Marinette drifted through the Great Hall, pushing down the hurt she was feeling.

Adrien had done exactly as he said he would. He had taken Lila to be his bride.

She knew this was going to happen, thankfully Adrien had given her somewhat of a warning. This didn't stop her chest from aching, though.

As she meandered through the ballroom with Alya, she tried to keep a fake smile plastered to her face while they greeted friendly faces. She didn't want to have to explain herself.

How could anyone understand what she was going through?

Alya stuck to her side as the danced and waltzed around. Marinette would never be able to express how grateful she was for her companionship and support. Alya always knew the right words to say when she didn't. She always knew how to be a constant comfort in her life.

The girls finally grew thirsty after dancing for some odd hours and approached a server who had recently been hired, one they had met a time or two.

"Hey girls having fun?"

Her name was Alix, and she had gorgeous red hair that fell right at her shoulders. She had been very friendly the few times Marinette had met her, and this time was no exception.

Marinette pulled out her fake smile once more as Alya said a greeting. Marinette took a glass of water from Alix's serving tray, thanking her quietly.

Suddenly she felt someone touch her elbow, and she turned around slowly.

Before her stood a tall gentlemen with dark hair, it had a light blue tint to it that she had never seen before. He was handsome, with soft features and kind eyes. He bowed before her and extended a hand.

"My name is Luka, and you must be Miss Marinette. May I have this dance?"

A blush crept up onto her cheeks and she gave Alya a look, who was nodding and grinning at her. She gestured behind her to where Nino stood, talking with some guests. She winked and left in that direction.

Marinette then returned her gaze to Luka, giving him a nod.

Luka escorted her back onto the dance floor, placing a hand on her waist, keeping ahold of her other hand in his own. She wasn't expecting to feel so comfortable with his touch. He smiled down at her.

"I'm sorry the prince didn't give you a marriage proposal, I'm sure that wasn't what you had been hoping for."

Marinette gave the kind stranger a shrug, blushing once more. She willed herself to keep composure as he mentioned Adrien, even if not by name.

"All is well, I look forward to getting back to work."

Luka spun them around, taking calculated steps to the orchestral music.

"I did hear you work here in the castle. My mother is the conductor of the orchestra, I fill in for some of the musicians when someone is unwell. That happens rather often." Marinette raised an eyebrow at this.

"That explains why I have not met you before then, Luka." He grinned.

"It is precisely why."

They took a few more turns around the Hall, swaying to the melody.

"You're a very beautiful girl, M-Marinette." He chuckled at his own fumbling on her name. She gave him a genuine smile.

"That's very kind of you, sir."

"Since things with Prince Adrien must not have worked out," She felt a pang in her chest at the mention of Adrien. "would you like to get together sometime? I could take you into town for lunch one day."

Marinette looked at her shoes. She wasn't sure how long it would take to move on from Adrien, or if she ever truly could. Luka seemed sweet enough, but getting his hopes up for nothing would only make her feel worse. Rather than completely reject his offer, she decided to leave it open ended.

"If I can find time to spare I'll be sure to let you know."

They smiled at each other one last time as the song ended, and they stepped apart. She gave a curtsy and he bowed.

"Thank you for the dance, Marinette." He reached her hand up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss onto her knuckles. She gave another weak smile and curtsied once more, nodding at him.

"Thank you, Luka."

She watched as the blue haired man strolled away, back into the clusters of guests. She then redirected her focus to finding Alya, standing on her toes as she tried to look over the heads of the partygoers.

The ache in her chest grew ten sizes larger when her eyes landed on Prince Adrien, looking straight at her.

She couldn't help but find herself lost in that moment for seconds longer than she should have. His green eyes were piercing, the bruising on the left side of his face a pale yellow and purple. His mouth was curved down in a small frown as they stared at one another. Maybe he was feeling exactly as she was in that moment.

Regret and longing.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she took a few deep breaths, tearing her gaze away from the prince. She continued to search for Alya among the crowds before the feelings swirling in her chest became too much to bear. Marinette gathered up her skirt in her hands and made her way out of the Great Hall.

She ran down the halls, careful not to trip in her shoes. She made her way to two large French doors, leading her straight into the gardens.

The crisp air from the night breeze felt good on her cheeks as a few tears trickled down. She inhaled sharply, bracing herself on railing. She breathed in the cool air, wiping furiously at her cheeks.

Things would be all right. Adrien was not the only man who existed in the kingdom.

It just hurt that he was the only one that she wanted in the kingdom.

With a few more deep inhales, Marinette steadied herself. She straightened her gown, adjusted her hair, then turned around to head back inside the ball.

What she had not been expecting was Adrien himself to be standing near the doors back inside, watching her.

He could tell she had just been crying. He could see the pain written all over her face. His heart thumped inside his chest, feeling breathless.

"Good evening," he said. She nodded.

"Good evening."

She looked away from her, out into the gardens. She seemed to be inspecting some rose bushes nearby, desperate to keep her gaze off of him.

Adrien sighed, taking a few steps closer to her while keeping his distance so not to make her uncomfortable.

"Can I steal a moment of your time?" he asked, his hands rubbing together anxiously. Another nod from Marinette.

Adrien took another step closer to her, his shoes scuffing the ground. He felt simultaneously drawn to her in this moment, yet fearful and as if he was overstepping a boundary. He didn't wish to pour salt onto her wounds. He simply wanted to talk.

"I'm so very sorry, Marinette. I am."

"I know," she said. She finally glanced back up, into his eyes. Her blue eyes were welling with more tears, ripping apart his insides.

"This isn't what I want, you must know that. I pleaded with my father. I tried to find another way, but there was simply nothing that could be done."

Marinette sniffed, rubbing at her eyes again. She gave another silent nod. Adrien drew nearer, gently placing his hand under her chin and lifting her face to look up at him.

"I never wanted to hurt you, darling."

Marinette became entranced, staring up into the pools of green. She scanned his face, looking at his rosy cheeks, his smooth lips. She slowly shut her eyes, for just a moment and slowed her breathing. Her heart was pounding in her chest at their closeness. She offered him a weak smile, one that had she had grown tired of using all evening. Her cheeks hurt from the fake smiling. From the ruse she had been putting up. She took a step back from him, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Thank you, Prince Adrien. For your kindness and honesty."

Before she could turn and leave Adrien pulled her back into him. He snaked one hand around her waist, the other cupping the side of her face. He looked down at her with such an intensity she felt like her lungs may collapse in that very moment. The tension in the air was buzzing, the sound of their exhales mingling together.

Adrien inspected her, searched her expressions. Their eyes carried so much weight and emotion behind them, the yearning they both felt palpable. One glance from her eyes and down to her lips and it was over.

His heart was surely going to explode.

With a swift motion he brought his other hand up to her cheek, holding her face between his fingers.

And he crashed his lips onto hers.