"Guys, I need to tell you something..."
Marinette giggled as she held up her left hand and showed it to her friends, a diamond ring sparkling on her fourth finger.

Alya looked at her for a full minute, her eyes darting between her best friend's face and her ring, rendered speechless, before rushing towards her and shouting out loud, making a few people in the bistro look at them curiously, "YOU ARE ENGAGED?!! Congrats! I'm so happy for you! When? How? Where? Give me well the deets, girl!"

Nino smiled widely at the the blushing girl from his seat, "Congrats, Dudette! "

Marinette smiled, "Thanks guys. "

She sat down next to Alta and looked at Adrien,who sat with a small smile on his face.

Adrien had changed a lot in the past years. His features had been defined, and he had grown taller too. His teen innocence had sharpened into refined elegance, and needless to say, he still was the idol of Paris.

He was still that kind hearted person who had the brightest smile in the room. But, something has changed.

His usual captivating presence had gradually dwindled over the years, into a quiet shadow in the corner of the room, seen but never noticed.

Marinette was quite worried about him. Working under Gabriel Agreste, she had plenty opportunities to see him. She often saw him skipping meals, drinking, hiding himself under a mask of perfection in front of others.

Marinette couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong with him. He still treated her like before, taking care of her and helping her in every way he could.

Adrien hadn't dated anyone since Kagami. He would simply smile when prodded about his love life. Nino and Alya had often made fun of him, but nothing made him reveal anything.

He still modelled for his father, and also taught Literature in a university.

"Congratulations, Mari. I'm happy for you," Adrien smiled at her. She, being the good observer she was, noticed that his bright smile didn't reach his emerald eyes.

Marinette asked with concern," Are you okay, Adrien? "

Adrien snapped out of his trance, "Yeah, yeah. I'm cool. I'm sorry, guys, but I can't stay any longer. I have a photoshoot. So, umm, bye. See you later."

He stood up and waved at them before stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking out of the bistro.

The gentle breeze caressed his face. He paced faster.

Marinette is getting married, huh?
His bugaboo won't be his anymore. She wasn't his to begin with anyway.

Unbeknownst to her, Adrien had supported Marinette in her relationship with Luka, both as himself and Chat. He had given up on moving on, after trying and failing miserably countless times. Adrien sometimes wished to reveal his identity when he visited her as Chat Noir. He wanted to ask her if things would have been different if he would have revealed himself before. But he didn't. He only wanted her to be happy.

When he reached a secluded area, Plagg flew out of his jacket," You okay, kid? "

He smiled sadly, "I'm fine. "

Suddenly, Adrien's phone rang. He took it out and saw the caller ID. Luka. "Hey Luka. Congrats. "

"Thanks man. So, there's something I need to ask you..."

"Yes? "

"So we are having the wedding on 25th May," a bit of hesitation was heard in Luka's voice, "And I was wondering if you would like to be my best man? "

Uncomfortable silence.

Thoughts raced through his head. The pain he had nurtured silently for five years throbbed in his chest, just like it had when he had found out that he had lost his Princess forever.

Best man? For his lady's wedding?

Adrien cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the lump in it that pounded violently.

A hint of apology in Luka's voice. "Nino isn't sure if he could make it and Mari would like one of her best friends to be the best man... So..."

Adrien smiled painfully.

She would like it, right? How can he refuse?

After all, Chat Noir had promised her that he would give her everything.

Adrien still remembered the actual conversation six years back. He didn't know that Marinette was Ladybug then.

"Hey kitty? "

Chat was stuffing his mouth with croissants. He chewed quickly and gulped down the food before giving her a questioning look.

"If... if I die, of course, everyone does, right? So when I die, I don't want you to be sad, okay? I want you to stay happy and always make cat puns like you do, mmm?"

"Princess, why such depressing thoughts today? " Chat Noir had groaned.

"I'm just saying. Promise me, kitty? "

"I'm not going to promise anything 'cuz you're not gonna die. "

"Jus...just promise me, please? "

Chat Noir had rolled his eyes," Alright, alright, fine. Purromise purrincess."

Marinette had glanced at him sharply, "Also, you aren't to call anyone else Princess, get it? Or I'll haunt you. "

Chat had laughed at her jealous cat-titude," Your wish is my command. "

Marinette had smiled, "Good. If you had refused, I would have beaten you up until you agreed. "

"Did you doubt my sincerity, princess?" Chat had dramatically clutched his chest as if in pain.

"A little, yeah,"Marinette had laughed at his antics.

"You wound me. "

Both had then burst into laughter together.

After a few minutes, Chat Noir had looked at her sincerely, "I would do give you everything you want. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Even if it costs my life. It doesn't matter if it is the most difficult thing to get. Or the hardest job to do. You are an important part of my life, Marinette. The first person I could be myself around. Trust me, princess."

Marinette's eyes had filled with tears and she had hugged him for a long time.

Adrien took a deep breath before answering the man, "I'll do it. "
-----------------------
Marinette took a few days off work.

When Gabriel was informed of the upcoming wedding, he had decided to design the wedding gown for his star pupil himself. It wasn't wrong to say that under the pretense of rewarding the girl for boosting the sales of the company, there was a hint of fondness for Marinette.

Gabriel was still amazed by the similarities between her and Emilie. Marinette had the same bright smile, that cheerful spirit and the kind heart like her.

How he wished to bring Emilie back!

The moth miraculous had been damaged, by it's constant use for evil, and as a result of that, his health has detorieted too. Marinette had asked him to take care if his health, earning a scolding from him. But that girl was stubborn. She had even went as far as to bring him healthy food from her own.

Gabriel has lectured her for being unprofessional, but she had said something that surprised him greatly, "Sir, I'm sorry for being unprofessional. But if I have to choose between this job and caring for someone I respect, I would choose the latter without any hesitation."

Gabriel has let her off. It would be wrong to say that he wasn't secretly happy in being cared for.

Hr has also noticed something else. In the past years, whenever Marinette had come to the mansion, Adrien suddenly had something to discuss with him. Whenever there was a fashion show showcasing her designs, Adrien coincidentally had the day off.

Gabriel could clearly see that Adrien loved Marinette as he had the exact same eyes when he was in love with Emilié. He had also secretly hoped that the bluebell would return his son's feelings. He would rather have Marinette as his daughter-in-law than the fake Rossi or the spoiled Bourgeois.

Much to his disappointment, Marinette was happily in a relationship with Luka Couffaine, the very famous singer who recently got an offer from abroad. But surprisingly, he had rejected it, shocking the Parisian netizens in process.

In an interview with Alya Cesaire, the young journalist, he had revealed that his girlfriend was more important to him than his career and he didn't want to leave her alone in Paris as she had a job here, although she had tried to convince him otherwise.

News and media outlets had burst in applause and good wishes for the loving couple.

Gabriel had noticed Adrien sulking in his room for the next few days. If it was even possible, he grew quieter than before. So, today, he had asked Adrien to come in his office for a chat.

It was time, he decided, to talk to Adrien about her.

"May I come in, Father?"

Gabriel returned from his reverie, "Yes, Adrien. "

The blonde sat on the leather chair, fixing his father with a questioning look.

The older Agreste looked at him squarely, "You love Marinette, don't you? "