Chapter 2

Twelve days left

Adrien yawned widely when his chambermaid woke him at late afternoon. She greeted him in the usual courtly way and left a tray by his desk. There was a heavenly smell of grilled chicken, fresh bread and a hearty stew, but Adrien wasn't hungry. He turned his back to it and tried to fall back into his slumber. He was in a foul mood and no food in the world could help him.

His day had started in a horrible fashion. He was woken up at the usual early hours of the morning, but his long evening with Plagg had made him a little more unfocused and tired than he would usually be. After breakfast his father had sent for him once more, but this time he was not asked to attend his office but one of the smaller guest rooms. He had been exhausted but tried his best to remain focused as Nathalie had led him to the room where Lila resided.

Lila was a pretty young woman, but there was a look in her eyes that fumed from a poisonous hate. She had started their meeting casually and he had tried his best to act normal, kissing her hand as soon as they were introduced. For a moment he had hoped that their conversations could remain casual, talking about their different lands, their different cuisines and how noble life was annoying due to the lack of anything private. But as topics ran out, and they ran out faster than he would have hoped, Lila had switched to subjects she had been looking forward to bringing up and he was not well inclined to answer.

"Adrien, I am so pleased your father finally sent for me. I will admit, I was a little surprised when I heard from my cousin that you had sent enquiries all over the lands for a princess to wed. I waited for months, but I received no such word. Why is that?" The tone of her had changed dramatically in one question and he steeled himself.

He though the words he would say carefully, keeping the words he would have liked to say buried deep in his chest. "I am sorry, princess. I must have forgotten." He lied. The truth was that she was on his short list of royalties he had refused to contact.

"Well, it doesn't matter." She snapped as in to say, I've gotten what I want, take it or not. "Your father did not forget me, and I guess I'll forgive you. After all, we are to be married soon and by the time we are, we will have to make do. You know, I have been waiting for this ever since I heard that the queen of these lands fell ill. A country cannot exist without a queen and it was such a terrible thing to hear. Say, you wouldn't know what happened to her?"

There was nothing in her tone that spoke to any kind of concern or worry. He shook his head, shoulders trembling as his anger steadily rose. His mother had been sick for years and she was a great queen during when her health was good. Even his father had been happy back then, so he hated how she dismissed her. Thinking of his mother his shoulders fell heavily. He had not seen his mother for many years. Her mysterious decease had been lengthy, but the doctors were amazing and as long as she stayed in bed, she would eventually regain some strength.

"I am afraid not. I haven't seen her."

Lila laughed, but it wasn't a laugh of humour. It was a menacing cackle, much like the witch she was.

"How dreadful. Figures Gabriel would have picked such a dreadful wife."

He wanted to retort that his mother was a beautiful woman but decided not to. There was something about this whole conversation that made him think to keep his true words to himself and let time tell what Lila was looking for. Until then, he would have to be patient. He lacked skills in diplomacy, and he wasn't sure how he could change his fate but maybe in these next days he could learn of something that could help him become stronger as both a prince and his own person.

"I am sorry, princess Lila, that you must find us quite dull."

Lila snickered.

"Not really, just amusing. You seem like a pretty naïve boy, so take it from someone who knows the world of politics. Everything can be changed. Once I am queen, I will make those changes. The magics of these lands, they are beyond any powers of the other kingdoms. I knew I chose right to come here." The last she seemed to mutter, mainly for herself but it alarmed him. As royalty all magic was tied to the wellbeing of the royal family and he knew how the magic was currently out of control. He didn't want to think of what would happen if Lila would gain some of it.

Now hours later, he had written a new set of parchments to be sent far and wide begging his neighbouring kingdoms and allies for help. He honestly feared for them all, but selfishly most for himself. He couldn't stand her. She was like a poisonous rose ready to prick her thorns into anything that held some sort of power that she could gain from. She was cold as ice and didn't seem to care if people would suffer just so she could gain power.

He had written about fifty parchment before he sent for Mr Ramier, the pigeon master, to send his pleas out first thing in the morning. The sun had finally begun to set. Now all he would be able to do would be to wait. It was finally time to use the ring Plagg had given him.

Speaking of Plagg, said cat jumped up to lie down in his lap.

"Hey Plagg, are you really a cat?" Adrien asked, his hand moved down to stroke him.

Plagg looked up at him.

"Of course I am, but I am a special cat. I've been around for some time, kept my eyes on things. I don't like to meddle, but you honestly must be the saddest excuse for a human that I've seen. I figured I could get you to act less sappy if I gave you a chance to enjoy yourself. I guess, I was wrong. You talk too much."

He turned to try and lie down.

"How old are you exactly?" Adrien was a little stunned. It had only been a day since he found out his cat could talk.

"Old enough. I'm not a kitty, if that's what you ask."

The tiny head rose to stare directly at him.

"Not gonna get any sleep, I see. Kid, get ready. Tonight, the festivities should start. Take this chance to enjoy yourself a little and learn how to mingle. Seriously, your people skills are lacking. There is little you can do for the land as a bachelor. Your father has already set you on the path to break your curse. I don't like Lila either, but I would also not like to see everything gone in full darkness. I think it's time you find yourself a nice woman to marry. And don't go talking about those letters, you won't get anything from them."

Adrien sighed, but deep inside he knew Plagg was probably right.

"I understand. Plagg, claws out."

-oOo-

The first thing Adrien noticed once he had snuck out the gates (which magically opened whenever he and Plagg approached) was the increased number of lanterns that had been lit along the houses and shops. The second was how his people had decided to dress for the occasion. There was a myriad of colours, women wore their best and men walked around in with large feathered hats and polished new boots.

Adrien decided to stop by the pub. It was a good place to start as any, but once he arrived the line outside the pub reached the already filling street and he figured it would take forever to get in. Many people had a day off work; thus the inside was even busier than the outside and the chaos from drunk customers and overly flirty ladies could be heard through the door. He had no choice but abandon his first idea of finding out more through the gossip of the town, as drunken men started fall out the open door and a the beginnings of a brawl slowly bloomed as two customers started fighting over a light dressed lady with high boots and a low cut on her dress. He backed into the shadows, careful not to stare as more people joined into the fight.

As the darkness lay thick he scaled the wall and decided to observe from above.

He nearly choked on the ashes and was even more stunned at what he saw. Beyond the lights of the streets everything was pitch black. There were no lanterns, not even the flickering of candlelight. For a moment he wondered if the darkness had eaten away all life in the town, but then he saw movement in a corner street. He slowly crept toward it.

Two young girls, they couldn't be older than five or six, were walking around the houses looking through the dirt. He wasn't sure why at first, until one of the girls picked up what looked like a twig and put it in her mouth. She made a face but kept gnawing.

His heart sank. He wished he would have brought them anything from his meal this day, meals he had barely touched, but he had nothing to give. Maybe he could give them money, but he feared they would easily be robbed as the shadows around them seemed so dark and threatening. The darkness lay thick over them and every movement made him jump and think a bandit or a thief was watching them as intently as he was.

He looked toward the gates and wondered how bad things had gotten beyond them. If the darkness was already this prominent the rest of the kingdom was probably worse of.

He looked back at the Square and a thought hit him. Maybe he could buy them something. There had to be someone who could sell food, even at this unusual event. He hated seeing their poor state and hunger. He had to do something.

His feet turned and he scaled the roofs to return to the Square, where people had gathered and music played, a far cry from the darkness behind him.

His feet landed in an alley close to where some of the townspeople had gathered by some barrels, jolly from large pints of ale and flirting with some girls that were daring enough to show their ankles. Musicians had gathered in the centre of the Square and the music was loud and festive. He scanned the area, but he could see no seller or even an indication of food.

Slowly he moved around, careful not to step on any of the many dresses that swayed before him. He was on a mission and had completely forgotten why he came when he bumped into a young woman, who much like him wore a mask to cover her identity. She had dark almost blueish hair tucked into an elegant bun and wore the brightest red dress he had ever seen, marked with black specks. She reminded him of a ladybird.

"Oh, I am so sorry." She said in a soft voice, slightly frazzled by a spurt of panic. "I am awfully clumsy; I didn't mean to walk into you."

"It's okay, "he said and kissed her hand softly. She blushed at his straightforwardness, her cheeks reaching the same colour as her dress. "I wasn't looking where I was going. Tell me, my fair lady, would you know where I could find a morsel to eat?"

She blinked, but then pointed a gloved hand in the direction toward a bakery that had not closed its doors for the night.

"This bakery is almost always open. It has the best bread in the kingdom." She answered and her smile seemed to radiate from her.

"Thank you, my Lady…"

"Ma… Bug(ger), sorry."

"My Lady Bug. Enjoy the festivities, you look absolutely radiant." He smiled, completely oblivious to her rather nervous tone.

He left her and was surprised to feel as if the warmth she gave still lingered on his gloved hand. He briefly touched it before heading to the bakery. Once more there were lines out to the streets, but these lines moved fairly quickly, and he exited half an hour later with a towel filled with fresh bread straight from the oven.

He scaled yet another wall and hoped to find the two girls. It didn't take him long. The festivities had gathered their attention and made them seek out the light and the music. They stood in a corner of one of the streets observing the festivities with hungry gazes. He swooped down beside them.

"Don't worry." He told them as both jumped and got ready to flee. "I am not here to harm you, I simply wished to bring you this."

He gave them the breads he had bought. They stared at them hungrily.

"It's okay, they are for you."

The smallest girl, probably the youngest, reached out quickly to grab one of the warm buns. Without a word she shoved it into her mouth, barely chewing. Adrien saw her eyes grow wide as she munched like she hadn't eaten for days, which sadly was likely to be the truth.

The older of the girls was a little slower to grab a bread, but once she figured there was nothing wrong, she stared at him with big hazel eyes. Her eyes watered and she smiled. It was a lovely smile and Adrien couldn't help but to feel a little warmer inside.

"What's your names?" he asked.

"I'm Aurora, this is Estelle." The oldest replied. She gave a bend to her knees, like she was once taught to curtsy but had not done it for a long time. Adrien bowed.

"Lovely to meet you, Miss Aurora and Miss Estelle."

They bowed deeply, mimicking him, before scurrying back into the darkness with their food. Adrien wanted to follow, but he lost them in the labyrinth of darkened paths. He hoped he had done enough. He would have to talk to his father about this at some point. He did not like seeing how starved these girls were.

He walked back to the Square where more people had gathered to dance and even sing. There were many couples of all ages and Plagg's words hit him suddenly. "I think it's time you find yourself a nice woman to marry. And don't go talking about those letters, you won't get anything from them."

He wondered if there was a chance for him to find happiness in the same way these couples had. Problem was, as he looked around, all the ladies had been asked to dance and were either dancing or walking arm in arm with their partners, enjoying the calmness of the night. He stopped by one of the lanterns and stared up toward the sky, thinking briefly of the woman who had helped him earlier. He didn't know why, but he could still feel a linger of her hand in his.

"Are you alone as well?" the melodic voice asked. He looked around to see her once more and it made his chest swell and his heart beat louder. It took him by surprise, maybe faith was with him. Up close and in the light, he could see her even better than before. He noticed how her hair near glowed like the blue sky and her eyes under the light to remind him of sparkling sapphires. Her dress was one of a unique pattern, one he had never seen before. She was indeed a ladybird, with the bright red of the dress and the black dots. She seemed a little nervous, swaying from one side to the other.

"I was, but I must be a lucky cat to meet you here once again, my Lady." He said softly. There was something mesmerising by the way her eyes could see him, maybe even see into his soul. He felt slightly dizzy but straightened. "May I?" he asked and held out his hand to her. The music was still playing.

She nodded, took his hand and led him toward the centre of the Square. Her smaller hand fit easily into his own, his hand wandered around the waist. They didn't need words, just the soft rhythm of music that lead the pace into a steady dance.

She was a good dancer, or maybe all those years of training dance with Mrs Bustier were paying off. There was a sparkle in her eyes as he carried her through the steps of the melodic tunes and his heart swelled by the smile she carried as they twirled. Some of the other dancers made room for them, curious to whom this silent couple could be.

"Who are you?" he was surprised he dared to ask, but there was something so mysterious about her. She looked like a princess, a blooming red rose among the tulips. There seemed to be a warmth that radiated from her, it made him feel a warmth that he had never felt before. She didn't answer but smiled back.

He never wanted the dance to stop, if he had been the Prince, he would have ordered the dance to go on forever. He cursed his disguise as he knew he couldn't unveil himself. She leaned closer to his ear, a smile seemed to line her lips as she spoke: "Am I dreaming?" she asked and he realised this must be as new for her as it was for him. He tugged her a little closer. "If so, then so must I." he admitted. He gripped her tighter, afraid she would vanish into smoke if he did not. He leaned closer, as did she. Their lips met.

The music silenced. Their movements stilled. His hands reached around her waist, holding her close while her arms gently grasped his shoulders. Around them couples lit lanterns to send to the sky, but Adrien did not notice. His heart was beating in rhythms stronger than any music. He had never felt such an elation, such rollercoaster of emotions nor this kind of desire. He wanted her, though a part of him realised he had kissed a woman whom he knew neither name nor status. The latter hit him like a sledgehammer, and he was the first to break the kiss.

There was a flicker of emotions, seemingly like a realisation in her eyes and before he was able to gather his thoughts she turned and fled. "Wait!" he called after her, but she was fast and in seconds he lost sight of her.

Adrien felt like screaming. The feeling of her lips, the softness and warmth of her body next to him and her gentle voice would haunt him for the rest of his life. He hated that he didn't know who she was. She was his ladybird, or rather Lady Bug. He would return the next night and find her and every night until she would be his again. Princess or not, whether she was a ghost or real, he would know one day.

With a heavy heart he gathered Plagg from the stable and rode home. His heart felt heavy as he returned to his cage, burdened by everything that seemed to happen around him. From his window the black cat Plagg gazed at him. If cats could smirk, he would have. Adrien soon fell into a restless sleep while Plagg looked over at the turtle Nino.

"Why are humans so stupid?" the cat asked, not really caring if Adrien could still hear him.

"Speak for yourself." Nino answered, head sticking out from the bowl that was his prison. "At least you get to roam out there with him. I am stuck in this bowl all day and still no clue if she even remembers who I am.

Plagg shook his head. "Stupid turtle" he murmured, before jumping back down. There was a movement in the courtyard, his eyes could see it from that far up and if he was lucky it would be another mouse. The darkness didn't really bother him much, cats can see quite well in it, but he figured that tomorrow he should probably drop a few hints to Adrien about the girl that he had met, then maybe this human wouldn't act so defeated.