The luck of a black cat

Chapter 12: The Baron is back

Here we go! I am still in the middle of midterms and won't post so often but I'm not giving up on this story! 

I can't believe how many people read my story WOW!! Thank you all.

Enjoy

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     The next day, Marinette decided to go visit her best friend Alya. The two of them hadn't seen or talked to each other in a while, because they had both been occupied with all kind of things. Marinette couldn't wait to tell her friend about her engagement and since almost everything was already planned by the parents, she was excited to invite her to the wedding.

Marinette's p.o.v:

When Marinette got to Alya parent's house, she saw that her window was open and so decided to call out to her. Knowing her friend, she had more chances of being herd calling her name than knocking at the door.

- Alya!! ... (no response) Alya!! ... (nothing again)

She's probably writing again and is too focused to hear me. Marinette told herself.

Alya loved to write about everything she found out. If there was any news worth hearing she was the first to know and the first to share it. Let's just say that if you could get paid to find and share the news with people she would have been the best at it. But until that becomes an actual thing, she would write and tell people for free and get paid by certain rich people to find out information about other people. She was like an informant of sorts. She was an extremely charming gall and her brown hair and eyes made it easy to blend in with the crowd. If you got to know her, you couldn't forget her but if it was a quick chat or dispute, it would be hard to remember which one of the many girls, that were similar in appearance to her, you were looking for. That's probably why the Baron had so much trouble catching her... well, that and the fact that she was really good at getting away.

Marinette picked up a rock off the ground and throw it through the window.

- Ouch! Who did that!

Alya said, looking out the window.

- Oh, Mari, it was you, hey! I'm coming down right away! ... (she comes out the door and jumps on Marinette to hug her) I haven't seen you in such a long time! I'm sorry if I didn't hear you call me. Did you call me before throwing the rock? Oh, it doesn't matter, I just found out that Adrien Agreste is getting married and I was writing about it! I don't know who the bride is yet, but I'll find out! You went to the ball who do you think it is?

Marinette started laughing at how excited her friend was. Alya had always been full of energy but she hadn't seen her this enthusiastic about a subject since the day Chat Noir made his appearance in town. How ironic right?!

- Haha, yes, I indeed was at the Agreste ball and I don't need to guess because I know who Adrien is marrying.

- No way! Who is it? Who is it? Please tell me, please, please, please. I need to know!

Marinette lifted her left hand up to her face, showing off the ring. Alya's eyes widened, her jaw fell, and she gasped loudly as she grabbed her best friend's hand to examine the jewel.

- So, you are telling me that you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, are getting married to Adrien Agreste and very soon might I add? (Alya asked looking at her with suspicious eyes)

- Yes

- Oh, I am so happy for you! My best friend is getting married and to a very rich man too, eh. (Alya gave Marinette a side smile) ... Wait a minute... you are not doing this for the money, are you? Do I need to knock some sense into you? You are better than that you know?

- No Alya, he is an amazing guy and I love him. Wouldn't marry anybody else. Plus, you know how independent I am, I wouldn't marry unless it's for love, even if someone tried to force me.

- Then I am thrilled for you! And I better be your maid of honour.

- Well, of course, you will be, that's what I came to ask you actually.

The girls decided to go on a walk, in town, to discuss the wedding preparations; more specifically the bride's dress. While the bridesmaid dresses were the responsibility of mister Agreste, Marinette wanted to make her own dress. They went to multiple shops to choose the fabric and many more for the accessories.

As they were walking through the streets they heard a commotion and went to see what it was. There was the Baron perched on his horse looking down to someone on the ground.

- It's been a while since his last visit, I hoped he ran away because of Chat Noir. (said Alya) I can't tell who is on the ground; can you?

- No, let's get closer.

As they went to the edge of the crowd, they saw little Manon on the ground looking up at the man with fear and a row of soldiers separating the two of them.

- How dare that little scumbag run in front of my steed and frighten him as such. Guards! Grab her!

Said the Baron, pointing his sword at the little girl.

- She looks a lot more scared than the horse. (whispered Alya) We have to do something, Mari. ... Mari? (she looks around, but Marinette is no longer next to her) Mari!

She sees her behind Manon, helping her up.

- Come on she's just a kid, she didn't mean it; it was an accident surely. Isn't that right Manon?

Said Marinette holding the trembling little girl close to her.

- Yes, I'm sorry.

- See?! She even apologized.

Meanwhile, Aly came next to them and held Manon's shoulder protectively to reassure her.

- Well, well, well! If it isn't Miss "always get's away" and Miss "I can't keep my mouth shut"?! What a pleasant coincidence; I was just looking for you two and here you came right to me. (A large and evil smirk was forming on the Baron's face.) Change of plans gentleman, the two ladies are coming with us.

- This isn't good; (Marinette bent down and whispered quickly) Manon run! Go get Adrien Agreste, tell him that the Baron has me and Alya and we're in trouble! Tell him not to come alone and not to tell Chat Noir; it might be a trap! Go now, go!

Four guards grabbed the two girls one arm each and brought them to a carriage, which hurriedly took off towards the Baron's house.

Meanwhile at the Agreste mansion...

Adrien's p.o.v:

Adrien had invited his best friend over to spend some time together and ask him to be his best man at the wedding. Nino was absolutely thrilled to hear that he was actually marrying the girl he seemed to like so much at the ball. It had been a while since his friend had seen him so genuinely happy; for once things were the way they were supposed to be. After his mother died, his father became more and more distant toward him, but Nino would always be there for him to cheer him up with his bubbly character.

The two boys were in the garden discussing the music arrangements for the wedding since Nino was a renowned musician and had insisted on composing a peace, especially for the occasion. Out of nowhere or more like out from behind a bush, jumps little Manon who obviously got there in record time if her breathing was anything to go by.

- Huff, Marinette ...huff said get ...huff Adrien Agreste ...huff, she and Alya ...huff in trouble ...huff Baron has them ...huff. (she swallowed hard and took a deep breath) SheSaidToGoHelpButNotAloneAndToNotBringChatNoirBecauseItMightBeATrap! Oh, dear lord, I am tired.

- Nino come with me and bring your sword! If he does anything to hurt her he is a dead man. Manon, you stay here, you must be exhausted and you can take any food you want from the table.

With that, they stormed away on their horses towards where the Baron was.