The Myth of the White Snake

第十章

Marinette stepped onto the Broken Bridge and began walking. The bridge was empty once again, save for the few tourists leaning against the railing. Marinette didn't mind the emptiness, she preferred it that way anyways. She looked around the bridge, and her blue eyes stopped scanning the bridge when she spotted the handsome blond she had been looking for with his elbows against the stone railing.

Marinette made his way over to him and joined him on the railing. Adrien's eyes darted to her the second he sensed her presence right next to him. His pupils widened, and he smiled softly at the sight of her.

"I had a feeling I'd see you here," Adrien said.

Marinette smiled back, but her smile faded right away. Adrien, upon seeing this, scooted closer to her until their shoulders touched. He tilted his head to get a better look at her, and her beautiful blue eyes were no longer shining the way he remembered. Instead, they shined with stray tears that tinted the whites of her eyes light red. Like she had been crying.

"What's wrong?" Adrien asked.

Marinette took a deep, shaky breath, "Adrien, do you love me?"

"Of course I do," Adrien said without hesitation, "I love you more than words can express"

Marinette sniffed as tears reawakened in her eyes. She wiped them away as they pooled out, only for them to keep flowing down her cheeks nonstop.

"Would you still love me if... If I turned out to be... Not who you think I am?" Marinette asked through tears.

Adrien turned his body to face her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Marinette looked at him with tears in her eyes, a sight that broke him to witness.

"Marinette, I don't know what you're trying to tell me, but the answer is still yes," Adrien said softly, "I love you for who you are, and I don't care if my father disapproves of you"

He's an ass anyways.

Marinette wiped away what tears remained and threw her arms around Adrien's waist. Adrien nearly toppled backwards from the sudden impact of her embrace, but he regained his balance and wrapped his arms over her shoulders nonetheless. Marinette sobbed into his warm chest while Adrien rubbed her back in comfort.

"Will you love me... No matter what?" Marinette asked.

Adrien rested his chin on top of her head, engulfing her in the comforting warmth of his body. He closed his eyes as her warm tears soaked through his shirt.

"Yes," Adrien replied under his breath, "I'll love you no matter what, Marinette. I love everything about you, so don't forget that"

Marinette gripped the back of his shirt between her fists as her tears began to slow down their flow. She sniffed through tears while Adrien still held her as tightly as he could, not wanting to let go until she did.

"Adrien," Marinette whimpered, "I love you so much"

Adrien's lips twitched into a small smile as he hummed softly into her hair. The sound of his voice brought comfort to her as she felt his chest rise and fall at a steady rate. Her breathing synced with his while his heart thumped gently against her head. She closed her eyes as she rested the side of her head against his chest, listening to his calming and gentle heartbeat.

~

By the time Adrien was on his way back to the hotel, the moon and stars have risen in the dark sky. The city lights have sprung to life as Adrien walked underneath them with his hands in his jean pockets. A few people were still roaming out and about as cars drove by with their headlights shining brightly with the city lights.

While minding his own business, Adrien's feet came to a halt when he heard a foreign voice call his name from behind.

"Adrien Agreste?"

Adrien turned his entire body around to face the owner of this voice. He was expecting it to be a fan of his from his modeling days, but a monk wearing a dark orange robe stood in front of him instead.

"Yes, that's me"

Adrien placed both of his palms together in front of his chest and dipped his head upon seeing this monk. The monk returned his greeting.

"I just came to warn you about the white snake demon," Fa Hai said.

Adrien blinked. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, as that would have been disrespectful. He knew how much the Chinese respected their elders, not to mention this was a monk he was talking to.

"I'm sorry, Dà Yé, but I'm afraid I don't believe in the white snake," Adrien said.

Fa Hai remained calm as he continued to speak.

"I respect your opinion, Xiǎo Huǒzi," the monk said, "Not everyone believes in demons, but you should still be careful. The demon is closer to you than you think"

Adrien froze. He still wasn't sure whether he should believe the monk's words or not, but just the sound of those words sent a chill through his spine.

"Elaborate?" Adrien requested.

"Be careful of the young woman in a white dress," Fa Hai warned.

Adrien furrowed his golden eyebrows in thought. The young woman in a white dress. The only person who fits that description is Marinette, but she couldn't possibly be a demon. There's no way a sweet and gentle girl could be such a thing. Besides, it's not like they were in a book.

"Thank you for your warning," Adrien said.

He still wasn't convinced that this spirit was real, but he needed to be polite when speaking to such a man. He thought it was best not to verbally disregard this monk's words.

The monk held a large glass bottle out to Adrien, who hadn't realized was in the monk's hand this entire time. Its contents contained a clear liquid that looked much like water.

"Please take this and drink it to protect you," Fa Hai said, "Share it with your loved ones, too"

Adrien reached out and took the gift from the monk. He rotated the large bottle in his hands, examining the contents up close.

"May I ask what this is?"

"Realgar wine," Fa Hai responded, "If you drink it, it will protect you from evil spirits, which are roaming everywhere during this time. Just one shot should be enough.

"I'll be on my way now. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe," Fa Hai finished.

The monk turned around and walked away, leaving a confused Adrien in the middle of the city. He looked at the bottle one last time before shrugging. He might as well take it back to the hotel with him. After all, it was free wine.