The Princess and Her Criminal

Ending 2

Third Person Pov 

Mirage 7:59: Sorry, can't make it for 3. Maybe 4 though? If not, I'll figure something out and be there. 

Charm 8:07: 4 p.m is alright. See you then. Wear something casual. Thanks.

Mirage 8:12: Np bestie. Is my usual attire alright?

Charm 8:13: Yh, that's fine. 

Charm is offline. Mirage is offline

Marinette fell back onto her chair in her room. She sat there thinking until she was interrupted by a knock on her trapdoor. "Breakfast is ready!" She smiled. "Coming Papa." Would she really want to throw away this wonderful life all because she haven't let go of the past?

After a day of mental preparation, it was 3:56 p.m. Marinette took a deep breath and informed her parents and Adrien that she's going and hang out with Alya and will most likely return late in the night. At first, her parents were reluctant but eventually decided that spending time with her best friend might help her 'stop worrying' so they agreed. Marinette was grateful and made her way to the park. She arrived 5 minutes late but Alya wasn't there yet. The brunette arrive 7 minutes after Marinette and apologized for her late arrival. She was assisting her mother in finding the 'perfect' wedding gift for her aunt.

Alya was a bit hesitant at first after hearing Marinette's situation and plan but eventually agreed under on condition. "Fine, I'll do it if we change the details of the plan." Marinette listened attentively as Alya continued. They were best friends, the bluenette knew that Alya was just looking out t for her. "After you leave, I'll go to the bakery and everyone will be listening. Your mother or Adrien might have better advice since they've also encountered Hawkmoth." Marinette sighed, it was already 5:15, so she agreed. She had no time to argue and in a way, Alya was right. Though, Adrien and Sabine can't predict that man either and Marinette knew this. But they can talk some sense into her if necessary.

"I have to go. And please remember to watch my back and not flirt with Nino the whole time!" Marinette teased as she walked away leaving a flustered Alya behind. She placed her earpiece in her ear. "Can you hear me?" She heard the response, "Yeah." And smiled. "You can go now, I'm almost there." She stared ahead, knife in hand. There before her was none other than...

Air! She was 8 minutes early. So she sat on the grass and waited. "WHAT?!" Her mother's voice boomed in her ear. Maybe this was a bad idea? "She did what? Is she crazy?! He's going to kill her!" This time it was Adrien's voice. "Well? We should go help her-" Nino was cut off by Alya, "No! Now I know why she didn't want to tell y'all." Marinette sulked as she eavesdropped on the conversation. "Way to throw me under the bus!" She thought to her self. Alya had definitely forgot to mute her end but the eavesdropper didn't mind, especially since she'll be 'entertained' while waiting. 

"Just trust her and help her from here. Besides, we have no clue where she is." Alya finished. Did Marinette forget to tell her where? Oh... Right all she said was, her and Hawkmoth used to hang out there when she worked for him. But Alya could've told Sabine that and they'd figure it out. Alya was covering for her, how thoughtful... Right after throwing her under the bus...

"Hope you weren't waiting too long." Marinette fell back, "Eeek!" The man chuckled and held out a hand. "Didn't mean to scare you. Actually, I did." Marinette rolled her eyes and got up without his help. "Hey! He's there! Shh!" Alya told the others, they set it up to a speaker so they could all hear and Sabine muted their end, much to Marinette's relief. 

"What's your actual motive? And where are your weapons?" The bluenette asked. The man shrugged in reply as a way of saying he had no other motive. Marinette took a deep breath and smiled. "Alright then, I'm still keeping this close but..." She thought for a second on what to say before concluding," Just don't try anything or I'd have to actually kill you." He nodded, though it was obvious that she wouldn't win in a fight against him, or so he thought. The sat back down on the grass and shared an awkward silence. 

"So um... How's your friend?" The man broke the silence and Marinette hesitated to answer. "She's alright... Actually, I'm grateful for you letting her go. Even though you tortured my boyfriend..." Though she whispered the ending, Hawkmoth still heard it. His heart felt heavy and he regretted taking his anger and frustration out on the banana head. 

"About that, can you apologize on my behalf to him? I..." He stopped for a second before finishing, "I know a 'sorry' won't undo the trauma I have caused him to endure but I still would like to apologize. I doubt he'd trust me enough to permit me to speak so can you do me that favour?" The teen beside him chuckled and agreed. 

Her grip on the knife loosened as a small smile found its way to her lips. Maybe he wasn't so bad? Maybe he can change? Maybe things can be the same or better than before... They could be a family again... "Is Natalie okay?" Chenille nodded. "Tell her I said sorry for the scar." Again, the man nodded. 

The awkward silence returned for a few minutes before the female broke it. "Do you expect me to forgive you?" Chenille was shocked by the question but quickly responded. "Not really, I'm hoping but I understand that you probably won't." So it's not forgiveness he's after. Or was he pulling one of his manipulation cards on her. "Do you want me to rejoin? Or get Adrien to?" The man chuckled and shook his head, "Of course not, he's happier where he is, both of you are. I'll allow you to keep that happiness." 

She couldn't understand, is he being genuine or not? Her grip tightened on the knife again as she asked another question. "Do you plan to hurt us? Or get revenge or something?" Again she received a 'no'. "Not unless you interfere with my work then no. I have no ill intention." Marinette nodded. Now would be a nice time for advice. What should she say or do now? She believes him. She believes that he genuinely tried and gave up but why?

Almost as though he read her mind, Hawkmoth answered her question. "Because you're like a daughter to me. I can't hurt you... severely." He gave a warm smile and Marinette let the knife rest on the grass. She's taking a risk but she was confused. "I-" She was cut off by a newspaper flying into her face. Hawkmoth burst into a fit of laughter while Marinette childishly crushed the paper into a ball. "That reminds me of when you were 7 and asked to read a newspaper only to return it upside down two seconds later." The man said between laughs.

She chuckled. She'll admit, she's had a great childhood due to him (if you didn't consider the brutal murders). "Yeah, I miss those moments." she thought aloud causing the older male to smile. 

"You do? If I remember correctly, you were always daydreaming of that blonde. I guess you finally got to meet him, huh?" Blood rushed to Marinette's face as she fumbled over her words. "A-Adrien was tha-that?! I-I mean, that was A-Adrien?!" She covered her face in embarrassment. Hawkmoth chuckled, "Yep, the same one I forbid you from associating with so you won't get 'distracted' by friends. Somehow to spite me, you found him and decided to date him!" Chenille said as he made air quotes with his fingers. 

"I- Shut up!" Marinette playfully hit the man and he placed a hand to his arm. "Oh! How you wound me!" He overexaggerated causing Marinette to laugh. It easy to calm her down and make her lower her guard, harder than he expected but still quite easy. After all, he rose her, he trained her, he taught her almost everything she knows, and he was her father figure. By default he learnt how to read her like an opened book. "How's your new life?" He smiled to himself as he listened to the teen ramble on about her life. 

Though, he has no intention of using this skill to harm her, his emotions finally overthrew his mind and logic. Besides, she'd notice the second he has an ill intent. Unknown to her, she could also read him but she always thought of it as 'luck' or 'instincts' but it was definitely experience and Chenille knew that. 

"Marinette, we've discussed it and we have decided to trust you on this. We will not restrain you from him if you choose to befriend him, but we, except Adrien, will not trust him as easily." Sabine spoke. "Your lovesick boyfriend will follow you anywhere, no matter wha-" Alya's voice was cut short after Nino yelled, "Adrien no!" Again, the other side was 'muted'. 

Marinette smiled, she'll take the risk. "I forgive you."

Finally done! I'll still do specials with some 'fillers' of the future and even the past but it's completed. My exams started today so I stopped procrastinating. Hope you enjoyed the book. (P.s. Yes Adrien is scared to somewhat associate with Hawkmoth/Chenille again but he trusts Marinette and is ready to face that fear with the assistance of his loving girlfriend. Sabine, Nino and Alya do not trust Chenille as yet but will eventually. Though, they decided not to control Marinette's choices after hearing how happy she sounded.)