*Marinette's POV*

"Your highness!" An excited scream echoed down the hall.

Of course, me being me, I was still in bed. I heard the door to my chamber open and a disappointed sigh come short after.

I forced myself to sit up and pretend that I had been awake. It was extremely hard. I was still very tired. An image of last nights problem took my attention. Last night on patrol, I had to break up a fight between two men. Your maybe wondering where Chat Noir is, but me and chat never see each other. That was due to living in different kingdoms with a few hours between them. Your probably wondering how we even managed to meet, well it was when I first got Tikki. Back then, I used to patrol different kingdoms. Until Tikki told me other kingdoms had their own heroes and just patroling my kingdom was enough. But I met Chat Noir when I was patrolling the Agreste Kingdom. Ever since that one encounter I haven't seen him. He told me he would call me if an akuma showed up so I could purify it, but none had shown up in either kingdoms. We both patrol our own kingdoms. Anyway, the fight I had to break up last night left me with sore arms and a pain in my cheek. I managed to focus back on my maid as her small frown shifted into an excited smile after seeing I was awake.

"Your highness! A letter from the Agreste Kingdom has arrived for you! Your parents have the letter!"

I stared at her in disbelief. My tiredness was turned into excitement. I couldn't believe this! A letter from the Agreste Kingdom! Only a few kingdoms have the pleasure of receiving a letter from the Agreste's. They mostly kept to themselves, and it was rare that they ever contacted others. To receive an Agreste letter was like ruling the whole world! Hehe... maybe I'm just over over exaggerating. But it was a big surprise.

I had my maid help me put on my corset and put on a dress as quickly as possible. My arms hurt putting on the dress sleeves but I paid them no attention. I was so excited! I nearly knocked down all the servants in the halls as I ran to my parents' chambers. I stopped quickly, embarrassed to suddenly remember running in the halls was unladylike. So much for trying to convince everyone I was serious enough to be queen. With a small sigh I walked as fast as I could, still trying to be as modest as possible.

I quickly reached my parents' chamber. With a light knock I tried to straighten myself up. I barely had any time to relieve myself of embarrassment when the door quickly opened.

"Mari!!" My mom pulled me into the room. I took my seat at the desk to the opposite side of the large King sized bed. Before I managed to make a teasing comment about how my dad was still in bed, sitting up listening to our conversation, but nonetheless still in bed. My mother excitedly squealed. My hand shot up immediately to my mouth trying to contain a laugh. Despite my restraint, a laugh escaped my lips. But I couldn't help it! I was excited too and I hadn't read the letter yet!

Realizing my anxious look on my face. My mom yelled, "theagrestesarehavingaballandyouareinvitedandheslookingforawifeforhissonandohmygosh!"

I couldn't contain my mix of confusion and anxiousness as I nearly yelled "slower maman!"

She took a deep breath to try and calm down. That was clearly failing. She managed to say "The Agreste's are throwing a ball to find Prince Adrien a wife. You're invited!"

My mind went blank.

Adrien was looking for a wife? They were considering me? A small voice in my head answered these questions, 'obviously! That's why you got a letter!'

"According to the letter the ball will take place in 3 weeks," my mom started explaining. "It will take place in the Agreste Kingdom, obviously." My mom scanned again through the letter reading important information.

The Agreste's lived at least a two hour ride by carriage. You could make it in maybe an 45 minutes if you rode a horse without carriage and take the path through the the woods. However the woods was forbidden to go into because it's said bandits like to rob those who travel through. Not to mention, you would have to gallop the whole way. Poor horse, it would tire quickly. I hated mistreatment of animals. Thankfully it wasn't common in my kingdom, but in other kingdoms....

Anyways! The ball! My mom strictly order we leave in 2 weeks, as to get there early.

Throughout the next few days, maids and butlers were extremely busy packing for me and my mom, my dad staying back to hold down the fort. I walked the halls to daily lessons watching as everyone was in a rush. Etiquette lessons were sufficiently longer, taking more time away from history and political lessons. Everyone doing their best to correct my bad behavior that "shouldn't be seen in front of anyone at the Agreste Kingdom" they would all tell me. Some part of this worried me, if I was to act against my natural behavior, how would Adrien act once he saw the real me? I tried to put off those thoughts and hope for the best.

The day of leaving

*Still Marinette's POV*

I was woken up earlier than usual to get an early start to the journey. I was nearly falling asleep as my maids dressed me, put a small amount of make-up and put my hair in a neat bun. It was still dark outside and I was thankful the maids put me in a comfortable dress and a cozy coat, I climbed drowsily into the stage coach will the help of a butler. My mother soon joined me and it wasn't long before the coach started moving and I fell asleep.

*Adrien's POV*

It was a week before the ball. Some guests arrived early, including Chloe. Ugh. She followed me everywhere I went. She even acted like she was going to be queen, ordering servants around and calling the different castle rooms hers. She would always say "put my luggage in my room, go clean my kitchen, tidy up my meeting room." I gave up on trying to tell her she didn't have a 100% chance of becoming my queen.

So far Chloe and twenty other guests and their families had arrived for the ball. We were still waiting on a lot more including the Dupain-Chengs. I remember when Marinette and her family came to visit when I was about 7and she was 6. That was when my mother was still around. We had so much fun, but we lost contact when my mother disappeared. But Marinette was coming and I was curious to see how she was now.

*Marinette's POV*

My mother woke me up as the carriage pulled up to the castle entrance. I watched as the carriage round a fountain and stopped at a long flight of stairs leading up to a grand castle with huge fancy doors. I hopped out of the carriage before noticing King Gabriel Agreste with Prince Adrien my his side. Gabriel wore a serious look which contrasted to Adriens bright smile. I put on a cheerful smile and curtsied.

"It's a pleasure to see you again King Gabriel and Prince Adrien," I forced out. Gosh he was hot! I observed Adrien's blond locks, neatly parted to the sides. His smile really suited him and his bright emerald eyes full of happiness. He wore a long sleeved Royal white shirt and white pants with a red sash crossing from his left shoulder to his right hip and a small gold pin in the shape of a crown in the space between his sash and right shoulder. His shirt nicely hugging his muscular arms and strong chest and his pants wrapping around his firm thighs before going loose around his calves. He was perfect... SNAP OUT OF IT! I screamed mentally at myself. I knew if I got attached and he picked someone else as Queen, it would hurt, much more than it should. But I was really wanting to feel those strong muscular arms... NO!

"Marinette?" Adrien's voice snapped me out of my trance.

"Excuse me? Sorry, I guess I'm not fully awake yet. My apologies!" I quickly said.

"No it's ok!" Adrien said with a kind chuckle, "You must be tired, allow me to escort you to your guest room to rest."

I took Adrien's firm white gloved hand. I noticed a silver ring on his finger, but I thought nothing of it. My mom stayed behind chatting with Gabriel.

"So..?" He said awkwardly as we began to walk up the stairs.

"So... Uh how've you been?" I replied trying to think of anything to start conversation.

"I've been good. You?"

"I've been fine." I replied with a smile. "Wow! This place hasn't changed. It's still as big and lovely as always!" I said in awe.

"Yeah it really is." Adrien looking at me. I didn't notice his stare.

*Adrien's POV*

She was beautiful. Her bright sapphire eyes wide in awe. Her pink lips pulled into a kind smile, raven blue bangs falling perfectly on her forehead with a neat bun resting high on her head. She wore a black coat over her long pink dress with ruffles on the bottom, a black lace pattern in a diamond shape covered the front chest of her dress. I hadn't noticed her chamber doors down the hall. How long had I been observing her? Too long because she wore a red blush on her cheeks which spread to her ear tips and down to her shoulders. Guilt surfaced as I quickly looked away. A blush of my own spreading on my cheeks. I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable. I sighed.

"Sorry"

"F-for w-what?" She asked.

"I-I didn't mean t-to... make y-you uncomfortable." I replied guiltily.

She chuckled sweetly, "n-no, it's fine."

As we reached her chambers, I opened the doors and shut the doors behind us. Wait! Why did I close the doors?! Ugh... I'm so stupid!

"Um.. The butlers will drop your things off shortly." I said trying to make things less awkward.

She was at the far end of the room. She nodded at me before looking out the window. The light shining onto her sweet face. No! Why am I feeling like this?! It took all my strength not to go over and kiss her.

This was not fair. How was I supposed to be fair to the other women trying to win my heart when all I wanted to do was be beside Marinette. Maybe Adrien couldn't be around her all the time. But a certain cat certainly could....

😄