The Prince - Marichat AU

1. The Black Cat

Marinette's POV

"Catch him, catch him you idiots!" bellowed my father, shouting out to his soldiers.

"Of course, Your Majesty!" The soldiers nodded in unison and mounted their horses. The sounds of their metallic armour clashing together could be heard from where we sat at the banquet table.

"That's the fifth time this week!" he shouted, grumbling as he stuffed his mouth with roast, "the fifth time he's stolen from the Royal Vaults!"

"It's also the "fifth time this week" you've failed to catch him." said mother, smirking.

I laughed under my breath. That Chat sure must be something if he could evade the Royal Guard so easily.

"I just don't understand!" shouted father again, downing his wine goblet, "My guards were this close," he pinches his fingers together, "this close- to unmasking him! Surely without his fancy costume and his cata-whatever, he would be much easier to catch!"

I rolled my eyes. The townsfolk didn't lie when they said that their King was just "the slightest bit dramatic".

"That reminds me," said mother, looking up at me nervously. I knew that look. It was the look she gave when she had to tell me something she felt guilty about.

She placed a hand on my father's shoulder and his eyes darted alarmingly between us. "Oh, yes, Marinette, we must err, tell you something.

Mother smiled anxiously, then spoke. "You're nearly a grown woman, Marinette. And as a future queen, you-you need a husband to rule beside you."

I groaned. Not this again. 

"We have a long line of suitors who are more than delighted to take your hand. You can choose from our selection."

I slammed my fist on the table. This was outrageous. "What do you mean 'your selection'?" I shouted, glaring at them. "You promised, Sabine, that I could marry whomever I choose!" 

My mother winced at my tone, but I didn't care. 

"Of course you can choose- from our selection. You see, the neighbouring kingdom also has a princess and she's married a noble, and you see, our reputation."

"Your reputation?" I screamed, throwing my plate at the ground. That was enough. I couldn't bare to hear their words. 

I stomped out of the banquet hall. I needed to clear my head. To cool down. 

I headed to my room. It was located on the Eastern Tower of the palace and had a large balcony that overlooked the city. It was a place where I could think clearly. I dragged my gown across the stone tiles and leant against the balcony railing. Down below, I could hear the sound of horse hooves hitting pavement and shouting soldiers.

I sighed and looked over beyond the palace walls to the village. There was only one boy that I had in mind. The one boy that I knew my parents would never allow me to marry. He was the dressmaker's son. I had only met him once, but I swear, when I looked into his eyes I felt something. Something so strange and wonderful at the same time that it was hard to pinpoint. 

A sudden sound shook me awake. I looked around alarmingly, trying to find the source of the noise, but instead found myself looking at a pair of green eyes.

"Chat-Chat Noir?" I asked incredulously, blinking a few times to check whether or not I was dreaming.

"A little help please?" he said, grinning awkwardly at me, one hand on the railing, the other one clutching a long staff.

I reluctantly grabbed ahold of his gloved hand and pulled him onto the other side.

"Thanks," he said smiling, "those stupid guards were after me and I thought that they wouldn't suspect me hiding up in the princess' chambers." He winked.

I crossed my arms. Men nowadays really thought they could win me over with a meaningless flirty gesture. "For a wanted criminal, you sure picked a great place to hide. I could call the guards over whenever I want and then you'd have nowhere to escape." I said, smirking at him.

Chat grinned, resting his arms against the railing and turning to me. "I know you could call on the guards, but you won't," he said smiling tauntingly, "You'd be too captivated by my charm to even move a muscle."

I frowned. "You underestimate me, Kitty."

I left him alone on the balcony and walked back into my room. He could stay there for a while and then leave. It wouldn't make a difference to me.

But instead of just leaving me alone, the masked figure actually FOLLOWED me into my chamber.

"You really were just going to leave me alone out there in the cold, huh?" asked Chat, his tone faking hurt.

I grew angry, who did this "stray" think he was? I walked over to the "calling bell" by the doors. One ring of it would call the guards over and take him away.

"I've heard about you, you know," I hissed, narrowing my eyes at this pest, "My father has told me so many stories about you. You're a traitor of the throne and a thief!"

Chat took a step back and placed a hand on his heart. "A thief??" He scoffed, "I am not a mere thief, milady. I am a-" he struggled for words, "A vigilante."

I quirked up my eyebrows. "Really? A vigilante? Well I'm sure my father would love to hear about how daring and courageous you are," I lifted my hand up to the bell, "when you're locked up in the dungeons."

Chat's eyes widened in fear. He backed away to the balcony. "Alright, alright. I'll leave. He swung his legs back over the railings. "But I can't promise I won't come back," he added with a smirk.

I huffed and ran up to the bell, about to ring it. But something in those emerald eyes stopped me.

"Mistress, are you alright? I heard voices." came my maid, Lila, peeking out from the double doors.

I ushered silently but for Chat to leave. He might be annoying, but his presence had added some much-needed spice to my life. 

I watched as his figure disappeared behind the balcony, then turned back to Lila. "Yep, I was just talking to myself."

Lila frowned, her face knitted with suspicion. But after looking around my room, she left, closing the doors behind her.

I sighed in relief, and lay down on my bed. 

I couldn't believe that only moments ago, my father's worst enemy had been standing in my room. And I didn't know what made me let him go freely. 

Wrapped in confusion, I buried my face in my pillow and willed sleep to overtake me. 

...

(A/N): hey guys! i hope u like the story so far. things are about to get spicy. i might update later on today or tomorrow :)