Hello guys! For the 50 read mark, I decided to publish this chapter early! Vote if you enjoy <3

As the duke left the bakery, Marinette let her tears flow. She couldn't believe she had made it - and she couldn't tell if she was crying happy or sad tears at this point.

Marinette rushed into the family room, excited to tell her Maman and Papa. As she faced the empty room, she remembered they were out running errands.

She then rushed up into her room, and started to pack some of her things; she was going to have to leave for the palace by this Friday.

She couldn't imagine what the palace would be like...The architecture, the meals, the mysterious Crowned Jewels...

She packed two of her best and only dresses, shoes, and also a nice handbag to carry. She looked to the right and saw a small glass container. That brought back some memories.

***

"Luka! Luka!" young Marinette exclaimed. "Shh," he cautioned, a smile still engraving his lips. They walked through the town as the moon lit the dirt path of the town.

They walked past Luka's house as well as the bakery, all the way to the lake. Marinette sat down as Luka ran up to the water.

"You see this Marinette? This is the best time to go to the ocean. No crowds are here!" he exclaimed opening his arms wide, shouting. It was far after curfew for two little kids, but they didn't care.

Marinette giggled. "You're right Luka! It's beautiful," Marinette said taking off her shoes. She ran into the water, making sure not to get her dress wet.

"Not as beautiful as you," he breathed as Marinette's heart skipped a beat. She smiled as they ran around in the shallow water.

"Look, come, Mari," he said making his way back onto the sand. She came back to shore and peaked at his hands. It was a tiny glass container.

"You see this? You can put sand in here," he said scooping up some with his left hand. "Then, when we move to a better place, we can take sand from there and put it in here," he said putting the container in Marinette's hands.

"What do you mean?" Marinette asked making him laugh. "One day I'll take care of you! I'll never leave your side," he exclaimed into the darkness. "I will make you laugh every day, kiss you goodnight every time you shut your eyes to fall asleep," he yelled.

"That is if you'll take me as your partner for life," he whispered, looking back. Marinette took on a pink hue and smiled. "Not now. The best things in life are worth waiting for," Marinette replied, making him smile.

"I'll wait for you then" he breathed.

"Maybe then I'll be ready," she smiled.

***

"Marinette! Come down!" Sabine interrupted her train of thought. Marinette quickly remembered that she had to spill her news about the new outcome of her entry.

"Marinette, come help with dinner," she said getting out some pots and pans. "Well, yes Maman, but-" "No buts, you have to help today. I hope you weren't spending time with that sewer rat,"

Marinette sighed. "Stop calling him that," she mumbled "Also, I got-" "Yeah, yeah Marinette, go fetch me the whisk," she interrupted as Marinette bit her lip.

"Okay, so Maman-" "Marinette! That isn't the correct whisk; that one is broken. Go get the one we got today-"

"I got into The Selection!"

Maman froze as she stared at the daughter. "You did?" she choked as a smile curved onto her face. She waited for her to say more, but when nothing happened, she continued to speak.

"Yes, they said since another girl lied I will be put in. The meeting is later on-" Sabine squealed as she hugged her daughter.

"Yes! Yes! We did it!" she exclaimed as Marinette giggled. Maman smiled before grabbing some plates. "Yes, now we have to set the table," Marinette went to grab some cutlery, "We are going to have guests over!"

***

Marinette put on a nice casual dress as Maman greeted the questioners. Marinette took a deep breath; she was trying this new thing where she didn't screw up everything she did.

As she walked downstairs, two people tossed a smile at her. "Wow, ma'am you have a beautiful daughter," she said making Marinette smile to herself.

She sat down as Tom gave her a reassuring look. "Okay, nothing to worry about, just a few simple questions," the girl mumbled, grabbing a piece of chalk.

"Okay, Marinette is it? Are you currently in a relationship?" they asked. "No," she paused "Not anymore," she instantly regrets this - she just needs simple answers.

"Great," they responded, completely uninterested in her personal life. "Do you follow curfew regularly?" they asked scribbling something down. No, Marinette thought. "Yes, she does," Maman intruded as Marinette grinned.

They nodded. "How regularly do you bathe yourself?" the girl on the left asked. "About twice a week," Marinette said as they bit their lips.

"That is going to have to change," she mumbled, almost sounding disgusted. Marinette furrowed her brows, keeping a straight face.

"Last question that your parents haven't already answered. Are you a virgin?" she asked as Marinette puckered her lips. "Well, uh," she mentally slapped herself. "Yes," her Maman interrupted as Marinette looked down.

They put away their chalk. "Great. We look forward to your stay," they left. As soon as they left, Marinette's smile faded into a frown. Then, Maman gave her shoulder a slight slap.

"Maman!" Marinette exclaimed, rubbing her arm. "That is for not being able to lie," she said standing up.

"Did you not see that!?" Marinette exclaimed, "They were completely disgusted by us!"

"No, they were completely disgusted by you. That is completely different," Sabine scoffed. "How so?" "Since, Marinette, you do not know how to lie," Sabine put her hands on her hips.

"If you want to have any chance of staying in the competition, you are going to need to be able to lie," Sabine added as Marinette bit her lip.

***

Marinette stood in front of the door. She waited for her parents to meet her outside, the butterflies in her stomach multiplying. She couldn't believe she was still doing this.

Maman came outside, in her best dress and heels and got into the car. "Maman! You're dressed better than me," Marinette exclaimed. "There are going to be many people there Marinette. I want to make a good impression," she said making Marinette giggle under her breath.

As she felt the car jolt to a stop, she stunned by what she saw. A crowd of people surrounded the area, chanting her name.

"Go Marinette! We'll be watching you on TV!" "Do your best!" "Always look forward! You can do this!" "Make sure you represent us well!"

Marinette smiled at the supporters, whom she didn't even know. She grasped the glass box with sand in her hand, the one Luka had given her all those years ago, as she marched off into the carriage.

As she looked back to say goodbye, she saw something that she would never forget. Her mother...was crying.

"Maman? Are you okay?" Marinette asked, unsure of how to handle her behaviour. "No, no, this is a happy day," Maman repllied fanning her face.

Marinette smiled; maybe she was going to miss her after all. "Goodbye, darling. Just so you know, you have already made me proud," she hugged her tightly. Marinette smiled, tears brimming her own eyes, embracing her tightly.

She glanced at her Papa, which made him join the hug. "You have become a bright young lady Marinette. It was amazing to watch you grow before my eyes," Tom whispered as they released the hug, resting her arm around Sabine's shoulders.

"Now, I must give you off to another man. And he doesn't deserve you," he finished as Marinette laughed through her tears. She smiled and entered the carriage. "I'll make you both proud," Marinette reassured.

"We'll watch you every night," her Papa added right before the doors shut. Her mother nodded and smiled. "Good luck out there Marinette. We have prepared you with all we could, now it is time to make your mark," she added.

As she rode off, Marinette closed her eyes.

The competition to be the best had finally begun.