The Huntress And The Knight

Chapter Theee

"Mari, you can't go!" Alya exclaimed for the hundredth time as Marinette secured the latch on her cloak. Ever since the notice had been delivered late last night about Marinette's new job, Alya had urged her not to take it. Marinette took one last look in her trunk before she snapped it shut. She had made sure to pack her two ragged dresses, an extra pair of shoes, her favorite books, and in a secret compartment, all of her hunting gear.

"Alya, you know that this is for the best," she told her friend as she leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek before grabbing her trunk and opening her door. Her friend followed her outside as Marinette placed her trunk on the dirt road and waited for the carriage. "With this job, I'll be making much more money. Within weeks, you'll be able to pay off the house debt, and after that you can even get an expansion. Not just that, but you'll have enough for food and maybe even some books for the girls."

"But what about your identity? Surely they'll be able to tell who you are," Alya told her, the look of concern on her face growing with every word that left her lips.

"Alya, they burned all of the history books and if you speak her name you can kiss your life goodbye," she replied. "No one will know it's me."

"What about Ladybug?" Marinette's breath caught. Although this thought had drifted through her mind, she had been too cowardly to confront it. To be honest, she wasn't sure what she would do. She knew in her heart that she was being selfish. She was going off to earn higher wages and leaving her people in trouble. But she would figure it out. She always did.

"I can't say no to the Prince's order," she replied sadly. "But you know I'll figure it out."

"Yeah, I know," Alya sighed as the carriage came into view. "Just promise me you'll be safe."

"I will," she replied. When the carriage pulled up to the small cottage, Marinette grabbed her trunk and didn't look back. She knew that if she did, she would never be able to leave. The carriage door opened, but before anyone could get out, Marinette threw her trunk inside and climbed in, slamming the door behind her.

"Ah, I was going to offer up my services, but it seems you are perfectly capable." Marinette rolled her eyes: men always thought she was just another "damsel in distress," but she instantly regretted it when she turned to see who was sitting across from her. Marinette's eyes meet with the emerald-green eyes of the prince himself. She hadn't expected him to make the journey to pick her up, just like she hadn't expected him to suddenly give her the job.

"Your highness!" she exclaimed, trying to bow. Instead, the carriage hit a bump, which sent the clumsy Marinette straight into the prince. When she finally realized what had happened, she found herself on his lap. Quickly, she bolted back to her seat. "Sorry! I'm so clumsy..."

"It's alright," he assured her. For a few moments, they sat in awkward silence. Marinette had no idea what to say. She still had no idea how she felt about him. Was he the stuck-up rich brat enforcing his father's rules, or was he sweet and confused, not sure what to do after his Cat with Ladybug? She honestly had no idea, but the out of the blue job put her a bit on edge. What if he knew all about her, and this was a trap. She hoped that Alya had been wrong.

"Well...I bet you're wondering about the job," Adrien finally started.

"Yes, very much so," she replied, glad that the silence had ended.

"In light of some...recent events, I've started to realize how much the people of this kingdom are truly suffering. You said it yourself, you can barely afford a stale loaf of bread at the market," he told her. "Therefore, I'm trying to do things to help my people. I know that getting one lucky person a job at the palace isn't much, but I was hoping that maybe...you could help me."