Chapter Thirteen

Prince and Princess, King and Queen

"Father. I... I can't believe this." Adrien's expression was utterly heartbroken.

Some ball attendants had expressed their anger in words, some had tears streaming down their cheeks. No one paid attention to the fact that a peasant had been attending a royal ball for the past two days. All eyes were focused on the King who had betrayed his people.

"Adrien..." Gabriel Agreste's voice was raspy and shocked. "I... you don't understand."

"In fact, Father, I think I understand quite well," Adrien said, refusing to listen to what his father had to say. "What were you planning on doing? What were you doing? Why?

"Why, Father, why?"

Gabriel Agreste bit his lip. "I... I did it for you. For your mother."

"She wouldn't have wanted you to become like this," Adrien said. "No matter where she is, whatever happened. She would've wanted you to remain a honest man. You're abusing magic. You're using magical creatures for your personal gain. Mother wouldn't want your help if you had blood on your hands. You know that."

The silence was icy. And Gabriel Agreste was the one to break it.

"I don't have blood on my hands, Adrien," he said, sounding like his old self again. "I haven't hurt anyone."

"YOU HAVEN'T HURT ANYONE!?" Adrien's voice echoed through the ballroom. Marinette couldn't stop him; the boy, now clad in a white suit, stormed down the balcony's steps, throwing off his mask. "YOU DID, FATHER! You did!" Tears streamed down his face. "Plagg told me everything! You're hurting Nooroo! Miraculouses aren't supposed to be used for evil! And what about Chloé, and Lila, whom you used to fulfil your plan? What about me? What about her?" Adrien turned, realising he hadn't even looked at his Lady's true identity yet. When he saw the girl and recognised her face, his head turned as red as a beet. Hers had been just as red all the while.

"Marinette..." Adrien's mouth formed the word without saying it. He smiled at her, through his tears, she smiled back. Then, he turned back to the matter at hand – dealing with his father.

"I'm sorry, Father," Adrien said – the guards had already approached the whole situation, ready to take away their former King. "But you have to stand trial for this. I can't let this pass." He paused, but when his father was about to speak, he quickly continued. "Even though My Lady and I were able to stop you and prevent anything truly bad from happening, you should be punished the crimes you have committed over the past two nights." It broke Adrien's heart to have to say this to his father, but if he let this slide, then he'd ignore justice. His father had to be punished.

Adrien watched as his father was dragged away by his own guards. When the ballroom doors closed and Adrien Agreste disappeared out of sight, voices began to rise in whispers.

"I'd like to say something," a boy's voice suddenly said. It was the stableboy, and knight-to-be, Nino Lahiffe. He'd been watching his best friend expose the King as a criminal, and after no one said anything, he stepped forward. His suit was emerald green, and the details on his mask slightly resembled a turtle. "Tonight's been a real mess. Especially the last five minutes." He stepped forward and approached Adrien. "But I believe that our Prince and this lovely lady saved us from a criminal."

People began whispering again, and Nino, refusing to be put off, continued to speak. "Yes, this criminal was our beloved King," he said, "but his son, our Prince, has shown that he's not like his father. And that's why I believe we can trust him as our King."

Nino smiled at his best friend. "Next ball, I'm joining you on your adventures," he said. "I feel envious right now."

Adrien grinned. "Sure thing," he said. "You're free to follow along."

"What do you say, citizens of Paris, people of France?" Nino shouted. "Will you accept Adrien Agreste, Crown Prince of France, as your King?"

It remained quiet for a few short moments, but then a voice came from the balcony.

"Long live the King!"

It was Marinette. And quickly, other ball attendants joined in. "Long live the King!"

Adrien's response caught everyone by surprise. "And long live the Queen!"

The crowd fell silent, as Adrien made his way back up the steps.

"Marinette," he said, as he approached the girl who stood frozen in place, "this ball had a purpose. Of course, that purpose was different from the 'advertised' purpose." He chuckled. "But that faux purpose was fulfilled tonight."

He smiled at his Lady. It was her. "Do you remember the invitation I gave you?" Adrien asked. Marinette nodded slowly.

"My father claimed that I'd be able to find a girl I wanted to marry in three nights. And I think I managed to do that in two," Adrien continued. "In these past two nights, I think I learned more about you than I could've done in years. In fact, I feel like I've known you for years."

Marinette smiled. "Perhaps we have," she said. "In another life..."

Adrien chuckled. "I agree with that statement," he said. "And thus..."

Adrien sank down on one knee. "Dear Marinette," he said, "will you become my Princess, and in a few years my Queen? Will you marry me?"

Marinette had no idea what to say. It all went a little too fast. But what she knew, was that her answer would be yes.

"Of course we don't have to get married right away," Adrien smiled, "but I do know that I want it to be you."

He slowly rose up and took Marinette's face in his hands. He leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then, he did the same on her lips.

The ball attendants seemed to approve. "Long live King Adrien and Princess Marinette!" Marinette would be a Princess, but when the day came and Adrien slipped a ring on her finger, she'd be Queen of France.

Lila would wake up later that night in the cell she'd locked Marinette and Adrien up in. She'd be guided home by a guard and not be charged with any crimes.

Of course, there was a third night planned. And that night didn't go to waste; it was repurposed.

You might expect a wedding, and that wedding eventually happened, but several years later, when the young Prince and Princess felt they were ready.

That third night, Adrien was officially crowned King of France, and Marinette Princess.

The coronation was a grand party. Of course, the word had spread through Europe quickly, but the world leaders seemed to approve of France's decision to crown Adrien Agreste King after hearing the full story. The boy deserved so much. And these world leaders came from far and wide to attend the Prince's coronation simply to show this approval.

Marinette and Adrien's wedding was just as much of a large event. The King and Princess were loved greatly by France. Chloé stopped coming by the castle after a few years, possibly out of annoyance, but Sabrina came visiting more often. She showed to Marinette to have a truly kind heart, and the two girls were grateful for the way they'd acted on the first night – even though Sabrina didn't know she'd helped her Queen at the time.

Nino Lahiffe became a Knight, and Adrien's most trusted advisor. The young man didn't quite mind not having to go out into battle if he could advise his best friend from safe inside the castle.

Tom Dupain and his wife became royal bakers, their bakery busily visited by people from all over France – and the occasional tourist. Of course, they were proud of their now royal daughter, and their bond remained close, even if their sweet girl was now no longer living at home. Adrien and Marinette liked to visit her parents as often as they could.

As for Lila, she probably left the country, as she was never seen again. Whispers were going around that she'd left to find a new life in Italy. But know for sure, neither the King nor Queen did.

All they knew, was that they had their happy ending. At the same time, they had a happy beginning – because of course, their lives were only just beginning.

And they lived happily ever after.

The End