"Marinette, may I have this dance?"

Marinette grinned. "Do you know how to dance?"

Adrien rolled his eyes. "Do I know how to dance… you haven't changed a bit, have you?"

Marinette giggled. "I suppose not." She took his hand, stepping into a light waltz.

The ballroom was empty, the music serene. The candles were low in their respective wall sconces. It was a dream, a dream Marinette hoped would last a long time.

Unfortunately, dreams often end when one finally awakens.

Sunlight and a light breeze came through Marinette's window, ticking her nose. She stretched her arms above her head, yawning and scratching her scalp.

Ladybug, her cat, arched her back, kneading at Marinette's blanket. She mewed, looking up at Marinette with wide pupils.

Marinette got out of bed, shuffling over to her chest, gathering her work dress and apron. After dressing herself, she walked out into the main store, tying her apron around her waist. "Morning, Papa."

Neither Tom nor Sabine were in the shop. Marinette frowned. They were usually awake before her.

"Maman? Papa?"

The store, as well as their rooms, were empty. Maybe they're out on delivery…?

Both of them?

"Marinette!"

It was from Chloe. "Marinette, come quickly!"

Marinette rushed outside, mouth agape at what was in front of her.

Adrien's parents were in a carriage, the whole village surrounding them. Adrien's body was lying with his arms crossed over his chest, as if he were dead.

No… we just saw him the other day! He can't be dead!

Alya ran to Marinette's side. "Mari… I'm so sorry…"

Gabriel noticed her outside of the crowd and motioned her over.

Adrien's hair gently fluttered with the wind, brushing over his closed eyes. His hands were ice, Marinette noticed, as she placed hers on his.

"No…" Drip. "It- we just… I didn't…" Drop.

Diana silently patted her hand and took Marinette into her embrace. "I'm sorry…"

Marinette blinked, various scenarios swirling in her head. How did he die? Was it murder? Food poisoning? Natural causes? Head trauma? Suicide?

"We don't know how it happened," Diana murmured as if she had heard Marinette's thoughts.

"It's… it's so sudden…"

Gabriel pressed his hand on Marinette's shoulder, squeezing gently. "Marinette… there's something you should know about Adrien…"

Diana raised an eyebrow.

"But not here. We should go back to the castle."

Marinette's mind raced. First Adrien dies, and now I'm invited exclusively to the castle. To talk about Adrien.

Diana let go of Marinette, lowering her eyes. She waved her hand for the coachmen, motioning for them to load the carriage. She wrapped her dark cloak tighter around herself, stepping up into the coach.

Gabriel offered his hand to Marinette, guiding her in after Diana.

The coachmen gently lifted the coffin onto a separate wagon, securing it with thick ropes.

"Walk on!"

The carriage jerked to life as it continued down the main road to the castle gates.

The castle was mostly dark when the party arrived. Marinette shivered. What once held much life and joy felt… wrong. The curtains were drawn. It reminded her of the time that she had been held captive in the dungeon, back when Gabriel was still a beast. Adrien had changed the scenery drastically from what it was, and now, it was more than lackluster.

"I know what you're thinking. This castle… it's dull, isn't it?" Diana removed her cloak, handing it off to a maid. "Adrien was the light and life of the kingdom. Without him it's… dim. But, like all things, this too shall pass…"

The maids shot her a weird look, shying away as Diana noticed their staring. She stuttered over her next words, "My boy… m- he-... I-I… he was, he was, everything to me, me…" She started to wail, covering her face with her hands.

Marinette, unsure of what to do, patted Diana's shoulder. "Your Majesty…"

Diana swallowed, curling her fingers against her lips. "I-I'm sorry, sorry…I just...I just… he was just fine, he was fine yesterday…"

Gabriel approached them, curling his hand around Diana's. "Dia…" He took her under his arm, smiling sadly at Marinette. "Please, this way," he said softly, walking into his study.

The study was enormous. The castle had an impressive library already, but the study was heavily stocked not only with rare books and ancient scrolls, but also vases, weapons, and other artifacts from around the world. Marinette found herself distracted by everything around her.

Gabriel cleared his throat. "Marinette, we brought you here to discuss Adrien's estate. As you know, Adrien was to inherit my title. He was betrothed to Princess Rose. But… eh, well, this is somewhat of an… awkward subject. Adrien… he wasn't interested in anyone but you."

Marinette's expression went blank. What.

"He could never marry you, of course, since you are… not… well, you're not descended from nobility… but that never stopped him," Diana sighed. "He was heartbroken when you decided to… end things."

Marinette nodded. "It was for the good of the kingdom. I couldn't let him throw his life away. He had always dreamed of having… real parents. I remember when he met my father and grew so excited that he would employ him…" She smiled. "He would come by every day to see if there were deliveries he could make…"

"And we owe your family dearly for taking care of our son for so long… it sometimes seems that he would be happier there, in the village. I'm afraid he preferred running off on horseback to sneak around town than attending fancy balls with many nobles' daughters swooning around him."

Marinette giggled. "He did have a good handle on horseback…"

Diana wrinkled her nose. "He sure smelled like it sometimes, huh?"

Gabriel chuckled, Marinette laughing.

The room grew quiet. Gabriel coughed. "Marinette… Rose… well, she's a lovely girl, but…"

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Rose was a perfect match. No offense, Marinette…" she said offhandedly.

Marinette shook her head. "None taken. Rose was a delight. She was incredibly sweet."

"Adrien never mentioned her in his diary much…"

"Adrien kept a diary?"

Diana nodded. "He wrote nearly every night… Marinette… w… would you like it? To have, I mean? We… we don't have much use for it… I'm sure Adrien w-wouldn't mind…"

Marinette fell agape. "I… sure, yes! I would."

Gabriel smiled sadly. "I had hoped you would… I remember how close you two were all those years ago."

Marinette leafed through the pages, careful not to rip the delicate parchment.

This is the seventh ball held in my honor. I am not sure if I can continue to feign a smile to every damsel in the kingdom. They (the balls, not the damsels) are incredibly dull, and my coat is always much too heavy. It feels like I am drowning in rubies and sapphires.

I cannot stop myself for thinking of my old life, when I lived in the village. I don't miss the smell of the old barn, but I do miss the bakery. I miss the gentle scent of fresh bread and the squelching sound of butter being churned. Riding bareback on Mr. DuPain's horse, or chasing the little boys on their stick horses…

I miss the village… really, though, I miss Marinette. She did not want us to be together, most likely because of my new-found princeton… the so called "rules" of the nobility are not just nor are they pleasant.

I miss her terribly. She has not contacted me in years. Where is she now?

Marinette chewed her lip, flipping to the last entry he had written, that morning.

Rose is a wonderful girl, but she is no Marinette. She is much too timid and has little sense of humor. She is, however, accustomed to mannerisms of nobility, so she would make a good queen… Marinette would as well…

I am to wed in

The last word was smudged, no words after it. Marinette frowned. "Is that it?"

"He was slumped over on the floor when we found him, but he wasn't near his desk. He must have gotten up and fallen dead afterward."

"Tikki was the one that found him, poor girl. We sent her home for a while to recover."

Marinette lightly stroked the page. "Oh, Tikki…"

A maid lightly rapped on the door. "Your Majesties?"

Diana opened the door. "Ah, you've brought the menu for tonight, I presume?"

The maid nodded, handing Diana a roll of parchment. "Natalie has asked for your approval, Your Highness."

Gabriel peered at it over her shoulder. "Hmm. Interesting… no dessert, my dear?"

Diana sniffed. "I couldn't possibly bear to eat any. I hardly have an appetite for the first course…"

Gabriel patted her shoulder. "Very well, my dear. Perhaps we could just arrange for something for our guest?"

Marinette waved her hands in opposition. "Please, Your Majesties, that is not necessary. Whatever is planned is perfect."

Diana nodded. "Very well." She returned the menu to the maid, the maid settling into a curtsy and closing the door behind her.

"The burial ceremony will begin at dawn. Marinette, I know it's not… usually done, but would you give a toast at the dinner tomorrow? You knew Adrien far longer than we have and… you were close to him, at least for a while."

Marinette curtsied. "It is my honour and privilege to do so, Your Majesty."

Gabriel nodded. "Well, then I think it's time to wash up for dinner, right, Dia?"

Diana blinked, folding her hands. "Yes. Let's."

Dinner was solemn. Marinette had nothing more to say about it. The dinner was fairly bland, unlike what was usually served at the king's table. Neither Gabriel nor Diana commented on it, simply eating what they were served and having the maids clean up afterwards.

Diana offered Marinette a guest suite for the night, Marinette gratefully accepting as she wanted a chance to sneak off and find Plagg or one of the others and catch up with them.

However, when Marinette went to leave her room, she found that the door was locked.

"Security measures, probably," she mumbled. It made sense. If there was a murderer afoot — though the security team was impeccable — they should have a hard time getting in anywhere.

Marinette found a nightgown laid out on the bed for her, almost as if she was expected. Perhaps Rose was to stay here instead?

Rose wasn't expected back for another week, so that idea was nullified. Marinette shrugged and tucked herself underneath the quilts.