A/N - Sorry for the delay bringing this chapter to you. I ended up re-writing the whole chapter, but I think it's better (although much longer) than the previous version. Enjoy 😊

Adrien really couldn't take his eyes off Marinette. He knew he shouldn't be staring, it was very ungentlemanly of him, but she was far more interesting than the copy of David Copperfield that Nathaniel let him borrow out of the library. She was sitting on a little settee by the window, sewing a dress out of some material that Zoé had given her. She had spent most of the last few days working on it while Fu and Nathaniel worked on ways to try and get him and Marinette across the border and back to the Capital.

He hated knowing they would have to leave. While there was a renewed sense of urgency due to his apparent death now spreading across the country, and he feared for the lives of his father and cousin, every day closer to returning to the palace meant another day closer to when he would have to say goodbye to her. If he could bottle up time, he would lock them away just as they were right now. He, sitting in a chair with a book by the fire. She, absorbed in her project with the adorable way she poked her tongue out to one side as she concentrated. The soft red fabric cascading over her lap.

She noticed Adrien looking at her from across the room. She looked up and smiled, a touch of red spreading across her cheeks. Adrien thought it matched the colour of the dress. Red looked good on her.

"How are your eyes today?" She asked, tucking her hair back behind her ear.

"It gets better every day." He smiled back. "I can almost count the freckles on your nose from here."

Her cheeks rapidly deepened in colour. "How do you even know I have freckles if you can't see them?"

"Because my near vision is better than my distant one." He smirked. "And I do tend to wake up before you, so what else am I supposed to do in the morning while you sleep?"

Adrien wasn't sure it was possible for Marinette to get any redder as she focused back onto her dress. She was smiling though, and that was without a doubt his favourite look on her. Adrien could hardly imagine going back to a time where he didn't wake up to see Marinette's face. He knew the servants in the place had already noticed her bed was never slept in, but they at least kept their discretion, They might do nothing more than hold hands, even if he wanted so desperately to hold her close to him, but he could feel her warmth next to him and it brought him so much comfort.

Marinette smirked a little. "What is it?" She chuckled at the amused look on his face. "You look like the cat that caught the mouse."

Adrien shrugged. "Maybe I did." He said with a smug air. "Or a bug."

Marinette stopped her sewing and looked over at him. "Oh? What's that supposed to mean?"

Adrien folded his arms and put his nose in the air. "Can't tell you yet... it's a secret."

Marinette rolled her eyes but was giggling. "Fine. You keep your little secrets Kitty, but I'll wriggle it out of you. You'll see."

She went back to her sewing, but Marinette could feel Adrien was still looking at her over his book. Last night Master Fu had spoken to Adrien after dinner, and she could only assume he must have told the Prince about the prophecy. Adrien had been fairly quiet at bed time, so she didn't like to ask, but this morning he had been unusually chipper, even dare she say... attentive? Well at least more attentive than usual.

A few minutes later, Zoé came in and asked them if they would join the others in the dining room. It was too early for dinner, so Adrien assumed they must have had some news since Zoé and Nathaniel had gone into the village earlier in the day. As they entered the dining room they found Master Fu, Alix and Nathaniel sitting at the table with papers across it.

"Please, take a seat." Nathaniel said, indicating the empty seats at the table. "We have some news for you."

Zoé picked up one of the pages on the table and handed it to Adrien. "I went to talk to the editor of the newspaper and asked them about who had contacted them in regards to your death. He gave me this official notice that was sent to them by an anonymous courier."

Adrien looked over the note. It was short and concise with limited detail except for the false date of when his death was supposed to have occurred. There was, however, one crucial detail on the back of the envelope the note came in.

"It has the royal seal." Adrien said, showing the wax butterfly emblem to Marinette. "Only a letter originating from the palace could have bared such a seal."

Zoé nodded. "That was why the editor ran the story without question. Clearly whoever was behind this wanted news to spread quickly with no questions asked. This same letter was sent to other papers all around the country."

"But it also means those men were acting under orders." Marinette added, a knot twisting in her stomach. She turned to Adrien, a look of horror on her face. "Who in the Palace would want you dead?"

Adrien swallowed and shook his head. "I thought this was just something personal between myself and XY... retribution for having him thrown out of the academy. But he couldn't have sent this. If they would go to these sorts of lengths to get to me, then my father and cousin would be in grave danger too."

"I could try to forge new documents." Alix volunteered. "I don't have the equipment Max had but..."

"It would be too high of a risk." Fu said solemnly. "We can't risk you all being arrested. I have read the ruins. We need a different option."

Alix looked frustrated. "Then the only other way would be through the mountains. It will take longer, but there is a safe house..."

"I think I might be able to help." Nathaniel piped in. All eyes focused on him curiously. "While I was in town this morning I happened to run into Father Antoine..."

Alix started to chuckle. "A priest? You're not even a Christian Nath."

Nath rolled his eyes. "I don't have to be to respect the man. He has helped the resistance enormously with food and supplies for many of the poor and displaced from the war. Anyway, I was talking to him down at the general store and it turns out he has a soft spot for young couples wanting to marry."

Zoé was giving Nathaniel a knowing smile and nod, but Alix was just looking confused. "I'm sorry, how exactly is that supposed to help here?"

Nath was looking at her clearly unamused. "You need documents to go with these passes right?" He said, pointing to the pass documents on the table. "All married couples are issued with legitimate marriage licenses signed by the local magistrate. Now normally you have to give more notice and the marriage bands are announced and all that, but because of the war Father Antoine is wavering the wait period so couples can marry while soldiers are on leave." A mischievous grin then grew on Nath's face. "I told him that I know a young couple that might be willing to take him up on such an offer."

Marinette could feel her heart begin to pound in her chest. Adrien shifted forward in his seat. "Do you think it can work?"

"I can't see why not." Nath assured him. "You only have to convince the Priest that you're in love with each other and want to get married. That shouldn't be too hard." He was clearly amused at their flushed faces. Alix, however, was always the voice of reason.

"Hold up. You do remember don't you that the Prince is supposed to be marrying Princess Kagami? Last time I checked, polygamy was still illegal in DuPont. Not to mention the Agreste name would be like a red flag on any documents."

"Of course we know." Zoé replied. "But any marriage that has not been consummated can also be annulled. They just need the documentation to get to the Capital. After that, they can go their separate ways if they wish. As for the names, you are right. If you could use other names, possibly family names since these are legal documents, it would help to be less obvious."

Adrien felt a flutter in his chest. "I think it could work." Adrien said hopefully, looking at Marinette to gauge her reaction. She seemed a little dazed, her eyes fixed on the table.

"I hoped you would think so." Nathaniel said, noticing how pensive Marinette had become. "We really can't find another way that wouldn't put you in more danger. I took the liberty to invite Father Antoine for afternoon tea to discuss it. He should be here shortly. That is if you are agreeable to this arrangement Lady Marinette."

All eyes in the room fell on her. She had her hand clenched firmly on the table and Adrien thought he could see tears forming in her eyes.

"M'lady?" He asked gently. Suddenly Marinette stood up.

"I..." she began before her voice choked. "I think I need some air."

Without another word, she turned and rushed out the side door and into the garden.

"Marinette." Adrien called, grabbing his stick and following her out. Nathaniel went to follow, but Fu put out a hand to stop him.

"Let the Prince speak to her." He said calmly. "It is a choice they must make for themselves."

Outside, Adrien searched the gardens before he found Marinette sitting on one of the benches, her eyes fixed on the pool of water below the fountain.

"Marinette?" He called gently.

"I'm sorry, your highness. I shouldn't have run away like that."

Well that stung a little. "Oh, so we're back to that are we?" He rested his stick against the bench and sat down next to her. "I thought we had agreed that you would call me Adrien. You're not a stranger to me, Marinette."

She didn't respond but he could see a tear trail down her cheek and his shoulders slumped forward. "I'm the one that should be apologising to you." He said, his hands fisting his trousers. "You ran away to hide from a forced marriage and now you're being presented with another one, and it's my fault."

Marinette turned her head slightly towards him, but she still was avoiding his eye. "It's not that." She said quietly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I understand that this might be our only way to cross the border, and get you back to the Capital."

There was a beat of silence before Adrien ventured to speak again. "Marinette, I'm sure you know by now how I feel about you, how much I'm falling in..."

"Don't." Marinette cut him off. "Please don't say it. I don't think my heart could take hearing you say it."

Adrien took her hand between his and his tender gaze was only making things for Marinette that much harder. "Marinette." He said, his voice soft. "I know that my position comes with certain complications, but I can assure you Princess Kagami doesn't want this marriage of alliance anymore than I do."

"The choice isn't yours to make Adrien. You and I both know that. Would your father really want to risk an alliance that could end the war because your heart was asking him not to?" She was trying to hold her emotions back, but her voice was betraying her. She could see the pain in his eyes, but also the truth they both knew. "I didn't think so."

Standing up she stood closer to the water watching a little bird splashing under where the water was gently cascading down. "We would be just fooling ourselves that anything can ever really change?"

"I love you." Adrien said suddenly, standing up but remaining at a distance. "Nothing changes that. Not my father, not my betrothal, not even my country. I would give it all for love. I would give it all for you."

She closed her eyes, trying to calm the beating of her heart at hearing those words uttered out loud. "But then what happens when we return to the Capital?" She said, wrapping her arm around herself and turning back to face him. "The King has the marriage annulled, you marry the Princess and I might have to still marry Lord Barbot."

"I can't believe that." Adrien said vehemently, stepping closer. "I won't believe it."

"Adrien." She sighed. "You are the crown Prince of DuPont..."

"Then what about the prophecy?"

Marinette furrowed her eyebrows. "What about the prophecy? What did Master Fu tell you?"

"That the union of the Ladybug and Black Cat would end the war." Adrien moved closer to her, without his stick the limp was more pronounced, but he didn't care. "Marinette, I know. I know you're the Ladybug I met at the masquerade ball."

Marinette shook her head slowly. "No, I'm not." She said sadly, turning away from him. "It was someone else you met that night. A girl who was young and naive and believed in love and dreams. I'm not that girl anymore. I'm older and wiser now. You have to marry Princess Kagami. That is how we end this war and there is no other way." Marinette looked over her shoulder towards him. "Did... did Master Fu tell you it was me?" She said dismayed. "I can't believe he told you when I asked him not to."

"No, he didn't." Adrien assured her. "Come. Sit back down with me and I'll explain." He offered her his hand. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his and allowing him to lead her back to the bench.

Adrien could feel her trembling and he wasn't sure if it was because she was upset, or from the cold breeze. Slipping off his coat, he wrapped it around her shoulders. "When I spoke with Fu last night he told me about the prophecy and the rest of the story that my mother didn't remember, about the Princess and the Knight and what happened to them. He said that they had formed an invisible string that bound their souls to one another for eternity through the jewels they exchanged - so each of them would hold a part of the other."

"Soulmates." Marinette nodded, pulling his coat closer around her. "I've heard that story before. Do you really believe it though?"

"I'll be honest, I didn't know what to believe. I felt so conflicted last night, wondering what I was supposed to do. If Ladybug was my soulmate how would I even find her after all these years?" A smile then spread across his lips. "Then my answer fell out of your pocket."

Marinette looked at him confused until he continued. "When I woke up this morning, I found a little bundle on the bed. I recognised my handkerchief, the one I had wrapped your injured hand in that night at the masque. The earrings inside only confirmed it." Marinette felt in her pocket for her earrings. He must have placed them back in her pocket. Taking them out, she unwrapped the handkerchief to expose the earring inside. "More than once, even when I couldn't see, your voice sounded so familiar, now I know why? Marinette, why didn't you tell me it was you?"

Tears began to form again in her eyes. "Because it was only going to hurt both of us knowing." She spoke softly. "You were so kind to me that night, and when you ended up in my care in that field hospital, I just wanted to do everything I could to serve my country... to return my Prince safe and well and, as in my own way, repay that kindness." Marinette wiped her eyes. "But the longer I stayed with you, the closer we became to each other, I realised I was falling in love with you. Like the Princess and the Knight all those centuries ago, our love is just as impossible. I wonder if that has always been the way with every holder of the Ladybug and Black Cat jewels? To love the one they can never be with."

"Do you mean like a curse? But if that was true, then what could the prophecy have meant?"

Marinette stood up and walked back over to the water to think. She had to take emotion out of the equation and consider what was good for the country. If her and the Prince could never be together, then what did the prophecy mean? How could they form a union? Unless...? She looked at the earrings in her hand before putting them in her ears. "It said the union of the Ladybug and Black Cat, right? A union. So that's what we need to do." She declared, holding her fist in her hand. "Nath is right, a marriage is the best way for us to get the documents we need to pass the checkpoint and get you back to the Capital. Marriage is a union after all, so it fulfills the condition of the prophecy? Once we return, the marriage will be annulled and it will be like it never happened."

Adrien stood back up and walked over to her. "But it will have happened." He said, taking her hand in his. "And part of me wants to pretend that it's real, that it could last forever."

"Adrien..."

"No, I know what you're saying." He said sadly, pressing his forehead to hers. "But it doesn't change how I feel." He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss there. "Adrien Agreste, Prince of DuPont must marry Princess Kagami, but not Adrien De Vanily. Even if it's only for a short while, he is free to love whom he chooses."

"And I guess Marinette Dupain is the one betrothed to Lord Barbot, not Marinette Cheng." She replied, her voice becoming breathless. Adrien pressed his lips to her forehead and she closed her eyes, leaning into his soft touch. Dear god she wished that this could be real too.

"Oh, excuse me." An unfamiliar voice interrupted. The two looked over to find a middle aged man in a black coat with a white collar around his neck. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but I'm Father Antoine. I was invited by Sir Kurtzburg but I seem to have gone the wrong way around the garden."

"He's just inside." Adrien smiled, extending his hand. "Hi, I'm Adrien De Vanily." He said smoothly. "And this is my beautiful fiancée, Marinette Cheng."

Hearing those words made Marinette's heart skip a beat.

"Ah, you must be the lovely couple Nath told me about." The Priest beamed. "I'm so delighted to meet you both. Cheng, did you say? Is that Chinese?"

Marinette nodded. "Yes, my mother's family still resides in Shanghai."

Antoine's face lit up. "Really? I've been to Shanghai. Went there with the missions when I was a younger man. Beautiful place... beautiful people. I hope to go back and visit it again someday."

Antoine chatted happily with Marinette about the family he had stayed with in The Bung on his Shanghai visit as they walked their way back to the house. Nath breathed a secret sigh of relief when they entered and Adrien was holding Marinette's hand.

"Nath, hello again." Father Antoine greeted. "And Lady Zoé too."

"I see you met our two lovebirds." Nath said, catching Adrien's wink and nod.

"Indeed, indeed. They do seem a charming couple if I may say so. However I do have some standard questions for Mr De Vanily and Miss Cheng if I may."

Nath led the group to a parlor room where tea and cakes were set out. Both he and Zoé, as the house hosts, sat down with Adrien, Marinette and Father Antoine. Adrien quietly asked Nath where Master Fu and Alix were, and Nath said they had gone to meet with a contact from the underground.

"Adrien." Marinette whispered as Nath talked with Father Antoine. "What if I say something wrong?"

"You'll be fine." Adrien smiled, patting her hand. "Just let me do the talking."

"So, first things first." Father Antoine began as Zoé poured the tea. "How and when did you two meet?"

"At a party my father was having two years ago." Adrien said with a broad smile. If it was one thing he had become very good at over the years, it was how to talk to people. It was a skill his father ingrained into him from a young age, knowing he would have to converse with people from all manner of backgrounds on a range of topics. "She fell over in the gardens and I helped her up. You could say though I was the one falling for her."

That elicited a chuckle from Father Antoine. So far so good, Adrien thought to himself. It wasn't totally a lie after all which made things easier.

"I guess when you were called to military service it put marriage plans on hold?" Father Antoine noted, picking up one of the cupcakes on the table and taking a bite.

They both nodded.

"It's good that you met before the war began. I don't object to whirlwind romances, but it isn't always the soundest base for a marriage. You are taking vows, serious vows before God, and it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Zoé, I do believe these are the best honey cakes you have made so far. Your skills are improving."

"Thank you Father, I've been perfecting the recipe for some time. If you need any more jars of honey, let me know. We just harvested some more."

Marinette could feel nerves churning in her stomach as Zoé and Father Antoine talked. It wasn't that she thought Father Antoine would say no, if anything he seemed quite enthusiastic about them, it was more the lie... or at least the perceived lie. They were going to be taking vows, legal vows with the knowledge that they can't keep those vows. She felt Adrien must have been reading her thoughts because he reached under the table to hold her hand, rubbing small soothing circles on the back with his thumb.

"I seemed to have gotten sidetracked." The priest chuckled, addressing Marinette and Adrien once more. "Now where was I? Oh yes, what about children? Have you discussed that?"

Both Nathaniel and Zoé had to bite back a laugh at how bright red Marientte's face turned.

"Oh yes, I love children." Adrien replied enthusiastically. "I always wanted to have a family."

"Good to hear. Any number of children in particular?"

"Three."
"Four."

Adrien and Marinette looked at each other, her eyes wide. She hadn't meant to say that out loud. Everyone else started to laugh.

"I guess the answer to that one is in God's hands." Father Antoine smiled. "But you both seem to be on the same page which is wonderful. I see no reason why we can't proceed with the wedding." Adrien could see relief wash over the faces of both Nath and Zoé.

"Now, let's go over some of the more basic details. Would two days be sufficient time to prepare?"

"Two days?" Marinette gasped. "I don't... what about a dress and..."

"How about that red one you've been working on?" Adrien asked. "Aren't you almost done with it?"

Marinette nodded slowly. "I guess I could. It needs some finishing touches though."

"Good." Father Antoine said, please. "Nath happened to just catch me between trips because I will be heading South with supplies by the weekend."

"I thought the underground took supplies." Zoè queried. The priest gave her a serine smile.

"The underground takes supplies to heal and nourish the body, I take supplies to heal and nourish the soul."

Adrien decided he had taken a liking to Father Antoine. He didn't pretend to understand him, but he could see he was a good man that just wanted to see the best in people and help them be happy.

"Now, when you arrive for the ceremony I will have all the documents ready for you to sign. You will need to have two witnesses. I'm assuming that it will be Nath and Zoé?"

"That's right." Nath confirmed.

"Fine, fine. The whole ceremony is actually quite short and simple. I will say a few words, you say I do, repeat the vows after me, you kiss and we are all done."

Marinette hoped that only Adrien heard when she sucked in a breath at the mention of 'kiss'. She hadn't even thought about that part.

After chatting about a few unrelated topics, Father Antoine took his leave to go and prepare for the evening service, passing pleasantries with Master Fu and Alix as they were heading back in.

"We have heard some news." Master Fu said, his face concerned. "There are rumors that the King is gravely ill."

"What?" Adrien exclaimed. "Is it serious?"

"Serious enough that he has appointed a Regent... Lord Barbot."

Instinctively, Adrien wrapped an arm around Marinette's shoulders protectively.

"What about my cousin?"

"Not sure." Alix said. "The castle is in total lockdown to protect Princess Kagami from the kidnap threat."

Adrien rubbed his chin. "So... must have received the documents somehow? What about our friends?"

"I don't think they delivered the message." Fu said sadly. "From what we understand, Nino and Alya are being held on a prisoner island and we have no word on Captain Luka."

Nath placed a supportive hand on Adrien's shoulder. "No news is good news in this climate." He assured him. "It means the Captain hasn't been caught."

Adrien knew he was probably right. Zoé then perked up and turned to Marinette.

"Say, you mentioned that you need some things to finish off your dress. What were you after?"

Marinette thought for a moment. "Some lace maybe." She said thoughtfully. "And maybe some flowers."

"Then you should go to the Blue Moon Markets tonight."

Marinette blinked at her. "Blue Moon Markets?"

"Yes! It's a night market that is held during a blue moon. They have many handicrafts and foods..."

"Not to mention music and entertainment." Nathaniel added. "We can all go."

"Oh no." Alix said, shaking her head and waving her hand around. "I don't do festivals and dancing or any of that stuff. I have a date tonight with a warm bed, thank you very much."

Nath just shook his head. "What about you Master?"

"I think the Autumn chill is too much these old bones, but you young people go and enjoy yourselves."

*****

"Just look at this needlepoint work." Marinette gushed as she looked over the wares of one of the stalls. "It's so intricate. Awww, these little baby booties are just adorable."

She held up a cream pair of crochet baby booties with white ribbon.

"So was that true what you said to Father Antoine? About wanting three children?"

Marinette looked away shyly with a soft smile. "I guess I shouldn't have blurted it out like that, but yes. I always had this daydream about living in a house with a beautiful garden, maybe by a lake, and having my children playing happily around me. A girl and two boys."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "That's oddly specific."

"Oh it gets worse, I even named them. Emma, Louis and Hugo."

"I like those names." Adrien grinned. "I never had a specific number in mind myself, just that I wanted more than one. Sometimes it was a bit lonely being an only child, and Félix only came to visit sometimes. Four seemed an even number, so no one would ever be alone. I never went so far as to choose names though."

Adrien slipped his hand into hers as they moved through the fair crowd, lacing their fingers together. Marinette's eyes then caught sight of a beautiful ruby ring amongst a table of gems and jewels.

"I can buy it for you if you like it so much." Adrien offers. It was at least the third item he had offered to buy for her.

Marinette shook her head. "Adrien, if I let you buy me everything I liked, we would need a whole wagon to transport it."

"But don't you want something more than just these flowers and lace." Adrien asked, holding up the drawstring bag he was carrying.

"Yes, I want to try whatever they are making over there." Marinette declared, practically skipping away. Adrien had to smile to himself. For the first time Marinette seemed to have been really enjoying herself.

She ran over to where Zoé and Nathaniel had bought some food, tasting some for herself. There was a huge bonfire and music being played by a folk band. It was indeed a rare taste of freedom for Adrien. Being a small country village, none of the townsfolk would recognise their Prince, so he could move freely without being harassed. For tonight he could pretend he was Adrien De Vanily, engaged to marry Marinette Cheng, and the rest of the world didn't exist.

"Where have you been?" Nathaniel asked when Adrien eventually wandered over to them.

"There was an intense game of horseshoes going on, but I lost my wager." He chuckled.

"Aren't you going to buy something for yourself?" Marinette asked, stuffing her face in a most unlady like way. She had no idea what this meat was but oh my gosh it tasted good!

"I did." Adrien replied, clearly amused. "While you were busy looking at the lace stalls."

"Well, I did get a perfect lace for my dress. I just hope I can get it all finished tomorrow."

The small band once again struck up, the fiddle player setting the mood. Nath asked Zoé if she wanted to dance, and the two of them joined a circle of folk dancers while everyone else clapped along.

"Test your luck gentleman." One of the vendors called out. "Hit the target with three arrows and win your lady a prize."

"Would you like a prize?" Adrien asked Marinette. She eyed him skeptically. "You know how to use a bow and arrow?"

"Let's find out." He replied cheekily, taking her over to the vendor.

Three perfect shots later, Marinette was the proud owner of a blue and gold beaded bracelet with a golden bird charm on a red string.

"How on Earth did you learn to shoot arrows like that?"

Adrien looked a little bashful. "When I was young, my mother and I would go to visit her sister and my cousin at the De Vanily Estate. They held festivals at the village there, similar to this one, and my cousin and I were allowed to be part of the atmosphere. She was a lot less restrictive than my father and firmly believed that if you were going to lead a nation of people, then you needed to know and care for those people to lead them well. Félix and I would practice archery for hours so we could win a prize"

Finding a bench near a small pond, they sat down to allow Marientte to rest her feet after dancing. "So do you have everything you need for your dress now?"

"I think so..." Marientte answered thoughtfully. "I just feel it's all happening so fast."

"Are you... feeling any better, about all this I mean?"

"I trust you." Marinette said, her voice filled with conviction. "And that is why I can agree to this. I know you would never tarnish my honour. I want..." She swallowed thickly, hoping that what she wanted to say wouldn't sound too inappropriate. "I want to make sure that if you need a way out of this you have it. If the marriage must be annulled at the end to form an alliance, there must be no impediments to that being able to take place."

Adrien lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers softly. "I understand perfectly m'lady." He said, looking back up at her. He could see her biting her bottom lip. Reaching up to her chin, he released her lip from her teeth. "Is there something else that's been bothering you?"

"It was something Father Antoine said about the ceremony... "

"Are you worried about forgetting the words?" He asked. "I'm sure Zoé could get you a copy..."

"No, not the words." She interrupted, her heart thumping in her chest. "I mean about the last bit, about the kiss."

Adrien looked at her curiously, but also with a sense of mischief. "Well, I have been to a few weddings and the bride and groom usually do seal the deal with a kiss. I mean, it would be a bit odd if it was just a peck on the cheek or a handshake, right?"

"Right." Marinette agreed, trying to sound professional about it and failing miserably. "Well you see I... that is to say I've never been in a position to... to... um... you know..."

Adrien leaned his face closer to hers. "You mean you've never kissed someone before?"

Marinette pursed her lips and shook her head causing Adrien to chuckle.

"And here I was thinking you might have sent our dear Captain Luka off with a goodbye kiss."

"What?!" Marinette exclaimed alarmed, pushing him away. "What on Earth made you think that?"

Adrien shrugged. "I don't know. Luka was terribly smitten with you and I'm sure he would have thought he was in with a chance. At least before all this happened." He then leaned in closer to her again. "Unless he still has a chance and that is why you want to preserve your virtue."

Adrien really shouldn't have delighted in the way Marinette's cheeks flared red. "I... honestly." She huffed, folding her arms. "I'll let you know Captain Luka was nothing but a complete gentleman, which right now you are not." She said curtly. She then lowered her hands into her lap and let out a soft sigh. "I guess I should have given him a chance, it would have made perfect sense to, but the truth is my heart has always been elsewhere." She flicked her eyes to the side to see him listening to her intently. "So to answer your question, no, I haven't kissed Luka, or anyone else for that matter and... well... I guess I'm worried about making a fool of myself at the ceremony and causing Father Antoine to question our validity. I mean no one could be betrothed for 2 years and claim to be madly in love if they have never kissed right?"

"Riiight." Adrien drolled. "We wouldn't want people to think our fake marriage is fake now, hmmm."

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Now you're just teasing me."

"Maybe a little." Adrien laughed. "But you are right. We should really practice."

An intelligible sound escaped Marinette's lips. "Pr... practice?"

"Of course." Adrien smiled. "Unless you wanted to just wing it on the day."

"No." Marinette replied quickly. "No, I don't want to wing it. "W...we can p.. p... practice."

Adrien cupped her cheek with his hand. "You know you really are adorable when you get flustered."

"Oh you be quiet."

"Make me, princess."

"I'm not a princess, remember."

Adrien ran his thumb across her chin, leaning his face back in close to hers. "Maybe not, but technically when we get married you will be, even if no one else knows that."

Marinette could feel her face heating up again, this time from the way he was looking at her. "Alright, your highness. Let's practice then."

Adrien's nose scrunched up. "I thought I told you not to call me that."

This time, Marinette leaned close to him, grabbing the scarf hanging around his neck. "Make me Kitty." She said teasingly.

Adrien took her face in both of his, looking intently into her eyes before pressing his lips gently into hers. Something changed at that moment. As Adrien tilted her head and deepened the kiss, something inside both of them began to stir, a feeling neither of them had ever felt before. A connection, not just on a physical level, but at a soul level, like they had invisibly become entwined.

Pulling back slightly he could see her kiss swollen lips glisten in the full moon. She slowly opened her eyes, her cheeks flushed. "You've done that before haven't you?" She asked, her eyes twinkling at the fact she seemed to have made him flustered for a change.

"Maybe once or twice." He admitted. "When you're a Prince there is no shortage of beautiful girls throwing themselves at you, whether you want it or not." He gently stroked her cheek with the back of his finger. "But none of them ever felt like this."

Softly he kissed her on the forehead, then the nose before a chase kiss on her lips. "Promise me one thing, Marinette."

"What's that?"

"Don't say that the wedding is the last time I get to kiss you." He implored, holding both hands between his. "If I do have to marry Princess Kagami, then I want to carry the memory of your love with me for the rest of my life. To know that I was loved, even if it is only until we reach the Capital."

"Until we reach the Capital." Marinette murmured as he rested his forehead against hers, closing her eyes so she wouldn't cry. "Only until then."

"Until then." He whispered, claiming her lips once more.