
"What do you mean I've been free to leave this whole time?!" Marinette shrieked, "You locked me in your room last night!"
"Last night was the full moon when the akumas are out! Which, by the way, you better be back here by for the next one. Don't make me have to drag you back. Except for the full moon, you're free to come and go as you like."
"Why even kidnap her then?" Nino demanded.
Chat Noir shrugged, "I needed a wife."
"That's not how you get a wife!"
"Efficient, though," Chat sniped, apparently having decided to be as obnoxious as possible.
"Okay, that's enough," Marinette snapped, causing Chat to look somewhat guilty, "You have no reason to be an ass. I'm leaving with Nino. I'll be back in time."
"Wait!" Chat cried looking horrified, "Shouldn't you at least stay the night here and leave in the morning? It's already dark out. Your friend can stay in any of the guest rooms."
Nino looked incredibly uncomfortable with the idea, but nodded anyway. Rien stepped out of the shadows and led him away.
Marinette was left to stare at Chat suspiciously, "I'm really free to leave?"
Chat tore his gaze away from her again, staring at the far end of the wall instead, "I know you never wanted to be my wife but… I really have no desire to imprison you. Or any of the others." Chat's eerie green eyes looked back to meet her gaze, "At the very least, Marinette, I swear never to lie to you. You are free to come and go as you wish, just make sure you're here during the full moon."
Chat Noir left the room quietly, leaving Marinette to stare after him in confusion.
Marinette woke early the next morning to prepare herself to leave. She headed to the kitchen to quickly bake some cookies to bring back with her- a few each of Alya's favorite, her dad's favorite and her mom' favorite. She hoped the cookies would convince them that she was fine, after all, who bakes cookies if they're in danger? She was just taking the last batch out when Rien strode in looking worried.
"You're leaving? No one's ever wanted to leave before," Rien frowned, "Are you giving up?"
Marinette hesitated, "I don't know. Rien, I can't kill him."
Rien stared at her, brows raised, "So isn't that just a yes?"
"No," Marinette said stubbornly, "because there's another way to keep the akumas from hurting people. I just have to convince people not to accept them."
"You really think that'll work?" Rien said skeptically, "We know killing Chat Noir would end all this."
"Well, that's not something I'm willing to accept," Marinette snapped.
Rien looked at her curiously, "Why do you care about him? He kidnapped you."
Marinette scowled, "It's not about caring for him. What you're talking about is murder!"
"It's not murder if the person wants to die." Rien protested, "He's literally kidnapping women hoping one of them will turn out to be the one to kill him. He's a monster and he knows it."
"Speaking of, why didn't you mention the whole Ladybug thing earlier?" Marinette stared at him suspiciously, "Aren't you supposed to be helping me? Honestly, I'm not so sure it's Chat Noir I should be worried about."
Rien looked at her annoyed, "I can't tell you anything that you don't already know. I thought we already covered that. And you should be worried of Chat Noir. Of everyone. Even me. Akumas can possess anyone."
Marinette sighed, "Don't know why I ever called you Sunshine. I'm feeling thoroughly gloomy right now."
Rien placed a hand on her shoulder encouragingly, "If you don't want to kill Chat Noir, fine. We'll give your way a try. Maybe it'll work. If not, well, leave the rest to me."
"Why do I feel like I don't like the sound of that," she stated flatly.
Rien shrugged, "Honestly, you probably won't. Murder isn't exactly fun."
"So much for it not being murder." Marinette sniped.
"Just take your cookies and go," Rien rolled his eyes.
"You don't want one?" Marinette offered, waving one tantalizingly.
"I don't eat cookies,"
"You're the monster," Marinette huffed as she left the room.