The tune she was humming made them very suspicious as it was one of the waltzes from the other night.

"Daddy, you heard her humming too, right?" Chloe asked.

"I did, sweetheart, and I find it very suspicious," Lord Bourgeois said, "I don't believe it was her last night, but I refuse to take any chances. No one deserves the prince more than you, my darling. I actually received word from the king with the scroll stating that if they can't find Ladybug, the prince will wed you. That means we must make sure Cinderette does not come downstairs when they are here."

While Chloe got ready, her father went up the long attic stairway to Cinderette's room where she was happily humming while brushing her hair. Suddenly, she saw him in her mirror's reflection just as he closed her door and locked her in.

"No! NO!" she cried and began pounding on the door, "Let me out! Please, let me out!"

Lord Bourgeois happily walked down the stairs and eagerly awaited with Chloe.


All morning since the decree on finding Ladybug, the royal guards had gone from house to house with no sign of her. A girl's foot was either too big or too small. The only upside so far was Nino finding a cute girl named Alya.

"Write me," he had whispered to her.

After searching all morning, everyone was getting tired and feared all hope was lost. There was only one house left: Bourgeois Manor. According to Alya, who promised Marinette she wouldn't reveal her identity, there was actually a teenage girl living in the manor as a maid. Hopefully this girl was their Ladybug.

Once at the manor, they were greeted by Lord Bourgeois and was led to the parlor where Chloe sat.

"Good day, Your Lordship, Miss Chloe," Nino greeted.

"I think you mean Princess Chloe since it seems no one fits that hideous shoe," she remarked.

"Riiiiiiiight. Anyway, I am here so that you can try on the slipper, as ordered by His Majesty and His Highness," Nino went on. He hated talking so formally. It made him sound so stiff and upper crust-y. But he had to sound professional while on the job. At least he could talk anyway he wanted around Adrien.

Chloe took off one of her shoes and held out her foot to try it on while Nino eyes the place to see where the girl Alya said was here. So far, nothing.

He knelt down with the slipper in hand and tried to put it on, pushing and straining, but it was no use.

"Try it on the other foot!" she demanded.

"That won't help. Face it, Chloe. Your feet are just too big," Nino said.

"How dare you!" she gasped, "You take that back right now!"

"Hey, I'm just saying," he said.

"Don't you know who we are? We are the Bourgeois family! We are a noble and titled family and should be treated as such!" Lord Bourgeois said angrily, "Now, apologize to my daughter!"

Nino sighed. With no other choice, he apologized to Chloe and made his way to the door.

"Is there anyone else here? Any other girl? If so, she is required to try on the slipper," he said.

"There is no one, Captain," Lord Bourgeois lies, "It is only me and my Chloe."


Up in the attic, Cinderette sat by her window and watched the royal guard. She wanted to call down to them; to let them know she was there, but something stopped her. What if when she met Adrien, he didn't like the real her? What if he was only in love with Ladybug?

She wasn't Ladybug, mysterious rich girl with a title. She was Cinderette, a poor penniless commoner with no title or family or money.

If she did marry Adrien, how was she supposed to help support the kingdom?

No. She couldn't risk it. He would surely not love her once he met the real girl behind the Ladybug mask.

Tikki felt so bad for Cinderette. She deserved to be happy more than any one.

"I am a cat,
Just chilling out.

But in the night,
You're all I think about,"
she sang. The memories from the previous night were what kept her spirits up and sang the song Cat Noir sang to her.

This gave Tikki an idea!

She flew over to the window and opened it so everyone could hear her.

"I feel so strong
When you're around

You pick me up
When I am down.

Oh no,
You'll never know

My love
Can only grow

And when I see you smile,
That's when you become..."

Her voice carried its way downstairs to the front door where everyone could hear her. Worried, Lord Bourgeois was just about to shut the door when Nino stopped him.

"Excuse me, my lord, but are you sure there is no one else living here?" he asked.

"Are you accusing me of lying?" Lord Bourgeois asked, "You have some nerve, boy!"

"I don't think the king nor the prince will like such an accusation. When they hear a lowly castle guard accused a lord and good friend of the royal family of lying, you'll be lucky enough to live 5 kingdoms away from here," Chloe threatened.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," one guard said.

Everyone turned to him and gapsed when he removed his guards uniform to reveal himself as Prince Adrien!

"Your Highness!" Lord Bourgeois gasped.

"Thanks for not saying anything, Nino. I owe you," the prince thanked and quietly spoke into his jacket pocket, "And thank you, Plagg, for the disguise idea and for letting me know she was here before we left."

"I'll accept any and all forms of payment in Camembert," Plagg said.

"Adrikins, this isn't what it looks like!" Chloe said, "Daddy, tell him!"

"Yes, Chloe darling. Your Highness, if you'll just let me explain-" Lord Bourgeois tried, but Adrien stopped him.

"Captain Nino, would you please find this girl and bring her down here?" Adrien requested.

"With pleasure, Your Highness," Nino said, "Lord Bourgeois, if you'd please."


I'll stop here for the day so tomorrow can be extra special! Or maybe I'll post the last chapter tonight? We'll see what I feel. Only one more chapter!