Say You Love Me
Rating Info: Mild Kissing, Slight Cursing
AU Details:
Agreste Family: Gabriel Agreste, Emilie Agreste (deceased), Adrien Agreste
Agreste Mansion Workers: Nathalie Sancoeur (assistant), Nino Lahiffe (Adrien Agreste's bodyguard), Gorilla (Agreste family bodyguard), Luka Couffaine (palace musician)
Dupain-Cheng Family: Tom Dupain, Sabine Cheng, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Diana Dupain (OC, Tom Dupain's sister)
Dupain-Cheng Family Workers: Alya Césaire (Marinette Dupain-Cheng's bodyguard)
The Agrestes and the Dupain-Chengs are noble families. The Agrestes are suffering after the death of Emilie Agreste, and the Dupain-Chengs agree to help them out.
Ages:
Adrien Agreste: 21
Marinette Dupain-Cheng: 21
Luka Couffaine: 23
Note: If you have questions about the setting, please ask. It's somewhat sixteenth century, however there is rock music and the styles are different (hair dye, etc.) in order to preserve the characters' personalities.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng couldn't believe the news when her father first walked in to tell her.
"You're getting married," he told Marinette. "We're going to the Agreste mansion tonight so you can get to know your future husband."
"But… why?" Marinette asked. "We're in good shape financially. Why do I need to marry someone I barely know?"
"Their family is starting to see hard times after the death of Emilie Agreste. We must do our part to help them. The quickest way is having you marry the heir."
"And, if I do say, he's not that bad looking," Sabine Cheng added on. "I think you'll grow to like him."
"I don't even know him," Marinette complained. "How am I supposed to fall in love with him?"
"We're giving you two weeks to get to know each other. That should be plenty of time, I think," Tom Dupain told her. "Get dressed and pack quickly, Marinette. We want to make a good first impression."
Marinette thought about refusing, but decided against it. She picked out a pretty dress (designed herself, of course). She let her hair loose around her shoulders, a style she rarely wore but one that Alya loved.
Her bag was lightly packed, because she figured the Agrestes would have everything she needed. All she took were toiletries, clothes, and her sketchbook.
Finally, she headed downstairs and told Tom and Sabine that she was ready. "You look beautiful, honey," Sabine complimented. "Adrien will certainly be impressed."
"Thanks," Marinette responded, fingering the hem of her dress shyly. "I hope… he likes it."
Arriving at the Agreste mansion, Marinette can't help but be awed. It stood tall, possibly even taller than that of the Dupain-Chengs'. Elaborate gates opened as they arrived, and a tall woman with dark hair stood by it.
"You must be the Dupain-Chengs'," she commented. "Is this Marinette? My name is Nathalie Sancoeur, and I will be your escort this evening."
Marinette nodded and exited the chariot they'd arrived in. Nathalie brought her to the entrance of the manor, while a bodyguard (whom Marinette decided to call the Gorilla) escorted her family to a lush cabin on the edge of the property.
A tall man was awaiting her when she entered, and she recognized him as the reclusive Gabriel Agreste. "Pleased to meet you, sir," Marinette said politely. "My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"And I am Gabriel Agreste," the man said formally. "My son will be down in just a moment. Adrien!"
As predicted, Adrien Agreste descended the stairs and into the front parlor where Marinette, Gabriel, and Nathalie were waiting for him. "Hey," he greeted, a charming smile plastered on his face. But Marinette had seen that expression enough times in the mirror to know it was a fake smile.
"Formal," Marinette heard Gabriel hiss to Adrien.
Adrien winced, and then reintroduced himself. "My name is Adrien Agreste, heir to the Agreste fortune. And you must be the charming Marinette Dupain-Cheng and my beautiful future wife, hm?"
Marinette had to give it to him, this boy had a way with words. "A pleasure to meet you, Adrien Agreste. I am she."
Nathalie and Gabriel were both looking at Adrien, so he spoke quickly. "Would you like a tour of the grounds?"
"Sure," Marinette agreed amiably.
Once they're finally alone, Marinette gathered her thoughts. Adrien wasn't bad. In fact, just like her mother said, he's handsome, with casually styled blond hair and green eyes. Out in the garden, she spied a black cat with green eyes just like Adrien's.
"Meet Plagg," Adrien said proudly. "My beloved cat. He's a fan of stinky cheese, for some reason."
"That's why you smell like Camembert, then…" Marinette trailed off.
"Pardon?"
Marinette flushed. "What… I didn't mean… you…"
Adrien laughed. "It's okay, I'm used to people saying that. And honestly? I don't mind the smell if it means my cat is happy. He's the only thing that makes me feel free… you know?"
Marinette nodded, although she didn't really know what he meant. She'd had a ladybug pet for the longest time, but had always felt burdened by her – remembering to feed her, or finding her when she wandered off. She'd left the ladybug (Tikki) back at the Dupain-Cheng manor, where Alya would take good care of her while Marinette was gone.
"Okay, enough of Plagg. I'm here to take you on a tour," he said. "Those are the staff houses. The one to the left belongs to Charles, the one in the middle belongs to Nathalie, and the one to the right belongs to Luka."
"Who are Charles and Luka?" Marinette asked curiously.
"Charles is my bodyguard. You've probably seen him?"
"Oh, the Gorilla…" Marinette began, before clamping a hand over her mouth. "Sorry. Uh…"
Adrien grinned. "I sometimes call him the Gorilla as well. It's okay. And Luka, he's the musician. He's supposed to play the music for our… wedding. He's about our age, but he's really talented. He's apprenticed to Jagged Stone."
Marinette glanced toward Luka's house, curious. "Jagged Stone? I'll have to go officially meet him later, then."
Adrien nodded quickly. "Okay, let's go to the back. There are more gardens… and…" he paused for a moment, glancing at a large statue of a woman.
"Is that… your mom?" Marinette guessed.
"Yeah. She passed away… I haven't stopped missing her since…"
Marinette paused for a moment, then took his hand. "It's okay," she said. "I'll help you, if you need anything…"
"The only thing we need right now is this wedding," Adrien said sadly. "I'm really sorry… you were forced into this. You probably had someone you loved back home, or something… I…"
"No need to apologize," Marinette assured him. "I don't have a boyfriend. Well… you…"
Adrien laughed. "Actually, I have something to tell you. Let's sit down."
They sat down on a stone bench, an awkward distance apart. Finally, Adrien began. "I didn't know how to say this… but I had someone I loved. Her name was Kagami Tsurugi."
Marinette wasn't sure how to respond, but one word stuck out to her. "Was?"
"Yeah… actually, I was about to propose to her," Adrien confessed. "But… she and my mom died in the same accident. My father didn't want to mention this to your family for fear that you wouldn't want to marry me after that, but I think you have the right to know. I don't know… if I can ever love someone after her. She was really special to me…"
Marinette looked away. "I know this won't help, but for what it's worth… I'm really sorry. No one should have to go through that."
"…it's nothing," Adrien said. "My father, and Nathalie, and Nino are helping me get through this. Oh, by the way, you have to meet Nino. He's my best friend, and he's the best."
"Nino? As in Nino Lahiffe?"
"Yeah… you know him?" Adrien asked.
"He's Alya's boyfriend. Alya's my best friend. Wow… it really is a small world, huh?"
Adrien nodded. "It really is. I can't believe this!"
They finally headed into the house. Nathalie greeted Marinette as she entered. "You'll be sleeping in the room next to Adrien's," she told the latter. "Adrien, show her the way."
"Come on," Adrien gestured to her, then headed up the stairs.
"Woah," Marinette admired. "The rooms are so big!"
"It's both a positive and a negative. They feel somewhat empty when there's only one person sleeping in them."
He said this wistfully, and Marinette remember that his girlfriend had just died. "You… really miss her, don't you?"
"I do," Adrien said. "I loved her more than anything. I should have died in that accident, and not her. But, I'm alive, and she's not… All I can do is keep her alive in my memory."
Marinette stayed silent, because she wasn't sure exactly how to comfort him. Maybe he didn't need comforting, though. Maybe he just needed someone to listen to what he had to say. That's what she would want.
"So, I'm staying here?" she said, when they finally reached her room. It felt… different from what she was used to.
"Yeah, do you like it?" Adrien asked anxiously.
"Of course! It's beautiful," Marinette responded, and it really was. "I love it."
Adrien smiled. "Good, then," he said. "Good night, Marinette."
She glanced outside; it was pretty late. "Good night, Adrien."
Marinette couldn't sleep. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't. She was tired, and it was late… but something was wrong.
After a few moments, she swung herself out of the bed and headed out of the manor. She sat on the stone bench overlooking the staff cottages, the one where her and Adrien had sat earlier in the day. Faint music could be heard in the night air.
Marinette was curious, and she followed the sound, until she was standing in front of a boy about her age. He was relaxing on the porch of his cottage. He had messy black hair that he'd dyed blue at the tips. His eyes were closed, and he was swaying to the melody he was producing.
"That's… incredible," Marinette breathed.
The boy's eyes snapped open. "Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm mama!" she stammered. "I mean… M-M-Marinette!"
The boy laughed. "Well, M-M-Marinette, I'm Luka…"
"Luka?" she asked. "You're the one Adrien told me about! The one who's apprenticed to Jagged Stone! My favorite rocker!"
Luka looked away modestly. "Yeah… that's me. And you must be Adrien's fiancé!"
Marinette flinched, remembering Kagami. "Yeah… that's me…"
Luka studied her for a moment. "That's funny…" he said. "It seems like you have something like this in your heart…"
He played a sad tune on the guitar.
Marinette placed her hand over her heart. "That sounds… about right…" she said. "You know, I always thought I'd get married to someone I love. It's stupid, I know… especially after what happened to Adrien…"
"I heard about what happened," Luka began. "And I've caught him and Kagami several times. I've never seen a happier couple in my life. I was even jealous of the relationship they had on multiple occasions. Kagami's death was… very tragic. But you shouldn't let the fact that someone has it worse than you downplay your own emotions. You are perfectly entitled to marry the person you love, Marinette."
"…how do you do that?" Marinette asked.
"The music? I'm not sure…" he admitted. "Do you want me to teach you?"
"Sure! But… it's kind of late…"
"I hadn't realized the time," Luka said. "It has to be at least midnight. Here. Take this. You said you liked Jagged Stone, right?"
"Yeah…" Marinette started, then looked down at what he was holding. "A Jagged Stone guitar pick? But… this…"
"Keep it," he urged. "I have plenty."
"I can't refuse," Marinette said. She tucked the pick into her bag. "Well…"
Luka glanced at her. "Is something wrong?"
"No, but the reason I came out here is that I have a hard time sleeping in the bedroom Adrien gave me… it's just… empty."
"I get it," he said. "There's nothing personalized in there. It's just a large room. What are you asking for, then, Marinette? You want to sleep here?" He smirked.
Marinette flushed. "W-What? N-No, that's not what I bed… I mean meant! Meant!"
Luka laughed. "You're a funny girl, Marinette. Hey, try to sleep now. I think you'll be able to. Just imagine the music…" he strummed his fingers against his guitar strings.
"Thanks, Luka," she said, before running off to the Agreste manor.
Luka was right, remembering his music really did help her sleep that night, with dreams of a handsome blue-haired boy.
"Did you sleep well?" Adrien asked Marinette when they awoke the next morning.
"Yeah! The room is really comfortable," Marinette responded. "Although, it could use a bit more decoration."
"True," Adrien said. "What colors do you like? I'll ask Nathalie to decorate it for you."
"Nah, that's not necessary," she said quickly. "Don't trouble yourself. Besides, I never said that the lack of décor was a bad thing."
"Okay," Adrien agreed. "But if you need anything, feel free to ask. That being said, are you doing anything today?"
Marinette had thought of meeting up with Luka today, but she decided not to tell Adrien that. "Not really," she said.
"I know this isn't the perfect date or anything… but would you like to come with me to visit… Kagami's grave? I go every morning, but always alone, so I thought maybe…"
"Of course!" Marinette agreed. Even if she really wanted to spend the day with Luka and his guitar, Adrien needed her right now.
"You know," Adrien told her once they arrived at the gravesite. "If we need money, my father could easily marry into one of the rich families around here as well. It wasn't just my girlfriend who died, it was his wife as well. But… he doesn't want to. He loved Mom too much for that. However, he fails to see that I felt the same way about Kagami…"
Marinette glanced down at the grave, and the painting of a beautiful girl that lay on top of it.
"…sorry," Adrien apologized. "You must think I'm so stupid, rambling about my dead girlfriend to my fiancé…"
"No!" Marinette quickly consoled him. "It's not stupid at all. If you don't want to marry… there could be another alternative?"
"What other alternative could there possibly be?" Adrien asked sullenly. "The only way we can get money fast is to marry into another family."
"I could ask my parents to lend money to you…" Marinette started. She stopped speaking when she heard footsteps coming their way. "Get down," she whispered to Adrien.
The two of them sat huddled, out of sight of the pair that was walking down the path.
"Gabriel…" Tom Dupain said. "It's just gotten even worse. Our image as a noble is slowly shattering. Can't this marriage be any earlier?"
Gabriel shook his head. "I want to give Adrien this time. I know he just lost Kagami, so marrying so soon will be too hard on him."
"It's hard on our family as well," Tom Dupain argued. "The longer we wait, the more we're ostracized. Society believes that we're not fit to be nobles. Just the other day, someone snuck poison in Sabine's tea. If she wasn't so trained to sense poisoning, she would be dead, Gabriel."
"I understand, but even your daughter Marinette isn't so keen on immediate marriage. They're both kids, Tom, and they grew up believing they could marry through love. And indeed, your marriage to Sabine and mine to Emilie were both love marriages. It's probably extremely harsh on them…"
"I understand…" Tom said. "But if there's anything you can do… it would really help our family, Gabriel."
The pair of voices faded into the distance.
"Are you okay?" Adrien asked Marinette. "Wait… no, you're not. You're crying. Marinette…"
"Sorry," Marinette said. "I just… I thought there could be a way out of this, just by giving money to your family or something. I guess not…"
"Hey, at least it's not so bad. I think we both understand each other in a special way." Adrien paused for a moment before adding, "so, do you want to prepone the wedding date?"
Marinette smiled sadly. "Call me selfish, but I don't think I want to… someone told me that I shouldn't let others' troubles downplay my own emotions… and I, just this once, want to follow my own dreams."
"Should I leave you alone, then?" Adrien asked. "We've been here for a long time, anyway. I should get back home."
"I think I'll just… hang around the city today," she told Adrien.
Marinette wasn't the type to believe in love at first sight, nor soulmates, or anything like that. Yet she couldn't deny the racing of her heart when Luka opened the door to let her into his cottage.
"Back so soon?" he teased.
She was proud of herself for not stuttering when she asked him for guitar lessons.
Luka grinned. "No problem. In fact, I think I have the perfect guitar for you." He handed her a medium-sized one, with glossy wood and a perfect shape. But what got her most was the signature in the corner.
Jagged Stone.
"You… got me a guitar signed by Jagged Stone himself? This must cost a fortune!"
Luka shook his head. "Did you forget I'm apprenticed to him? It was perfectly free."
Marinette stared at the guitar in awe. "So, Luka," she started. "How did you decide to become a guitarist?"
"I'm not sure… I always loved music. I got my first guitar when I was really young – from my father, before he left our family. I don't remember him much, except that he taught me how to play. Later, I joined with my sister and a couple of friends to form a band – Kitty Section. I quit that band long ago, though, to go solo. I ended up getting a job here."
"That's… so cool!" Marinette admired.
Luka smiled. "Even after receiving this guitar, though, you still seem down. What's up? Is it about Adrien?"
"No…" Marinette told him. She explained everything she'd overheard at the graveyard.
"Oh, that's harsh," Luka sympathized. "Look, I'm probably not making things better, but Adrien's not a bad guy. Get to know him a little, and who knows? This marriage may not be so bad after all…"
"I'll try, Luka," she promised.
Marinette couldn't keep that promise. No matter what she did, she couldn't think of Adrien as more than a dear friend.
Hours turned to days, during which Marinette hung out with Luka, sometimes more than she did with Adrien.
Marinette had to admit she enjoyed the feeling of his calloused fingers against her own, teaching her chords and helping her play the guitar. She loved it when, after she succeeded in playing a simple song by herself, he signed her instrument with a heart and his own name.
She loved that he was always there to listen to her when she needed to talk about her own troubles, and how he could always make her feel better with a strum of his guitar and a teasing smile.
She loved that she could be herself around him, and not have to worry about impressing anyone. She could be her clumsy, quirky, stuttering self – and Luka loved it.
But most of all, she loved that she could help him as well.
Four days before her wedding, Luka and Marinette were busy playing a simple duet when they heard raised voices from inside the cottage.
"Nanarchy, please," Marinette heard a voice say. She instantly recognized it as her idol, Jagged Stone himself.
A female voice responded. "You left us years ago. You can hardly call yourself a father!"
Luka's eyes were wide, and Marinette grabbed his hand. "You okay?"
"That's… my mother," Luka said. He was in shock. "Does that mean… Jagged Stone is my father?"
"I don't mean to call myself a father," Jagged Stone yelled. "But I think I'm close enough. I'm Luka's mentor! I've been treating him like a son for so long! All I want to do is leave my fortune to him. Is that so bad?"
"We don't want your bullshit money!" Anarka Couffaine retorted. "You can keep all of it."
"Please…" Jagged Stone asked. "It's for Luka. I want to name him my heir."
Anarka took a deep breath. "Fine. As much as I'd like to refuse, it's not my decision. You talk to Luka. Tell him everything. We'll see what he says."
"Tell him… everything?" Jagged Stone asked. "Why, he'll never forgive me! I can't do that!"
Anarka glared at Jagged. "How else are you going to explain giving your entire fortune to him, then? He deserves to know the truth about you."
"But…"
"He's twenty-three, Jagged. He's not a child anymore."
Jagged sighed. "Okay, Nanarchy. I'll do it. I'll tell him everything. And if he still wants to train with me, or keep the money, that's his choice."
Marinette squeezed Luka's hand. "So, you're a noble, then?" she teased. Luka smiled, but Marinette could tell that it was forced. "Sorry. I shouldn't be joking."
"No… it did make me feel better. I… always looked up to Jagged Stone, but now knowing he's the same person who broke my mom's heart so many years ago, I can't…"
"Hey. He's still the same person, Luka. You shouldn't give up on your dream of being a guitarist. Maybe… maybe he's not all that bad. He might have had his own reasons for leaving. Talk it out with him, okay?"
Luka nodded. "Actually, I had an idea…"
"What is it?"
"A surprise," Luka said, standing up and pulling Marinette along with him. "Right now, though, I need a drink. Are you coming?"
"Of course."
Luka does stupid things while he's drunk. He knows that very well. That didn't stop him, though, from drinking with Marinette – the one girl he loves.
He ordered their drinks and took a gulp.
"Are you okay?" Marinette asked, hesitant to drink. "You seem really anxious…"
"You make my anxiety disappear," Luka said. "You're incredible, Marinette. I know you're engaged to Adrien… but like you… I want to be selfish, just this once…"
He leaned forward and planted his lips against Marinette's. "I'm sorry," he groaned when he pulled back. "I'm not thinking straight…"
But Marinette pulled him back, kissing him again, deeper this time. "You're right. Let's be selfish, just this once."
"What about Adrien?" Luka asked.
Marinette smiled; even while drunk, even after he'd gone through so much, he still cared about others. "Adrien doesn't love me," Marinette said. "If we do go through with the marriage, we will always remain two friends. Nothing more."
"Gods, I really like you, Marinette," Luka said, collapsing against her shoulder. "I want to stay like this forever."
"Me too, Luka," Marinette whispered as she ran her hands through his dark hair. "Me too."
Two days before the wedding, Marinette fell sick. She lay in her room, secretly thankful for the fever because it meant the wedding was pushed off for another week.
"Come in," she slurred when she heard a knock on her door.
"Marinette?" Luka asked, coming inside and shutting the door behind him. "I brought some soup…"
"L-Luka?!" Marinette flailed. "Oh God, I'm a mess!"
"Heh," Luka laughed at her spasms. "Stay in bed, Marinette. And drink the soup."
She finally calmed down and agreed, taking a sip. "Oh, this is wonderful, Luka!"
He smiled shyly. "I made it myself…"
"Woah," she breathed. "You're an amazing cook! And this is coming from someone who's family got rich in the baking business."
"I'm a man of many talents."
Marinette laughed. "Let's see if your cooking is as good as your music, now. Play for me, won't you?"
Luka agreed, and picked up Marinette's guitar. "I'll play on this one," he said. "Left my own at home." He began to play some tunes, and soon, he started to sing along.
Sometimes… I wish… we
Could hold hands, be free
I want you to say you love me
Say you love me, please
I know you're taken, I
Know we don't have a choice, but I
I want you to say you love me
Say you love me, please
Tears streamed down Marinette's face. "I… I love you, Luka. I love you so much."
Luka smiled bittersweetly. "We really shouldn't spend time together, Mari. It'll be harder to let go."
"I think we should spend as much time together as possible, before… before I have to let go…"
Luka moved toward her, and placed his hands against her face. "Say you love me," he hummed.
"What is that song?" Marinette asked. "I've never heard it before."
"I wrote it," Luka confessed. "I… wrote it… about you."
Marinette hugged him, still crying. "I'm so sorry… we really should stay away from each other, shouldn't we? There's no way we'll ever be together, and it'll just hurt more. I'm sorry for being so selfish, Luka…"
"Don't apologize…"
Marinette pushed him away. "You're going to get sick."
"What if I… don't care?"
Marinette laughed. "Well, I do. I'm not letting you get sick. Thanks for the soup, Luka!"
He nodded. "Anytime, Marinette."
Marinette watched Luka leave, and let her tears flow freely once the door shut. In two days, she would never share these experiences with Luka…
I want you to say you love me… say you love me… please…
"Father?" Adrien asked. "Can I enter?"
He heard a grunt of assent from the other side, so he pushed open the door. As per usual, Gabriel Agreste was staring at the painting of his former wife.
"I… don't think I can get married so soon," Adrien tried.
"Why? You know we need the money, and the Dupain-Chengs need us as well. It is necessary!"
"Then why don't you marry Diana Dupain? That gives us access to their family."
"You know I still love Emilie," Gabriel said. "I can't do that to her."
"But I still love Kagami, Father! Why are you expecting me to do this?"
"That Marinette girl is a lot like Kagami. Diana and Emilie are nothing alike!"
"So, you think I can just replace Kagami like that? You never approved of Kagami in the first place! Is that why you're doing this? And… I'm not sure, but it feels like Marinette has someone else she loves as well. Please, at least push it out… Father…"
Gabriel Agreste looked away. He knew he couldn't refuse his only son. "…fine," he relented. "I'll postpone it for a week. We'll say that we don't want to risk it, with Marinette being sick and all."
"Thank you, Father!" Adrien said joyously.
Marinette, Adrien thought. This is the least I can do for you, after everything you've done for me.
When Marinette was told that the wedding date was postponed, she didn't know how to feel. On one hand, she was happy she got to spend more time with Luka. On the other, she knew it would be harder to let go of him when the time came.
For now, though, she chose to be happy with the news. "Luka!" she exclaimed when she saw him. "The wedding has been pushed out a week."
Luka swept her up in a hug, but quickly let go. "Congratulations, Marinette," he said. "Still, we shouldn't get too attached."
"Luka, please, don't go!" Marinette cried desperately. "I don't care what emotions I have to face in a week. I don't love Adrien. I love you. So, stay, please…"
Luka turned back and kissed Marinette's cheek. "The truth is, I have a meeting with Jagged Stone. I'll catch you after that, hm?"
"Sure!" Marinette responded chirpily. "But… will you be okay, meeting with him?"
Luka's eyes clouded. "I'll tell you how it goes," he promised. "But honestly, I already know what he's going to say. It can't be any harder than what we overheard the other day."
"I was there with you, then…"
"Say…" Luka began. "Jagged Stone's your idol, right? Why don't you come with me?"
"I can't! This is supposed to be a bonding moment between you two, and…"
"He's hardly a father to me," Luka frowned. "And whatever he has to say, you've already heard it. It's fine. I… I need you there, Mari."
The tone of his voice got her. "Okay."
Jagged Stone was waiting for Luka at the Flamme Taverne, a popular gathering site in their hometown. He smiled at Luka. "Hi, Couffaine," he greeted. "And who's this lovely lady?"
"This is Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Luka introduced. "She's… my… close friend."
The words close friend stung more than Marinette wanted to admit. She knew they could be nothing more than that, however, not when she was still engaged to Adrien.
"Well, hello, Marinette," Jagged Stone greeted.
Marinette was starstruck. "H-Hello, S-Sagged Jone… I mean… Jagged Stone!"
Jagged Stone laughed, but then turned serious. "Actually, I was hoping I could talk to Luka alone?"
Luka glared at Jagged. "I already know what you're going to say," he told the musician. "You're the man who left my mom so many years ago. The two of us heard you and Mom talking."
Jagged Stone looked away. "I'm sorry, Luka. I can't ever repay what I've done, or ever be a father to you. I just hope… I can make you the heir to my fortune. My name is extremely famous, dare I say even more famous than the Agrestes. And my fortune is enough to keep even the poorest man living comfortably. Please consider it, Luka. I don't want to hand it off to Vivica, or someone who isn't in my family…"
Luka mulled over this for a second. "Fine. You can legally name me the heir of the Stone family fortune."
Jagged stone smiled. "That's my-"
Luka cut him off. "I have just one condition. I need half the money within the week."
"We can't delay the wedding any longer," Adrien told Marinette. "My father has prepared everything for us to get married tomorrow."
Tears leaked out of Marinette's eyes. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… You deserve someone better, Adrien."
"Hey. Neither of us love each other, right? Let's just think of this as the bonding of two friends."
Marinette really was lucky that it happened to be Adrien she was marrying, but she still wished… wished it was a certain bluenette instead of the blond boy in front of her.
Luka was ready. He was forced to attend the wedding; he was the musician, after all. He knew Gabriel Agreste would approve of his actions – the one person Gabriel loved more than anything was his son, and he would do anything to make the young Agreste heir happy. And Marinette…
Luka just hoped everything worked out.
"You look beautiful, honey!" Sabine Cheng complimented her daughter. "And I can assure you, Adrien Agreste looks terribly handsome as well."
"I'm sure he does," Marinette said sadly.
"Are you okay?" Sabine asked. "It's your day to shine, honey! Hold that chin up, and be proud!"
Marinette nodded. "Thanks, Maman. I'll do that."
She was a noble after all. If anything, she was good at fake smiles and happy façades.
The time had come. The minister finally spoke the words Luka had been waiting for.
"If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace…"
The room was pin-drop silent.
Everyone could agree that Marinette and Adrien looked beautiful together. Even Luka, for a moment, was doubtful. Could she… possibly prefer Adrien?
Thinking back to all the moments they had together, though, Luka knew the answer. She had chosen him. Now he would choose her.
"I object."
Marinette's eyes trained on Luka as he said those words. What was he thinking? This could not work, and he was just getting her hopes up…
"What is your reason?" the minister asked Luka.
"Marinette and Adrien don't love each other," Luka began. "They are joining because of family issues. The Dupain-Cheng family needs fame, and the Agreste family needs money."
The crowd murmured amongst themselves.
Luka continued. "To help the Agreste family, I have with me a bond that will certainly eliminate their financial troubles." He handed Gabriel Agreste the money Jagged Stone had gotten to him. Gabriel Agreste stared at the numbers in awe.
"This is certainly more than enough," Gabriel said.
Marinette and Adrien glanced at each other hopefully. If Luka did things right, they wouldn't have to go through this marriage.
"Then what about us?" Tom Dupain asked Luka. "How are you planning on helping our family?"
Luka walked forward until he was standing in front of Marinette. Dropping to one knee, he pulled out a ring box. "Marinette… will you marry me?"
Luka's heart was racing as he waited for Marinette's reply. He kept his face trained on the floor as he explained to Tom Dupain exactly how marrying him would help the family.
"My name is Luka Couffaine," he introduced himself. "I am the son and legal heir of Jagged Stone, one of the most popular nobles in this time. Awe for him is on par with awe for the Agreste family. With all due respect, Marinette marrying me will give your family access to whatever you would gain through marrying the Agrestes."
Tears of joy sprang to Marinette's eyes as she responded with a gleeful "yes!".
Adrien glanced at the couple, both happy for his dear friend Marinette and sad, because the way Marinette and Luka were together reminded him of the way him and Kagami once were.
"Thanks, Luka," Adrien told the blue-haired boy once all the commotion had died down. "I… I'm not ready to marry anyone just yet. So, thank you."
Luka twined his fingers with Marinette. "You know," he told Adrien. "I really think we can be good friends. And Adrien? May you find true love again… someday."
Epilogue – I Love You:
Marinette and Luka's wedding was watched by the whole of Paris. Anyone could see that the two were completely enamored with each other, and the festivities afterwards were some of the most joyous France had seen.
Adrien himself came with a date; a girl named Rina. She'd been friends with Kagami for a long time, and the two had bonded over mutual love for a dead girl.
They'd soon began to date, and maybe Luka was right – maybe Adrien would find true love again.
Alya and Nino had come together as well. They'd been eager to congratulate the newlywed couple.
"You know, I never thought things would turn out this way. When my dad first told me I was getting married to Adrien, I thought it would be impossible for me to find true love. Yet here you are…"
Luka took his wife's hand. "I never thought things would turn out this way, either… I love you, Marinette."
"I love you too, Luka."
A/N: I always write dark themed stories, so this one was a little different and harder to write. A lot of the romance scenes are pretty cliché, and I didn't include much romance because I can't really write it without sounding super cheesy. Nevertheless, you made it to the end, so I hope you liked it! :3