"She's ugly..." Kagami sneered, her bottom lip smudging against the champagne flute glass pressed into her face before she took a sip.

Her heart ached with envy. The thought of her boyfriend marrying someone else, it was tormenting. She wanted nothing more than to be the one wearing his ring. It was incredibly painful to know that he was betrothed to someone else. It almost became to much to bear. Kagami had a hard time coming to terms with their fate. She wondered if divorce was an option to keep on the table.

It was a lamentable apotheosis, at least for the family name if it was an interest, but a gift was a gift. Gabriel will have the relics he always coveted and Adrien's heart would be free to give to her.

"You know, green is a terrible essence on you..." Nino interjected, watching Adrien place a ring on Marinette's finger and presenting her hand to the audience.

Kagami rolled her eyes, her fingers tapping nervously at her glass, glaring at the two in the forefront.

"I don't care..." she muttered under her breath, pressing the glass to her lips and taking in an excessive amount of champagne. "How would you feel if the person you were together with for four years has to push you aside for some stranger?" She inquired, her voice strained with anger, jealousy and hurt.

"Whether or not Adrien marries this girl just as a spectacle, I don't think it'll hinder Adrien's loyalty to you..." Nino explained. "As of now it appears he's just seeing the marriage as a contract, not a legitimate partnership."

Kagami sighed, letting Nino's words swim in her head. She didn't expect Nino to reason with her nor did she really care.

"You mean to tell me she's never heard of Adrien? You don't think she's in it for all of his money? His fame? His looks?" She sneered, peering back at Nino who kept his gaze on the couple in front of them.

The male placed his flute glass on the table beside him, taking in a deep breath at Kagami's irrationality.

"I understand your pain. In that way I can tell that you're upset. You have every right to be. It just doesn't seem fair you're projecting it on to someone else who probably hasn't had a say in the matter either..." he further explained.

Kagami scoffed, tears almost about ready to spill from her eyes that spawned from her frustration.

"And how do you propose that?" She asked, lifting a brow to glower at the male beside her.

Nino breathed out, his eyes following the girl beside Adrien who stood awkwardly to face the crowd. Her mind appeared to be elsewhere, and anyone from the outside could tell she was troubled.

"She's not smiled once this entire evening. She's not moved from that spot, and she hasn't even looked at the ring..." he uttered, peering his eyes away to look at Kagami who seemed quite perplexed at the observation.

She bit her lip, deciding to remain obdurate, looked away, her hand clenching around her glass until her knuckles turned white.

Nino glanced down, taking in the appearance of her frustration by the way she held the glass.

"Look..." he prompted. "I know its a lot to take in. I just think it's significant that we remain humble, avoid judging others, and take into account that many people are suffering from this situation. Not just you..."

It had became quite difficult for Kagami to let it all soak in. Her heart felt like it wanted to spill from her mouth. She wanted to try and leave a mark on him, something she knew would be irrevocable of him to forget her.

Nino kept his gaze fixated on her, almost as if he was expecting her to explode. He parted his lips, ready to say something but paused as the crowd around them began to applaud.

The noise drew Kagami and Nino's attention back to the forefront where Marinette and Adrien faced the crowned, the couple leaning in to listen to Nathalie whispered to them before the two awkwardly parted.

Marinette held on to her dress awkwardly, climbing down the small steps to meet back with her friends.

Nino waved over to Adrien who began to approach them.

"You look absolutely amazing...incredulously beautiful if I do say so myself..." Adrien commented, taking Kagami's hand and guiding her to a spin so he could get a complete look at her attire.

Kagami bashfully glanced down before she was melted to his side. Her arms wrapped around him and she tugged herself closer to him. She wanted to weep. She felt heavy in her heart. Kagami couldn't understand how Adrien could remain so upbeat in a situation like this.

"I've missed you..." she pouted, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "I would have showed up earlier, but I had some things to take in..." she conceded.

Adrien nodded in empathy, realizing how troubling the situation was for her. For them both.

"Don't worry..." the blonde whispered, lifting her face to look at him. "I love you and only you. That's never going to change..." he whimpered, his thumb caressing over her skin.

Kagami flushed, her skin heating up in the wake of his digit. She tried to find comfort in his words, but she believed them.

"Am I allowed to kiss you?" She asked, her hand moving across his chest in languid motions.

Adrien blushed, catching her hand as it swayed.

"We can smooch all we want another time. My relatives are watching. I don't think they'd approve of infidelity in front of my future spouse."

The female huffed, rolling her eyes and pulling away quite abruptly.

"You're with me. Not with her..." she grunted, her blood quickening.

Adrien laughed softly at her jealousy, placing a small hand on her back in hopes to calm her.

He had seen Kagami grow jealous quite a few times. Adrien always trusted her not to take it too far even though he didn't agree with some of the nasty things she said when she was jealous.

"How is she?" Nino catechized, perking his brow in regards to his soon to be bride.

Adrien turned his head, growing a bit nervous to be talking about the matter in front of his fuming girlfriend.

"Uh, Marinette? She's alright. She doesn't seem to talk much..." he shrugged. He glanced over at Kagami who just stared into her drink.

A small frown tugged the edges of Adrien's lips. He was growing increasingly concerned for her.

"I'm sure she'll warm up once you get to know her-" Nino chimed, moving closer to the two.

"Who cares?! Who even wants to know her?" Kagami interjected, her blood running cold at the thought of her love wrapped around another woman.

Adrien reached out for her, tugging her close. His heart started to pound against his chest. He began to worry that she was about to make a scene. His father would definitely have his head for this.

"Hey- baby-" he hushed, moving around her so that he could face her. "Calm down. It's fine..." he moved his hand up and down her back in hopes to reassure her.

"I think we should all get to know her, when the time permits it..." Adrien added, his voice trailing off.

Nino hummed, his gaze elsewhere. A subtle blush coated his cheeks as he nudged his friend.

"I'll tell you who I'd like to get to know..." He prompted, his jaw jolting towards Marinette's friend.

Nino admired the way the dress hugged her body. Her skin was such a beautiful even color, and she had a full head of hair contained in a elegant bun. He just wanted to bury himself into it and get lost in every strand.

Adrien chuckled, shaking his head at his comrades ogling.

"I think you're on your own for that one." The model teased. "She seems to bite."

Nino nodded, his mouth nearly salivating at the concept of chasing.

"She can bite me. I don't mind. She's insanely beautiful..." he glanced back at Kagami and Adrien.

"So just go and talk to her..." Adrien suggested, his hand slipping from Kagami's hip as the female turned away, drawing Nino and Adrien's attention immediately.

The female bit her lip, her frustration getting the best of her. Her chest felt heavy and Kagami was on the verge of a breakdown. Her skin flushed as tears began to ebb down her cheeks.

"Sorry..." she whimpered, sniffling in a failed attempt to keep herself composed. "I...I just can't-" she breathed, placing her glass down and gripping her dress. She quickly exited, leaving the two friends behind completely dumbfounded.

Kagami brushed past guest by guest, not caring who gave her repulsed glances. She just needed to get out of there before she broke down in front of everyone.

Adrien widened his eyes, his heart sinking as it was finally setting in. The full pain he was inflicting on her by being forced to do this.

"Kagami..."he murmured, his entire attitude going flacid. He quickly turned to Nino.

"I'll be right back. I'm going after her." He explained apologetically and Nino nodded. Adrien carefully took off after her, following her as she left the building in a calm matter as to not gather too much attention from the guests.

Nino sighed, watching the two leave the building. He rocked back and forth on his feet. His hand stuffing into his pockets.

Nino knew Adrien for quite a few years. Perhaps even longer than he knew Kagami. He remembered when the two began dating. He loved that his friend was happy, but didn't care much for Kagami's prudent behavior as well as how nasty she got when she was jealous.

Nino couldn't understand how Adrien put up with it.

Anytime Nino attempted to converse about it, Adrien always devoided the situation or made excuses for her.

The male shook his head at the thought, casually looking around.

A small smile formed on his face at the pleasant discovery that the bride to be's female companion glanced his way.

Nino waved softly at the girl, wondering if he should take the chance and go off to meet her.

.

._

.

"Ugh...his friend keeps looking at me..." Alya sneered, turning her attention to Marinette and their co worker Rose who managed to leave her shift early to attend.

Marinette briefly looked over to Nino gawking at Alya with a cheesy smile and an obnoxious wave.

"Yeah... did you see that?" She asked, quickly changing the subject to Kagami walking out of the building with Adrien quickly trailing off behind her calmly.

"Yeah..." Rose responded, her pink lips pouting as she swirled the drink in her hand. "Looks like she's not taking it well..."

The blunette sighed, her chest feeling heavy at what this marriage was costing. "I had to be a part of something that causes someone so much pain..." she murmrued solemnly.

Alya rolled her eyes, she pressed her lips together. "Who cares? Don't look at her, look at that huge rock on your hand"

Marinette shook her head at her friends callousness. "I don't care about the ring or anything I'm supposed to be getting out of this marriage. This is just a contract. There's no real love there."

"That's pretty sad. I mean aside from you both being utter strangers, this would have been so romantic." Rose chimed in, taking a sip of her drink. "I really want to be happy for you."

Alya bounced on her toes.

"I'm happy for you." She giggled. "So what kind of gifts did they give you? Are you both moving in together? Or are you guys going to remain the distant couple who sleeps in separate rooms-" she teased, wiggling her brows.

Marinette wanted to facepalm at her friends' dismissiveness.

"They...want us to live together. Adrien's assistant says that they prepared us a place to live as it was a gift...from Felix's father..." she gulped, her heart pounding in her ears as she was more than sure this marriage was going to get back to her love, wherever he was.

"A-As far as sleeping arrangements go, I guess we'll just have to see." She shrugged.

Marinette had to admit it was quite strange to sleep in the same bed as Adrien. She had hoped that if there was one bed, it would be big enough to keep them as far apart as possible. Marinette had shared a bed with Felix and a few times with her girl friends, but this situation was completely different. She had known these people for years, one of which she was in a relationship with.

"Is this where you consummate your marriage after you leave?" Rose inquired, a small blush on her cheeks earning a perplexed cough from the blunette.

"W-We aren't even married yet!" She coughed, her heart racing. It wasn't that Adrien was unattractive, but the thought of being intimate with him almost made her repulsed. She had never been intimate with anyone in her entire life. Its not like she didn't know anything about it, but she never knew why her and Felix never got to that point in their relationship.

Alya snorted, leaning on Rose and shaking her head. "As if!" She glanced up at Marinette who looked into her drink. "I don't think she's interested."

Marinette sighed, she loved Alya, but sometimes she could be too much.

"I'm-I'm going to the kitchen to ask about the menu..." Marinette sighed, feeling totally defeated. The female turned around, awkwardly leaving the area to go find the kitchen.

Rose jabbed her elbow into her friend's side.

"Alya! Give her a break. You know she's still fragile after what Felix did to her." The blonde reprimanded. "I'm gonna go check on her."

Rose gave Alya a small grimace before she began a search for Marinette.

Alya clutched on to her bag, exhaling as she was about to follow the pair until she felt someone behind her.

"Hey-" Nino introduced, walking beside the brunette with a tender smile.

Alya cowered, cursing herself for not moving fast enough. She glanced back at Nino, giving him a faint smile.

"Hey-" she responded awkwardly, watching as he held his hand out.

"I'm Nino. Its a pleasure to meet you. I couldn't help but to notice you from across the room. Your attire is quite salient. You look elegant if I may say..." he placed his other hand against his chest, feeling his heart pounding against his palm. "And I mean that with the utmost respect and sincerity."

Alya hummed, nodding her head subtly as she wasn't quite buying it.

"Thank you. I uh...didn't spend much time thinking on what to wear."

Nino bit his lip, acknowledging that he was losing her, and he barely even started.

"Look- I'll come straight from the hip. I really am digging you. If you'd give me the chance to know you. Maybe a date or if you're not interested in that yet, please lend me a bit of your time tonight. That's all I ask..."

Alya blinked, perking a brow at his straightforwardness. She had a feeling he was into her by the way he was gawking at her, but she didn't think he'd kick it to her within a matter of minutes.

The female crossed her arms, a teasing smile spreading across her face.

"Oh? And what if I tell you that I'm bisexual?" She asked, perking her brow.

Nino remained composed his shoulders shrugging as she failed to hit a nail.

"That's fine with me." He grinned, looking down at her. "Still have a chance, right?"

Alya blinked, recognizing how hopeful he was. She nodded, biting her lip. "What if I was more of a female lean?" She asked, continuing to press as many buttons as she could.

Nino smiled, a small blush radiating from his cheeks.

"I can wear a dress?" He suggested. "I'm sure there are a ton of beautiful females with short hair. I'm sure I can pass."

Alya giggled, shaking her head. She bit her lip, her own cheeks beginning to warm up. Alya wasn't sure what she felt about him completely, but he was definitely interesting.

"Alright..." she replied. "You've peaked my interest..." the brunette conceded. "I can give you a few hours to talk..."

Nino fist pumped slightly with a toothy grin. It probably wasn't the best night for his comrade, but it sure was starting to look a little better for him.

"Alright. I'm game..." he glanced back up at him. "Can I get a name?"

Alya smiled at his soft voice. She tucked some hair behind her ear with a fluid motion.

"I'm Alya..."

.

.

.

.

Adrien frowned as the warm air brushed against his skin. Kagami wasn't in front of the building. She must have ran off some place where she couldn't be seen.

The model stuffed his hands into his pockets, wandering around the building.

He paused, catching the pale silhouette of his love standing in the garden. She sat on the fountain legde, gazing up at the sky with a grimace. She reached up, wiping a few tears from her eyes.

Adrien really did feel for her. The last thing he wanted to do was to hurt her.

The blonde hesistated, biting his lip as he contemplated giving her some time alone, or going up to address the problem and to ask if she was alright. He wanted to make sure she was comfortable and if she wasn't, he wanted find some way he could comfort her.

Adrien waited, allowing Kagami to cry.

The garden was quite beautiful and it was quiet. The crickets whistled in the night time air, fireflies flew around the bushes and the faint sound of the water from the fountain murmured to where he stood.

It was surprising that no one beside them came out to take in the serene location. Adrien would have loved to sit back here with Kagami and take in the small things.

If only the circumstances were different. The only thing that mattered to him right now was Kagami's well-being.

"Kagami..." Adrien uttered out to in within the darkness. Kagami sighed, acknowledging that he was there, but refused to react to it.

The male glanced down, feeling completely at loss for words.

After some reluctance, he decided to join her on the fountain legde. He sat beside her, reaching over to cup her face.

Kagami looked up at him, tears staining her freckled cheeks. His thumb caressed her face, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Kagami..." he murmured against her lips. "I'm so sorry..."

Kagami grabbed on to him, her heart aching as she felt as if she was losing everything. She was going to lose him, and she couldn't stand the thought of it.

"Adrien..." she breathed, the moment their lips parted after another long, soft and tender kiss. "I-I'm scared..." she sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart began to race, her fingers tingling as she held on to him.

Her mind raced insistently. She was at war with herself, fighting on what she wanted to do and what she could do. She wasn't afraid to go there, she knew she could push the limits if she had to. Anything so that they both know they belonged to one another.

"Sweetheart..." Adrien murmured to her in a soothing voice. "Don't be afraid. There's nothing to be scared of." He assured.

Kagami remained recalcitrant. She shook her head, her features remained twisted in agony as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

"Adrien, I'm scared that I'm going to lose you. That you'll become accustomed to her because you guys are married. I'm scared you'll forget about me. I wanted you to marry me..." she sniffled, her words flowing from her mouth faster than she can catch them. "I just..."

The girl hesitated as she pressed her face into his chest and nuzzled against him. "I just don't want you to forget about me..."

Adrien widened his eyes. He felt completely shattered. He didn't want her to feel second best, and here she was doubting herself to the point where she truly believed that he would forget about her.

The male reached over, cupping her perfect round face into his palms. He lifted her face so that she could look him straight into his eyes.

"Kagami, I will never ever forget about you." He replied, attempting to get that through to her. "I'll always be loyal to you. I won't leave your side. I'm yours and only yours. It's only you that I love. This marriage is just a contract. We aren't in love. We never will be. My eyes are only for you. I will not and don't plan to look at Marinette in that way. You understand me?"

Kagami breathed out, in both relief and in pain. She immediately wrapped her arms around Adrien, pressing her lips to his in a sweet but persistent kiss.

Adrien furrowed his brow, his eyes immediately closing as he reciprocated the kiss. They were finally alone, and for once Adrien wanted nothing more than to be wrapped into his girlfriend once more. His lips moved against hers passionately, his arms strongly wrapping around her waist.

Kagami breathed into the kiss, her soft lips tenderly forcing his apart. The blonde remained composed, his heart racing as her tongue made an entrance. A deep blush formed against his tan skin, his tongue soon greeting hers before they tangled into one another.

Kagami whimpered, her hand slowly descending to his lap. Her other hand retracted into his hair, his blonde locks tangling into her fingers as she gripped on to him tightly.

Adrien's lips tangled more so into hers, his chest heaved as he breathed in to the kiss. Their lips whispered in hushed synchronization as it grew more and more visceral and dire.

Kagami knew this would be her only chance in a long time before she had to relinquish him to the other woman who wore his ring.

Her hand traveled up his thigh with piquant leisure. She rested it there, Adrien subtly pulling away to breath before she captured his lips once more. Their lips continued to tangle together and their tongue slid against one another in a delectable embrace. Kagami reached for his shirt, her heart hammering as this was now or never.

Her fingers carefully undid each button underneath his blazer, his chest exposed as his shirt opened. She placed her hand on his chest, feeling every muscle on the soft planes.

Her hand dipped passed his abs about ready to slide into his pants.

Adrien furrowed his brow, breaking the kiss very softly.

He blushed, his hand gently catching hers before it could go any further.

Kagami gasped, her body washing in a sea of self doubt it was almost suffocating.

"W-What?" She breathed, her cheeks and chest flushing as the sense of rejection washed over her. "You don't want me like that?"

Adrien widened his eyes, his other hand cupping her face as he shook his head.

"Kagami! No. I do. I do want you like that...it's just-"

"Is it because you've never done it before?" Kagami interjected. "You don't want to give your first time to me? I mean...we are alone...I can take the lead-"

"Kagami-" Adrien cut her off. "No...its not that I haven't done it before. I mean, it's not like I don't know how those things work. I will give my first time to you..." he bit his lip, blushing at the conversation.

Adrien didn't like to talk about his lack of sexual experience. In fact, the further he's ever gotten was a handful of boob.

"Adrien...we've been together four years... and we've never been intimate. Is it because you don't feel comfortable enough?" Kagami asked, her mind trying to wrap around that fact that he was now getting married and never shared his body with her not once in the four years that they had been dating.

Adrien blinked, worry sitting in the pit of his stomach at how bad she began to blow things out of proportion.

"Kagami. Enough." He deadpanned. He grabbed her hands, placing them to his lips so that he could kiss the back of them over and over again.

"I want my first time to be with you, and I need it to be perfect. I'm ready, I really am but you deserve better than this. The first time we share together it won't be in a back garden where anyone could catch us at anytime. It won't be right before you've just bawled your eyes out, and it won't be in result of you being scared. If it ever comes down to us spontaneously doing something like this, I'd rather have it be in passion..." he placed her hands on his lap and then reached over to tuck some hair away from her face.

"If we end up doing that kind of thing in public or in a weird spot, I'd rather it be out of passion than out of pain. If we do this know, it would be because you are in pain. I can't take advantage of that."

Kagami sighed, pulling her hands away to rub her cheeks.

It wasn't exactly a full fledged no, but he did imply that there was a future of them growing closer and closer.

The girl glanced up at him, her blush still contrasting against her freckles.

"A-Are you sure you love me?" She asked, timidly. The question in part truth as well as just playful teasing. Kagami quite liked hearing Adrien tell her that he loved her.

The model chuckled, leaning closer to press a small kiss to her lips.

"More than anything in this world." He answered promptly against her lips.

Adrien pulled away, reached down to button up his shirt and his pants once more.

He didn't want to return back into the party with his clothes disheveled, that would have definitely made him look suspicious

If he returned with Kagami, the rumours would dispell quicker than he could breathe.

"Can you promise me something?" Kagami asked, her voice low as she finally grabbed the courage to look up to him.

"Hm?" Adrien hummed, glancing up at her briefly before adjusting his blazer.

Kagami paused, fiddling with her hands as she wondered if what she was about to ask was too blunt or selfish. She pressed her lips together, taking in a deep inhale.

"Would you promise...not to be intimate with anyone else?" She asked, glancing up at him. "Not while you're in this marriage... would you promise to be loyal to me?"

Adrien looked down at her.

He was with her for four years, all he ever knew was how to be loyal to her. She loved him in ways he couldn't. She saw the beauty in him when all he saw was nothing.

That promise was an easy fulfillment because he loved her and only her.

A small smile spread across his face, his fingers lightly lacing into hers.

"Of course..."