Utterly Ridiculous

"Ridiculous! Utterly ri~diculous!" Golden hair fluttered to the side as the statuesque young woman was pushed forward ever so slightly while her attendant pulled on her corset cords. Cerulean eyes looked at her robust bosom and hips, her slender waist pinched even further by her lady-in-waiting pulling ever so much more. "Surely this common soldier doesn't think he's worthy to even walk in my wake, let alone court me! Doesn't he realize I have already been promised to the baron's son?!" With a sigh, she felt her attendant tie off the corset before she slipped under her gold and silver dress. Standing up, Chloe's body filled out every inch of the fabric so that it was tight where it needed, and flattering in all the right places with ruffles everywhere possible.

Turning this way and that, she saw how lovely she looked in the full length mirror. "Sabrina..."

"Yes, my princess?" the young woman with orange hair asked. Dressed in a purple bodice and blue dress that did nothing for her figure, she looked upon Chloe adoringly with her sea green eyes.

"When we're with Adrien today, I wish you to leave us alone for a time." her smile was that of a cat having been given the key to an entire bird sanctuary. "I want some quality time with my intended husband."

Sabrina bowed her head. "I would, but it is ordered by the king and queen themselves that you and Adrien should have a proper escort. Either me, or... Nathalie."

A scowl twisted Chloe's lips, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "I would rather it be you than... that woman..." She sighed at the memory when a handful of years ago she had tried to take the first kiss from her betrothed, and the indignity she had suffered at the hands of the Agreste guard captain. Even now her rump still ached from the impromptu disciplining, but when she tried complaining, her mother all but disowned the spoiled brat. "Very well. Just give us enough room so that you have no chance to eavesdrop."

"Of course, my princess. I only need to see you, not hear your private conversations." Sabrina smiled and bowed again.

Upon approaching the window that overlooked the majority of Paris, Chloe watched the small boats on the Seine; a collection of cargo vessels, small craft, and fishing boats floating down the water way, or being urged up via wind or oars. 'Perhaps I should have daddy commission me a boat... no, I get sea sick, and wouldn't that be horrible? I'm sitting there with my betrothed, and then suddenly I'm hanging my head over the side... ew!' Scowling, she sighed. "I wonder what my little Adrien is going to want to do today?" Turning around, she walked over to her vanity. Upon sitting, she watched as Sabrina picked up her brush, and started delicately pulling the bristles through her hair.

"Knowing him," Sabrina offered, "he'll probably want to wander around Paris."

"He's always trying to give those less fortunate a chance to be around their betters," Chloe gave a small smile at her reflection in the mirror, "it's one of the many reasons why I love him. Perhaps your father should make security arrangements on the off chance Adrien makes that suggestion." She looked Sabrina's eyes in the mirror.

The princess's lady-in-waiting smiled and nodded. "Of course, Princess Chloe. When we're done here, I'll let him know, and he'll have your personal guard ready the moment you need them."

"Good." Chloe remarked in a haughty tone of voice. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled. "What else is on the schedule for the rest of the week?"

Closing her eyes ever so slightly, the young woman blinked. "You have your meeting with the newest members of the council, the Tsurugi's, at the end of the week. I believe, from what King and Queen Bourgeois have said, they have a daughter about the same ages as both you and Adrien named..."

"I couldn't care less." Chloe waved her hand dismissively. "As long as she knows her place, we won't have any problems. What else?"

"Baron Agreste has asked for both your parents to finalize the betrothal. I believe he's finally planning on letting Adrien know about your impending wedding." Sabrina commented. "Once the papers have been signed, your wedding will proceed according to royal custom."

"Then we both become Duke and Duchess Agreste..." Chloe held up her hand in front of her face, framing her chin as if to create a portrait, "Duchess Chloe Agreste... it has such a beautiful ring to it, don't you think, Sabrina?"

Sabrina smiled and nodded. "It really, really does."

"Duchess... not nearly as pretty as princess, but still a gorgeous word."

"Adrien will look so good in Duke's vestments."

"Fool! Adrien looks good in anything... and I bet he'll look even better without..." a small blush colored her cheeks as she thought about her impending wedding night. "Are you done primping back there? I want to see my intended husband."

"Y-Yes, of course." Sabrina bowed her head, and stepped to the side, setting the brush down, before placing the gold tiara upon Chloe's brow. Afterward, she would run in front of the princess to hold open each door so that the aristocrat never had to slow her pace or wait for a single second.

Half an hour later, at the Agreste Manor, Adrien stood in front of Nathalie as she helped him to clip his emerald green cape over his shoulders with a quartet of gold chains hanging under his chin. Dressed in a pure white, high necked coat with his family's coat of arms over his left breast, the slimming attire was embroidered in silver and gold, while a pair of white gloves covered his hands. Around his waist, a black belt with his rapier on his left side, hung from the frog. A pair of black breeches hugged his thighs, making him thankful that his coat stopped just below his crotch. Black leather boots that seemed to reflect the natural light finished off his outfit.

Nathalie smiled at him, a rarity to be sure. "You look so handsome like this, Adrien. I know your mother would've loved to see this day had she survived." Her eyes seemed to go half-lidded, as if channeling his loving mother.

"Thank you, Nathalie."

"What are your plans for today?" she asked.

Adrien sighed. "I was thinking of walking the gardens, and possibly returning to that bakery." He shook his head. "I want Chloe to taste some of their pastries as well. I truly think she would like them."

"Perhaps, although do not believe for a second that you will be alone..."

"Of course not. Chloe will likely have half of the militia ensuring her safety." Adrien smiled at the older woman, causing her to nod.

"You'll have to get used to that..."

Her comment caused Adrien to chuckle. "Yeah, being Chloe's friend definitely has some minor drawbacks."

'I don't think he knows yet.' Nathalie remained silent. She knew it was not her place to tell him of their impending marriage, although he saw her expression change.

"Nathalie? Is everything alright?"

Closing her eyes, and bowing her head, her smile returned. "Yes. I was thinking of... missed opportunities, and how much you remind me of your mother when you smile like that." Opening her eyes again, her smile widened enough to show teeth. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his forehead in a motherly gesture, before pressing her forehead to his. "I will see you when you get home, Adrien, and I want to hear everything about your time out with Chloe."

The familiarity of that one act caused him to wrap her up in a hug. "I will..." She returned it with a smile before letting him go several seconds later. Backing up, she waited for his father to arrive from his office as a fanfare played outside.

Everyone stood there as the double doors opened. "Princess Chloe Bourgeois!" the captain of the militia called out as she ascended the steps, until she was framed by the open portal. Adrien stepped forward, offering a gracious bow, at which point she held out her hand.

Gently taking her hand in his, Adrien smiled. "You look gorgeous, Chloe."

"I do, don't I?" she gave a girlish giggle before looking at Gabriel. "My promise to you, Baron Agreste, I shall not keep him out too long."

Looking at the pair, Gabriel shrugged ever so slightly. "On the contrary, keep him as long as you desire. I have several official documents that require signatures, and won't be up for anything other than official visits until they are finished." With that, he offered the pair a sincere smile. "Enjoy yourselves, and I shall see you both after nightfall."

Adrien blinked a little just before they left, 'Is it possible that Chloe will be staying for dinner?' he let that thought rattle around in his head for several seconds. Eventually, it got lost in the small talk that he and Chloe struck up as they walked among the flowering bushes, fountains, and statues of the royal gardens.

It wasn't until they were leaving the gardens that the princess asked him a question that caused him to pause for thought. "When you get married, what type of wedding would you want to have?" she asked with a coy smile.

Several seconds passed as Adrien thought about the question. "In all honesty, I'm not sure." He sighed with a shake of his head. "Possibly a few friends, family, but nothing overly grandiose. For men a wedding isn't really about them, it's more about the woman they're marrying, and making them feel like the most important person in the world." Looking over, he shrugged. "What about you?"

Even though, initially, Chloe's lips pursed in frustration at Adrien's lack of ambition at detailing a plan for his impending nuptials, when he asked her, she smiled broadly. "I want a wedding the rival of all others. The entire kingdom in attendance, nobles and aristocrats from all over Europe, and even from the far East watching as I'm escorted down the aisle. Every eye would be on my hand bound with my betrothed, our vows in the sight of god and all attending within the great cathedral of Notre Dame, and riding off in a white coach, with silver and gold accents to our new palace as Duke and Duchess."

"That sounds beautiful, Chloe, and would definitely be perfect for you." Adrien complimented, with a soft smile. At that, the princess wrapped her arms around his, clinging to his bicep, while the back of his arm was pressed against her bosom.

'It will be our wedding, Adrien, and our wedding night will be filled with every ounce of love we have for each other.' Chloe's eyes closed at the fantasy she envisioned for the pair, a shiver coursed down her spine that had everything to do with a few previous fantasies flitting about her mind.

Militia guards flanked the couple as they left the gardens to roam about the cobblestone streets of Paris. As they walked, he heard the sounds of music. Seeing a rather recognizable pair, he motioned to Chloe that they should cross the river. Although she rolled her eyes, she relented and they diverted their approach for Alya and Nino. The former was attired in a colorful skirt of red, orange, and purple, while her tan blouse fit her curvaceous upper body rather well. Hair flowed out and around as she danced around, slapping the tambourine against her hip and palm, while Nino, dressed in his typical attire played a lute with prodigious skill. "Wow." he breathed at the sounds filling his head and heart. "Beautiful music deserves much better praise than a single word, but that's all that came to mind. I am truly humbled to be in the presence of such a master."

"You flatter us, young sir." Alya commented. Smiling at the pair, he pulled a few coins from his purse, dropping them onto the small mound copper coins causing the pair to blink, eyes going wide at the sight of ten silver coins. "Th-Thank you... I... thank you so much!" she breathed, looking at Nino.

"Thanks are not necessary," Adrien commented, "I'm only paying proper respect in admiration of your joint skills." Offering them a gracious bow, he smiled at the pair. "Might I know your names?" Although he already knew their names, he still couldn't let them know that.

"I'm Alya Cesaire, and this is my intended, Nino Lahiffe."

"Who might you be that you would offer such a tribute?" Nino asked with a wide smile.

"Adrien Agreste," he said with a smile and another bow, "son of Baron Gabriel Agreste."

"Know that we will honor you and your family in our prayers, Baron Agreste, your kindness is both refreshing and welcome." Alya smiled at him, before looking at Chloe. "Who might this lovely lady be on your arm?"

"Princess Chloe Bourgeois, daughter to the King of France." She retorted, none to cordially, "You may have heard of us once or twice."

Both blinked before Nino bowed low, and Alya mirrored him with her curtsy. "Please forgive our ignorance, Princess Bourgeois, we have never had the pleasure of meeting you until now."

Her scoff was added to by a flick of her hair away from the side of her head. "Your ignorance is none of my business! Just know that Adrien's gift was simple charity, and had I so ordered you could both be sent to the dungeons for vagrancy!"

"Chloe," Adrien's tone became sharp, "that's enough. I meant what I said, and you have no right to deride these two." His words stopped her tirade in its tracks before he looked at Alya and Nino, the pair still having not raised up. "Please rise. I apologize for that. I've never seen this side of her before now, and I don't mind saying its not at all appealing."

"You need not apologize," Nino commented, "we're just happy that you stopped to listen to our music."

"It truly is beautiful, and inspiring, something that all music should be." Adrien commented.

That caused Chloe to turn her face away from the pair. "Let us go, Adrien, I want to continue this walk so that we may get back to the palace for lunch."

"Enjoy your day." Adrien offered as a goodbye before they continued their walk. As they walked across the bridge, he placed Chloe's hand on his arm, her forearm on the outside of his bicep, so that she wasn't touching his hand or his side with her arm. They were just reaching the other side when he spoke again. "That was the height of rudeness..."

"What do I care?" she waved her other hand airily, as if shooing at a bothersome gnat. "My father is the king. Aside from that, he's the savior that excised Darkblade almost a decade before we were ever born, and Paris has never been more prosperous." Shaking her head, she smirked. "Every one of these peasants owes their lives to my father, and by extension, me."

Closing his eyes, he bit back the bile that threatened to gag him. "You can't always live your life hanging on to the coat tails of your father, Chloe, and one day you're going to find that out yourself."

Letting out a "psh" through her lips, the pair continued their walk until he saw a familiar bakery out the corner of his eye. 'You're right, Adrien, I because once you and I are Duke and Duchess Agreste both of our families accomplishments will be overshadowed by what we do for France.'

For a moment, trepidation clutched at Adrien's heart, but then he saw Sabine take the last order at the front of their open air bakery he knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had to stop. Tom had just tossed a couple of more logs on the fire for their ovens, while Marinette was pulling out a round of bread. "I'm going to get us a couple of pastries," Adrien stated with a smile, "just stay here for a little bit."

"No." Chloe remarked. "If you feel this place is worthy of your notice, then I want to see just what it takes to garner your attention." For a moment, he didn't even want to approach the counter, especially considering her attitude toward Alya and Nino, but the aroma was too tempting to resist.

Sabine watched as the pair approached, and although her eyes widened ever so slightly, it was nothing compared to her smile. "It's a pleasure to see you again, young Baron." At the announcement of the title, she heard the squeak to her side, as Marinette all but dropped the bread onto the table beside her. "What can I get you?"

"I was thinking a couple of those absolutely delicious croissants, and perhaps one of you could recommend something else as well?" Adrien asked. Marinette went straight to the still warm croissants, scooping up a pair, before looking up and seeing his emerald eyes upon her.

Trying to gulp down the heart that had just jumped into her throat, she blushed at the sight of him in his noble vestments. "Mama," Marinette suggested, "h-how about... the new pastry?" Her heart pounded against her chest, but she couldn't tell if it was from fear, or some other emotion.

"A good idea." Sabine offered. "We have these," she motioned to a collection of small pies on the side, "a new idea by my husband. Each one is a different fruit that we managed to get a shipment in yesterday. We have plum, peach, passion fruit, strawberry..."

"Passion fruit is my favorite..." Adrien commented, looking at Marinette. "That's perfect. Thank you."

Bowing her head, she blushed and smiled shyly. "Y-You're welcome, Baron Agreste."

Chloe watched the interaction, and her lips went from a thin line to a scowl, especially after seeing the smile on Adrien's face. "If you're done humoring these peasants, perhaps we can continue on to the palace to get some actual food?" Marinette had just placed the pastry into the bag, when she looked up to see the evil smirk on the princess's face.

The deep rumble from Adrien's throat as he said "Chloe..." didn't stop her, unfortunately.

"Once we get there, I'll have my chefs whip up food meant for your station, rather than these..." she seemed to be looking for a proper word, "pathetic pastries." Sabine's eyes narrowed, but she bit her tongue. "Afterward, we can finally get talking about the plans for our betrothal."

Several things happened all at once. The first was that Marinette dropped the bag right on the ground, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Adrien threw his arm down, and turned around to look at Chloe, as if to figure out whether this was one of her jokes. The smug smile on her face, and malicious gleam in her eyes told him the truth of her words. He never saw the baker's daughter turn and run into the back, nor did he see the tears falling from her eyes, but his guest did, and that only made her smile widen. "What do you mean?" he growled.

Turning to her daughter, Sabine called out "Marinette!" before seeing the crushed food that she had inadvertently stepped on in her haste to leave the area. Looking at Tom, he sighed and went over to pick out more food for the young baron.

It was Chloe's laugh that caused Adrien to clench his hands into fists, but when she practically lunged at him, all he could do was stand there as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her face inches from his own. "Isn't it going to be wonderful, my love? Our wedding will be the toast of the town!" He could only hear the blood pounding in his ears as she spoke. When she leaned up, he grabbed her shoulders and pushed the princess away.

He was practically shaking when he glared at her. "Go home, Chloe. Our time out together is over."

"No it's not, because tonight is when the marriage contract is signed. Right after our signatures are on that parchment, there is nothing going to stop the wedding from proceeding right on schedule." her smile was like the cat that had swallowed the canary.

"That," his voice was angry in a way she had never heard before, "is never going to happen."

"We've been betrothed since I was born, Adri-kins, and nothing is going to stop that now."

"I can stop it, and I will." he glowered at Chloe, before turning, his face falling. Looking over at Sabine and Tom, he pulled out more than double what the food cost. "I can only apologize for bringing this unwanted news to your door, and ask to pay for the food you lost."

"No... you don't have to..."

"Yes, I do, because it was my fault we ever came here." Setting the coins in Sabine's hands, he shook his head while Tom continued to fill the bag. "God willing, I will be back soon to appropriately apologize to your daughter..." he then glared at Chloe, his voice sharp, "and I will be alone."

Turning toward the market, he started to walk away with the princess hot on his heels. "What are you planning?!" she called back. "Adrien!" When he didn't answer, or stop to regard her, she screamed out "ADRIEN!"