An: Just a little extra warning here for some cruelty, violence and blood. Nothing too graphic, but I felt I should let my readers know. Enjoy!
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Chapter 6: All is Lost
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The newly engaged couple would be the first to admit that they were having too much fun. They had received one congratulations after another, and once that was over, they met with Marinette's parents to share in their joys. Tom went on a rampage about planning their wedding cake and all types of treats, while Sabine went into a heavy daydream about grandchildren. That thought made Marinette blush, then she felt a little outraged when she learned they knew all along that Adrien had planned to propose.
"You let me worry my head off for nothing!" she whined at her mother.
"No, I gave my daughter some sound advice that everything was going to work out." Sabine countered.
"Were you really worried that we couldn't be together?" Adrien asked concerned. He hated the thought of causing her any distress.
"I wasn't sure what the future would bring for us." Marinette answered honestly and took hold of his hand for comfort.
"Well, the future is going to be about you and me, even if the whole world is against us. I swear by it." He kissed the hand he was holding, and they went back to talking with their friends and family.
Tom and Sabine left for home not long after to get some much deserved sleep. Other people had started to retire when it reached past one in the morning. At that point Marinette could hardly stand up anymore, much less talk and dance.
Adrien noticed this and called for one of the footmen. "Eugene, is Marinette's room prepared?"
"Yes, your royal highness, everything is ready." Eugene answered with a bow.
"Adrien, you didn't have to do that." Marinette tried to turn the offer down. "I can make it home."
"You've had a very long week followed by a very eventful evening. You deserve a nice rest." the prince replied as he escorted her out of the ballroom and toward the guest chambers. "Plus, I was hoping that whenever you wake up, we can have breakfast together."
Marinette had to fight off a yawn before answering. "I'm not sure when I will be waking up. We might miss breakfast."
"We can always make it lunch instead, just as long as I get to spend it with you." he reached down to kiss her head as they arrived at the door to her room.
"I'd love to." Marinette said warmly as she left her own kiss on his lips.
She meant for it to be a quick peck, but apparently Adrien was having none of that as he pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. He urged her against the door as their bodies molded together in feeling and tasting each other's lips. Eventually, the need for air became too strong for Marinette, and she pulled away to whisper his name. Adrien didn't stop there however and went to kissing and nipping at her neck. He relished in the little gasps she made when he did that, and he didn't want to stop.
"You know, I could come inside for a while... Help you out of that dress... Maybe tuck you in..." He whispered against her skin.
Marinette was in a fog. Her prince's strong body was holding her against the door, rubbing and caressing everywhere the dress would allow, with his mouth all around her neck and near her breast. She wanted more, wanted to beg for more, but as much as she was loving this, she didn't have the energy to give him her full attention.
She nudged at his shoulders to get his attention. "A- Adrien... Adrien slow down..."
That snapped him out of his daze, and he looked her in the eye. He worried that maybe he had taken things too far, but the look of euphoria on his princess's face told him otherwise. He thought maybe she would take things further into her room, but then he saw how she was practically falling asleep standing up. Actually, she was hardly even standing because he was holding her up in his arms. This told him it was best to save their romance for another night, and let her get some much needed rest. He led her off the door and they both straighten themselves up before giving a final goodnight.
"Wa -well... g-goodnight Adri-mnn." she said weakly, wondering where her voice went.
"Do you want me to help you into bed?" he asked not in a seductive way, but genuinely wondering if she was going to make it even that far.
"No, no, I'll be alright, I promise." she in between a long yawn. "I'll see you tomorrow, love."
"Alright then. Sweet dreams, my beautiful princess." he gave her one final kiss before heading out of the room.
Marinette didn't take her eyes off him as she slipped into the room and closed the door. He really was so wonderful, she thought as she let out a long sigh of adoration. Looking around the room, there was naturally some expensive, lavish furniture and she expected the lit fireplace, but what came as a surprise was the kettle over the fire and the large basin by a chair. Taking a look in the iron kettle, there was water in it for her to soothe her aching feet. She guessed this is what the prince meant when he asked if everything was prepared.
After pouring the hot water into the basin to let it cool a little bit, Marinette slipped out of her gown and into a loose shift they provided, removed the jewelry and washed her face before finally relaxing her feet in the warm water. She had to fight falling asleep then and there, and the bed looked far too comfortable to pass up. She settled herself under the blankets and rested her head on the pillow with the expectance of beautiful dreams of the future.
.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Though the windows were covered with dark curtains, there was a single sliver of sunlight that slipped through the cracks and right onto Marinette's face, breaking her deep sleep. The seamstress didn't know what time it was when she woke up, but she was pretty sure it was too late for breakfast. There was a big part of her that didn't want to care because she was too comfortable to move a muscle. Eventually, she forced herself up. It would be very rude to keep the prince that was now her fiancé waiting after all.
Thankfully, they placed the bag where she kept her regular clothes in the room as well, a simple dark gray bodice and a pink skirt. Once she was dressed, Marinette carefully place the ballgown into the bag. She left the black pearl necklace and earrings on, fearing she'd lose them in the bag or that they might fall out. Then she stops to admire her engagement ring for the dozenth time, just picturing the promising future it represented.
Judging by the light in the windows, it had come close to being noon. She didn't know where Adrien would be right now, since his usual schedule was closed for the next few days following the ball. So, she strolled down the halls for several minutes until she finally caught sight of the footman Jacque. He spotted her as well, and he looked very surprised to see her out.
"Good morning, Jacque." she greeted politely.
He still seemed shocked to see her, but even more so when she said his name. Marinette wondered why.
"May I help you, mademoiselle?" Jacque straightened himself up.
"Yes, can you tell me where the prince is right now? I'm afraid I slept too late to share an early meal with him." Marinette smiled and looked around the area, not noticing the confused look on the man's face.
"Prince Adrien, ma'am?"
"Yes, of course. Who else would I mean?" she looked at him this time, and now he seemed to have his guard up for some reason.
"And what business do you have with his royal highness?" he asked firmly.
Now Marinette was the one confused. "Jacque, are you alright? You seem out of sorts."
"Please answer the question, ma'am. What business do you have with the prince?" he repeated.
Marinette could tell he was being serious, so she answered with a blush. "The prince and I are engaged, remember? He proposed to me last night and the king made the announcement. Then I stayed the night, and he wanted to share a meal with me today."
The right side of his face suddenly flinched, and he reached a hand to rub his temple as if something suddenly struck him.
"What's the matter? Does your head hurt?" Marinette tried to step forward to see, but Jacque just took a step back away from her.
"I'm fine, ma'am, but I must insist that you come with me."
"Umm, sure." Marinette wasn't too sure what was going on, but she followed the footman's lead.
Or rather, she would've liked to follow his lead. Instead of walking ahead with Marinette right behind him, Jacque kept her in front of him and held a hand on her shoulder. He wasn't hurting her, but he did keep a firm grip on her like he was expecting her to run away at any moment. She didn't know what would cause him to behave this way, but she hoped when they met up with Adrien things would be sorted out.
They made it outside to the front area where carriages were leaving to take several of the guests home. Marinette saw King Gabriel and Prince Adrien wishing safe travels to their visitors, while several others were waiting for their turn. One thing that stood out to Marinette the most was Lila Rossi standing awfully close to Adrien right now. Not making contact, but she looked like she was saying farewell alongside the prince. What business did she have being near him like that?
It spiked something in Marinette she didn't like, so she tried call out to get the prince's attention. "Adri-"
"Please be silent, mademoiselle." Jacque stopped her and held both of her shoulders this time, tightly.
"Huh, what? Jacque, what has gotten into you?" she didn't struggle, but she was worried as to why he was holding her down now.
He led her up to the king and his son, interrupting their conversation with the Bourgeois family. "Begging your pardon, your majesty, but I have a matter that requires your attention."
The king turned his focus away from the duke and his family to assess the situation. "What has happened, Jacque?"
"I found this unknown woman wondering around the halls earlier, sire." Jacque gave a simple answer.
"What? What do you mean unknown!? Practically everyone in the palace staff knows who I am!" Marinette called out, thinking this is some kind of joke.
"And just whom might you be?" Gabriel spoke coldly to her. She had only ever heard the voice when he was addressing someone that acted against the crown. But he had never, ever spoken in such a way to her.
"You... your majesty, don't you recognize me?" she asked a little scared.
"If I did, I would have no need to ask such a question, and I do not make a habit of repeating myself." Marinette could hear the growing anger in his tone.
She tried to swallow the nervousness growing in her throat, but her voice still sounded strained when she answered. "I'm Ma- Marinette... Marinette Dupain-Cheng... I'm engaged to your son..."
A loud and exasperating cackle broke up behind them, and everyone turned to find it was Chloe Bourgeois. "That is positively the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my Life!"
"Your majesty, I have to agree with my daughter." The duke spoke over his girl's laughter. "This young lady has some nerve speaking such lies."
"What!? But I am. Adrien proposed to me last night during the ball. His majesty made the announcement..." Marinette tried to explain while pulling away from Jacque, but he wouldn't let her go.
"That's enough, young lady." Gabriel commanded. "I won't have you not only insulting my son, but also insulting his betrothed."
"Father, what's going on?" The prince stepped up to all the commotion with Lila on his arm.
"Adrien, you recognize me, don't you?" Marinette called out to him.
Even though he was looking right at her, Marinette had the feeling like he wasn't seeing her. "I... I'm sorry... but I don't believe I do."
"Who is this young woman, your highness?" Lila asked concerned.
"It's me... Marinette, remember?" Marinette was fighting off tears as her own words were breaking her heart.
Adrien reached to rub his temple as if a sudden headache came upon him. She remembered Jacque doing the same thing. The look on his face still seemed like he had no idea who she was, and it wasn't just him; everyone, even the Bourgeois family looked unfamiliar with her. Was there some sort of force at work here? Surely her prince wouldn't have forgotten her completely. She needed to reach Adrien, there must be some way.
"Don't you remember? We've known each other since we were children." she tried again.
"I... I can't..." Adrien felt like his head was a pounding drum and he couldn't think straight.
"Son, are you alright?" Gabriel walked toward him, but Lila stepped in.
"My poor prince, you must still be feeling the effects from all that celebrating over our betrothal." Lila moved herself closer to him in a half embrace, with one hand behind his back and the other gently touching his chest.
"That's a lie!" Marinette finally slipped away from the footman's grasp and got in front of Adrien to hold his face in her hands. "Adrien, you have to know me, just think. I love yo-"
She was suddenly forced back with a sharp sting left on her cheek. She looked to find Lila's hand raised, her face beaming with hatred.
"How dare you insult his royal highness by being so personal with him!" Lila scolded, then turned to the king. "I don't believe this woman is in her right mind, your majesty."
"I fear you may be right. Jacque, please escort her off the grounds." the king agreed, and the footman moved to follow orders.
Marinette tried to reach Adrien again. He was still holding his head in pain, and she didn't want to make things worse. But he was the only one that could make her claims true. "Adrien..."
Jacque took hold of Marinette one more and gave her a quick shake in discipline. "You will address a member of the royal family accordingly and be grateful for their mercy in letting you leave."
She wanted to fight off more, and she might have if not for the new voice that rang out among the courtyards.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Everyone turned to find Sheriff Adolphe marching up to the nobles with Viscount Roth next to him.
"Your majesty, I'm afraid I must inform you of a crime!" Sheriff Adolphe bowed to his ruler.
"What crime, sheriff?" Gabriel asked collectively.
"There's a thief in your castle, that's what crime!" Robert Roth answered for the sheriff in a great fit.
"Oh, yes that certainly makes sense." Lila commented out of the blue and got everyone's attention again.
"Would you care to explain, Lady Rossi?" Duke Bourgeois asked this time.
"This woman obviously snuck into the palace to look for anything valuable, then went on to saying such ravings so she would be dismissed from the castle and get away with whatever she stole." Lila stepped away from the prince and got closer to Marinette.
"What!? No, I haven't stolen anything! I would never do that!" she denied right away.
"Heh, first thing a thief would say." Chloe remarked.
"But I haven't taken anything..." Marinette pleaded again.
"Then you won't mind if I search your bag." Sheriff Adolphe yanked the strap from Marinette's shoulder before she had a chance to answer. He nearly tore the bag apart as the pink ballgown fell onto the ground along with her shoes and lip rouge.
"That's..." she tried to explain but was cut off by the Viscount's outcry.
"Those are my niece's belongings! How dare you, filthy peasant!" he looked like he was going to strike her, but held himself back.
Sheriff Adolphe then grabbed Marinette by the wrists. "You're under arrest, mademoiselle."
"NO! You've got it all wrong! I'm not a thief! The dress was a gift from Adrien, he told me it belonged to his mother..."
"Gasp, the nerve! Dirtying our beloved late queen's memory with your wicked lies!" Lila said as if she was the one being insulted. "This seems like a crime punishable by execution, does it not?" she addressed the present lords and ladies.
"It seems fitting." Duchess Audrey agreed.
"I'll be sure to take care of her, your ladyship." Sheriff Adolphe started to drag Marinette away, but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.
"NO! Let go of me! I'm not a thief! Adrien, HELP ME! ADRIEN!" she cried and begged for her prince and tried to reach for him as the sheriff started binding her hands together with rope.
Adrien couldn't concentrate well enough to really understand what was going on. There was a lot of yelling, and he really wanted that to stop so maybe he could think if it was quiet. It looked like they were going to hurt that girl. He tried to think about why that bothered him. But it seemed like the more he tried to remember, the more his head would ring like a church bell. One thing that was getting through to him were her cries for help, and he felt the compulsive need to do something. He got up and tried to stop the sheriff.
"Halt, let her go!" he ordered.
Sheriff Adolphe hesitated, then addressed the prince. "Your royal highness, this girl is a thief and must be punished accordingly."
"I said let her go!" Adrien said through his teeth, still feeling the pulsing ache in his brain.
"But sire..." Viscount Roth tried this time, but it was Lila who spoke up again.
"No no, the prince is right. We must be wise about this and show an act of good will to a member of his majesty's kingdom."
"But she is a thief, your ladyship." the sheriff insisted.
"No, I'm Not!" Marinette yelled.
"His majesty invited everyone in the kingdom." Lila ignored Marinette's cries. "And while that was very inclusive, there was still the matter of those that were not welcome. Those poor unfortunate people that beg on the streets for scraps and coins..." The lords and ladies scoffed at the idea of mentioning such a group, but didn't interrupt her. "And now here comes the perfect moment for someone of that nature to come to the palace for a hot meal and merriment for the first time in heaven knows how long. She probably thought that since all these wealthy folk have so much, surely one little dress would go unnoticed, and she could sell it for some more meals."
"That's absurd! I don't need to steal anything! I have my own busine-"
"That doesn't make her any less of a thief." Sheriff Adolphe shook Marinette a bit to shut her up and say what he wanted instead.
"That's why we should show her some mercy." Lila replied gently. "No one was hurt, and Viscount Roth, I'm sure your niece can find much nicer dresses and any shop in the city if you like. I can even offer you a look into my shop..."
Marinette made a jerk at that. What did Lila mean her shop?
"I guess that's true." Viscount chose to agree.
"I shall help the sheriff in escorting this poor woman somewhere she can feel safe, and I'm sure she won't be a bother to anyone ever again." Lila made a signal for someone to bring her horse. The sheriff had placed the gown back in the bag did the slightly decent thing by putting it over Marinette's shoulder since her hands were still bound.
"I'm glad to see you showing some dedication to your new role, Mademoiselle Lila. It's just the sort of thing this kingdom needs in a future queen." Gabriel commented as he helped his son to sit back down to ease his aching head.
"Of course, your highness. I want only to do the right thing when beside my prince." Lila touched a hand to Adrien's cheek like she was caring for a pet.
It made Adrien pull back suddenly, and ask firmly, "You won't hurt her, right?"
"Of course not, my prince, she's in perfect hands." Lila then mounted her horse and led Sheriff Adolphe and Marinette away from the courtyard.
Marinette wanted to protest further that this was all a misunderstanding, but she worried that any further denial would only make things worse. Plus, there seemed to be something seriously wrong with Adrien, and if she was the cause of it, then maybe she should wait for things to calm down. Maybe if she could convince Lila and the sheriff to go to her parents' bakery, they could tell them who she was, and things could be settled. Then once she was free, she could go back to the prince to help him remember her. Course there was still the matter of everyone else. What had happened over the space of one night? How had she been erased from everyone's mind like this? She had to negotiate with the two people holding her, make them understand.
"Lila," she tried to talk to the woman on the horse.
"Yes, what is it?" Lila didn't look at her, but since she was listening Marinette continued.
"I don't know what's happening right now. It's like no one knows who I am anymore. And then there's all this about you being betrothed to the prince. I'm sorry if this hurts you, but Adrien really did propose to me last night. We love each other and we wanted to get married. You have to believe me."
"Oh, but that's the thing, Marinette, I do believe you." Lila did look at her this time. Marinette wasn't sure what made her skin crawl more; the way Lila was giving her a wicked smile, or the fact that she said her name like she knew her. "Sheriff, you can finish tying her up now."
"What!?" She struggled against the sheriff once more as he finished what he started. He ended up tightening the ropes too much, and they were digging into her wrists, but Marinette didn't care about that right now. "You knew who I was the whole time!?"
"Of course I did, you stupid girl. Didn't I warn you that I have more power than you could ever dream?" Lila let her think on the words for a moment.
Marinette did remember what she said to her before. How she was saying she was more powerful than the royal family. Surely that had only been an attempt to scare her. But then Marinette thought about before that, when Lila was accusing her of putting some sort of spell on Adrien. Who would think something like that, unless...
"What have you done?" Marinette demanded.
"You'll find out in due time, but for now I think the town should see you for the little thief that you are." Lila urged her horse forward, and the sheriff dragged the wrongfully accused seamstress down the street.
The cruel woman was good at her word. The sheriff had attached the ropes to Lila's horse, pulling Marinette behind. The animal wasn't galloping, so she was able to keep up, but she couldn't take a rest otherwise the ropes had a chance of yanking her off her feet.
When they passed into the main street of the city, Lila began calling out how they had discovered a thief in the palace, one that meant to do harm to their beloved king and prince. Marinette tried to deny it, of course, and was answered with a spoiling tomato busting into her hair on impact. A few others threw some more fruits and cabbage while saying harsh words that she couldn't really make out because of all the yelling. She only truly felt afraid when she heard someone shout for her to hang. They weren't going to do that, were they? They made a promise to Adrien that they would take her somewhere safe. But what if that was a lie too? She looked up at Lila again, and the woman was looking back to her. Did she hear the citizen as well? The sadistic smile that spread on her thin lips gave Marinette her answer. Yes, she did hear them, and she liked that idea.
"Seems your fellow townspeople weren't so keen on you marrying the prince after all." Lila taunted. "They would rather believe you were a dirty little thief that gets what she deserves."
Marinette knew it wasn't true, but a small dark part of her mind wondered if it was possible. If whatever spell Lila was using caused people to behave this way, maybe there was a part of them that didn't want Adrien to love her. She was just a simple girl after all, what did she have to offer the kingdom? That thought reminded her of the king's words he gave her privately the night before.
"I realize the extra burdens marrying my son will bring upon you. I myself felt the same thing with his mother. Emilie could have easily run the kingdom on her own, and I have faith that Adrien will be the same. I came to the conclusion after we married that the crown is just our occupation, and our lives are still how we choose to make them. Just focus on making him happy, and the rest will fall into place."
Gabriel was right. Marinette made a promise from the beginning that she would always love Adrien no matter what. It didn't matter what the people thought of her right now, she knew the truth. She had to get away. She had to run. The words kept repeating in her head as she looked around for anything or anyone that might help her. If only she had something sharp to cut these ropes.
"That's right! I, Sherriff Adolphe, single-handedly apprehended this dangerous thief and saved the royal family." the foolish man boasted about himself for the hundredth time.
Forget the dungeons, or even the hangman's noose, Marinette found having to listen to this arrogant snake a much greater punishment. Seriously, even to those that are truly strangers to her, does she really look like a dangerous criminal? A small, young woman that was tied to a horse? And he was treating it like he defeated a troll and brought back its head. Surely no one was buying all this, right? Well, Lila certainly seemed to be getting tired of him at least.
"Hey, Sheriff Jackass, you resorting to picking on little girls now?" A familiar face came up to the road. Marinette had never been so happy to see her best friend. "I didn't know you were that desperate if you're resorting to arresting cute girls to get their attention."
"Stand aside, peasant, this does not concer-" the sheriff tried to say before Marinette pushed him to the side and tried to reach for her friend.
"Alya, Help me Please!"
"What!?" the dark redhead gave a look of shock and confusion when she heard her name. "Do I know you?"
Marinette tried to ignore the pain in her heart the question caused. "Alya, it's me, Marinette. These people have done something to everyone to make them forget me. Even Adrien doesn't know me."
"The prince?" Alya clarified, but then was suddenly hit with a sharp pain to her temple, then same as the others. What was going on here? Why did that keep happening?
The sheriff tried to pull her back with the ropes, but Marinette fought against it. "Please, you've got to know me, Alya. You're my best friend..."
"I apologize for the girl, Alya." Lila interrupted, still remaining on her horse. "She was caught stealing and tried to hurt our dear prince in the process..."
"That's Not True!" Marinette denied once again. She took hold of Alya's hands hoping to keep her focus. "Think Alya, you have to remember me."
"Enough of this!" This time Sheriff Adolphe grabbed Marinette by the arm to fully yank her away from Alya. This time he really did knock her off her feet.
"Hey, stop that! You're hurting her!" Alya shouted.
The sheriff didn't comply, but he did address the citizen questionably. "Do you know this woman, mademoiselle?"
Alya forgot about her sudden headache and was prepared to start a fight with the sheriff if necessary. The last thing she was going to do was make it easy for him. "Maybe I do, you pompous old piece of shit. What are you going to do about it?"
"Why you vulgar little..." he reached for the woman getting ready to arrest her as well.
"That's enough, good sheriff." Lila ceased him, then addressed both women. "Although, I'm afraid this is a serious situation."
"What are you talking about, Lila?" Alya asked as Marinette tried to pull herself back up.
"I know that you are too good of a person to be involved with this criminal. But if any part of what she says is true, then I'm afraid we will have no choice but to give you the same charges." Lila made herself look guilty with the explanation.
"You can't do that!" Marinette cried out.
"Well, if you admit the truth and renounce this good woman, then we can end this discussion and be on our way." Lila looked Marinette right in the eye was if telling her to try and challenge her.
The seamstress could see the move the lady made. Any attempts she made at claiming her innocence was going to cause her loved ones to be punished instead. She stopped fighting it as the sheriff once again pulled her to behind the horse.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Lila asked, rubbing it in.
"I... I... N-no, you're right. I don't know this woman." Marinette lowered her head in defeat.
"Wait!" Alya called out and walked up to stand beside the poor girl. She took her hand and then turned to face Lila. "I don't know what's going on here, and I'll admit that I don't know this girl. But I do know the sheriff and what kind of man he can be. Lila, I want you to promise me that you won't let anything happen to her."
"You have my word." the lady smiled gently to ease her mind.
Marinette wasn't falling for it. This was just more lies. She looked Alya in the eyes to silently beg her to understand that she wasn't safe with these two. While the dark toned woman did look at the seamstress with pity, there was still no recollection.
"It's gonna be okay." Alya tried to comfort her with a pat on the forearm, and Marinette just accepted it.
Then she felt something slip into the sleeve of that same arm. She didn't look down, but she noticed Alya winking at her as she walked away. When all three continued down the road again, Marinette felt around her sleeve to find out what she was given. She jerked her other hand away at one point when she felt something sharp against her skin and realized that Alya had snuck a knife on her.
Thank you, Alya. she thought gratefully, not feeling as afraid now.
"Why didn't you let me arrest her? She was interfering with sheriff business." Sheriff Adolphe complained to Lila when they reached the outer wall of the city and were now crossing the bridge.
"Because, my good man, we must stick to our promises. After all, this little thief renounced any involvement with that woman, so we have no reason to arrest her. And I know the same thing will apply if she were to name off associations with anyone else in the kingdom. Say, the bakers? Or perhaps that assistant of yours in that ugly little tailor shop?" Lila looked back at Marinette once more, her threat evident. "How about it, dear? Is there anyone else who can defend you?"
Marinette looked back and forth from the woman to the sheriff. She knew very well how much of a grudge Sheriff Adolphe had against her family. He wouldn't hesitate to have the chance to get revenge on them if there was a cause that the king could not object to. Then there was that threat against Socqueline. Lila was using all her friends and family against her so she wouldn't have anyone left.
"Well!?" Lila urged her to answer.
"No, there's no one." she said softly.
"That's right." They crossed the gate bridge and went a short way into the woods before Lila finally dismounted and ordered the sheriff. "Tie her to that tree."
Marinette let him do as he was told. She didn't struggle on the off chance that he might discover her hidden weapon. Luckily, he separated her hands and tied them behind a small tree so she could still reach the knife and cut herself loose. But first, she wanted some answers, and Lila seemed like the type to gloat.
"Tell me Marinette, how does it feel knowing you've lost everything?" she grinned at the helplessness of this little seamstress that almost ruined her plans.
"You never really explained to me what exactly it was you did." She kept her face neutral, not wanting to give into anger or fear.
"I've erased you from existence. Nobody remembers who you are, and they never will." Lila laughed at her own cleverness.
"How?"
"I have my ways. And now the dear prince will be all mine..."
"That's not true. I saw Adrien, he was trying to remember me. If I can get him to see me again..."
"Then you risk killing him." Lila finished for her.
"What?"
"That's a little bonus part of the spell. Didn't you notice how people would be in pain when you started to tell them who you were?" She watched as Marinette went through the events in her mind. "If you try to prove to anyone of your identity, it will counteract the spell and destroy their minds, either driving them mad or killing them. I can't be sure which it will be, but I don't think you'd be willing to take that risk. And I'm certainly not going to remove the spell."
Marinette felt foolish for asking this, but she couldn't stop herself. "Why are you doing this? If you're really so powerful, then what's the point of all this effort to get rid of me?"
"To become queen, of course." The answer was obvious, but Lila took pride in the opportunity to bask in her eventual success. "With my beauty, charms, and the most powerful magic at my disposal, I will be the most beloved woman that will stand beside the future King of Papillon."
"I already told you that wouldn't work." Marinette found herself with a new form of courage because she knew the truth. "Adrien has more sense than you give him credit for, and he would never love a narcissistic, pathological liar like you!"
"Hmmm, who said anything about love?" Lila's amulet began to glow, and she made a sharp dagger appear in her hand.
This spiked a few fears in Marinette. One for Lila telling the truth about having magic, and another that this crazed woman was armed now and walking toward her.
"D-didn't you say you w-want Adrien to be yours?" she made a weak attempt to stall Lila by keeping her talking so she could take out her own knife to cut the ropes.
"Heh, I only need him alive long enough to marry him and make sure he passes everything to me. Getting Gabriel off the throne will be child's play. Then after an unfortunate accident to the new and young king, his beloved bride will step in as the rightful queen." Lila laid out her plan like she was telling a bedtime story.
Marinette felt her insides freeze at the thought of someone hurting Adrien. "Don't you dare lay a finger on him!"
"Oh don't worry, I won't let anything happen to him yet. Like I said, I need him around until I get him to marry me. The only thing that was making it difficult for me was you." Lila hissed at that last part, not holding back how much she hated the little seamstress.
"M-me?" she asked trembling.
"Indeed." Lila stepped up and pulled out the pink ballgown from Marinette's bag. The young woman watched helplessly as the witch finally used the dagger to tear up the dress. "I thought I would only have to deal with some cute little countess the prince was lusting after and be able to change his interests right away." She tore off a layer of the skirt and split a sleeve. "But then the prince had to be a fool thinking he was in love with a filthy little commoner like You!" She threw the remains of the dress back at Marinette, and it rested on her shoulder.
Marinette was sure her heart rate could be heard back at the palace. Her legs were shaking, and it was taking everything in her to not burst into tears as Lila pointed the dagger at her throat. She worried more about dropping the knife in her hands, and it felt like she was only halfway through the ropes.
"You must think you're so special just because a prince gave you a fancy dress and some jewelry." Lila lifted the black pearl necklace with the dagger. With one tug she broke the cord, causing all the beaded gems to scatter on the ground. "I don't know why such a handsome prince would spare a glance at an ugly, worthless bitch like you. It was even more insulting that more people in the town talked so highly of you rather than acknowledge my good deeds."
Lila grabbed one pigtail roughly, making a sudden cry in pain escape Marinette. "Then you have to go and make me waste my magic on everyone just to get you away from the city so you wouldn't ruin my plans further!" She yelled with another yank on the seamstress' hair and cut it away in one swipe.
Marinette watched as half of her beautiful midnight hair fell away to join the remains of her pearl necklace. She tried pulling at the ropes around her wrists. She still hadn't broken through them, and judging by the menacing look in Lila's eyes, things were only going to get worse.
"Now that I have you away from everyone, I can get rid of you properly. Whether they remember you or not after your death makes no difference to me. They'll just write you off as a simple disappearance and not be able to find you anywhere. Then I'll simply be the little shoulder for the dear brokenhearted prince to cry on and he'll forget about you completely. Everything will continue according to my plan, and you'll be reduced to nothing." She clutched the front of Marinette's bodice and raised the dagger above her head. "Any last words, tailor?"
"NO! Please!" Marinette cried out in vain.
The next few seconds happened in a blink. She wasn't sure if it was the fear of her life, or that the knife had finally done its job and cut her free, but once her arms were out, she made a lunge for the sorceress and knocked her off her feet. Lila tried to compose herself and look for the dagger that fell out of her hands. The sheriff, who was sitting by waiting for his next task, made a move to restrain Marinette once more.
This was when a fight or flight moment kicked in for the seamstress. She didn't want to be taken down by this wretched man again, or killed by a mad woman. She swung the knife at anything she could, which happened to by Sheriff Adolphe's face.
"Ahhhhh! You Goddamned Bitch!" The man screamed and dropped to the ground in pain.
Marinette was in shock to what she just did. The knife was still in her hands, dripping with the sheriff's blood, and her torn dress still hung over her body somehow with her bag at her shoulder. She didn't know what to do now. Horrible man or not, he was still a man of the law and she attacked him. Lila was trying to get back up at that point while touching her amulet to make a strange purple smoke come out of it. Was that her magic? Was she going to use it on her again? Would she kill her?
This time the flight took over, and Marinette made a dash for it deeper into the woods. She clutched everything close to her chest, not looking back even as she heard Lila's voice fade away.
"You Little Bitch! If I Ever See You Again, I'm Going to KILL You the Slowest Way Possible! I Swear! Your DEAD If You Ever Come Back! EVER!"
.~*~*~*~*~*~