I just want you guys to remember that Luka is akumatised. 

It took a bit longer to get these up because I had to eat in between editing the chapters. 

Nothing much to say. So let's get on with this chapter. This one will be a bit shorter than the previous one.

............

"Marinette, honey. Wake up! Luka will be here in a bit to take you to the festival," a sweet voice she felt like she hadn't heard in years shouted out to her, "Marinette, sweetheart, I'm coming up."

Marinette felt her eyes well up with emotion due to the sound of her mother, although she didn't know why (later though, she would remember exactly why). Perhaps, whatever she had been dreaming about had been the cause of it, but she couldn't remember much of her dream. Only glimpses of the fantasy her mind had conjured up to entertain her as she slept. 

When her mother came into the room, she had already sat up in her bed and was looking straight at her, her lips pursed as she tried not to cry, "Maman," she whimpered and the woman came straight to where she was, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.

"What's wrong dear? Did you have a nightmare?" Marinette turned into the loving embrace of her mother and let the tears fall out, even though they were soaking the apron her mother wore.

"No- I don't," she hiccupped, "I don't know. I just- I just felt like crying."

Her mother's hand caressed her hair as the other patted her back, "It's okay sweetheart. Sometimes you just have to let it out of your system. Take your time," Marinette mumbled something in response, "What was that dear?"

The girl moved a bit back from her mother to look up at her, "But I have to get ready for the festival and for Luka. I don't want to miss it."

Luka was the one she was meant to wed as their parents had created a marriage contract as soon as Marinette had turned eighteen, Luka just nineteen at the time. But Marinette had not minded at all because Luka was the only person she had ever liked in her life. He had always been kind to her and he had promised to provide for her as best as he could. He had even recently told her that he was in love with her which Marinette found rather sweet- but she hadn't said it back. Not yet.

She reasoned with herself because she wanted to wait until they were married to say so. Perhaps by then, she would actually be ready to say it. She knew that she liked him and he knew it too, she just didn't understand whether or not she truly loved him. They hadn't spent enough time, in her opinion, for her to make such a judgement. Her parents had said, in time she would understand, and not to rush herself. But he understood and never pushed her to say it back, for he knew that eventually they would be husband and wife and that it didn't matter much as long as they were together.

Regardless, if it wasn't him she was to be married to, it would be no one. Because there was no one else suitable, who was interested in her that way. Everyone around her age had either already settled or made it clear who they would marry or whether or not they would get married. Marinette and her parents agreed that Luka was really the only person in their town they would choose for her. It was better that she secure her future now and not try scramble for it later. 

Luka was their best and safest choice (at least, right now- never would she had expected just how much could change within a matter of weeks).

"Well then," her mother said, reaching her hands out to wipe the tears on Marinette's face, "I can stall him for a bit whilst you get yourself presentable. That way you can dry your tears and wear the dress your Papa bought for you," She pointed to Marinette's wardrobe, where a lavish yet light and flowy dress was hung up.

It was nothing too preposterous or over the top, as the weather was quite warm, but Marinette loved it all the same. It was presumably dyed with red colouring, so when washed out, it actually came out a very light coral pink. It had an empire waist, the neckline looking to be a sweetheart, with the sleeves looking to be slightly off-shouldered, and was made of a fine net which would flare out to her elbows. But it was the details that grabbed Marinette's attention. For on the high waisted bodice, several pearls had been beaded into the top in a pattern of a blooming white flower, with intricate stitching of a slightly darker shade of pink embroidery creating more dimension to the petals the pearls created. The embroidery followed all the way down the dress, with several more of the same flowers, just in variation of size, beautifully sewn all around the dress.

"It must have cost a fortune, Maman. You didn't have to buy this for me. I could have-"

"You could have sewn something as beautiful yourself," their heads turned to where her father was walking into the room, "We know dear. But you will be getting married within a year or so now. Your Maman and I wanted to be able to do things for our only daughter before we have to send her off and will no longer have the chance to do so as often," the burly man sniffled as he came closer.

"Papa!" Marinette cried and she jumped out of the bed to latch herself onto her father, the spur of emotions starting up again.

He received the hug and patted her back as he tried not to let the emotions get to him, but to no avail, the man couldn't help it, "We love you, so much."

"I love you too," her voice cracked as she said it but it didn't matter.

Sabine smiled as she watched the father and daughter, letting them hug for a few more moments before clearing her throat, "Just so you know sweetheart, no amount of money is as precious as you are to us. So we will always be willing to spend a fortune on you, no matter how big or small. And you don't have to worry about the money either. You know all your father and I have wanted is for you to have a comfortable life."

"Yeah," Tom said grinning, "And we are the best bakers in the whole of Miraculous. So we can afford it."

Miraculous was the country they lived in, a large and ever growing country, full of many talented people from all sorts of backgrounds, with a diverse set of skills. Even though it was large, it was like everyone knew, or knew of, each other and there were always stories of the wonderous feats that people achieved going around the gossip mills and shocking people all around. 

Marinette and her family lived in the village of Dupont, overseen by the head of the town, André Bourgeois, a plump and prideful man who, before he had become head of town, had (and still) owned one of the largest and most prestigious hotels in Miraculous. Dupont was a large attraction point for the country as a result, and it meant that, naturally, Marinette's parents always had a lot of customers.

So her father wasn't really exaggerating when he said they could afford the dress. 

She hugged both of her parents again, before watching them leave so she could get ready, the solemn feeling she had woken up with still clinging to her chest.

............

Having these new powers gave him many perks. Including how, even though he passed through the portal, he was able to fight it's ability to wipe his mind and remember everything as an immortal, hence, his powers were not actually sealed. He would have gone through the one of the other portals, used for immortals to carry out tasks which were crucial for the mortal world, but it was too heavily guarded for him to even bother to try.

Not that he really needed his powers in the mortal realm, only sometimes he would need it when Marinette asked too many questions about something that sounded a lot like her other life. She didn't need that life anymore. Not when this one was better. Not when this life had her parents, had her having a simple but fulfilling life. Marinette here wasn't bullied or looked down upon. And the best part was that she was engaged to him.

She was nowhere near that good for nothing God of Destruction!

And if he came, Luka would be ready to fight back. He would avenge everyone and everything that had been wronged by Destruction and he would protect Marinette as he did so.

The only thing that, though was not actually a problem, irked Luka a bit was that in this life, his mortal self wasn't someone of great power other than through music. His mortal self was actually considered a great musician who was revered for his talent much like many people in Miraculous. In fact, he was due to be going to a few towns over as a judge for a month in a talent show known as one of the best in Miraculous because of his own amazing musical talent.

But unlike in Soleria, he was just that. Just  a musician... nothing else.

But he could wait. He could live out this life, get married to Marinette in this world, have children with her, die with her. And when they got back to Soleria, she would remember everything. How nicely he would treat her.  How much he wanted her to forgive him. How much she loved him as a mortal. And when they got back, she would forget about the Lune Supreme. He would make sure the people forgot about how she had been associated with that devil. And he would marry her again despite any protests. 

What was the need to protest when his former fiancée was dead and would never be back? Why couldn't he move on with the one person that had gotten him to believe in love again? Why should he have to follow the path others had sworn for him instead of trying to follow his own happiness?

He thought he had been too late when he had watched Marinette willingly kiss Destruction a few days ago but now with his newfound powers...

Now he had a second chance.

............

"Have I mentioned," he turned to face her as they stopped by a stall which held a nice assortment of hair accessories for both men and women, "That you look rather nice today?"

The festival was to celebrate the Goddess of luck. It was believed that on this day of every year, her luck was so potent that it seeped through to the mortal world to bestow luck on those who prayed and wished for good. Others would say that she had actually come down to their world and everywhere she went would naturally be lifted by her luck. Whilst people weren't entirely sure that this was actually the case, it still became tradition to come out on the streets and celebrate the Goddess's good fortune. It became an auspicious date in the world calendar and  no matter where in the world, Marinette was sure that there were people just like them, dressing up in their finest clothes as they celebrated the fortune the Goddess brought to their world.

Marinette smiled and he preened at the fact that he was able to make her blush (not Destruction, but him), and she said, "Yes. You have."

"You know," he nudged her with his shoulder, "You don't have to be so shy. Soon you will become my wife so you should be used to the compliments by now."

She giggled and turned to him fully, giving him a sweet smile which caused his heart to flutter like a butterfly, and quickly went on her tiptoes to peck his cheek lightly, "I'll try to be less shy then."

He found himself smiling back as he reached down to grab her hand before looking to the stall and pointing to a hairpin he thought would look nice on her, "I'd like this please."

The vendor grinned at him and gave the two of them a knowing look, "Aye. Yer gotta keep yer lady happy. Why not buy a few?"

Even though he knew that the man was saying so to make more profit he nodded, "Of course. I will. Can you give me this one, this one and this?"

............

"Oohh look- It's really pretty!" The fairy, disguised as a common mortal, skipped to the stall that had caught her attention. It was full of jewellery of all sorts but her hands went straight to the black pearl and ruby earrings which were at the stall.

A tall body, dressed in mostly black, though the clothes had been embellished with gold patterns which made him look well-off, came from behind her and looked at her tenderly, "Not as beautiful as you M'lady."

The girl smiled, her pale face becoming flushed at the compliment, "You're such a charmer, you are."

He moved his arm to snake around her waist and he gave her a kiss on the top of the head, "Only for you I am."

She turned into him, dropping the earrings back where she had found them so she could hug him completely, and she looked up at him, "Always?"

"Always," he promised before leaning in and connecting their lips for a few brief seconds. Even in those seconds though, it was like fireworks had erupted in his heart. He didn't care that it went against his father's wishes.

"Ah, young love," the vendor smiled at them, "Always remember this feeling that you guys clearly have. And be happy."

"We will," Marinette said even with the uncertainty that was their future. Being from two different realms and essentially two different lives had always meant that they would be unsure of what could happen to them. But they would do their best to get through it all if it meant they could be together in the end.

"Do you want anything other than the earrings?" She heard Adrien say from where his chin was resting on top of her head.

"You don't have to," she replied, moving her head to get a view of him, "I was just looking."

"Well I think the earrings suit you well. And I know you will regret not buying it once we get back home," he signalled to the vendor to wrap the earrings up for her before asking her once more if there was anything else that caught her eye.

As she became more comfortable in choosing a few more pieces, the man smiled, glad he could make her happy.

............

"-nette. Marinette," a hand waved over her eyes which snapped her out of whatever she was thinking about, "I thought I lost you there. What were you thinking about?"

"Sorry. I was...  don't worry about it," she gave him a small, reassuring smile, but it wasn't too convincing, "Come on. Let's go find Alya and Nino. We're supposed to be meeting them now."

Alya and Nino were her best friends in this life as well. As if, no matter what type of life she had, they would somehow always follow. Luka didn't mind, as long as they didn't have their memories either. They were happy here, married. And they hadn't experienced their hardships as punishment just yet. 

He would need to keep an eye out for that. For if they did experience any hardships, that would mean they would likely be regaining their memories soon and that could hinder his plans of keeping Marinette in the mortal realm. He did not know yet.

She turned and started walking, and Luka followed behind her, giving her scrutinising glances as he wondered why she had suddenly dissociated for a bit. And as the day went by, it happened more than once. Something was clearly bothering Marinette but she wouldn't tell him what. Instead she would just smile at him and the other two, telling them not to worry and that she had just been feeling emotional since morning. If they didn't believe it, they could ask her parents about it later. 

They reluctantly agreed to let it go. 

............

It had been a few days since it had started. 

The dreams.

Of another life, full of fantastical creatures and ethereal places like no other. Not even Miraculous had a place as close to the one her imagination had wrought up. But in these dreams she had dreamed of a place dazzled in gold and silver and shimmering in the everlasting sun that was a constant presence in the first place she had dreamed about. In the other, was the moon, and it was clear that in her mind both of these lights which worked together in her reality, were separated by realms in her dreams.

In her dreams she also saw a man- well she had seen many of them, including Luka and Nino- but this man was one that she could not quite recognise. Still, she felt as if she knew him for eternity. He was so familiar to her that even knowing it was just a fictional image, she wanted to reach out to him and tug on his large hand or plait his long hair or wrap her arms around his sturdy torso.

They were just dreams but she had the desire for them to be real. 

It was irrational. She knew that. She was engaged and to be wed anytime soon. In fact Luka had told her just a few moments ago that as soon as he came back from judging the talent show, he would ask their parents to start wedding preparations. He had told her that he couldn't wait sooner.

She should have been overjoyed at the news, and she acted like she was to him and their friends who were congratulating them.

But deep down all she could think of was that she wished she was in her dream right now, experiencing the passion and the exhilarating feeling that just felt so real to her. So intense. So powerful. So sincere.

He had the most stunning eyes she could ever think of. As green as the nature that surrounded her in her dreams, but it glowed brighter than any candle or lantern that she had ever had to light up. And the way he had looked at her in those dreams... it truly took her breath away.

She shook her head- it was wrong of her to think this way. Luka had done nothing wrong for her to even want to betray him in the form of the delectable man that showered her dreams with the thrill and delight and the pleasure she had yearned for since her youth. It was wrong of her to feel any way for a man that wasn't even real, that was just her mind making up the ideal of a person she would have found easy to love.

Easier than even the thought of loving Luka in that way.

Again, she shook her head. She shouldn't think that. She was getting married to him. Luka was the only one she was meant to love. The only one she was expected to love. 

Her dreams meant nothing in the reality of her situation. 

She needed to stop being so like the wondrously naïve child who had wanted to marry a handsome prince from foreign place just like her Papa would always tell her about for bedtime stories. They would be the one who would save her from terrifying creatures, much like the ones she would see in her dreams now, and would do anything to ensure she was safe. She needed to stop expecting that her life could be like those fairy-tales and that one day, she would be whisked off with a kiss from her Prince as they would set off to live in his kingdom in pure and utter bliss.

Her bliss was meant to be right there, in the person who was keeping an eye on her, as if worried for her, but all the same smiling when she looked at him, with a smile so dazzling that anyone who would look his way would definitely swoon. 

Maybe, once upon a time, she would have as well.

But she had gotten too distracted by the sight of green eyes, hidden in the sea of people, all here for the festivities and minding their own business. But these eyes, surrounded by the most intricate black mask- of which it's designs were so unique that she could see them from where she was standing- was staring straight at her.

"Marinette?" This time, it was Alya that called her, directing her attention back to her friends and fiancé- whose smile had loosened enough for her to know he was worried about her.

She smiled in response, shaking any thoughts that would hinder their night out away, and said, "Is anything the matter, Alya?"

"I would like to ask you that Mari. You've been spacing out all day."

She raised a hand and flapped it in a nonchalant manner, "It's nothing Alya. Really. I'm just tired and cannot wait to get back to bed and sleep," she lied, sort of.

Half of her wanted to find out if she was just hallucinating, the other half 

An almost reluctant chuckle came out of the other and she replied, "Of course. But don't you want to see the lanterns first? I don't know if you've noticed yet, but we've already bought some, including one for you. You can write something on yours and release it and then Luka can take you home."

"No!" She shouted, perhaps a little too loud, and she looked over to Luka with a nervous giggle, "I mean- It's fine. I just feel a little overwhelmed today and I feel like it would do me good if I go home myself toda- ah- no offence Luka. I just need to sort my thoughts out sometimes and today just happens to one of those days. Don't worry though. I'll leave after we see the lanterns off."

Satisfied with her answer, Luka told her, "I understand."

Marinette glanced behind him and felt disappointment in the fact that the eyes which had been staring right at her (and she had been so sure of it!) had left her sight and had filled her mind with more images of the man with green eyes, and blond hair, and whose name was at the tip of her tongue just waiting to be remembered.

To be set free.

............

Tom and Sabine seem like they don't have many qualms about money, even in the show, being Paris's favourite bakers and all. So I didn't want to make them poor. But they are obviously not as rich as the king. They are just business people wo know how to sell.

I honestly got writers block writing this chapter which is why it's shorter than a lot of the previous chapters. And I also changed the whole of this chapter so many times because I didn't like how it was written. It is meant to be a filler chapter so I guess I can excuse myself. I promise guys, the next chap will be way more interesting. However, now I have changed it again, I am much more satisfied with how this chapter turned out.

Btw yes, technically, Luka is the villain for part 2 whereas Adrien was the villain for part 1. Though depending on how it is seen, neither of them are. It's all about perspective. And it will all come together my lovelies. Soon.

Btw if Luka wasn't akumatised- because that is what it is basically he would have definitely loved that he was only a musician.

See you lovelies <3