sitting at laptop wondering how I should start chapter*
Hmm...you know maybe I should wait a little longer..
Yeah that's what I'll do I'll just go head outside for a bit and come back la-
Sees angry mob of readers with torches and pitchforks*
...*closes the door* *sits at desk*starts typing*
Eyes Opened
Chat Noir made his way over the rooftops across the kingdom holding tightly to Ladybug who clung to him as they vaulted over every gap.
Chat was able to take Ladybug further across the kingdom with his new source of transportation and since he wore a mask no one was able to match his face to any of the wanted posters strewn across the city.
He took her to many different parts of the city that he hadn't been able to take her before and without the fear of being hunted down he finally felt alive.
He finally felt free.
There was a gathering near the outskirts of kingdom. A little village more lively than an any other part of the Kingdom were having a celebration.
By the looks of it, it seemed like a birthday party. Ladybug has never seen so much fun at a party her whole life. All of the ones she attended were so boring and formal. Even the King fell asleep on his throne from the lack of activity every now and then.
Chat and Ladybug made their way down into a distant alleyway watching the get together from afar.
Chat gestured for Ladybug to follow him, but she remained in her spot.
"What's wrong?" He asked. "Don't you want to have some fun?"
"Did you forget who I am?" She asked. "How do you think people are going to react to the princess strolling around town?"
"It's not like you haven't done it before..."
Her head shot up at the blonde. "How do you know about that?!"
The Prince's eyes widen realizing his mistake. "I...I...overheard...some of the guards talking about it...heh..."
Ladybug raised an eyebrow at the Prince, but proceeded to follow him into the crowd.
One person spotted the princess and alerted the person next to them, than another did the same. Suddenly the entire crowd of people watched the princess and the music came to a stop.
Ladybug felt a little awkward under the stares of so many people. She's never really left the castle before and the first time she did she at least dressed the part to make sure no one knew who she was.
A little girl came rushing towards the princess despite her mother's demands for her to come back and she handed a flower to the princess.
"Hello your highness." She said with a bow. "You're so much prettier up close."
"Aww why thank you." The blunette took the flower and stuck it into one of her pigtails. "What's your name?"
"My name is Manon."
"Such a pretty name. Is today your birthday Manon?"
The little girl nodded. "Mmhmm!"
"Well Manon, would you like to dance with me?"
The little girl gasped happily and grabbed hold of the princess's hand dragging her to the middle of the plaza.
The swing of the party eventually returned and everyone continued to have fun. Many children ran over to dance with Ladybug and even Chat Noir joined in on the fun.
Chat Noir beamed when he noticed the bright smile on Ladybug's face as he took her by the hand and spun her around. She was actually having fun with him.
ooooo
Nino and Alya strolled through the garden as they engaged in another conversation.
"So you've never been anywhere outside the kingdom?" Nino asked.
"Nope. My father passed away when I was a child and my sisters were only infants at the time." Alya replied. "We didn't have enough to really go anywhere it was...hard times for us."
"So how did you end up here in the castle."
"My mom was a maid here in the castle at the time. She was close to the Queen who was kind to all, they often made treats together in the kitchen. I guess you could say my mom was the closest thing the Queen had to a friend. When the Queen heard that we'd be forced to leave the kingdom she offered us to live in the palace. That's when I met Marinette."
"Wow...you two must have been friends for a long time."
"Yeah...I don't know where I'd be without her. It's been hard for her ever since the Queen...past away and this whole suitor thing was beginning to prick her nerves."
Nino chuckled. "So I'm guessing that's why the Prince ended up being flipped on his back?"
"Pretty much." Alya laughed. "So what about you? How did a fellow like you end up serving the great Prince Chat Noir?"
Nino rubbed the back of his neck nervously. What was he supposed to tell her? He can't exactly tell her that he's a genie, it might ruin Adrien's plan at winning the princess.
"Well we sorta just met by chance. He seemed impress with my skills and now I serve him basically giving him whatever he wants." Not a lie.
The Auburn haired girl nodded. "So what about your family? Do you still get to see them?"
"Actually...I don't remember my family."
"What?"
"I don't really remember my childhood all too much, it's...kind of a blur..."
"You've lost your memories."
"I guess that's the best way to put it, cause to me it seems like they were...removed rather than lost." Nino's face grew solemn. "It would be nice if I could remember though..."
Alya took hold of his hand and he looked up to meet her gaze while she gave him a sympathetic smile.
"How about this?" She started. "There's a library here in the castle with more books than you can even imagine. Maybe we can look there and find something about where you might've came from and who your family is."
Nino brighten at that. "You'd really be willing to help me?"
"Yep on one condition."
"What's that?"
"You have to agree to take me out on another date." She said bumping his shoulder causing him to blush.
The genie chuckled. "It's a deal."
oooooo
Ladybug had a smile on her face as she watched Chat playing with the other children. She laughed when one of them pulled on his belt that hung from his waist like a cat's tail. He fell backwards allowing the other children to tackle him.
"Good Evening your highness." Ladybug looked over at the woman who stood next to her and have her a smile. She bowed to the princess before continuing. "My name's Nadia. I'm Manon's mother. It's such an honor to meet you."
"The honors all mine." Ladybug smiled. "Manon is such a sweet girl. She must get it from her mother."
"Yes she's an angel when she wants to be." Nadia chuckled. "This might actually be the most well behaved she's been this week. Children can often be a handful."
"I think I can see that." Ladybug giggled at the children who played with Chat Noir.
The woman followed the princess's gaze towards the blonde Prince. "Future husband your highness?"
Ladybug jumped at the question blushing. "Huh?? No no no! I mean...I honestly don't know. I guess I'm just trying to figure it out myself."
"Oh I see...I'm sorry for intruding, You just seemed to have that look in your eyes."
"A look?"
"Yes. It's a look when you want to get closer to someone and assuming that Prince Chat arrived yesterday you two are still trying to get to know one another. I remember when I received that look from my husband." The woman sighed. "Bless his soul."
Ladybug knew what she meant and couldn't help, but think of her mother who was also no longer around. She remembered the story her father told her about how he and she grew to love one another. The blunette looked at Chat.
"I'm very sorry." Ladybug said sincerely to Nadia.
"Oh don't worry princess it's quite alright. We have the villagers here who treat us like family, everyone here even pitched in to help with this celebration for my daughter. Ever since the tax increased it was a little difficult at the time but we managed to-"
"Wait...what tax increased? Why was there a tax increase?"
"You...don't know?" Nadia asked confused. "It was an order from the King about a month ago."
"My father would never do such a thing!" Nadia jumped at the princess's tone. "I'm...I'm sorry that just... doesn't sound like him."
"I'm sorry I don't mean to offend you. If it makes you feel any better the proclamation wasn't from him I just assumed it was passed on from him."
"Who made the proclamation?" Ladybug asked.
"Lord Hawkmoth."
