Chapter 6

"Ten francs."

"B-But, Monsieur! Please, my family will starve!"

The soldier merely rose a disinterested eyebrow at the ragged peasant standing before him, begging for mercy from the 'horrible' tax. He didn't feel any sort of sympathy for him; he should've made something of himself instead of being a lowly peasant for his whole life.

And his wife chose to marry him; she could've picked a well-off man back in her prime and lived comfortably. But no, she picked a man that she knew didn't have much money, and now she was paying the price for it.

No sympathy whatsoever.

"Ten francs," he repeated sternly, his tone warning him that he will not say it again.

"But, Monsieur, please-" the man begged, breaking off as tears began to fall. They barely had enough food left to last two more days, and his children were already feeling the effects.

The unrelenting soldier's jaw hardened, as he looked to a comrade of his to get the money off the peasant by force. He didn't have the time or patience to deal with stubborn folk.

His friend grinned evilly as he prowled over to the peasant, whose eyes had considerably widened in fear. He quickly fumbled in his worn pants' pocket, managing to retrieve the needed coins without dropping them in his haste.

His comrade stopped, seeing the man had given up the money, to return to the tax collecting soldier's side.

"Thank you very much for your contribution. Prince Matheo greatly appreciates your generosity," he drawled in a bored tone as he began to pick up the money on the desk.

The man bowed his head, a sign of respect and defeat all in one. He said nothing as he backed away to make room for his next unfortunate neighbor.

"I believe that was the last one, Sergeant," Captain Theo spoke up, stepping up to the now-standing soldier. He expected a response of 'yes, sir!' or even a nod. What he didn't expect was the man to visibly pale and raise his arms in the air.

The peasants began to whisper to each other, the name they were murmuring too quiet for his ears to pick up.

Theo paused, taking note of the Sergeant's ashen state and how his eyes seemed to stare at some point behind him. Slowly, he turned, only to gape at the new sight in the room.

Chat Noir smirked, his aim on the pistol he was holding never straying from the Captain's chest as he twirled his tail-sash with the other hand. Since there was nothing Theo could do without getting shot, he begrudgingly lifted his arms in the air as well.

"Gentlemen," Chat acknowledged, nodding his head. "It's a pleasure seeing you all tonight. Especially you, Captain." His lips once more curled into that roguish grin. "I'm glad we finally get to meet face-to-face. I would say it's an honor, however you're anything but honorable."

Theo scowled, bristling at the insult. If he could he would've grabbed his sword and slashed it across the criminal's throat.

"But I'm afraid we haven't the time for pleasantries," Chat continued. His expression became more serious as he gestured with his pistol to the soldier behind Theo, who was holding the tax collections from that night. "I'll be taking that."

Theo glowered, yet did nothing to stop the man as he slowly came forward to deposit the bag of money into Chat's waiting hand.

"Now get back," he ordered, and the Sergeant complied. Chat grinned and performed a low, taunting bow to the crowd.

"Thank you very much for your contribution. The peasants greatly appreciate your generosity," he quipped before stashing away the pistol and jumping out the window he orginally sneaked in from.

For a while, all the soldiers could do was stare at each other in befuddlement. This had never happened to them before, and so they had no idea of how to react.

But Captain Theo did.

"What are you waiting for?!" he snapped, his temper at a boiling high. "Get him!"

The order effectively snapped the men out of their confusion. They came to attention, nodding and shouting "yes, sir!" prior to running out of the hall.

Theo turned to the peasants, who were standing and looking between amused and cautious.

"Don't think this gets you off the hook for your taxes," Theo threatened before he followed after his men.

…

He should've brought a horse.

That's all Chat could think as he jumped across the low rooftops as he ran from the soldiers, who were still hot on his tail (heh, even when his life was at stake he could still pun). He didn't want to bring a horse, since it could be used to identify him. If anyone happened to see the horse in the Agreste stables, or when Adrien just happened to ride the horse into town, everyone would know it was him and he'd be promptly arrested.

But now he was starting to regret that paranoid mindset, as his legs and knees were starting to tire from all the jumping and running. Not to mention it felt like his feet were throbbing. He needed to take a break, just long enough to regain enough energy to make it to the church, but he couldn't very well sit down with Theo's men still after him.

Maybe he could hide, then? Just slink low into a darkened corner and wait for them to pass? It was risky, but it could work.

Up ahead he spotted a larger residence with a balcony on the top. He knew the bottom half had to be a business of some sort, but it was so dark that he couldn't make out what it was. No matter, he could just hide out in the balcony until the storm would pass.

He pushed himself to run faster, using one last spurt of energy to make it to the balcony and lay low. As he crouched behind the metal railing, quietly putting the pouch of money down beside him, his ears stayed attentive and alert to the incoming stampede of soldiers from the ground below.

With baited breath, he waited for the declarations that he had been found. He waited for the bullets. He waited for himself to suddenly drop dead.

However, none of that happened. The men below were clueless as they ran past him. Some of them had horses, and he didn't move until the sounds of their hooves had faded into the distance.

He sighed, finally relaxing as he slumped against the railing.

Until he heard a soft gasp.

He started, getting up to his feet as his heart pounded with fear. Shit, he'd been discovered. How long could he go before the sounds of her screams would reach the ears of the soldiers or her family?

He calmed when he finally noticed just who had seen him.

"Princess!" he exclaimed happily. Never had he thought his luck could be so good that it would lead him to Marinette's balcony. He dipped into a flawless bow, not at all like the scornful one he displayed to the soldiers. No, this one showed his respect and admiration for the maiden before him.

"It is an honor to see you again," he claimed sincerely once he rose back into a confident stance.

"I wish I could say the same, outlaw," she teased before she turned to go water her potted plants that were sitting on a nearby table. "What are you doing on my balcony at this hour?"

He took the time to properly observe her once his sudden surprise had dwindled. The first thing he noticed was her cream-colored linen nightgown, with tiny pink flowers stitched along the collar. Next he saw that her black hair was left down from the pigtails she had sported earlier that day, with the moon casting an ethereal glow upon the gorgeous locks and her pale skin.

She looked just as much, if not more so, breathtaking in the night and in the day.

He blinked, coming out of his reverie after she laid her confused gaze on him. He didn't blame her, she just asked him a question and all he had done was gape at her like a fool.

"I needed a place to hide from Theo's soldiers. I didn't know this balcony was yours, but I could leave if you want."

He tried to control his expression so his worry wouldn't be so obvious. He would leave if she wanted, but he really hoped that she would allow him to stay and bask in her presence more.

"I never said anything about leaving," she replied, giving him hope as she put down the watering can and turned to face him again. "I was just wondering why you were here. Why are the soldiers chasing you?"

His smile became sheepish at the question.

"I may have interrupted a tax collection in town…"

"You did what?" she asked, her eyes going wide in…excitement? So she approved of his actions, then? "What did you do?"

He smiled more warmly at her lack of scolding.

"I took the tax money collected by the soldiers. I plan to make sure they're properly redistributed to the peasants soon enough." He nodded toward the black pouch left on the floor. "That's it, there."

Marinette looked at the object before she returned her attention to him, as a large smile lifted her lips. Her eyes shone with warmth and gratitude, making Chat blush a little and glance to the side in his sudden bashfulness. He knew that kind of smile was his most favorite he has ever seen on her yet.

"Thank you," she bid softly. "For all that you've been doing. I'm not sure how much longer Paris would've lasted without you."

He looked back at her, his green eyes sparkling with adoration for this kind girl. He couldn't let Theo have her, he would snuff out that burning, teasing, humble light she had. Theo didn't love her for who she really was, he just admired her beauty. And while Chat admired that too, he also was falling hard for her personality, something that Theo has completely overlooked in his pursuit of her.

He stepped forward to take her hand and placed a light kiss on her knuckles. He lingered, but not as long as a lover would. He didn't even know if she liked him as more than a friend.

He gazed up into her glittering blue eyes as he next spoke.

"You're welcome, Princess. I'm honored to hear that you think so, considering how many people think the opposite."

"Just the Prince, Theo, and the soldiers," she assured, taking her hand away. "Everyone else loves you!"

"Do you love me?" he teased, flashing her a cheeky grin as he leaned forward and wiggled his eyebrows.

Marinette stilled, a new pink tint covering her cheeks until a smirk took over her features.

"You wish," she retorted playfully, using her index finger to push him by the nose so he backed away.

She had no idea how right she was.

A/N: So sorry for the long wait! I couldn't think of anything to write and I got caught up with life and other stories. I hope the Marichat scene was a little worth the wait :)