"Put the gun down, Chloe," Adrien said cautiously.

Chloe's face twisted strangely, like she smelled something repugnant. She then cackled loudly. "You're so funny, Adrikins! But I don't think so. The only way this gun is being put away is if you follow my request."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

Chloe smirked, her plan going according to plan. She leaned in closer to Adrien, grabbed his shoulder, and squeezed it tightly. Adrien flinched from the pain.

"Marry me," she whispered in his ear, her tone as poisonous as venom.

"That's it?" Adrien asked hesitantly.

"Well, no," Chloe snickered. She toyed with the gun in her hands, admiring the barrel. Thankfully, her finger strayed far from the trigger.

"I know your little secret," she nodded, glancing up at Adrien with her chilling blue eyes.

Adrien's heart beat quickened. Chloe knew he was Chat Noir! Oh no. Adrien bit his lip and laughed nervously. "W-What secret?"

Chloe groaned annoyingly. "That you like that peasant girl!" she hissed.

Adrien felt relief flow through his veins. Phew. She didn't know his true secret. But then her statement made him think. Was he falling in love with Marinette? No, he loved Ladybug...

"Hello?!" Chloe barked. She pointed the gun back at Adrien. "You better say yes or else your pretty little face will suffer."

Adrien wanted to laugh with amusement. She wouldn't pull the trigger. Not Chloe. A slight smile cracked on Adrien's lips.

Chloe huffed, offended that he was finding the situation amusing. She aimed the pistol slightly to the right of Adrien and pulled the trigger. A loud bang rang out throughout the forest and a tree payed the ultimate price.

Adrien stared in disbelief. He wasn't expecting that. Chloe smirked.

"Now do you believe me?" she asked, tilting her head.

Adrien gulped, feeling terrified. "Look, Chloe. We can work this out."

"Course we can. If you marry me. Oh, and did I mention, if you go with me, I can act like this journey of yours never happened," Chloe said slowly. She smirked and batted her eyes innocently. "That'll be the smartest option."

She began circling around Adrien like a cheetah and its prey. "Your father will never find out and your little friend will be safe..."

Those words smacked Adrien in his face. Marinette would be safe... That's what mattered after all, right? He couldn't afford to put anyone else in danger.

"Fine," Adrien sighed, his eyes falling to the ground. "I'll marry you."

Chloe squealed happily and dropped the pistol. She grabbed Adrien by his arm and squeezed it tightly. "I knew you'd pick the right choice! Now let's get you out of those clothes!"

She dragged Adrien into the castle just as the sun was setting below the horizon. Would his lady be able to handle herself?

*

Earlier...

"I'll stop talking now," Ladybug laughed sheepishly at Adrien.

He laughed, his cheeks beet red. "Alright."

Ladybug gave off a slight wave and then threw her yoyo into the air, soaring away. She zoomed through the sky, the wind brushing into her face. She happily smiled, feeling elated.

Ladybug landed back on the ground in the village. She hid behind a tree and released her transformation.

Marinette stepped out from behind the tree and immediately noticed that her friend Alya was boarding up the pub. She gasped and ran over to her friend.

"What's going on?" Marinette asked.

Alya sniffed sadly, her eyes watering. "The pub is out of business, girl."

Marinette gasped. "What?! But how! We were doing so well."

"Apparently not," Alya said. She gestured around the village. Food stands were destroyed and people were weeping.

"What happened?" Marinette breathed in shock.

"The King's guards, that's what happened," Alya mumbled sadly. She met the eyes of her shocked friend. "He came back, Marinette."

Marinette felt the breath leave her lungs. The King had returned. Why would he leave his trip so early and wreak havoc on the village? Unless.. someone told him that Adrien was there.

Marinette clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes. Chloe. She told him!

Then, a bigger problem dawned on Marinette. Adrien! She needed to go back for him! What if the guards found him? A faint gunshot was then heard in the distance, startling her.

"I need to go!" Marinette exclaimed. She started running away when all of a sudden, a loud horn pierced her ear drums.

She stopped in her tracks and covered her ears. She looked around and noticed that the village was being invaded by the King's guards. And they were back with containment cells.

Marinette shrieked as a guard on a horse flew past her. She quickly dodged and nearly fell backwards from the force.

All of the carriages stopped at the entrance of the village. Then, Marinette saw the King standing right beside a guard. He stood with his arms crossed behind his back, his face void of emotion.

Villagers hollered angrily at him, but they were brutally ignored. The King spit orders at the guard in charge before exiting back into a chariot.

"All peasants will be detained and sentenced to death!" he yelled, his voice echoing.

The air was filled with rage as villagers protested. The guards wasted no time in capturing them. They approached them with swords drawn.

Marinette glanced around frantically for Alya. She spotted her friend, who was terrifyingly backing up against the pub.

"Alya!" Marinette yelled, but her friend didn't hear her over the ruckus. Marinette was about to yell it again when someone nudged her on the back forcefully. She quickly spun around and was face to face with a sharp sword and an annoyed guard.

"You there!" he hollered. "You're coming with me. The King especially wants to see you!"

"I don't think so!" Marinette exclaimed. She swiftly ducked an attack and ran away.

She stopped behind a cottage, catching her breath. Tikki flew out of her pocket.

"We have to do something!" Marinette exclaimed.

Tikki nodded. "Yes! It's go time!"

"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette yelled. Her normal peasant clothes were replaced with the Ladybug suit in a matter of seconds. She emerged from behind the building and climbed up on its roof.

She inspected the landscape. Buildings were set aflame. People were being shoved into wooden containment cells. It was chaos. Then, Ladybug's eyes landed on Alya. Her friend was brutally beaten by a guard and then thrown into a containment cell. Ladybug growled and clenched her fists. That drew the line.

Ladybug sprang up, did a graceful spin in the air, and then landed smack dab in front of the guard. She swung her yoyo out in front of her and then smacked him upside the face. He fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Release them all now!" Ladybug yelled to the King.

He smiled maliciously, standing up. "Ah, Ladybug. So nice of you to pay me a visit. But I think I'm content with my earnings." He pointed a finger at Ladybug. "Attack her!" he commanded. A flock of guards rushed towards her, their swords drawn.

Ladybug furrowed her eyebrows, swinging her yoyo threateningly fast.

Alya yelped in the distance. "Help us, Ladybug!"

The carriages with the prisoners started off, the villagers' cries for help echoing in the distance

Ladybug faced her pursuers. She would do anything to save the ones she cared about. "Bring it," she hissed.