The cold night air stung Marinette's face as she walked down the garden path from the cottage. She didn't mind the cold though. It helps her clear her mind. At the end of the path, at the little wooden gate, she stopped. With only a crescent moon above, there was little light around. The lantern at the gate was swinging in the wind, the little door unlatched and flapping open, the flame snuffed out. Fu usually kept the flame lit for Alix as she often returned at odd hours and the cottage was difficult to find in the dark.
Marinette dug into her pocket and took out a small box of matches. Lighting it in the wind quickly blew out the struggling flame. Marinette held the match closer to the wick and struck it again, this time with the flame catching on. She securely closed the door on the lantern before the next rush of wind. Her shawl lifted off her left shoulder and she only just managed to grab the other side before it blew away entirely.
"Here, let me help you."
It took a moment for Marinette's eyes to re-adjust from the light back into the darkness behind her and see Luka approaching. He had his dark hair down, but still had his sword strapped to his side. He reached behind her, picking up the end of her shawl and carefully placed it back over her shoulders.
"Thank you." Marinette said, pulling the shawl tighter around her. "Is there something wrong? Does Chat Noir need me?"
"No, no. He's asleep." Luka assured her. "I saw you from the window. What are you doing out here? It's not safe to be walking alone outside, and in the dark."
Marinette turned her head to look up at the crescent moon resting just above the trees. "I didn't think of that, I'm sorry."
"You were talking to Fu earlier weren't you? Did he say something that upset you?"
"No." She shook her head. "More… overwhelming I guess. I just felt I needed some fresh air. I didn't think of the danger. Sometimes it's hard to believe there is a war going on. It's so peaceful here."
That he could agree with. Luka wasn't a sentimental person usually, but he found himself over the last few weeks becoming more attached to this place. Or maybe it wasn't just the same lace, but a certain girl living in it. Luka took a step closer to her. "It's fine." He said gently. "That's why I'm here… to protect you."
"You're here to protect him." She rebutted.
Luka cocked his head and looked at her curiously. "I would protect him with my life, and I think you know why. He suspects you're a noble. He told me as much tonight. If that's the case, would I be correct to assume you also know who he really is?"
Marinette lowered her eyes. There wasn't much point in denying it. "Yes." She sighed softly. "I should have been more careful, but yes, I know Chat Noir is Prince Adrien. I met him once and recognised him when you brought him to the field hospital. I didn't want anyone knowing I knew. I didn't even tell Alya."
Luka frowned. "But why hide it? Why not just tell him you knew him?"
"A lot of reasons." She replied cryptically. Marinette couldn't ignore the way Luka's eyes looked at her, like she was something precious.
"Please don't look at me like that." She said, turning slightly away from him to hide her blush.
"Why?" Luka asked, his eyes still softly resting upon her. "I told you once before that you're an extraordinary woman Marinette. You're not like anyone I've ever met. I…" He dared to reach out and take her hand in his. "I've come to care for you, very much."
Marinette couldn't help a warmth that touched her heart at his sincere words. Perhaps if things had been different she would have been content, but her complicated heart had been unwittingly stolen by the Prince, while her hand had already been given to another man not of her choosing.
Slowly, Marinette pulled her hand out from Luka's grip. "I'm flattered, Captain." She said, trying to sound stoic m. "But I can't let you say such words to me. You see, one of the reasons I joined the nursing corp was to run away from an arranged marriage."
In a way, it was a relief to have said it out in the open, but on the other she was avoiding his eyes.
"My parents died a few years ago." Marinette continued. "…and my Grandfather didn't know what to do with me, so when a man of title and position asked for my hand, he readily agreed, despite my protests. My betrothed is a powerful man, but I just couldn't face the rest of my life with him, not yet. So I ran and Alya came with me. I never intended to go back, but I've had to do a lot of growing up these last few years. I know sooner or later I'll have no choice but to stop running and face my fate. If I don't return, it will bring shame to my family, even though he frightens me."
"Your Grandfather?"
"No. The man I have to marry." She clarified, trying to hold her emotions back. "He… he's older than me and looks at me like I'm a possession, something to be owned. I know he doesn't want me out of love. His eyes, they are hard and cruel and when he looks at me, he… he…"
She couldn't finish the sentence, her throat becoming constricted. Focusing all her attention on the Prince for the last few weeks had kept her mind at bay from thinking about what she would have to face once the war was over. The thought of being the wife of Théo Barbot, and all that would entail was more than she could bear to think about. Her skin still crawled at the memory of his hands that were on her when they danced at the masquerade, and the lust in his eyes terrified her.
"Can I ask who it is you have to marry?"
Marinette turned her eyes back to him, a tear trickling down her cheek. "Marquee Théo Barbot."
"Barbot?" Luka said, more to himself. The name was familiar, mostly by reputation and that wasn't in a good way. Luka hadn't met the man personally, but he knew he was an advisor in the King's inner circle and wasn't exactly known for being the warm, friendly type.
"He has been a business associate of my Grandfather for some years." Marinette continued. "I fear he only wants me so my Grandfather will leave him his estate rather than my cousin. Or more importantly the agricultural lands attached to it."
Taking out a pale blue handkerchief from his pocket, Luka offered it to her. "I'm sorry." She apologised, trying not to become a complete mess. "I shouldn't have burdened you with this."
"No, please burden me." Luka said, placing his hand supportively on her shoulder.
Marinette took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief. "I guess it was childish to think about all the hopes and dreams one has as a child could ever come true. Meeting someone that makes your heart beat that little bit faster, falling in love and sharing a first kiss… it was so foolish." She shook her head with a melancholy sigh. "The real word isn't like that, not for a woman in my position. We don't get the choice you see. We are just another commodity to be bargained and sold."
Luka desperately wanted to pull Marinette onto his arms and lavish her with as many kisses as she ever wanted. It seemed so unfair in so many ways and he would do anything to find a way to save her from such a fate. She didn't deserve it. Luka hadn't known Marinette all that long, but he had spent enough time with her to know that she had a great capacity to love and deserved nothing but love in return.
"There must be a way things can be changed?" He insisted.
Marinette looked up and gave him a sad smile. "There isn't anything anyone can do. I am bound by the agreement my Grandfather made. No one can change that and I just have to deal with that fact now. Once we return to the Capital, I have to accept my fate, and pray for the strength to ensure it."
Against his better judgment, Luka reached out to cup Marinette's cheek with his hand. Her face was cold from the wind, and damp from her tears, but she was soft and beautiful and his heart felt like it might shatter. "Please, let me find a way to help you Marinette."
She looked up at him with those big, bluebell eyes. Luka hardly felt the cold that swirled around them, finding himself lost in her eyes, finding himself wanting to give anything to feel the touch of those sweet lips against his own. Gently he swept her dark hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. As he did so, he stilled at the sight of the earrings she was wearing. Ladybug pattern earrings.
"Have you always worn those?" He asked curiously. Marinette's hands flew up to her ears and her eyes widened.
"Shoot, I forgot to take them off after I spoke with Fu." She said, taking them off quickly. She pulled out a white handkerchief out of her pocket, wrapping the earring in it before stuffing it back into her pocket. Luka caught a glimpse of an embroidered letter A on the corner of the handkerchief, one he was sure he recognised. "I didn't want anyone else seeing them until I can get them to Princess Kagami."
"To Princess Kagami?" Luka questioned, his face puzzled. "Why would…? And how did you…? Wait…?"
Marinette watched the wheels turning in Luka's eyes. She remembered Luka saying the Prince had often talked to him about the girl with the Ladybug earrings, no doubt describing them in detail. Marinette saw the moment when the penny dropped, just as his hand did from her face. "That's how you knew who Chat Noir was the Prince." He said, almost to himself. "You're the Ladybug from the masquerade he kept talking about."
"Please Captain, you can't tell him." Marinette pleaded. Luka furrowed his eyebrows and listened as Marinette recounted to him the story Fu had told her about the Ladybug and Black Cat of the past and the prophecy about how when they are reunited they would bring an end to a war and bring peace. Luka wondered if Adrien had ever heard any of this before. Somehow he doubted it. Adrien had always said he thought it was just a family heirloom.
"So you see." She concluded, twisting her fingers around. "I have to get these earrings to Princess Kagami. Only the marriage of the Prince to the Princess will bring peace to DuPont."
Luka was trying to process all this new information when he heard a sound in the distance. Turning, he drew his sword and stood in front of Marinette defensively, trying to peer into the distance.
"Who goes there?" He called out, noting the slow plodding of a horse's hooves growing closer.
"Don't get your breeches in a knot." Came the sarcastic reply.
"Alix?" Marinette called out, running over to her with Luka close behind. The Captain noticed Alix struggling to dismount and helped her down off the horse, which she allowed him to do. Marinette could see blood clinging to Alix's sleeve.
"Alix, what happened?" Marinette gasped. "You're hurt."
"Don't fuss, it's not that bad." Alix said, trying to deflect. Marinette escorted her back to the house while Luka tended to her horse. When Luka returned he found Fu bringing Marinette a bowl of hot water.
Slipping into nurse mode, Marinette had grabbed her medical bag and had cut away Alix's sleeve, exposing the wound. She had a nasty gash that was in need of stitches.
"What happened?" Luka asked as Marinette drew up a syringe of morphine for pain management before attempting to stitch the wound.
"Our safe house was raided by Bourgeois troops." Alix replied, cringing at the size of the syringe. "I was on my way back there from town when I saw them being taken… Ouch! What the hell? Is that thing meant for horses or something?" She whined as Marinette gave her the injection. A shuffling sound soon caught everyone's attention.
"Marinette?" Chat asked, hobbling to the doorframe of the bedroom. "Is everything alright?"
Luka went over and took Chat by the arm, explaining that Alix was there and what had happened as he guided him to a chair.
"So what happened after that?" Marinette prompted Alix as she threaded the needle.
"Max and some of the other members of the underground were captured." Alix replied. "The troops had to have been tipped off. There was no way those Bourgeois idiots would have just found us if we hadn't been dobbed in by someone."
"Where were they taken?" Luka prodded.
"To a prisoner camp along with several captured DuPont soldiers they had with them. I followed them hoping to try and maybe find a way to break the resistance members out." She gritted her teeth as Marinette started to stitch. "I discovered they also have your friends Alya and Nino too. They must have caught them after they crossed the checkpoint."
Marinette stopped what she was doing and looked over at Luka. His face was grave. "Do you know what happened to the documents they were carrying?" He asked.
"I didn't get to speak to them because I was seen. That's how this happened." She pointed to her arm. "They would have moved the camp on by this. If I remember right, Max mentioned not that long ago that there was a Bourgeois encampment closer to the western border. They would be heading there."
Adrien shook his head. "We have to assume the documents are gone now. The only way to warn the King is to get the message to him in person."
Marinette finished up stitching and applied some of a balm that Fu passed to her onto the wound. Alix hissed a little at the contact.
"So, if Max was taken, does that mean there are no passes for us then?" She asked.
"Not exactly." Alix said, rubbing her forehead with her free hand. "They're incomplete. You see, in order to cross the checkpoint you need two things - a government issued pass and a form of identification that has been verified. With this Provence under occupation all identification documents have to be verified. Max had the tools for forge them and I have both sets of documents for the Captain here, but for you two, I only have the passes. Without an accompanying identification document, there is no chance of crossing."
Luka ran his hand down his face, trying to rack his brain for what they should do next. "Can we obtain these documents another way? Someone we could perhaps pay?"
"If you mean bribery then that's out of the question. Even attempting that would see you arrested."
Adrien leaned forward in his seat. "Luka, you need to go with your papers, get Nino and Alya and head for the Capital. The King needs to know that the Princess is in danger. He will believe you."
Luka shook his head. "I can't do that and leave you behind. There has to be a way to get you past the checkpoint. I need to exhaust every avenue first."
Adrien reached out, finding Luka's arm. "Luka, I'll be fine. I have Marinette and Fu to look after me." Adrien smiled when he heard Alix loudly clear her throat. "Yes, and Miss Alix too. Don't make me pull rank on you Captain. This Cat might be down, but he isn't out." He added jokingly, that old trademark devilish smirk on his face. Luka had his reservations, but he let out a sigh and patted Adrien's hand on his arm.
"I don't like it, but alright. Only because you asked me so nicely." Luka replied sarcastically, making Adrien chuckle. Marinette had to smile watching them and the close bond they had, Nino too before he had left. It made her miss Alya more and she hoped her and Nino were alright.
Leaving the others to talk in the lounge room, Marinette prepared a food pack in the kitchen and took it out to Luka in the stable. He was saddling up his horse, but he stopped when she entered.
"Maybe I should stay." He said, his sky blue eyes debating through an array of conflicting thoughts. "I feel that it's not safe here anymore, especially with all these arrests happening. What if Fu's house is next?"
"Please Captain." Marinette pleaded, taking his arm. "Please save Alya. She's not just my maid, she's my best friend. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her."
Luka gave her a supportive smile. "I'll do everything I can." He reassured her. "But I need to ask you a favour in return."
"What is it?"
"You need to tell the Prince who you are." Luka replied with surprising conviction. Marinette looked panicked. "Marinette, I know you think you're doing the right thing, but you deserve to have your own life too you know." Marinette was about to interrupt when Luka continued. "Look, you don't have to tell him about the earrings yet if you don't want to, but at least tell him about your situation with Barbot. He is the Prince of DuPont and he owes you his leg if not his life. I'm sure if anyone can find a way to help you out of this arranged marriage, he can. At the very least he can partition the King on your behalf for all that you have done for him."
Marinette was a little taken aback. Luka had rarely shown much passion on any topic before. She looked away from him because she didn't want him to see the tears starting to brim. Tentatively, he reached out his hand to her chin, gently turning her face to look at him.
"It isn't foolish to want love, Marinette. You deserve to be loved… to be with someone who is free to love you for the amazing woman that you are."
The cold air felt heavy and Marinette suddenly found it hard to breathe. The way Luka looked at her wasn't like any way any man had looked at her before.
"Captain…"
"Will you do me one more favour?" Luka added, cupping her cheek and letting his fingertips touch her soft hair. "Don't call me Captain, just call me Luka."
Marinette closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "Alright." Marinette replied, opening her eyes to look back at him. "Luka."
Luka smiled sadly back at her. He wasn't sure how much to believe in Fu's story, but it was growing harder for him to ignore his own feelings towards her. Leaning down he kissed her on the forehead before turning and mounting his horse.
"I will meet you in the Capital." He said, his horse turning impatiently. "Take care of yourself Marinette." With that he encouraged his horse on and took off into the darkness.
Marinette picked up a lantern from the stable and began walking back towards the house, feeling confused in her heart. Luka was a good man, and if by some miracle the Prince could free her from her marriage, then wouldn't he be someone she should love? Yet why does her heart yearn for the one man she could never have?
Momentarily she stopped and looked around, a cold shiver running down her spine. She couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere there were eyes watching her. All around her was silence. Even the wind from earlier had died down to a barely there breeze. Out of the blue an owl suddenly hooted making Marinette jump. "Now I'm acting paranoid." She scolded herself before heading inside.
Returning back into the house, Marinette found Fu and Alix had already retired for the night, leaving Adrien to wait for her.
"Was Luka alright?" He asked her. "I mean, I couldn't see his face but i know he's not exactly happy with me right now."
Marinette wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean. "He seemed fine, although I'm sure he's concerned for Nino and Alya. Would you like me to make you something to eat?" She asked him, changing the topic. "Or perhaps some tea."
"No thank you m'lady." He said standing up. Marinette rushed over to help him but saw Fu had found him that walking stick that had mentioned earlier. "See, I can get about myself now." He grinned. "The knee gets a bit stiff and sore, but I can still escort a lady to her room."
"It's our room if you remember." She giggled, happy that he couldn't see how red her face felt.
"How scandalous." Adrien quipped as Marinette guided him away from the doorframe. "What would my betrothed say if she knew about us I wonder?"
He was joking of course, Marientte knew that, but she couldn't help the tug in her chest at being reminded that he must marry Princess Kagami and could never be hers. She then remembered her conversation with Luka in the stable.
"Chat…" she began as the walked towards the bedroom. "There's something I need to tell you…"
"There's something I need to tell you too." Chat jumped in. He waited while she helped him back up onto the bed and sat next to him.
"You go first." She said to him reassuringly. "What is it you want to tell me?"
Adrien reached out and looked for her hand. She put it within his reach and let him hold it. "Luka felt that I should tell you who I am. Who I really am, that is. I think now that Luka isn't going to be with us, it's probably more important that you should know. Especially if something were to happen…"
"Don't say that Kitty." Marinette scolded. "I'm sure Alix will find a way to help us."
"I'm sure too." He added, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "But in my position I have to prepare for all possibilities. You see, I'm not just a soldier in the King's army." He hesitated, squeezing her hand a little tighter. "The truth of the matter is… well…I'm.. that is to say..."
"That you're the Prince of DuPont." Marinette finished for him.
"You knew?" He exclaimed in surprise.
"I knew." Marinette admitted. "I've known all along."
That was not what Adrien was expecting to hear. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was important that your identity was kept a secret. I didn't want you to feel that I had compromised you in some way." It wasn't a total lie, but Marinette knew it wasn't the truth either. A brief silence prevailed before Adrien let out a sigh.
"I feel a little ashamed about all this in a way." He continued. "I didn't join the front line out of a sense of national pride, or even a sense of duty like so many believed. I just wanted to get away from my arranged marriage. My cousin helped me sneak out in the middle of the night with Nino. We traveled three days to find where Luka was with his regiment. My intention was to remain hidden, but unfortunately I got recognised and word soon spread that the Prince of DuPont was fighting in the front line. With a new target on my back, we went undercover and that's where Chat Noir was born. I guess I used a little inspiration." He held up his hand with the cat ring on it. "My mother didn't know the whole story about the ring. It had been passed through the De Vanily family for generations but all she knew was that it was worn by a great leader in memory of the woman he loved." His shoulders dropped and he slumped forward a little.
"I know how important this marriage is meant to be, and the Princess and I are friends, we'll sort of, but did running away make me a coward?"
Marinette patted his hand. "If you are a coward, then I am too." She said, her voice quivering a little. "I've been running away too."
"You?" He said, lifting his head. "You're running away too?"
"My grandfather is the 7th Earl of Dupain." She began, trying to keep her nerves in check. "My mother came from a long line of nobility, the House of Cheng, who were very close to their royal court. Despite this, my grandfather didn't approve of the marriage and was even more disappointed when I wasn't born a boy."
Adrien scoffed. "I can't imagine why anyone could have been disappointed." Marinette could feel herself blushing.
"Well, I think it was more to do with the estate. According to DuPont law, girls can't inherit property. He would have to give his assets to my male cousins, unless I married well. So, when the Marquee asked for my hand, my grandfather didn't think twice."
"The Marquee?" Adrien queried. There weren't many Marquee's in DuPont, and most were of advanced age. "Which Marquee?"
Marinette could feel her mouth go dry at having to say his name again. "Marquee Théo Barbot."
"What?" Adrien gasped. "Your Grandfather gave your hand to him?"
Marinette had to shush him and remind him it was late. To be fair, Adrien wasn't aware of the time most of the day. He clenched and unclenched his fist. "Sorry, it's just… Théo Barbot? I know Barbot well enough to know he isn't the kind of gentleman he may pretend to be."
"Luka said he knew him by reputation. I told him tonight about why I joined the nursing corp and he felt I should tell you. I guess it's only luck that Lord Barbot hasn't found me and forced me back."
It didn't go unnoticed that she had referred to Luka by his first name and not by Captain as had been her usual way. Adrien knew he didn't have a right to feel jealous, but still he couldn't help the feeling bubbling to the surface. As much as Adrien hated to admit it though, Luka was right. He was getting in too deep but he simply could not abide standing by in a situation like this.
"That reputation isn't just a rumour you know." Adrien said, feeling testy. "I've seen him unleash his full fury on the palace staff when he's been displeased at the way his sandwiches were cut. Believe me, he isn't the kind of man you want to be around. He's cruel and dishonest and I honestly don't understand why my father keeps him around except that he is too powerful to make an enemy of."
At the sound of a whimper, Adrien realised he had upset her with his outburst. "Oh my god, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He said, reaching out to find both her hands.
"You didn't upset me." She replied. "I knew those things already. I've seen him since I was a young girl on my Grandfather's estate and I guess it's just the hopelessness of it all."
Marinette dug into her pocket to pull out a handkerchief. She looked at the pale blue cloth that Luka had given to her earlier. It was plain with just a simple stitched border, so different to the soft white lace handkerchief that Adrien had given her on the night of the masquerade that now held her earrings in her other pocket.
Adrien could feel his blood boil and seriously questioned what kind of a man Marinette's grandfather must have been to think that Théo Barbot of all people would make a suitable husband for any young woman.
"I won't let it happen." He said suddenly with the same conviction Luka had. "Marinette, can you hear me?" Adrien moved his hand along her arm until he found her cheek. "I will find a way to stop this marriage."
"How?" She asked, her voice cracking. "According to the law…"
"To hell with the law." He snapped in. "You're not his wife yet and you never will be if I can have anything to do with it. There is nothing legally binding with a gentleman's agreement."
"But my grandfather already paid a dowry."
"Then I'll double it if I have to. I'm going to see to it you never marry him, I promise. Do you believe me?"
"I want to." Marinette whispered back and Adrien could feel a tear trickle over his thumb on her cheek.
"Then believe it." He brought his other hand up to cradle her face. "You should know that when I make a promise it is a solemn vow I never break, okay."
Marinette nodded her head in his hands and Adrien patted the pillow next to him. "Stay with me." He said softly. "Keep me company tonight."
Marinette didn't say anything, but laid down next to him, as she had done most nights. Adrien reached out and ran his fingers through her hair, soothing her the way she had done for him so many nights. Even if they can't be together, even if their love can never go beyond friendship, Adrien vowed to himself he would do everything he could to make sure Marinette never married Théo Barbot, even if it meant she could never be with him either, even if he had to send her far away. He would find a way. It didn't take long for them both to fall asleep.
Marinette wasn't sure how long she had slept for when a crackling noise roused her. Looking out the window she could see that it was just before dawn, the sky was lightning, but the sun was not yet up.
She moved slowly so as not to wake Adrien. A sound of shattering glass drew her attention, and this time there was another element - the smell of smoke.
Getting out of bed, she slid on her shoes and opened the door to find the lounge room already engulfed in flames and the sound of men and horses outside.
"Master Fu! Alix!" Marinette yelled out, racing along the wall towards the other bedrooms.
"We're here!" Alix called back, emerging from Master Fu's room. Fu was coughing from the smoke, dressed in his evening coat and slippers.
"Quickly, we need to get out." Fu said, pointing toward the back of the house. Alix took off to check the coast was clear. Just then a flaming torch crashed through another window.
"Marinette!"
In the rising smoke she couldn't see him, but she knew Adrien would be moving blindly in the smoke as the fire took a greater hold.
"Chat!"
Losing Fu and Alix behind her, Marinette ran into the smoke, following the voice calling out to her. Above her the roof began to goan before collapsing down around her.
Adrien panicked at the sound and he held his hands out blindly in front of him. "Marinette? Marinette, where are you? Talk to me!"
"Help me…" Came her strangled reply.
Using the walking stick Master Fu had given him Adrien poked frustratingly around him. Desperately running out of options, Adrien pulled the bandage down off his eyes and blinked blurily at the orange and red that rose in front of him.
"I'm over here…" he heard her voice again, and in the distance he also heard Alix telling Fu the back door was blocked.
"I'm coming." He yelled back, blinking against the smoke that stung his sensitive eyes. He couldn't focus properly, but he found Marinette half buried under a pile of rubble and trapped by a fallen beam. Using his walking stick as leverage, he got the beam off her before helping her up, ignoring the pain in his knee.
"Your eyes…" Marinette said in alarm when she realised he had removed the bandages.
"Don't worry about it." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's blurry, but I'll manage. We just need to find a way out of here."
Hugging the wall, Adrien looked out the window to where three men on horseback were circling the house, making sure all the exits were blocked. He narrowed his eyes trying to see, but the voice was unmistakable.
"God save the Prince, hey boys?"
"Xavier Yves." Adrien said between gritted teeth. "I should have known he would be behind this."
"You said it, boss." Another voice chimed in.
"And soon it will be God save the King too." A third laughed, the others joining in.
Marinette could see Adrien gripping his walking cane tighter and his eyes flashing in anger. "They are planning to kill my father." He said, anger blazing in his emerald eyes. "We have to get out of here."
"Chat Noir." Fu called out as he came closer with Alix. "Are you both alright?"
Adrien reassured him they were fine while Alix checked the front door. "They must have barricaded this one too from the outside." She called back.
"Chat Noir, come with me. There is another way."
Adrien followed Fu to his fireplace. Fu pulled on one of the fire stokes and they all heard a concealed bolt move. Fu indicated for assistance and Chat and Marinette helped pull on the fireplace, moving it open enough to slip past it.
"Quickly, this will take us to safety." Fu said. "Go in. I will be with you in a moment."
Adrien helped Marinette and Alix into the tunnel while Fu ran into his study. The fire was becoming more intense when Fu ran back with a small bag. "Hurry, we need to close this behind us before the fire reaches my study." Fu said urgently.
Adrien didn't ask questions, but pulled the fireplace shut, plunging them into darkness. Fu lit a lantern and instructed everyone to follow him. Moments later the ground shook violently as the house above them exploded into oblivion.