The Ladybugs and The Bees….need I say more? (Sorry, but I actually had to go scrub my eyes out and lose myself into starvstfoe to rid my mind off of adulthood)(I did not last through the entire fic) (I didn't get to the more lemony stuff thank goodness)

Welp, here goes the ball. Yay!

Disclaimer: We do not own ML because if we did, well…worst case scenario: you'd get a bajillion reveal endings, most of them filled with sin.

-โกหกหวาน จริงก็ขมขื่น-


It was the eve of the ball and the castle bustled with preparations for the grand occasion of the morrow.

Staff in the kitchen cooked the whole day, making sure that each plate was perfect, the cutlery shined, there was enough dessert. Every floor and hall was cleaned and polished, each drape of the curtain fell just right, the gardens were trimmed, and the linens for the tables were laundered and pristine white.

Adrien was swamped with fittings, lessons on mannerism and etiquette. However, the most dreadful task he ever faced was poring over papers about the princesses from various lands who were to attend the ball.

The prince skimmed through a paper and let it fall in the growing pile of rejects. He sighed as he took another cookie from the platter that Chloe had ordered in the room and bit in the delicious goodness, careful of the crumbs.

"Seriously, Adrienkins, why do you need to look through all of them when you already know it's going to be me?" Chloe said haughtily as she sipped her jasmine tea. She had decided to 'keep him company' that afternoon in his study. Although Adrien preferred her in another room, having her with him gave him the excuse to indulge himself in snacks.

"It's just a formality, Chloe." Adrien said. "Besides, it'd be bad if I didn't know anything about the guests."

Chloe sniffed. "Fair enough. But why'd you keep rejecting so many? Your advisors are getting mad."

"Well…" Adrien trailed off and he turned red. Unconsciously, he had been comparing the princesses with a certain twin-tailed girl.

Chloe saw his reaction but didn't comment on it.

~NS268~

After a grueling 4 hours, Adrien was able to take a break.

Heading over to the back of the castle courtyard, he saw Nino practicing sword moves while holding a script in one hand and a pencil between his teeth.

Adrien chuckled as he unsheathed his saber. He called out to his best friend, "You know you're holding the sword wrong."

Nino spotted him and grinned, lowering his arm and removing the pencil from his mouth. "How was your princess hunt?"

Adrien shook his head and Nino gave him a pitying look. The playwright asked, "So why is it that you aren't searching for Marinette anymore?"

Adrien jumped. He scratched the back of his head. "Well, that's because…um…"

"What, you found her?"

"Kind of…yes?"

Nino's jaw dropped. "Adrien, that's amazing! Where is she? Do her parents know? Is she back already?"

"I can't tell you." Adrien said sadly. "She's hidden away, and if anyone knows where she is, she'll be in danger."

"Not in any more danger than she currently is." Nino frowned. "Not in as much danger as you are in!"

Adrien tilted his head as he raised his sword in front of Nino. The teenage boy dropped his things and mimicked his movement. "What are you talking about?"

"Talk around the town said that you're planning to marry Chloe." Nino grinned as he lunged.

Adrien parried his attack as he looked at him in horror. "What are they thinking?!"

"Probably something crazy." Nino laughed as he blocked Adrien's attack from the side.

Adrien twisted around and jabbed his sword at Nino's neck. The knight's son dodged. Swords flashed as they exchanged blows, their feet scuffling on the ground.

Suddenly, Adrien's blade locked on the guard handle of Nino's sword. He twisted his wrist and pushed it down. Nino's sword landed on the ground with a clatter. Both of them looked at each other, panting but with smiles on their faces.

Nino picked up his weapon and handed it to Adrien, holding the saber by the blade. Adrien accepted it.

"If the town's talk is of me marrying Chloe," Adrien said, "then they won't see what's coming at them tomorrow night."

~NS268~

That night, Chat silently climbed up the side of her tower, snickering to himself. He was going to give her a fright!

Before he could grab the edge of the balcony, a voice other than Marinette spoke inside the room. Chat Noir ducked and held his breath.

"Give me back Tikki!" He heard her say, anger evident in her voice.

"Not until you bring me the other one."

Chat's heart froze.

He knew that voice. He would recognize it anywhere.

With a thundering heart, he silently climbed down and ran.

He kept running. Running away from the tower. Running away from that voice.

With a burst of newfound speed, Chat ran out of the woods and back to the castle.

~NS268~

Adrien shut his window and ripped off the mask from his face. He took off the Chat Noir costume and stood in the middle of his bedroom, clothes in a heap on the floor.

Turning towards the dresser, he snatched a small velvet box and threw it in the drawer, locking it. He grabbed a white night shirt and put it on before climbing in his bed and curling himself into a small ball.

Never in his entire life has he ever been as confused as of now.

Who's the other one? Why was Marinette really locked away? Why was Papillion that person?!

What was going on?!

Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

Twelve tolls of the bell.

He was now 16 years old.

Adrien whimpered. He didn't want to face his responsibilities along with the questions from his 15 year old self.

Plagg jumped on his bed and licked Adrien's face with a purr. Adrien had to smile. Despite the cat's cranky cattitude, he knew Plagg actually thought of him as his kitten.

With Plagg's purrs and continuous licking on his hand, Adrien fell asleep with confused thoughts.

~NS268~

Sunlight peeked out of the clouds and lit up upon the prince's face.

Adrien woke up, but all he felt was dread.

He knew what he had to do, but he was not going to like it.

~NS268~

"Good afternoon, princess."

Marinette jumped in surprise. She whipped around and saw the grinning face of Chat Noir leaning on her balcony.

"Chat Noir?!" This was the first time he had visited during daylight. But that wasn't the issue right now. The issue right now was… "Chat, we have a huge problem!"

Chat raised an eyebrow in interest. "What is it?"

"How do I get out of this tower?!"

Oh.

Chat smiled at her. He said cheekily, "Just go and change. I have a plan."

"No, Chat, you don't understand!" Marinette paced around her room in distress. "For the past weeks, I've been so excited when it turns out that I can't go after all because I can't escape from this tower!"

"Marinette," Chat rested his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. "Trust me."

She searched his eyes, and seeing no doubt, she nodded. "Don't peek!" She warned him as she went to her room to change.

"Yes mademoiselle." Chat gave her a toothy grin as he playfully covered his eyes with his hands.

He listened with interest as thuds and several curses came out from her bedroom. What kind of dress did she make?

"Okay! I'm ready!" She said as she stood in front of him. Chat opened his eyes and his jaw literally dropped.

Marinette had her hair up in a simple bun with a few strands loose at the side of her face. She was wearing a strapless shimmering scarlet gown exposing her slender shoulders. Black crystal beads clustered around her waistline and scattered like stars up her bodice and spread down her skirt in swirling patterns. It was completed with black heels and red satin gloves.

It was simple, but unique.

Chat couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Marinette's smile faltered. "I look terrible, don't I?"

"Wait wait, no!" Chat Noir grabbed her wrist before she could leave. He stammered, "Y-You look amazing."

Her chest warmed up at his sincere tone. With a blush, she said, "Thank you."

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Chat pulled out a small box from his pocket and handed it to her. Marinette took it and opened it.

It was a hair ornament. A delicate hairpin in the shape of a ladybug studded with rubies and black onyx.

Her eyes widened. It must've cost a fortune! She pushed the box back to him. "I can't accept this! It must've been so expensive! I don't deserve to wear something like this!"

Chat wrapped her fingers around the box and said kindly, "I want you to have it. Just think of it as a gift from a friend."

Marinette looked back and forth between the jewel and him before sighing and accepting it. She smiled widely as she admired the way the gems reflected the light. "Thank you, Chat Noir."

"You're welcome."

As Marinette clasped the pin at the end of her bun, she said, "Giving me something as fancy as this, you must be a prince or something."

Chat choked. She was right on the mark. He said uneasily, "Please, I'm just an ordinary person."

"With an extraordinary sense of gift giving." Marinette turned to him, resting her hands on her hips. "So? Now what?"

Chat leaped up the balcony of the windowsill and held out his hand. She looked at him with a doubtful expression.

"Trust me, Princess."

She took his hand.

Chat pulled her and they fell out of the tower.

He landed gracefully on the ground, Marinette in his arms. She opened her eyes and her breath caught. Her eyes swiveled around her. "I'm out. But the only way out of the tower is…"

There was a glimpse of fear, but it was dashed away as Marinette wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "Chat Noir, you're the best!"

"I know." He said gaily. He stood up, still carrying Marinette bridal style. "Since we can't have your ball gown soiled, I'll carry you out of here."

"I can walk-"

"Nope, too late."

Marinette tightened her grip as Chat rushed out of the woods and into the open. The sky had darkened considerably, the last wisps of sunlight setting over the west of the kingdom.

Her mouth fell open as a magnificent black and red carriage pulled by dark stallions waited at the edge of the forest. Chat set her down.

"Looks like your ride is here." He took her hand and kissed it. He gave her a wink. "I'll see you at the ball, Princess."

And then he melted out in the darkness.

A footman bowed down to her. "The ball awaits, mademoiselle."

"Oh! Um…okay!" Marinette climbed inside the carriage and smoothed out her skirt, her hands clasping the invitation card tightly. She looked out the window and gazed dreamily at the castle looming upon her. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest.

Finally, she was going to meet Prince Adrien!

~NS268~

Chat slipped in through the French windows and stripped off his mask and clothes, shoving them inside the closet before rushing to put on his evening attire.

Adrien was buttoning up the last of his buttons when Nino burst in his room and rushed to him, grabbing his shoulders. "Prince Freaking Adrien! Where the heck were you?!"

"Stuff!" Adrien piped up nervously.

Nino gave him a hard look. "Okay, we don't have time right now so hurry up! The ceremony's about to start in a few minutes!"

Adrien nodded as he checked himself in the mirror: White long sleeve shirt with a silk light blue vest, white pants, and black polished boots. His hair was neatly combed, not a speck out of place.

Taking a deep breath, he walked out of the room.

~NS268~

The ceremony had barely reached the halfway point and Adrien was already bored out of his mind. He was standing on a platform at the end of the ballroom, smiling and bowing politely to each princess that was introduced.

Of course, Princess Chloe Bourgeois was all golden yellow and fluff, with several petticoats puffing under her silk skirt.

And then, Marinette appeared.

Adrien's breath hitched as he caught a glimpse of her before she hid in the crowd. Yes, he had already seen her in all her glory as Chat. But now, as Adrien… he fell in love all over again.

Finally bowing to the last princess, Adrien excused himself and searched for her. He spotted a hem of red, but before he could get to her, he was hindered by well-wishers.

After a lengthy conversation of 'my daughter will make an amazing bride', Adrien found her at a balcony facing the gardens.

He nervously straightened his vest and walked towards her. She had her back at him. Adrien tapped her shoulder.

"Good evening, princess."

"Chat!" Marinette whirled around, a relieved smile on her face.

"Pardon?"

Both of them stared at each other in shock. Adrien wondered if she had finally found out his secret identity.

"P-Prince Adrien! I thought – Chat – you were – of course not – Marinette I am!" She sputtered, unable to form coherent sentences.

Adrien blinked in surprise. She had never acted like this with Chat Noir. He cleared his throat. "So, I haven't seen you from around here. Aside from the parade of course."

"You remember?" Marinette asked him in astonishment.

Adrien nodded, a warm feeling growing in his chest as he saw her blush. But then, he heard the orchestra starting to play the first waltz. He offered her his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

"M-Me?! Dance?!" Marinette started to back away, "I-I don't know how! I would just embarrass you!"

Adrien took her hand and said, "Don't worry. I'll lead you."

Marinette looked at him with wide eyes before nodding shyly. Adrien couldn't help but show an excited smile on his face. This side of her was exhilarating, and he was glad that his Inner Chat didn't make him stutter.

They walked out to the middle of the ballroom floor.

Adrien held her in his arms and was rushed with a sense of déjà vu from when he had held her before. The harmony of the piece began and they started to dance.

Both of them were in sync as they glided through the ballroom. Marinette was in absolute bliss. Adrien was too, but there was a hint of sadness in his green eyes.

As the night wore on, it found the prince and the baker's daughter in each other's company for the rest of the evening.

~NS268~

"It's beautiful." Marinette said as she looked around the garden, admiring the flowers that bathed under the light of the moon.

"Not as beautiful as you." Adrien said and smiled proudly as Marinette turned into a dark shade of red.

The music of the ball was faint and only the songs of the crickets and the night owls filled the silence of the night in the palace gardens. Adrien led her into a gazebo wreathed with white and purple sweet peas round its pillars and on its roof.

Adrien plucked a blooming sweet pea and twirled it in his fingers. "You know, I never got your name."

"I'm Marinette." She said shyly.

"Marinette." Adrien chanted, relishing the way her name sounded in his tongue. He handed her the flower and she took it.

They stood in silence, Marinette looking at the flower while Adrien looked at her.

She really was beautiful.

Under the silver light, she almost looked ethereal. He wanted to touch her, to see if she would wisp out in his fingers.

Her eyes looked at him and he caught himself being lost in the deep blue of her gaze.

"Actually, Prince Adrien, I…" Marinette fidgeted nervously.

Adrien realized what she was going to say. Without a second thought, he cupped his hands on her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers.

Adrien was kissing Marinette. Marinette was kissing Adrien.

Their breaths were taken away by the sheer wave of emotion shared in the contact.

His hands trembled as he kissed her. It was gentle and shy like Adrien. Then it was bold and forward like Chat Noir.

Marinette responded back and that's what snaps him out of his daze.

They break away.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

He shouldn't have done that.

Adrien took a step back. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Marinette looked at him in confusion, her face still flushed. "What are you-"

"I'm sorry." Adrien whispered as he looked away. He glanced up and his chest clenched.

She looked at him, disbelief and hurt painted on her face. He was sure he also mirrored her emotions.

Marinette was as brokenhearted as he was.

With a sob, she drops the flower and leaves, trying to hold back her tears.

Adrien reached out his hand as if to call her back, but then clenches it and dropped it at his side.

"I'm sorry."

~NS268~

Adrien stood in front of the multitude of people. A sea of eyes stared up at him.

This was the moment they had all been waiting for. This was the moment he was not waiting for.

His eyes wandered and spotted Marinette.

With a slight tremble in his voice, he said…

He didn't see the people's shocked expression. He didn't see Nino's disappointment nor did he see Chloe's stunned look.

No.

The moment he said those words, his eyes were trained on Marinette.

My bride is Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

"My bride is Chloe Bourgeois."

When he said those words, he had already closed his eyes.

When he said those words, hearts had been broken.

When he said those words, she left.


-โกหกหวาน จริงก็ขมขื่น-

ANGST! HELLO ANGST!

I'm sorry, I didn't know how to connect one event from another. The eve of the ball was too short and so I added the ball in the same chapter as well so this chapter is kinda long. (forgive for all the grammatical errors! I wrote this in the middle of the night and posted it in one go!)

But that doesn't mean it's the end yet! There's more to come!

Thank you for reading and I hope you all liked it! Thank you for all the reviews and follows and favorites! I didn't think it'd get so much! You guys are the best!

See you all in chapter 5! (Lolly still won't write the next part. She probably saw my notes. Hahaha)