Well, I finally found time! Enjoy! Maybe.
Disclaimer: Thomas Astruc will never let me own these characters.
Princess Marinette didn't quite know how she felt about the masked man. She had heard of his thefts, and how he was the most wanted man in the kingdom. She certainly didn't expect him to act so gentlemanly let alone drop on his knee in her presence. Everyone thought he hated the royal family considering how much he stole from her cousins. So what made her different?
Later she discovered that he really hadn't stolen anything from her, so at least he was honest. But that was another thing. She granted him the opportunity, and he did nothing but listen to her rambling. Why on Earth would he do that? And why did he continue to steal? When she left, the kingdom was very prosperous and kind enough to help everyone who needed it. Surely things haven't changed that much.
Nervous, she went to touch her hand to where her father's ring used to be. She liked to fidget with it, and it was a habit she'd been trying to break when she'd given it to Adrien. She was surprised to feel cool metal on her finger. She looked down and saw that it really was her father's ring.
Did Cat Noir steal it? If he did, how would he recognize it? It was just a simple thing, no one every really notices it. She panicked as a terrifying thought came to her, Did he hurt Adrien?
She shook her head. Of course he didn't hurt Adrien. He never really hurt the guards, just enough to knock them out. There would be not reason for him to steal or hurt from a peasant.
Wait, if Cat Noir doesn't steal from peasants, why on Earth would he have this ring?
A new theory struck Marinette just as the carriage came to an abrupt halt. The door was opened by a footman almost immediately after. "Welcome back Your Highness." he said, not even looking her in the eye. Marinette smiled. She was home.
She was immediately escorted to her room to freshen up. She took a short bath, she didn't feel too dirty. Afterward she brushed her hair, and pulled it into her signature twin tails, and put on her favorite dress. It was simple enough. A baby pink dress where the hem reached her ankles, and sleeves that stopped at her elbow. It had a small scoop neckline, and a blue ribbon tied around the waist.
She was also reunited with Tikki. Her nursemaid, and one of her best friends. But the gathering was cut short due to her cousin Andre asking for an audience with her.
Marinette was slightly nervous, though she knew it was ridiculous. Andre was her cousin! So was Chloe! There was no reason for her to be nervous. But she couldn't help remembering the way Chloe looked at her the last time they met. The look in her eyes just rubbed Marinette the wrong way.
Marinette took a deep breath before entering, trying to calm her nerves. She opened the door to see the courtroom exactly as she left it. The whited marble floors, and the gold pillars on either side of the red carpet in the middle of the floor. Stretching out to the two thrones in the pack of the room. but instead of her smiling father, it was her cousin Andre and his wife Audrey.
Andre was a tall man, with the kind of waist that went over the waistline of his pants. He had gray hair, and was wearing a red and blue ribbon over his suit, signifying his role as King Consort. Audrey was a skinny woman with pale skin, and golden-brown hair cut short in a bob. She was wearing an elegant black and white dress along with sunglasses, though why she was wearing them indoors confused Marinette.
The temporary King smiled at Marinette. "Welcome home cousin!" Marinette smiled, and was relieved to find that it wasn't forced.
"It's great to be back." she said. "I've missed this place so much."
"I'm sure you have. I admit, I've become quite comfortable here myself. Your mother had good taste in interior design." Marinette's smile softened. She missed her mother terribly, ever since she got the plague. The same one that took Adrien's mother.
"Yes she did." she agreed. "Is there any news about my father?" she asked hopefully. Even though her lessons in the country were preparing her for ruling a kingdom, Marinette didn't think she was quite ready yet.
Andre frowned "I'm sorry to say there hasn't. The war shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, and, well, we're hoping for the best." Marinette just nodded. She couldn't wait to see her father again, and the fact thatt there was no news was a let down.
But maybe she could see someone else.
"Andre, I was hoping I could-"
"DADDY!" shrieked a voice from another room. Marinette visibly winced. She recognized that screech from the last time she visited her cousins.
A young woman came bursting in, with blond hair pulled into a high ponytail, ice blue eyes, and make-up piled onto her face. She was wearing a yellow, withe, and black dress, and wore pounds of jewelry, including one of Marinette's tiaras. Not that the Princess minded too much, though she could've asked first.
"Daddy!" said the woman. "Adrikins isgooing to be here any minute, and I need to look perfect! How do I look?" She gave a twirl, and the skirt of her dress spun magnificently with her. Marinette appreciated how well it was made.
"You look wonderful Chloe!" Absolutely stunning!" Andre cooed. Audrey looked her daughter over.
"The dress is very well made, though I shouldn't be surprised if Gabriel made it. Your make-up and accessories however are utterly ridiculous. Do not show yourself in public like that. We have an image to uphold."
Marinette winced again at how harsh Audrey was. How can she speak to her own daughter that way? She turned to Chloe, and saw that she did look a little put out at her mother's words. Then she caught sight of Marinette.
"What are you doing here?" Chloe asked in a disgusted tone. Marinette frowned slightly, though she should've expected this. She and Chloe never got along that well.
"Chloe dear," Andre said calmly. "We've talked about this, we only get to live in the palace for a short while until-"
"Until King Tom comes home." Audrey intervened.
Marinette's eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard me, we will wait until Tom's arrival." Audrey continued, as she inspected her nails. "Then you will be allowed to take the throne."
Marinette stood there gaping. "What are you talking about? My father said-"
"That you would take the throne in his absence after completing you schooling." Audrey recited nonchalantly. "But he also said that it is our duty to make decisions to benefit the Kingdom." she smirked. "And I have decided, that you are still much too young to handle this kind of responsibility. Until your father returns safely, you are nothing more than a Princess. You will be confined to your room from now on, and there is nothing you can do."
Marinette was dumbfounded. "You can't do that!"
"I already did."
"You cannot be serious!" Marinette at this point was borderline furious. She didn't leave her home for a year preparing to rule, just to have it snatched away from her by her greedy cousins.
Then came a knock at the already open doors. Everyone turned to see a handsome blond haired man with green eyes standing sheepishly in the doorway. "Is this a bad time?" he asked. Marinette's heart skipped a beat.
"ADRIKINS!" Chloe screeched. Marinette saw Adrien grimace slightly as Chloe ran up to him and latched herself onto Adrien's arm. She reached up to kiss his cheek. "I missed you! Life here in the palace gets so boring with no one to talk to." Adrien gently pulled Chloe off of him.
"Uh, thank you Lady Chloe." Adrien said, his voice sounding hesitant. Then he turned to Marinette and their eyes locked. Marinette blushed slightly at the intense way he was staring at her. As if he were trying to memorize a famous piece of artwork. His green eyes were sparkling, and his lips turned into a small smile.
Marinette returned the smile. "H-hello again Adrien."
"Marinette. I mean, uh, Your Highness." Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, and blushed at his mistake. He cleared his throat, "It's good to see you again. I've missed you."
Marinette's blush deepened. "I've missed you too. And you know you don't have to call me that."
"Adrikins! How do you know my cousin?!" Chloe's sharp voice brought the two love-birds out of their own little world, and back into reality. Chloe was still hanging off of Adrien. Marinette was a bit upset. She would like some time alone with him. And why the heck was she calling him "Adrikins"?
"We were childhood friends." he said. Her heart plummeted at the term friends. Did he move on? Does he like Chloe now?
She suddenly remembered her previous thoughts from the carriage before being swept into the palace. She glanced at Adrien's hands, and didn't see the ring on his finger. She studied him carefully. Same height, same hair, same eyes, same build, had my father's ring. Could he-
"Ah that's splendid!" came Andre's booming voice. "Tell me, how did you two meet?"
"Maybe another time." Adrien said quietly. "I need to drop off fabric for my father. My friend Nino is expecting me in the tavern soon."
Chloe wrinkled her nose. "Why would you ever agree to meet in that filthy place?"
Marinette ignored her comment, and asked, "How is Nino? Is he still into music?" Adrien's smile lit up his entire face, and Marinette had to stop herself from melting.
"He's doing great, actually. He's become fairly famous in the village. He's also been a lot of help for me with my other job."
Andre frowned. "I thought you said you were a merchant. Doesn't that pay well enough so you don't need a second job?"
Panic briefly flashed in his eyes. Most people wouldn't have noticed, but Marinette did.
"It does." he reassured. "My other job is more... voluntary. I don't get paid. I help Friar Fu give the poor what they need. Food, clothing, money if I can find it." Marinette smiled. She felt relieved knowing that Adrien was still as kindhearted as he was a year ago. Chloe meanwhile, just scoffed.
"Why would you help them? They're peasants. They're supposed to be poor while all of the money should go to moi." Marinette's anger acted up again. How dare she speak like that! They couldn't help living in poor circumstances. It was supposed to be the royal family's job to stop things like that from happening!
Adrien seemed to have been thinking the same thing. "You have a... an interesting point of view on things." was all he said. Marinette felt bad for him. He wasn't exactly in the best position to truly speak his mind.
"Of course I do!" stated Chloe. "I am practically a Princess of course! A great match for any man. If they asked of course." she looked at Adrien suggestively. Marinette's blood was boiling. She was amazed she hasn't snapped yet. Adrien caught on to Chloe's thinking and visibly grimaced.
"Well... they'll be very lucky I'm sure. In the meantime I better get going. It was good seeing you again Marinette." Adrien turned to leave.
"Wait!" she cried. Adrien stopped, and looked at her hopefully. "I-uh I-I was actually hoping to... catch up some more. I-It's been so long." Adrien smiled.
"I would like that very much. Unless you're busy, I don't want to drag you away from anything."
Marinette let out a small giggle. Still so thoughtful. "I just got back." she said. "I don't have anything to do immediately." Adrien visibly relaxed, making Marinette smile. Adrien held out his hand, which she of course graciously accepted. Her heart sped rapidly as Adrien led her out of the courtroom, and into the hallway. Leaving an offended Chloe to think over what just happened.
The couple walked down a few hallways in silence until Marinette asked, "Is your father really here, or was that an excuse?"
Adrien chuckled. "An excuse. I already dropped the fabric off. The only reason I stopped by the courtroom was..."
"Was?" She pressed. Adrien blushed.
"I overheard you were back, and I wanted to see you." Marinette blushed. She was hoping that was the case, but to hear it confirmed from him, made her heart race. Her blush quickly subsided, and she replaced it with a playful smirk.
"So you overheard I was back? Did you forget our little encounter in the forest so quickly?" The corners of Adrien's mouth twitched.
"I don't know what you're talking about." he said all too innocently. She giggled at his antics. She stepped in front of Adrien stopping him.
"Adrien?"
"Yes Princess?" She slipped her father's ring off her finger, and placed it into Adrien's hand.
"I really missed you too you know." she whispered. Adrien looked her in the eyes. Filled with love and admiration. Then without warning, Adrien leaned in and kissed her.
She gasped, but didn't dare pull away. She closed her eyes, savoring this sweet moment. It wasn't like their first kiss a year ago. This one was calm, gentle, and so full of love... and a little hesitant. All too quickly Adrien pulled away. "I love you Princess." he whispered. "I never stopped loving you for one moment."
Marinette's heart was about to burst, and her eyes threatened to spill grateful tears. "I love you too Adrien. I always have."
"Meet me outside on your balcony tonight." With that, he kissed her cheek and disappeared down the next hall. Leaving behind a dazed, lovestruck Princess.
YAY! Adrienette fluff! I hope the wait was worth it. And what does Adrien have planned for tonight? I know... kind of. It's been a while since I went over this. Seriously though, there are times where I'm really proud of my writing, and this is one of those moments. I was even able to edit a few things to make it flow more smoothly.
Please Please Please review! I joined this site so that I could have you complete strangers critisize my work, so that I can become a better writer. Seriously, be harsh, just not mean.
Until next time my nuts!