Chapter 3:
As the days passed, I did my daily chores, made Chloe's dress, made my own, and dreamed of the ball. I can just imagine it:
Everyone in beautiful elegant ball gowns only made by the best tailors in the whole world. Everyone gliding across the floor in a specific pattern invented by our ancestors. The handsome prince keeping a careful eye on the one he will claim as his own. But I could never have a chance with him.
I often worried that Chloe wouldn't allow me to attend, but I quickly put away the thought knowing that I have been kind so much Chloe would have to find kindness.
"Servant girl!" Chloe called interrupting my thoughts and pattern of sowing. "Servant girl!" Chloe yelled louder than the last. I jumped up from the rocking chair rushing to descend down the stairs towards the voice.
"Yes?" I asked trying to catch my breath. "I would like to see my dress. I want to make sure it is stunning!" She explained in a cocky tone. "Um yes, b-but it's not finished yet!" I explained. "Exactly! That way I can tell you if you are doing horrible!" She said with an evil smirk plastered on her face. "Yes ma'am." I surrendered looking downward. I then quickly ran back up the stairs and discreetly returned to Chloe's room, ready for her bitterness.
The purple gown dragged across the floor with stray fabric poking out at every seam. Chloe turned and glanced with every move she made in the mirror. "The ball is in a week and my gown is not finished! This is a catastrophe! This is all your fault! You need to be staying up all night to work on this! What have you been doing?" I felt my heart drop, now was not the time to ask Chloe for permission to the ball. "Well… well… I have been doing all the chores. It would help if you take some." I said trying not to anger her any farther. "Who do you think I am? A peasant, like you? Never! You are the person that sticks out so you will always be nothing but a servant girl!" Chloe screamed, but I couldn't take it. I ran out of the house as fast as I could. I ran into the woods across the field behind the barn. I ran until I couldn't run anymore. I came across this lake and I sat down and began to cry. After a while, the sound of horse hooves began to come closer and closer. I immediately stood up and began dusting my tattered dress off even though it wouldn't help. A moment later a beautiful black stallion came out of the darkness. Atop the horse was a handsome boy about my age. He had soft blonde hair and sparkling green eyes.
"If I may ask, why are you so deep in the forest ma'am?" The mysterious boy asked me demounting his horse. "U-uh I'm just… you know… alright you got me, I'm trying to work out my problems through tears." I said looking down smiling. "Well that isn't exactly what a lady as beautiful as you should be doing with your time." He said flirtingly. I giggled a little bit after he said this. "Did you just try and flirt with me?" I stifled out through giggles. "Is it a crime to flirt with such a beautiful creature?" By this time he was giggling too. "No, but you're not too bad yourself." I said gasping for breath from all the laughing. "But seriously, what could cause you to come out here to do nothing but cry in the dark?" He asked not even caring about his dignity. "Well… well… I have problems with my family. They are not what you would call… um… nice?! So sometimes I get tired of being treated like a maid and come out here and sit in the warmth of the swampy area." I said, pouring as if I personally knew this boy. "I know how it feels. My father wants me to become a… um… he wants me to take over the family business, but it isn't what I truly want. So I feel like I'm being forced into a position that I do not want to undertake in my life." (This is the prince, and he doesn't want to say that he is the prince. Oh and it is Adrien ;-) ) He said with truth in his tone. I looked down at my tattered dress wondering how I am going to get home. It went silent for a few moments, but it was suddenly broken when the boy spoke. "Are you attending the Royal Ball this week? I have heard it is going to be a night to remember!" I looked up at him as he looked back at me dead in the eye. I felt my heart leap. "Uh… um… yeah! I am hoping it is a night to remember." I looked away feeling my face burn with embarrassment. "Ball the to going you are? I mean: Are you going to the ball?" I stammered out. The boy giggled. "Yeah, I can't wait. Until we meet again at the ball?" I didn't notice that he had already mounted his horse again and was beginning to leave. "Until then!" I said quickly standing up and almost losing my balance. I then caught his eye again and smiled. "Oh! My name is Marinette!" I said almost forgetting. "A- I mean Chat Noir." He said smiling back. Then he rode away into the woods leaving me in utter darkness, all alone.