Ladybug quickly returned behind the safety of her cottage and released her transformation, turning herself back into Marinette.

She casually walked out from behind it, whistling a catchy tune. She slid into her house and found Prince Adrien sitting on a chair staring out the window. He turned around.

"Hey," he greeted warmly. "Pretty weird stuff that just happened, huh?"

Marinette blushed. "Yeah," she replied. She cleared her throat and sat down on her bed. "So I'm guessing you're hungry?"

Adrien rubbed his stomach. "Strangely enough, as soon as you said that, my stomach growled."

"No problem," Marinette laughed, standing up. She glanced into his soft green eyes and she melted. "W-Would you like bread from the pub?" she stuttered. "Then after we can get my basket and return to the pub for the party?"

Adrien nodded. "Sure," he replied. He was about to stand up when Marinette gently sat him back down.

"No, you need to rest," she said quietly. "I can guess your wound is still hurting."

Adrien shrugged. "Doesn't hurt that much. But please, I insist. Treat me as you would one of your friends."

Marinette sighed before nodding. "Alright."

The two exited the safety of the cottage and this was where Marinette's disguise would be put to the test. She wearily glanced around at her friends as they curiously eyed their new guest. Marinette and Adrien almost made it to the pub when Rose stopped them.

"Hi Marinette," she said softly. She tilted her head at Adrien. "Who's this?"

Marinette let out a sigh of relief. At least Rose didn't recognize him; no one would guess that royalty would even ponder the thought of spending a day in the village. Then Marinette had a bigger problem; calling him by a new name. She glanced over at Adrien. "Uh... his name is... Arnold!"

Marinette desperately hoped Rose would buy it. She bit her lip as she watched Rose inspect Adrien. Then, a weight was lifted off her shoulders when Rose smiled cheerfully.

"Hi Arnold," she smiled. "I'm Rose!"

Adrien glanced wearily at Marinette before meeting Rose's big blue eyes again. "Hi, um, it's nice to be here!" he exclaimed.

Rose squealed in happiness and faced Marinette. "Oh, Marinette, I'm so glad you brought a new friend!"

Marinette laughed slowly. "Yeah!"

"I'm gonna tell the others," Rose said, practically jumping up and down in joy.

Adrien faced Marinette and raised an eyebrow. "Arnold?" he laughed.

Marinette scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "D-Do you like the name?"

"It's fine," Adrien replied with a friendly smile.

Marinette glanced around herself and people were starting to stop in their tracks and look over at the two. She wasn't sure if it was because of the new face, or for some, the familiar one. She shrieked in surprise and hesitantly grabbed Adrien by his sleeve. "We'd better go inside the pub," she whispered in his ear.

The two made way into the pub and sat down at a seat. Marinette waited around anxiously while Adrien looked at her in concern. He leaned in closer to her.

"Hey, if you keep acting the way you do, people will think somethings up," he whispered.

Marinette glanced up at him and sighed. Her eyes watered with confusion. She then embarrassingly buried her head in her hands. "I know, I'm a wreck. I'm just afraid-"

Adrien placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. He smiled softly at her, his emerald eyes warming her soul. Marinette felt her cheeks heat up.

"It's okay," he said reassuringly. "You can do this."

Marinette smiled like a fool. "Y-You're right. I can. I think."

Adrien laughed and removed his hand from her shoulder. Then, they stared at each other. The world blurred out around them and it was just the two of them. Marinette drowned into his emerald eyes. Then, her eyes glanced down at his lips. If only...

A sharp jab was felt on her arm and the connection between her and Adrien ended abruptly. Marinette glanced to her left and stared up in shock. Standing in front of her was a girl with piercing blue eyes and blonde hair that was pulled up into a ponytail. She was wearing a fancy gown and growled at Marinette, then at Adrien.

"Could I have a word with you?" the blonde hissed threateningly at Marinette.

Marinette glanced over at Adrien who stared at the blonde girl in complete and utter terror. Then Marinette faced the irritated girl, shakily stood up, and followed her out of the pub.

"Okay, WHAT did you do to him?" the blonde screeched as the two stopped outside the door.

Marinette gulped in fear, her heart rate increased, and she felt like she was going to faint. Someone was already onto her. But she still tried to play it cool.

"W-What are you talking about?" Marinette stuttered.

"Oh, quit the act you blabbering peasant!" the angry girl replied. "I know my Adrikins when I see him! You turned him into some filthy peasant!"

Marinette lowered her head in shame. "Fine," she mumbled. "You caught me."

"Why hold him hostage, huh? Did you kidnap him? I bet you did!"

"No!" Marinette defended. "He was hurt and I had to help him."

"Uh huh, sure. Probably want him to love you, don't you? Well TOO BAD! Adrien hates peasants. You're kidding yourself if you think he likes you."

Marinette felt her heart stab with pain, but she refused to believe the blonde girl. "What's your name?" Marinette asked.

The blonde gasped in fake shock. "How DARE a peasant ask for my name?! I should have you executed for that. My Daddy works for the King, you know."

Marinette raised an eyebrow, ignoring the girls' previous remarks. "Wait, you're a Bourgeois?"

The girl flipped her hair. "Of course."

Marinette lowered her head. "You're Chloe, aren't you?" she mumbled.

"The one and only!" Chloe replied. "And now everyone will know YOUR name when I report you to the Kings' guards!"

Marinette's eyes widened. "No! Please don't!"

Chloe crossed her arms and smirked devilishly. "And why not? Because you'll be executed and Adrien will return to the Kingdom where he belongs?"

Marinette's eyes traveled to the ground and she remained quiet.

Chloe gasped. "Oh! Does little peasant girl like my Adrikins?"

Marinette didn't answer.

"Huh. How fun!"

Marinette looked up and shot daggers into Chloe. She was very tempted to transform into Ladybug and teach Chloe a lesson. But she knew that's not why she was gifted her powers. "Don't tell anyone he's here Chloe. You know his father would be furious at him too!"

"Duh," Chloe said, rolling her eyes. "How about a deal. You let Adrien go back to the Kingdom with me, and I won't let the King know this little incident happened when he returns from his trip."

Marinette bit her lip and sighed. She would never see Adrien again, but it was better than him getting punished by the King and possibly putting Marinette's village in danger. Then again, she was Ladybug. She could practically do anything.

"So?" Chloe snapped impatiently.

Marinette sighed. Goodbye Adrien, she thought.

Marinette opened her mouth to talk when the door suddenly opened and Adrien walked out. She and Chloe jumped in shock.

"What's going on?" Adrien asked, looking between Marinette and Chloe. He walked over by Marinette.

Chloe giggled innocently. She then leaned in and whispered into Adrien's ear. "Adrien, I know you're being held here against your will. Come back with me to the Kingdom."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? What are you talking about? My name isn't 'Adrien,' it's Arnold."

Chloe huffed and placed her hands on her hips. She laughed annoyingly, grabbing Adrien by his arm. "Oh, you're so funny. Now let's go!"

Adrien glared at Chloe. "Please let go of me. I'd hate to tarnish your petite hands with my dirt."

Chloe gasped and removed her hands from Adrien's arm. She glanced at them and screamed. They were covered with dirt. "EWWWWW!" she shrieked.

Villagers looked over at the blonde in shock. Meanwhile, Chloe was jumping up and down and flailing her hands in the air with disgust.

"This is not over!" she screeched before running away.

Marinette sighed and leaned up against the building. Adrien joined her and sighed. "I'm sorry about her," he apologized. "Father forced us to date because he believed we were the 'perfect couple.' He was wrong."

"I'd say so," Marinette nodded slowly.

"What was she talking to you about?" Adrien asked curiously. "Hopefully nothing too rude."

Marinette bit her lip before speaking. Was it safe to tell Adrien? She didn't want to worry him while he was able to enjoy his newfound freedom.

"Just... that she was surprised to see you here."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Wow, really? Not that she wanted me to go back to the Kingdom with her?"

"Nope."

Adrien smiled happily. "Wow, this day just keeps getting better."

"Yeah," Marinette replied slowly.

"Girl!" a voice called out. She quickly turned around and faced her friend Alya. "Good, you're here early. Time to set up for the party!"

Alya then looked over at Adrien. As soon as she did so, she gasped. "You!" she screeched. She rolled up her sleeves and charged for Adrien. He backed away in fear.

"Stop!" Marinette yelled, pushing back Alya.

"Why is he here?" she asked incredulously, her eyes burning with hate.

Marinette sighed. "He was hurt so I... helped in."

"Help him?" Alya asked, pointing at him. "He has servants that will serve his every beck and call! And you hid this from me? Oh, I am SO mad at you!"

Marinette lowered her head in shame. Adrien frowned. He couldn't watch the event unfold any longer.

"No, please," he said, stepping in. "It's my fault. I wanted to be free from the uptight conditions of the castle. Honestly. Marinette could've sent me off but I wanted to stay. Hate me all you want, but don't get mad at Marinette."

Alya sighed, processing his words. She pinched her nose. "Fine."

Marinette raised her head slowly to face her friend.

"But I don't understand," Alya continued. "Why would you leave the Kingdom? You have everything you could possibly want! And what about your father treating us like dirt? He was behind the death of Marinette's father you know!" Alya shrieked and quickly placed a hand over her mouth. With Marinette nearby, the brunette knew she had gone too far.

Adrien gasped in shock at Alya's last comment. "He... what?" The blonde boy glanced over at Marinette. "Is what she said true?"

Marinette nodded slowly. She then scratched the back of her head and tried to lighten up the situation. "But it's over now! Who cares, right?"

Adrien's eyes fell to the floor. "I'm... sorry about your father. Really, I had no idea," he mumbled.

The air around them silenced and it was just the three of them. All Marinette could think about was how Adrien was feeling. To find out your father wasn't as innocent as you thought he was? The feeling must be unreal.

Marinette took a few steps forward. "I'm going to get my basket," she said quietly to Alya and Adrien. "And please don't tell anyone he's here, Alya."

Alya nodded to her friend. Marinette then left the two and walked to the forest. Luckily, the basket was still sitting in the grass where she left it.

She was about to leave again with the basket in hand when a scream was heard. Marinette abruptly turned around and noticed Chloe was on her butt, sliding away from a shadowy figure. The figure came into view, and that's when Marinette gasped and dropped her basket, its contents spilling everywhere.

She knew it was time to transform. And for this special occasion, it was no robber, but something that looked way worse.

Marinette quickly hid behind a tree and Tikki flew out of her pocket. She clenched her fists.

"Tikki, spots on!"