Adrien stepped to the side letting a couple of knight's pass him. He felt like a wolf in a lion's den and he was sure this was not going to end well. Questioning the plan once again, he looked around and checked the area before joining the back of the line.

After great consideration, Adrien had decided to wait until near the end of registration, allowing him to, hopefully, sneak in and hide away. Less people in the area surely meant less chance of being spotted, right?

Like the knight he always dreamed of being, Adrien supported his helmet under his right arm while his left hand gripped tight around the neck of his sword; his armour was perfectly fit and shined to perfection.

Adrien no longer looked like a peasant from the outer city limits but a Sir with a knighthood and a clean cut face.

Standing in the line for new arrivals, Adrien was cleanly shaven and neatly trimmed; it had been years since he'd been bare faced. Zoe had done a thorough job at cleaning him up, Nino stating he was completely unrecognisable; and he hoped that was the truth. He itched to stroke his non-existent facial hair, a motion he'd used to comfort him over the years. His nerves kicked up once more; one person realising who he was could cut this mission — and his life — short.

The line moved, the head knight standing at the front with a scroll in his hand. As Adrien glanced over at him, he couldn't help but smile; his old foe standing in charge as his most wanted criminal was about to sneak past.

If only he knew.

Another couple of paces and he was at the front, the knights glaring him down in their usual straight laced fashion — very much an implementation of the Lord.

"Name?" The knight barked, Adrien gulping down the last bit of anxiety before starting his, hopefully, successful act. He had to stand strong, confident in his own skill set.

Lady Kagami had mentioned how the weak were to be separated and placed on the outer limits of the city — their skills not adequate for the Princess' protection therefore removing them from the castle. Being on the outer limits was suicide — the first to partake in battle, resulting in the first to fall.

"Sir Chat Noir."

His old foe looked up, one eyebrow raised as he studied Adrien's face; Adrien prayed the knight couldn't place where he'd seen the face before. His alias as Chat Noir was designed to protect his mother and the others — Lady Kagami included. He wouldn't dare give his real name; the outcome would only be horrifying if the Lord ever found out.

"So you do exist! I thought for a moment my men were trying to make a court jester out of me by adding a name no one would wear on my scroll. I've never heard of such a name before."

Standing tall, Adrien could see the knight was a couple of inches shorter than him and not of the same build. Even with his armour coating, Adrien's constant to and fro over the kingdom walls had built him muscle and power — both which shone through his armour. He knew he looked intimidating, he just hoped it was enough to earn a position within the castle; his skills would help support his appearance.

"Some men like to stay hidden in the shadows. It's not all about standing out; kind of like being a cat ready to pounce."

"Why have such a name as Chat Noir if attention is not what you seek?" The knights started laughing. "Pussy cats don't have what it takes to be a protector of a Princess." He laughed again. "On your head be it."

Turning his head away, the knight looked at his minion beside him, the two taken by a joke Adrien wasn't privy to. He felt his chest tightening, if he was going to sell this he needed to make himself known. It was a risk, but one he needed to take. He knew the way of the army, he knew weakness came from those who coward under scrutiny; stepping down from a fight would end up with you being in a one to one conversation with the Lord.

"And to what name shall I call you?" Adrien asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Excuse me?" the knight asked, Adrien's questioning taking them both aback.

"As you know my name I feel it is only fair that I should know yours." Adrien rocked backwards and forwards on the balls of his feet, a sign he wasn't planning on moving anytime soon.

"I don't believe that will be of any importance to you. Lower level Knight's won't be conversing with superiors, like myself, therefore no name is needed. You will refer to me as Sir Couffaine and nothing less."

Adrien tilted his head. This guy really did think highly of himself — if only he knew the truth. "Knight's like myself are always of value to their kingdom."

Another raised eyebrow from Sir Couffaine almost had Adrien laughing; he wasn't sure whether the knight was going to try and murder him during the tournaments or be impressed by his bravado — fake or not. Thank goodness he could put actions to his conceited words, at least he hoped.

At the tender age of 6, Adrien was first introduced to the world of knighthood. He never forgot the feeling of his first chain armour — the cool metal, the heavy weight — it was pleasing and grounding. He felt invincible. But nothing could beat the first time he wore his 'plate metal' and wielded a sword in his early teen years. It felt natural, like he was to walk the Earth as a Knight. The honour. The adrenaline. The chance to make a difference.

His mother had always supported his aspiration, making sure he could be immersed in the world he wanted to survive in; but his father had other plans, plans Adrien did not fulfil. This led to both his, and his mother's, demise but this was his chance to set things right, to prove to his father that he was wrong, and that Adrien Agreste was capable of achieving — even if it was on a battlefield and not on a throne.

"If you were that valuable you would not have been sent from your kingdom. Now, move along before I move you myself."

A few seconds passed as Adrien stood his ground.

"Move!" Sir Couffaine demanded again. Understanding that some battles were not worth pursuing, Adrien turned to walk away — keeping eye contact to the last moment.

"Oh, and Chat Noir, I hope your tournament partner goes easy on you. You don't want that pretty face of yours to be messed up." The minion said, both knights laughing at the last minute attack.

Jaw tensed and nostrils flaring, Adrien looked forward and continued into the castle grounds, over the drawbridge and into the gate house. He moved with the crowd, keeping his pace slow to take in his surroundings. So far, nothing had changed since his last excursion into the castle grounds a couple of years back — the only difference being this time he was welcomed.

He examined the crowds, throngs of men each here to fight for the honour of protecting the Princess and the jewels, each having trained hour after hour; day after day; in need to be at their best.

Where the knights around him would have been put through vigorous training routines and high impact tournament training, Adrien's had been the fruit he'd stolen from the marketplace, and practising cutting up a bag of corn Nino was holding. It had been years since he'd flexed these muscles and he just hoped there was something left inside him to pull this off.

The knights before him had lined up from back of the courtyard to front. Each perfectly placed with equal gaps in-between. He loved the formation, the consistency, the unchanging rights... the knowingness. Standing in his position, the tell-tale signs of the portcullis closing drew his attention, and as Sir Couffaine walked in with his men he knew it was time to perform.

A fanfare blared before the announcement was made. "Let's begin."

Tournament after tournament, Adrien put his best foot forward, glad to see that Lady Kagami was right — you don't just lose your skill, especially when you were trained to such a high degree.

Though rusty in the first couple of rounds, Adrien quickly moved into the swing of things — quite literally. The weight of both the sword and the armour became a comfort that he'd missed and one he didn't realise he craved. Once the familiarity struck, his skill ended his tournaments quickly and almost effortlessly.

Removing his helmet, Adrien felt eyes upon him. Eyes from different directions and entirely different people. He hadn't wanted to gain attention, that wasn't the plan.

Unfortunately, Sir Couffaine had taken a great interest in him, though not in the most adoring way. The cut throat glare the knight gave him was a clear warning to watch himself, Adrien only smiling in response.

He shook his head. Lifting his arm, he used his gauntlet to run over his forehead and hair, the sheen left on the metal an indication of his continuous hard work.

His next audience member came in the form of his friend and confidant, Lady Kagami. Though not involved in the day's events, Adrien could see her standing at the window on the second floor looking out into the arena. Her face was unreadable, yet every time their eyes met he felt the warmth and admiration she reflected upon him; one which inspired him to take chances to keep pushing on. She believed in him. She'd put her neck out for him. And he wasn't going to lose this opportunity. A few more rounds and the end goal would be in sight.

The last pair of eyes were unknown. He could feel their presence on him, yet even searching the area he couldn't find their owner. It had been continuous from the first round; the intense feeling someone was burning holes into his back, tracking each and every one of his moves. He felt paranoid. Though, the feeling wasn't unpleasant. It was supporting him and pushing him forward — a silent supporter cheering him on. He just wished he could find them.

Adrien headed to the tent where servants were handing out cups of water from a pail, requesting one for himself from the lady running it. He thanked her as she handed it over, resulting in glares from the other knights. You didn't thank servants, that was meant to be beyond anyone of threat stature. It was their job to tend to the knights willingly, not for gratitude. He kicked himself for making such a juvenile mistake, praying his arch nemesis Couffaine wasn't anywhere near; such a slip could question his social standing.

Moving away, he consumed the liquid quickly only to feel those eyes on him once again. He swallowed awkwardly as he once again surveyed the area for his stalker. Placing the wooden cup back on the table, he felt his skin prickle and an odd pull to glance to his left.

On the edge of the garden, his eyes collided with a bright, crystal blue; the woman attached to them frozen as they became intertwined with each other. Breaking the gaze, she swiftly turned in an awkward need to get away.

Was there a new Lady in the castle? Kagami had failed to mention if there was. Maybe she'd arrived with her knight to support him in the tournament. Maybe she was a servant, chancing a glance at the knights tournament? Though her clothing was luxurious. The material looked as though it had been imported from foreign lands, not a finery you'd find on the expensive streets of the Champs-Élysées.

A twitch lifted the corners of his lips as he watched the out-of-place woman collide with a bush and almost topple head first into it, before scurrying off into the depths of the heavily populated garden.

Chuckling to himself, he glanced around to check he wasn't being watched; with everyone either in tournament or sharpening their sword, he followed in the direction of which the woman had just run, set on finding out who she was and why she'd taken such an interest in him.

He knew his face held a different aesthetic now, but he never considered it enough to send someone falling into a bush — maybe at his feet... but not into a bush.

A moment later, Adrien was in the gardens and following the path of destruction that the Lady had left in her wake. It was obvious she was trying to scurry away, albeit not too successfully. Snapped plants and scattered stones made this game of hide and seek rather easy for the seeker.

"Oh no!"

The distressed noise led him directly to where the female was snagged on a bush branch. She'd gripped tightly on her skirt as she pulled and pulled, giving him the briefest peek of her stockings as she tugged; he knew it wouldn't work, this bush was one of the most lethal in the garden.

He laughed and edged closer; hands out and slow movements he tried her as a wild animal in fight or flight mode. "Would you like some help?"

Her back straightened as she heard his voice and Adrien watched as she brushed down the sides of her dress. He could imagine her embarrassment of being found in such a compromising position.

"I'm fine, thank you kind Sir."

Adrien smiled. "I don't think you are, M'Lady."

M'Lady? He wasn't sure why he'd said it, but the words just seemed to roll off his tongue like a fine wine. He heard her laugh, the sound of a thousand Angels, as she slowly peered over her shoulder and directly into his eyes, her hair catching in the wind from her movement and creating a raven fan around her.

Adrien knew she'd be pretty, her bluebell eyes had had him mesmerised after all, but what he was not expecting was the pure beauty of the woman standing in front of him.

As striking as her eyes were, they were nothing compared to the overall aesthetic of her face. He'd never seen anyone so perfect in his life! Her hair made him long for the expensive fineries of ebony furniture — the colour shimmering and shining in the sunlight. Her body was proportioned in a way he ached to touch only adding to the intense need to know.

His stomach dropped into a freefall as his eyes raked over the Lady's frame. This would not be a good distraction for his plan, especially if she was staying around for a while. A woman this stunning hadn't been part of their plan.

Holding his arms at his side, he watched as the Lady grabbed hold of her dress once more and fiercely yanked it upwards away from the thorns. The shine of black nylon flashing him once again and causing him to gulp.

"Well," he coughed. "If you don't need me, I'll just return to the courtyard."

Slowly, Adrien turned around and began to edge his way back to the opening and, ultimately, to the tournament; smirking as he listened to the guttural groans of the Lady as she attempted to free herself from the plant.

A fed up sigh was finally heard behind him as she had obviously given up on the mission and he waited to hear the sweet words of 'help' from this darling, damsel in distress.

"W-w-wait," she called with a stutter.

Adrien stopped yet didn't turn back. His mouth expressed far too much for her 'stubbornness' to see. He was quite sure if she saw the smile on his face right now it would not go down too well.

"Yes," he replied, attempting to keep the amusement out of his voice.

"Hypothetically speaking, if you were to get into this conundrum, how would you find your way out?"

Adrien turned around and crossed his arms (as best as he could over his armour), schooling his mouth into a line, not a grin. "You sure you're not just asking for help?"

She puffed out her lips and mirrored his arms with her own. "Not at all. I was just speaking relatively to see if your solution would match mine."

"Nothing to do with helping you escape?"

"I told you. I have this covered," she said, turning herself around to face him and allowing the luxurious red dress to wrap around her legs. If she wasn't careful she was going to stumble, if her scurry from the courtyard was anything to go by.

Adrien moved forward, ready to grab her just in case she fell head first into the nefarious berberis bush, not wanting this damsel to feel the wrath of this unfriendly shrub. He'd been victim to the sharp shrubbery many times within the past, a scar on his back evidence of the one time he was defeated.

"Well, then, if you really must know—" he edged himself closer, happy when he saw the breath catch in her throat. He lowered his head to aim his lips to her ear. She stilled, a fluttering circling around in his stomach. "I wouldn't have gotten myself into this situation in the first place."

Turning sharply, he began to head away from where she was standing; both her eyes and mouth left agape.

"At least you've got it sorted," he said. "But don't forget to watch you don't fall into the berberis bush, it can be uncaringly prickly. See you at the tournament."

"Hold on a —"

Instinctively, Adrien turned round at the exact moment the Lady's legs became restricted and she began to fall. A quick manoeuvre had him swooping in and grabbing a hold of her before she could become acquainted with the shrubbery, and the intense pain following. He cradled her into his body as her legs lay naturally over his arm — her arms at home as they looped tightly around his neck.

"Thank you, Sir," she whispered almost breathlessly, his own throat working hard to push down the curious build up as his eyes flickered from down and up — drinking her all in.

"You're welcome, fair maiden."

As he stood there holding her, he took the chance to absorb himself in her eyes. They sparkled like the reflection of the sun on clear water; calling him in and tempting him to experience the sheer depth hidden below the surface. She was enticing him to come and drown in her, like the mythological syren he'd always heard about.

"I think you should —"

Before she could finish her sentence, Adrien moved and placed her feet on the ground. Seating himself on one knee beside her, he tried the vest he could to free her from the shrub. A difficult challenge if you're in gauntlets, but a challenge he was willing to accept.

"Here," he said. "Let me help."

Neither spoke as he began to work on the edge of her dress, each movement one to be careful about; his hands staying clear of brushing against her leg. After seeing the light sheen of the stocking it was hard to not imagine what was on the other side of her dress.

"Thank you, kind Sir." She spoke in a hushed tone which did nothing for his heart. It was beating erratically, out of sync and in desperation to be closer to her.

"The pleasure was all mine."

He stood to full height, a protective urge empowering him as he realised exactly how much he towered over her and her petite frame. She looked like a doll, so smooth and wonderful; the small freckles on her nose being the most perfect imperfection he'd ever seen. He had to clench his hands into fists to stop from reaching out and touching them, tracing their pathway and discovering their unique shapes.

"How may I thank you?"

The need to stay close to this maiden was overpowering. In response, Adrien offered his hand to her. "Care to join me for a stroll?"

Her tongue darted out, caressing her lower lip before her teeth clawed over the sheen. She looked around, taking time to study the area she finally turned back to him. Her face was still reading uncertainty.

"You can trust me," he found himself saying, her eyes widening at his statement. "I won't hurt you."

She bit her lip again, a groan getting caught in his throat as he watched her lower lip getting all the attention; and that's when he noticed she was looking at him questionably.

"Sorry," he reached behind his neck and ran his hand up and down, threading it into the shortened stands. He'd completely missed what she'd said; his eyes too focused on the pretty pink of her lips.

She giggled and his heart skipped a beat. She really was a sight for sore eyes. "I said, 'I trust you.'"

Without warning, his face broke into a delighted gleam, his hand taking hers to wrap through his elbow and lead her deeper into the garden. It had been a while since he'd seen the castle grounds, yet, in all these years, nothing had changed.

Adrien led her away from the tournament arena and down the paths into the deep orchard, an array of trees lining the path and hiding them in their shadows.

"This is beautiful," the maiden gasped, Adrien smiling as he took in the awe on her face.

Her hand stretched up, her finger delicately brushing along the pink blossom hanging down above their heads, her eyes dancing as she touched the soft petals of the spring bloom.

"Yeah," he sighed, his head telling him that he meant the flowers too, when really his heart was certain the endearment was for her.

"Do you know what this is?" she asked. "I've never seen something of such a pretty colour before. I think it's my new favourite."

Her words increased his blood flow and he swore he was going to faint from her sweetness. Reaching upwards, Adrien snapped a twig and handed it to her, her eyes smiling as she held the blossom under her nose — her cheeks tinting to match in colour of the bloom.

"It's a cherry blossom," he explained.

"So this is a cherry blossom." She smiled, twisting and twirling the twig between her fingers. "I've heard so much about them! I don't know how familiar you are with other kingdoms, but, in some distant ones, they say a girl should receive a kiss on May first to ensure her a life of beauty until the blossom forms again."

"Is that so?"

She nodded before continuing to walk down the tree lined path twig still in hands. Adrien moved swiftly, catching up to her regardless of her head start.

"It is what they believe," Marinette responded.

"And what about you, M'Lady? Do you believe it?"

Stopping, the fair maiden turned to look at him; her cheeks still coated in the colour of wild, pink cherry blossoms.

"Well, the calendar quotes today as May first and I'm not sure if I want to leave my beauty just to fate."

A twitch moved his lips. She was captivating and so confident.

"Are you asking for a kiss, M'Lady? After all, I wouldn't want to be the reason your beauty diminishes."

"I think that may be the most sensible of choices. A Lady can't lose her looks if she expects to be betrothed. But before I can accept a kiss, I would like to know the name of my kind saviour." She tilted her head to one side, a frown pulling her eyebrows together and wrinkling her forehead in a way his fingers itched to reach out and soothe back to perfection.

"Sir Noir, at your service." Lowering down onto one knee, Adrien bowed his head before lifting it once more. She held out a hand and he took it, feeling her lift him back onto his feet.

"Does Sir Noir go by any other name?" she asked, cherry blossoms continued to be held tightly to her chest.

"You can call me Chat."

She laughed, her eyes dancing in the springtime sun. "How can you be a 'chat' if you forgo a tail, Sir Noir?" He watched as she looked behind him, a glance at his rear causing his own cheeks to battle against the colour of hers.

Pulling himself back into character, Adrien responded. "If you want me to have a tail I'm sure I could whip one up from somewhere."

She giggled again. "You really are naughty, Chaton."

"Chaton?" he queried, a slight nod of her head validating what she'd just said.

He couldn't help a laugh leaving his lips. "I like it."

Taking her hand in his, he kept his eyes firmly on hers as he bent low and placed it to his lips; a soft, tentative kiss against her knuckles as her breathing deepened in response, his own hitching in his chest.

"For your year of beauty, M'Lady," Adrien whispered. "Though, beauty holds nothing to someone like you."

She opened her mouth to speak again, only to be interrupted by the sound of a fanfare echoing through the treetops: birds flying from the sudden invasive sound. He'd almost forgotten the reason as to why he was here, his mind fogging with this maiden standing in front of him.

"I must return," Adrien said, looking over his shoulder in the direction of the courtyard.

"Will I see you again?" her voice was smooth, her question more an indication of want, and there was no option for him to decline.

"I hope my heart leads me to you once again, M'Lady. But for now, I must bid you a regretful farewell." He took her opposite hand this time, and once again pressed his lips to it before looking into her eyes. "An extra kiss to make certain that you remain the fairest in the land."

Her cheeks glowed in that wonderful pink once more and he was sure he would never look at a cherry blossom the same way again. They would forever remind him of her.

Before she could respond, he was already on his way back to the arena, his head reassuring his heart that one day he could consider a meaningful relationship with orchard walks and cherry blossoms. That one day, once his mother was healed, he'd be free to have his stomach turn and twirl as he exchanged sweet kisses with his sweetheart every year on May first, even if it wasn't this maiden who'd bewitched him inside and out.

But as of this moment he had one job to do and that was to get his place in the castle and save his family.

As the remaining hopefuls had been ushered into the centre of the courtyard, Adrien could tell from the amounts that he was almost there. Just a couple more wins and he'd earn his place to protect the Princess.

He looked to the side, his eyes catching Sir Couffaine — his own ocean eyes burning into Adrien. Not wanting to be held in a stare off and draw more attention to himself, Adrien turned back to the front; his demeanour strong and deflecting any negative thoughts about him away.

Fanfares blasted again, Adrien peering to the front where a woman in a familiar red dress was walking alongside Lady Kagami. They were smiling and talking, and Adrien couldn't withhold the hopeful twinge of hope in his heart that he would get a chance to see this maiden again. He'd speak to Kagami, find out her name and search the Kingdoms to find her.

... After he'd gotten the jewels.

"Is that the Princess?"

"She's younger than I expected."

"I wouldn't mind risking my life for her."

Conversation flooded around him, and he knew he should be working something out. Something obvious. Something simple. But it wasn't coming to him; the simplest, most realistic option just seemed... impossible.

The raven haired beauty took to the steps alone, and Adrien felt like his legs were going to give way. Everything in him was slowly shutting down only to be exaggerated when Sir Couffaine supported the Princess up onto the plinth. His hand clutched onto the one he'd kissed earlier under the cherry blossoms and he couldn't help but feel violated by the knight's actions. Those hands belonged to him.

Adrien watched closely as her eyes scanned the arena, finally landing on his. His jaw dropped; he couldn't help it.

She was standing there.

She was the crowned Princess.

All of a sudden, his need to protect her grew stronger, yet the logistics were crippled. He needed to restructure his plan. Guarding the Princess closely was not an option.

Keeping her eyes on his, she pulled her hand out of Sir Couffaine's grasp and held them tightly in front of her. She didn't look away from Adrien as she spoke and suddenly he found it hard to breathe.

"Good morning, gracious Sirs, I am Princess Marinette."