The Nutcracker Prince

Chapter 4

The Christmas snow was so beautiful but all to soon, they left the winter woods and entered the Moth king's icy kingdom. The wind blew hard and the shards of ice in it that blew on you felt like broken glass cutting your skin. Adrien wasn't affected that bad since he wasn't completely human but Marinette...

"Achoo!" She sneezed.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, just a little c...c...cold." She said shivering. "Ah, ah, Achoo!"

"What was I thinking? You can't travel with me, not in this cold." Her hands were trembling and her legs shook like they were about to collapse. He took off his jacket and covered her with it then he slid his arm under her legs and the other around her back to lift her up.

"Wh...where are we...g...g...going?" She stuttered while snuggling into his chest for warmth.

"To get you warm and fast."

"I'll be fine. It's just a cold. Achoo!"

"No buts! You'll catch pneumonia if you stay out here too long."

"But you...you need to-"

"The time here isn't the same as back at your world. One day here equals an hour where you're from."

Luckily they found some wood and started a fire. Marinette was warmed up in no time.

"Aren't you cold?" Marinette asked.

"I don't feel the cold anymore or anything for that matter."

"What was it like to be a doll for all that time?"

"Honestly, it was torture. I could see and I could hear but I couldn't move or speak or laugh. I couldn't breathe or cry. I had a smile on my face but on the inside I was sad all the time." He shed a tear, he caught it with his hand. "That's the first time I've shed a tear in so long."

"Will you ever be fully human again?"

"I will once I free the prince."

"Did he have someone special? Like a princess to marry?"

"Yeah, Princess Lila."

"She must've been beautiful."

"Yeah but you are far more beautiful." Marinette blushed hard.

"Me? Oh no...I'm not that pretty. So I'm guessing she and the prince were in love and once you defeat the Moth king, you'll find her so she can save him."

"Not exactly. They we'ren't in love. Lila said she loved him and the prince thought he could learn to love her because she seemed so kind, but he was wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"She was there when it happened." He sighed. "The Moth king turned the prince into something small and ugly."

"She must've heartbroken."

"No. She was ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted. She shed no tears, showed no signs of grief, instead she said something I'll never forget for as long as I live." He clenched his fists as he remembered her words. "Throw that thing into the fireplace and burn it."

"How could she be so cruel to someone she claimed to have loved so much?"

"I don't know. I guess it was all a lie. You never can tell if someone really loves you."

"That's not true. You can tell if someone loves you if they care more about you than themselves. If they protect you and take care of you and they're willing to be with you no matter what."

"You are very kind. It's been so long since I've met someone that kind hearted aside from Fu." He said.

"Well I hope that you're able to free the prince but what hope for the most is that you'll be freed too."

"Thanks."

Suddenly they heard a something coming. "Stay here." He told her.

He went to investigate where he was ambushed by a bunch of rats and moths.

"Well, well, Cat Noir. Long time no see, how are you?" The Moth king asked. "Still made of fabric and cotton I see."

"And I see you're still a cold hearted insect." Cat Noir growled.

"Gentlemen." He said snapped his fingers. The rats and moths got into position to attack. Cat had his sword ready as he fought them off. Then he pointed his sword to the moth king.

"Undo the damage you've done!" He demanded.

"You know very well I couldn't do that even if I wanted to."

"Maybe so but you will still pay for your crimes."

"Too bad because I have a little presant for you at my castle."

"For me? You shouldn't have."

"Oh but I did. You see found the cutest little girl sitting under a tree, now what was her name? Marinette I believe?"

"Where is she?"

"Why don't we go visit her? Shall we?" He said grinning wickedly.