As the weeks went by, Marinette found herself falling fast.
Prince Adrien would take Sabrina or Lila out for walks or lunch out of obligation every few days, but Marinette spent nearly every night with Adrien in the treehouse, talking about their passions and dreams, telling stories.
Sabrina had ended up leaving the castle after two weeks, realizing she had no shot with Prince Adrien and he was rather uninterested in pursuing a relationship with her.
Lila on the other hand was making sure to throw herself at the prince at any given opportunity. While it would be very un-ladylike to sit on his lap in the middle of dinner, Marinette didn't doubt she would do so in a heartbeat. She was constantly holding onto Adrien's arm, touching his hair, doing anything she could in front of Marinette to make her jealous.
And she couldn't doubt, it did make her sort of jealous.
Instead of acting as Lila did at their mealtimes, Marinette simply snuck glances at Adrien, as did he. They would smile at one another and it warmed her heart each time.
While Adrien had shared with her that this bridal competition was a sham, she couldn't help but find herself feeling more drawn to Adrien each time she was with him. His presence was comforting, his personality warm and inviting. She could spend ages just talking with him, and it was apparent he felt the same way.
One evening when they were alone in the safe haven of the treehouse, Marinette was giggling as Adrien made puns and flirted with her.
"Are you sure I haven't completely charmed you m'lady? You've been awfully distant today, save all your giggling." He smirked at her, peering down at her as she lay on the floor of the small space. While she was not in a very becoming or ladylike position, she had grown so comfortable around Adrien when they were alone that she had thrown all manners and etiquette out the window. She had her elbows resting on the ground, her gown sprawled out around her. She was still being modest and was fully covered, other than her panty-hose lined feet and ankles swinging back and forth in the air.
"I believe it's fair to say I am absolutely smitten, your majesty." She grinned a big toothy grin at him.
"Adrien," he corrected.
"Adrien," she responded, shutting her eyes in pure contentment.
He sighed and relaxed against the wall of the treehouse, squinted his eyes shut as well. He knew this conversation was going to come, but he had prayed that it wouldn't happen so soon. He savored the past few weeks with Marinette, waiting all day long to sneak away with her. He didn't want to marry Lila. She was rather suspect and cryptic. He could never interpret what she was saying properly, or truly know if she was being honest.
But with Marinette, he found himself at ease.
She was confident and relaxing, imaginative and adventurous. She gave him the escape from princely duties he had always wanted, and to think that these secret meetings would vanish in a few days was utterly heartbreaking.
Which is why today was going to be very hard.
"Marinette,"
Today was the day he would have to tell her.
"Yes, darling?"
Adrien cleared his throat, his expression shifting and becoming much more serious than the playful face he had just bore. Marinette sat up from the floor, studying him.
"Tomorrow evening is the ball."
She blinked.
"The ball where I must propose to Lila."
She paled, swallowing.
"Oh," she breathed. "yes."
Adrien took her hand in his, searching her face. He could tell she wasn't wanting to hear those words. Not tonight, not ever.
"It's something I must do, I wish it could be any other way but it can't. My life was predetermined, my choices made for me. If it was up to me I would be marrying you, Marinette."
A single tear was shed by Marinette, sliding down her pale face.
Adrien wiped it away with his thumb, a gentle smile on his lips.
"You're very important to me, Marinette. And you always will be, please never forget that."
She nodded silently, standing from her spot on the floor.
"I think it's time I take my leave," she said, taking deep breaths.
"Marinette, wait, we still have time-"
"I think it would be better for both of us if we didn't make this harder than it needs to be."
And with that she opened the trap door of the treehouse, climbing down to the forest below, Adrien calling after her as she ran back towards the castle.
As Marinette lay in her bed, she pondered what had brought her to this point.
Had she been foolish all along to let her heart lead her, rather than her head?
No, she thought. Adrien had genuine feelings for her, and truly cared. She felt similarly, but hadn't acted on these feelings. They were merely friends, who may or may not be in love with one another.
And that was all they could ever be.
She tossed and turned, knowing this would be her final night in her chambers of the Agreste castle.
She sighed, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. He had prepared her for this pain, but she had hoped it wouldn't hurt so badly.
Adrien was unique, and while he may be a prince, that was never what had appealed to her about him. He was endlessly kind, perfectly selfless. He had always wanted the best for not just her, but anyone he came into contact with. He was amicable with his guards, his servants. He didn't treat anyone differently regardless of their status. And of course, he was handsome...
Marinette had never kissed a boy before.
Well, other than Adrien.
One day when the two of them had been playing hide and seek in the gardens with Alya, they had been found by Alya when Marinette had tripped over her own feet and collapsed on top of Adrien.
They were only nine years old at the time, but Alya sensed they had formed small crushes on one another. When she had spotted them in a somewhat compromising position, she had dared Adrien to kiss Marinette.
And the nine year old prince had placed a sheepish peck onto her lips.
It had been nothing special, no sparks or butterflies. It was a simple kiss she hadn't thought much about until she had begun staying in the castle and visiting Adrien each night.
She wondered about his lips, and if they would be soft. She thought about if he would take her face in her hands if they had kissed, or if he would pull her close by her hips.
She even had some un-ladylike thoughts about Adrien undressed.
Rolling over in her bed once again, she let out an exasperated breath. Maybe one day she wouldn't feel these things for the prince. Maybe one day she would find a suitable boy in town to settle down with. Maybe one day she wouldn't pine after a prince who could never marry her.
Maybe one day.
When the next morning had rolled around, Marinette had chosen to eat breakfast in her room, alone. She didn't want to make things harder for herself or Adrien, so she had decided to limit their contact before this evening.
Just before it was time to get ready for the ball, she had decided to make her way down to the servants quarters in search of Alya.
She had been so preoccupied with Adrien the past few weeks that she hadn't seen much of her best friend, and hadn't been able to tell her about what would be happening that night.
Marinette turned a corner as she navigated the hallways, nearly bumping into the perky brunette.
"Mari!"
Alya hugged her tightly, practically beaming.
"I've missed you so much! Give me all the updates!"
Marinette frowned, tears nearly spilling once more.
"Oh, Marinette."
Alya pulled her in once more, stroking her hair as Marinette had finally broken down.
They made their way to Alya's room, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Marinette explained everything.
The late night meetings, the way Lila was set up to marry Adrien for the benefits of merging the two kingdoms, the feelings she had developed for Adrien.
"He told me he loved me, Alya. That he always has."
Alya patted her shoulder, nodding.
"I know, Marinette. He wasn't shy about it when we were younger. I always had an inkling there was more to that boy."
Marinette sniffed, rubbing her tears away.
"There's nothing I can do but let him get married to Lila."
Alya sighed, bringing Marinette's head to her shoulder.
"Royalty tends to be this way. They marry for opportunity, not for love. The king may seem like a pleasant man, but I assumed he had ulterior motives behind this silly competition. I had hoped Adrien truly would have his own choice, and would be able to be with you, Mari. It's unfair, and I'm so sorry."
Marinette sniffed again, blinking away more tears. She straightened herself and stood, taking Alya's hand.
"If tonight's my last night living the lap of luxury, you're going to participate in the extravagance."
Back in Marinette's chambers, Alya was trying on some of the dresses from the armoire.
"This one is it!" she exclaimed, pulling a red colored dress from the wardrobe. It had laced sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Marinette nodded at her, smiling.
"For you."
Alya looked at her with shock.
"Alya, you simply have to wear that tonight. I know you said you fancied Adrien's friend Nino, and he's going to be at the ball..."
Without a word Alya slipped into the dress, admiring herself in the mirror. Marinette laughed and began pinning pieces of Alya's curled hair back, then dusting her cheeks with blush.
"Just because I'm a little sad doesn't mean you can't try to attract a suitor." They both laughed.
"You know you're the best, right?"
Marinette gave her friend a soft smile.
"I try my best."
Once Marinette and Alya were both wearing the stunning gowns from the castle seamstresses, they put on their slippers and jewelry and headed down to the Great Hall.
Guests had already begun filing into the Hall, mingling amongst themselves as the orchestra quietly played. They spotted their parents and said some greetings, waving to familiar staff as well. The girls were just about to say hi to a friend of theirs named Mylene when the Hall went silent.
"Introducing, King Gabriel and Prince Adrien!"
Marinette's heart sank as she watched Adrien walk into the Hall and take his seat on the throne. His father announced the reason for tonight's ball as he had when this entire charade had started. Marinette didn't listen to him though, she was focused on Adrien.
Adrien who had visible bruises all over the right side of his face.