May I introduce myself, Your Highness?

Chapter 3

The door to the castle was just a few steps away when Adrien halted his steps. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

He couldn't leave yet. He had to make sure Ladybug got safely inside.

Not that the gardens around the castle were dangerous. It was more that he'd simply gotten used to walking her to the servant's quarters after their gardening dates. She'd probably not want him accompanying her today, though, but perhaps, he could watch from afar? He'd be discreet; she would never know he was still around. And he would just make sure she returned safely inside.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

After which, he'd put his heart on the back burner and do his best to get over his first real love.

Because that was what she wished for him.

To forget her.

His mind made, Adrien turned around only to see Ladybug nearing the door she'd always used to get inside. She didn't look his way as she rushed inside. Neither did Uncle Plagg, as he swiftly followed her.

Good.

If she ignored him, if she distanced herself, if she refused him even a glance, that would make it just that much easier for him to fulfill her wish.

Adrien swallowed the knot in his throat and resumed his route. He walked quickly. His vision blurred; the hallway felt endless. Dark and narrow, it grew a few corridors Adrien didn't remember being there. Or perhaps, he made a wrong turn or two? He kept walking. No time for stopping and figuring that out. He had to get to his room, close the door, and mourn in peace.

He'd lost something precious tonight.

It was worth mourning.

When he'd finally arrived at his quarters, they weren't empty. In the pitch darkness of his drawing room, with only the moonlight and a few candles illuminating her, a tiny girl sat in one of the chairs, stroking the fur of a black kitten on her lap.

Adrien closed his eyes, took a deep breath and swallowed his tears.

Not yet.

He had to stay strong for just a few more minutes, because no matter how much he was hurting, how badly he longed to be left alone, Marinette was just a child and deserved better than a dismissive guardian. And if she was here in the middle of the night, something must have happened.

"Marinette?" Adrien approached slowly, kneeling beside the girl. " What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

Marinette nodded, standing up. Uncle Plagg jumped to the floor and stretched, his loud purring filling the emptiness of the space. "Everything is well, Your Highness. I simply came to apologize."

"Apologize?" She was a bit of a rascal from time to time—mostly due to her extreme curiosity and complete lack of fear—but nothing Marinette had ever done was so serious it couldn't wait until the morning. Well, at least he hoped so. "Did you get into mischief again?"

"No," Marinette said, looking at him with her big blue eyes. "Well... at least I wouldn't call it mischief, but perhaps, Uncle Plagg would."

A corner of Adrien's lip curled. He put his hand on top of her head and ruffled her hair. His childhood days came to mind. He was just as carefree and innocent; he'd missed them. "What did you do this time? Tell me everything, and don't worry—we'll fix it together, okay?"

She nibbled on her tiny lip and straightened up, taking a deep breath in. "I am here to apologize for deceiving you, Your Highness."

Adrien's eyebrows knitted into a frown. "Deceiving me?"