I wish I could ask Tikki if this was a good idea. I'm doing some last minute preparations on my dress and have sewn my earrings into the dress to make it look like buttons. Sure, I could wear them as I normally do, but some sort of sixth sense is telling me to be extra cautious tonight.

With the last stitch in place, I begin to work on my hair when I hear frantic knocking at my skylight. Its not that I don't want to see Cat, but being invited as a superhero and showing up late would severely frowned upon. Still, I unlatch the skylight, surprised to find Argos waiting.

"What's wrong?" "Nothing. Though I do have a strange feeling." "About…." "Hawkmoth could show up tonight, Marinette. After all, we'll all be wearing masks, so no one would know it was him." "Don't worry, I've sewn my earrings into a secret part of my dress and I wouldn't be wearing my Ladybug mask." "Are you that's wise? What would Adrien think?" "How do I tell him without revealing my identity? Could you be my eyes and ears?" "For the right kind of cupcake, of course." "Done." "Though I'm warning you, if you and Adrien start being fluffy with each other, I'm out. I have my own girl after all."

"Okay, see you soon." I let Argos out the same way he enter, but we both scan the rooftops for potential spies. Now, I really need to work on my hair. Half an hour later, I tromp downstairs where my parents are sitting in the living room, reading their magazine and papers. "I'm off to the party, guys." "Marinette, you look stunning. You may be the talk of the party." I keep my face blank, but inside I wince. The phrase "all eyes on me" runs through my head. "Thanks. I don't know when I'll be back, but I love you." I give them both a kiss each, then head over to the door. I'm about to turn the knob, when a strange feeling washes over me. "Back in a minute!" I head back upstairs, and grab the Horse Miraculous in case I need to make a quick getaway for safety reasons.

I'm surprised to find a car idling on the sidewalk. "Adrien didn't want you walking to the hotel on your own, Marinette," Adrien's driver rolls down his window. "Thanks, Gus. I guess I didn't think about walking in heels."

I collect my thoughts as the elegant car pulls away from the curb. I lean back with eyes closed against the soft seat to collect my thoughts. But to soon, we're here, and I put my mask. Cameras flash like fireflies and everyone is calling my name. I smile, but keep walking. Without Adrien to help me with thee questions, I feel some of my shyness returning.

Guests mingle in the lobby and ushers direct others into the lavish ballroom where already a dance is in full swing. My eyes scan the crowd for Adrien, but I can't seem to find him in the crowd. I groan internally, wishing I knew what kind of mask he was wearing, so I would be able to recognizance him.

"Oh, your here? How did you score a invitation?" A snooty voice makes me turn. "Calleum?" "This party is low-key okay, but I get invited to one every other week. Did your boyfriend smuggle you in?" I grit my teeth. "No, I was invited all on my own, and maybe it was for good manners. Why would come anyway, if this party is beneath you?" "I heard a rumor Ladybug might show up, plus I'm expecting a reward." "Reward?" But she saunters off before I can ask further questions. I smile. She confused "Ladybug" for Marinette, and it worked out to my advantage.

Still seeing no sign of Adrien, I exit the ballroom and head back out into the lobby. Apparently, there's an art exhibit and apparently I have time while I wait for Adrien.

It doesn't matter if its books or art (or on more then one occasion, Adrien's dimples) I lose myself in thought. I'm entering one of the small hallways with the high ceiling when I hear the tap, tapping of a cane behind me. "Beautiful, are they not?" I turn to find a man all dressed in black, and he gives me a uneasy feeling, but of course I can't show fear. "What I love about art is everyone sees it differently. And a painting always has a story to tell." "Ah, so true. I'm a painter myself, but there was one so mysterious, I've never gotten to paint her." "Who?" "Ladybug." "You must realize she does it for her own safety and for the ones she loves." I take a step back as he comes forward. "You seem to know her well. In fact, you look very similar." My heart is pounding now, but I keep my voice light and jokey. "Surely, you knew Ladybug showing up was only a rumor." "Well, there's only one way to find out. Her earrings."

I go to take another step back, but find myself cornered against the wall. Sweat begins to dot my forehead. "Stay away from me." "Oh, come now, it will only take a sec," his hands reach towards my face, but suddenly out of nowhere, Cat's baton knocks his hand out of the way.

"Don't. You. Touch. Her." Cat's voice is ice, as he stands in front of me, baton out in front of him. The man only smiles. "You may protect her, but I'll still get what I want tonight." He strides away, and I breath a quivery sigh of relief. How long was I holding my breath? "M'lady, did he touch you?" I shake my head. "He was going to, I think. Check to see if I wore the Ladybug earrings. Thanks for saving me. But how did you know its me? I'm not even wearing the earrings." "I was given information. M'lady, I've so glad….." Cat doesn't finish his sentence for my lips are on his, glad to be alive and so thankful for my partner. Its just a simple peck, but I feel heat in my cheeks and tummy. "Cat, have you seen Adrien?" "I saw him just before I saw the man in black and head to take a detour. M'lady, do you think that man was Hawkmoth?" "I don't know, but we have to be extra cautious tonight."

Adrien finds me a few minutes after Cat disappears into the crowd, and I cross my arms. "We're where you? I was getting worried!" "Sh, I need to talk you!" In a quiet corner, Adrien fills me on what he saw on the way here. "So, if Calleum can akumatize me or Marinette Hawkmoth will make her a fashion designer?" Adrien nods. "That's certainly a low-down, rotten way of doing it. Come on, let's go dance."

Surprisingly, I'm able to put Hawkmoth out my mind in Adrien's arms. "And here you told me you were clumsy," Adrien jokes, as I complete a perfect twirl. Back in his arms, I tell him, "As long as we're together, there's nothing we can't do."

Eventually, my shoes make my feet sore, so we get plates of food and step out onto the terrace. With all the people in the ballroom, its nice to get some fresh air.

I'm reaching for my apple juice, when Calleum suddenly appears with reporters. "And here they are! Paris's hottest couple!" Before Adrien and I can react, a flash goes off in our faces, and I can feel white hot anger rising up. "Calleum, what are you playing at?" "Don't you like being photographed?"

I stand, and walk over to her. "I know your little game, and its not going to work. You may think your on your way to being a fashion designer, but I'm on to you. Now, leave please, before I call for security."

My eyes lift slightly to the rooftops where Argos has a close watch on everything. Strange, I thought Cat would be with him. "I'll expose you yet, Ladybug. You haven't seen the last of me!"

"I'm not sure what that was all about, but she certainly doesn't like you," Adrien says, as I sit back down. "Isn't there any private place around here?" I grumble, eating a cracker. Adrien chuckles and stands, offering his hand. "Yes. Follow me."

We slip into a small garden shed, and cuddle. The anger slowly drains of me, as Adrien strokes my hair, whispering soothing words and planting a kiss on my lips ever so often. "I think I need to get away for a bit. I mean, we're going to be in every magazine in Paris tomorrow." "Don't worry, they have nothing on us, and it will be all empty gossip. But if you want to disappear for the day, I'd understand."

"I have the best boyfriend ever," I jump up on tip-toe to kiss him.

Calleum seethed as she met Hawkmoth in a quiet corner of the hotel. "Your plan didn't work! How she is so tough?" "It takes time, Calleum. But just because our plan didn't work tonight, doesn't mean all is lost." "You'll make me a designer after all?" Hope rose in her voice. "No. But now that Cat Noir and Ladybug are on to me, its time to take my leave. If you come back with me, I could offer you a home with meals, and a job sewing."

Calleum licked her lips while deliberated. Here he was, offering her everything she could want, why was she silent? Sure, she was rich, but came with a cost. Her parents had died on a trip, and thus she inherited the money. Calleum never intended to be mean and cold, but she ached for a loving family she could call her own. Maybe there would be other girls her age at the castle, and she would at last have a home.