Victorian AU

Maid Marinette gazed forlornly out the window. Her father, the King, was busy preparing the festival for tomorrow that was to be held. She was supposed to be getting herself ready as well, but as usual, her thoughts were far away in Sherwood forest with Chat Noir.

She let out a sigh at the thought of the beautiful, skilled, archer. If luck was on her side, he would be at the festival tomorrow. And if luck wasn't, he would probably still be there, but would be caught by Sheriff Hawkmoth.

It was a never ending cycle of worry for her.

They were supposed to be married by now. But the damned sheriff always ruined everything. She could have run off with him anytime before now, but she couldn't put her father through that. And if she did, it was likely Sheriff Hawkmoth would twist the situation to look like a kidnapping, and she wouldn't dare put more weight over Chat's head.

So instead they went about it like this; Maid Marinette always waiting for Chat to have a moment to see her, and Chat refusing to save his name at the price of the poor. And she wouldn't let him, even if he wished to.

At some point she fell asleep, with her blanket wrapped around her to protect her delicate skin from the cold night air coming through the window. She wasn't asleep for long, however, before she was awoken by a tapping sound.

Blearily she opened her eyes to see Chat Noir outside her window, a single red rose held delicately in his fingers. He had the most gorgeous smile stretched softly across his face, and Maid Marinette hurried to throw open her window.

"Chat!" She cried softly, throwing her arms around his neck. "I was beginning to worry you weren't able to come."

"And miss a chance to see you, M'Lady? Never." Tightening his hold around her, he breathed an apology in her ear. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Princess."

"Don't be. We both knew what we were getting into in the very beginning, and my mind will not be changed."

He pulled away and bowed low, holding out the rose. "For you, my love." "Thank you, Chat." She said softly, taking the rose that he had so clearly taken the time to dethorn and placing it behind her ear.

"I cannot stay long, I'm afraid. Little Nino is waiting for me down below."

"Well, say hello to your Merry Men for me, yes? And thank Little Nino as well, for keeping you safe."

"Of course, Dear."

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

He grinned at her, one leg already out her window. "Meet me by the usual spot, M'Lady." And with that, he was gone. Maid Marinette hurried to her window to watch fearfully as he used his daggers to climb his way back down the side of the castle. Once he was landed on the ground, she blew him a kiss, before retreating to her bed. Now she would sleep, and tomorrow she would see him again.

Maid Marinette waited patiently by their usual meeting spot for Chat. She knew he wouldn't be coming as Chat, though, but instead as the lovely boy under the mask.

Adrien Agreste. When he had become a vigilante for the poor he donned the mask and name of Chat Noir.

The first person he had stolen from had been his father.

She knew that deep down it had hurt him to do that, had torn a little piece of him apart. But she also knew that he had to, for his own sake. There was just no winning in his life.

"Why, Maid Marinette, you look absolutely stunning today."

Maid Marinette turned quickly with a large smile and dipped low in a curtsy. "Whu, thank you, Sir Agreste." She said back just as cheekily.

"Fancy seeing you here, at the archery booth. And alone at that. You wouldn't happen to be waiting for a certain… Criminal, would you?"

She pretended to be appalled. "Heavens, no! I would never!"

He laughed and grabbed up her hand, placing a loving kiss to her knuckles. She let out a dreamy sigh and stared at him lovingly.

"Would you like to shoot some arrows, my Dear?" He asked.

"Only if you're going to help me." She said slyly.

"It would be my pleasure."

She scoffed and whacked his arm, stepping up to the row of bows and arrows. She let Adrien pick out what he wanted her to use and took it from him when he held it out to her. He swung the quiver over his own shoulder before guiding her into place some yards before a target.

"Now," he stepped up close behind her, reaching around her shoulders to place her hands correctly on the bow, "you're going to grip it here… and here." He curled her fingers carefully around the string and helped her pull it back after placing the arrow in it's own spot.

"And aim… Now let go." She did as he instructed and watched with satisfaction as the arrow soared and landed near the bullseye.

"Nice job, Princess. You've been practicing." He chuckled.

"I've got to make sure I can keep up."

"Ah." He said, clearing his throat. There was a sad look in his eyes as he pulled back. "Where to next, M'Lady?"

She sighed sadly as he took the bow from her and put it back along with the quiver. She hadn't meant to upset him; she should have chosen her words more carefully. She knew that Chat missed her just as much as she did when they were apart. She also knew that he wished for nothing more than to scoop her up and run away with her.

"How about the strength test?" She said with a grin, hoping to change the subject from their sadness.

"Really, Maid Marinette? You may be good with a bow now, but you still are no match for me in strength." He held his arms up and striked a silly pose. She giggled and grabbed his arm, pretending to swoon.

"Oh, Adrien! You're so strong." She added in a sigh and eyelash flutter to be safe.

He laughed happily, pulling her in close. "Only for you, my love."

As he had predicted, he had beaten her badly at the strength test, but beating him hadn't been her motive for taking him there- oh, no. She had taken him there so she could watch as he swung the heavy mallet over his head and smashed it down on the plate that sent the ball all the way up to the bell. She hid her swooning at the sight of his muscles straining under his thin tunic, fanning herself happily. After that they continued their way through to fair, happily spending the day in each other's presence.

But it all came crashing down when Sheriff Hawkmoth's men tore through, looking for the disguised Chat Noir they just knew were there.

"Chat." Maid Marinette hissed as she clung tightly to him, the soldiers running rampant. "You need to go!"

He looked down at her with pain in his eyes, Before he nodded curtly and disengaged himself from her.

"I love you." He whispered reverently with a promise behind it as he traced the curve of her face and disappeared in the crowd.

Maid Marinette's shoulder fell, her face looking terribly sad as a small sob ripped from her chest. How much longer could she do this? How much longer how could they go on like this, always being torn apart?

She was returned to the castle by one of the guards, assuring her that the thief would be caught. It did nothing to calm her.

Later that evening her father and mother called for her to speak with them. Worry gnawed at her insides as she went through all of the worst ways this conversation could play out. When she arrived, she slowly entered the throne room. It was empty except for her parents and one single guard. The same guard from earlier that day.

"Marinette." Her father started. "It has come to my attention that you have been… melancholy, within the last dozen fortnights. And then I have been informed on more than one occasion of a certain man who often comes to your window, and another who is your usual companion at the revels."

Marinette gulped. "Father, I can explain-"

"Is it safe to assume this man is Chat Noir?" Her father asked before she could finish. Her breath came out in a ragged exhale, her face draining of color.

"Papa-"

"Don't worry, Love." Her mother cut in with a soft smile. "Neither you nor Chat Noir are in any trouble."

"Wh-What?"

Her father spoke up again. "We are not blind; Chat Noir obviously has good intentions behind everything he takes, and the lower classes have recently been improving in morale and money wise. It is good for them and our kingdom, so I have allowed the man to continue his actions." he paused before continuing. "And then, once I realized he was sneaking into our walls to speak with you I always came to realize why you had been so sad for ages."

"Do you love him?" Her father asked.

She took a shaky breath and met her father's blank gaze.

"Yes."

Her father grinned brightly, standing from his spot and motioning with his arm.

"Then what are you doing here? I have made arrangements for Sir Ivan to take you and Lady Alya to meet with Friar Fu on your way to Sherwood forest. There he will marry the two of you with my permission and return with Sir Ivan."

Maid Marinette breathed softly in shock. "I-"

"Do not worry about us!" Her father cried happily. "Go! We will always be here."

"We will try our hardest to pardon the man, my love." Her mother promised as Sir Ivan started to lead her from the hall.

"Thank you!" She cried, rushing to give her parents a tight hug and kisses on both their cheeks before she dashed from the room. "Thank you!"