Accident of the Evening

One Last Dance

After their dance, Adrien apologised to Marinette and her friends and explained that he had to leave.

"Thank you for the dance," she said with a smile but she didn't get to see him out, as Alya whisked her away for an interview against a quiet part of the function room. Alya switched her camera modes and held it to Ladybug so she could check her appearance for the interview.

Marinette saw her cheeks were a little pink but otherwise she looked nice, nicer than she thought. She refastened the ribbon around her loose side-bun and ran her finger under her eyes to fix her eye make-up before nodding to Alya.

"Thank you."

"It's okay. Your dress is stunning; I see why Marinette was freaking out."

"S-she was freaking out? She seemed so calm," Marinette said, hoping she sounded neutral.

"She tried, but I know her well. She wanted to keep your dress a big secret from everyone so it could be a surprise."

"Did she make yours as well?" Ladybug asked.

"Of course," Alya grinned. "I'd never wear anything but an original Marinette," she giggled and Marinette smiled, hoping the pride wasn't too evident on her face.

"It suits you very well," Marinette told her friend and now it was Alya who grinned with pride.

"One day she'll be better than Gabriel Agreste, but that girl needs more confidence in herself."

"Well, I'll make sure to tell her that," Ladybug replied and Alya grinned.

"Okay, so I'll just ask you some questions and I'll pull Chat Noir aside later to ask him the same ones and then edit it together later, okay?" Alya asked, turning her camera back and Marinette nodded.

"So, Ladybug, how does it feel to be at the Annual Parisian Masquerade Ball?"

"It's wonderful, not how I thought it would be at all. It's kind of glamorous, but also its very simple and elegant and I actually feel more at home here than I thought I would," Ladybug replied with a smile.

"And what do you think of your dress?"

"Oh it's marvellous. Marinette had a bit of trouble finishing it, which is why I was late, but it was worth it. It's perfect."

"And how do you feel about dancing with all of Paris' wealthiest watching you?"

Ladybug laughed. "Is it too cheesy to say that I feel the wealthiest because I get to do something I love somewhere it will be appreciated?"

"I like that," Alya told her with a smile from behind the camera. "Was it hard learning a routine in less than a week?"

"Well, it normally is hard learning any new routine, but I think the fact that Chat Noir and I have such great dance chemistry really helped make it an easy process."

"And on the Black Cat, are you two dating?"

"Wh-what? No, no," Ladybug denied quickly.

"Really? You two were on a date earlier."

"We got coffee after a final rehearsal. It really was just a drink between two friends. We've worked so hard and I'm honoured to have met someone like him."

"Will you two be dancing together after this?" Alya asked.

"I'd like to, and I've told him as much, but honestly, I'll continue dancing anyway. It's part of me. I just hope it's part of him too," she added with a small smile.