Nathaniel was barely around these days.

Marinette felt relieved.

She twirled her ring around her finger as she stared at the wall.

"You know, Marinette, I've never paid attention to the ring on your finger," Juleka stated, breaking Marinette away from her thoughts, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Marinette held her hand out to Chloe and Juleka and they looked at it with wide eyes.

"It's so pretty,"  They cooed in unison. Marinette cracked a small smile before placing her hand back in her lap. She then studied Chloe.

"Chloe, are you gonna tell us what Nathaniel did to you yesterday?" Marinette asked softly and the smile dropped the blonde's face.

"He just hit me and whipped me. That's about it," Chloe muttered, staring down at her bruised hands. "He did it because of what I did before he brought me here."

Juleka hesitated, but asked anyway, "What did you do?"

"I threatened to rat him and Lila out to the Agrestes," Chloe chuckled dryly. "I shouldn't have said anything! I should've kept my mouth shut until I left that damn place! Maybe Marinette wouldn't be here suffering right now! None of us would be here and Nathaniel and Lila would be at the wrath of the higher ups!"

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears and she buried her face into her hands.

Marinette wrapped her arms around the crying blonde and drew her into a hug. "It's oka-"

"No it's not!" Chloe exclaimed, buring her face into Marinette's shoulder. "If I had just used my brain when I was supposed to none of us would be here! I always open my big mouth at the wrong moments and never for the right reasons!"

Marinette went silent as Chloe shook in her arms.

"It's not your fault. Nathaniel is just as sick bastard and he would've found a way to shut you up about my kidnapping anyway. You weren't the one to kidnap me. Yeah, you could have done something to prevent it, but you just weren't thinking and I won't hold it over your head. It's okay," Marinette said, holding her tighter. Chloe cried harder, clutching onto the princess.

Marinette and Juleka shared a look when Chloe started to calm down.

Chloe sniffed and sat straight  letting Marinette go in the process. "How are you so forgiving?"

Marinette shrugged, "It's better to forgive and to never forget rather to hold a life long grudge that might slowly kill you."

"Agreed," Juleka jumped in, making Chloe smile.

"I won't stay here forever, Chloe," Marinette gave her a look. "We'll get out of here. I'm sure Adrien's looking for me right now and I'll try my best to stay sane. Nathaniel needs to suffer for his crimes and Adrien will make sure he does just that."

* * *

Lila grinned as she saw the large castle. She was so happy for her date with Adrien, she was practically glowing.

The driver parked in front of the castle and notified her that they have reached their destination. Lila took a deep breath and studied her outfit.

She wore a tight, red crop top and black skinny jeans, a black blazer accompanying the outfit. Adrien had told her to dress casually and she did just that.

The driver rounded the car and opened the door for her then helped her out. The bottom of Lila's blank heels met the gravel and she started to walk up the stairs of the castle. At the large doors stood a petite maid with blonde hair.

"H-Hello, Ms Rossi. The Prince has ordered me to escort you to where you will be having lunch," Rose said in a small, quiet voice.

Lila scowled, "Speak up! How on earth am I supposed to hear you?  And aren't you supposed to bow to me, girl?"

"Sorry!" Rose squeaked out, her hands shaking violently behind her back.

"They were told only to bow down to royalty," A new voice was added to the mix. Lila turned and saw a girl with auburn hair and glasses. "And I heard clearly what she just, how did you not hear? Something wrong with your ears?"

Lila huffed and turned her attention from the timid maid to the other girl. "And who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"

The girl smiled, "Oh, I'm nothing but a mere duchess, Miss Rossi. You can address me as Alya or don't address me at all."

"I-"

"No need to say anything more, Lila. I'll take you to where Adrien's waiting for you," Alya smirked before turning to give Rose a smile. "You can go Rose."

Rose thanked Alya, bowing, then ran off into the castle quickly.

Like turned to enter the castle when Alya stopped her.

"You won't be having lunch in the castle. Follow me,"

Lila rose an eyebrow, but followed the duchess nonetheless.

'How could she be a duchess? She's dressed like a street rat! And why did that maid listen to her?!!'

"Lila," Adrien's voice broke her away from her raging thoughts. A smile rose to her lips.

"Adri-honey," She purred making him inwardly cringe.

Adrien was sitting under a medium sized gazebo. He wore a white button down and blue jeans. His hair was slicked back and he looked as hot as ever.

Lila brushed passed Alya, spitefully, and sat across from Adrien, propping her elbows up on the stone table and staring dreamily at him.

"You can go now, Alya," Adrien said, giving her a knowing glance.

Alya huffed, then said before walking away, "You can't tell me what to do."

Adrien chuckled then muttered, "She sure is something."

Lila frowned.

"You allow her to talk to you like that?"

Adrien shrugged, "She's my best friend's girlfriend and Marinette's best friend, so she's kinda got the privilege to."

Lila was not pleased, "You shouldn't waste your time conversing with those who are below you."

Adrien wanted to say, "I'm here talking to you so...", but he chose to hold his tongue and said, "If people want to talk to me, they can talk to me. I have no problem with that. As long as they respect me, we'll be the best of friends."

Lila didn't agree, "But then they'll think you're weak and want to take advantage of you."

"While I partially agree with you, I'd have to disagree," Adrien said, eyeing the girl that sat in front of him. "Anyways, enough about that. I invited you here to have lunch with me and to speak about the rumors that are going around. I, for one, don't care about rumors, but I felt as if I needed to speak to you about it to make sure you took no part in spreading those rumors."

Lila clenched her jaw then smiled brightly at him, "I assure you, Adrien - can I call you Adrien? - that I took no part in spreading those rumors. I was shocked when I heard them!"

Adrien wasn't having it, but he played along, "Oh dear, who could have possibly started those rumors though? I'm curious. I hope they die down soon."

"So do I," Lila gritted her teeth. She didn't want those rumors to die down. She liked the fact that people thought she and Adrien had something going on, because she knew it'd soon become reality. "I am famished. When is the food coming out?"

As if on cue, a few maids came out carrying trays. They bowed at Adrien, who nodded in appreciation, after placing the food on the stone table.

Lila was about to say something when the maid from earlier rushed over, carrying a jug with lemonade and glasses.

She swiftly and shakily put them on the table nervously. She hand accidentally hit a glass and they all watched as it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

Lila tried to hide her smirk. Adrien was going to snap at the maid and fire her and she will get a front row seat of the scene. She was shocked when Adrien placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and looked at her calmly.

"I-I'm so sorry, Prince Adrien," Rose apologied, tears filling her big eyes.

"It's okay, Rose. I'll get this cleaned up later. Go back and bring another glass," Adrien smiled, calming the maid's nerves.

"Thank you, your highness," Rose bowed before rushing off to get another glass. She soon after returned with the glass before leaving again.

Lila looked him, confusion written all over her face. "That was a good glass. Why didn't you reprimand her? Or lash out on her? Or even fire her?"

Adrien looked at her like she grew two heads, "Why on earth would I do that? She broke the glass by accident, not on purpose.  Rose is a good worker and I won't fire her because she broke a glass."

In Lila's mind, Adrien wasn't as harsh as she expected. She expected him to be ruthless and as cruel as his father.

'When I marry him, I'll whip him into shape,' She thought with a smirk.

"Let's forget that," Lila placed her hand on Adrien's hand that was on the table. Adrien pulled his hand from under hers quickly, ignoring the hurt that flashed across her face. "Uh, let's eat."

Adrien and Lila ate in silence, Lila not so subtly staring at him while he tried to ignore her hungry eyes.

Adrien cleared his throat then spoke, "So Lila, what's your relationship with Nathaniel?"

Adrien mentally face palmed himself. What kind of conversation starter is that?

Lila seemed happy that Adrien starter up a conversation, not seeing anything suspicious about his question. She answered, "We're kinda like best friends."

"I've been wanting to apologize to him for some time now. I behaved harshly towards him at the ball and at my wedding and I feel horrible." Why must I lie like this?

"Oh my God, you're so sweet," Lila cooed. "Well, I can't tell you where he is, but I can set up a meeting for you two."

Adrien rose a brow, "And why can't you tell me where he is?"

"I just can't. I swore I wouldn't tell anyone. Plus, he's my best friend, I can't rat him out," She shrugged, taking a sip of her lemonade.

"Hmm," Adrien hummed, stuffing a sandwich into his mouth.

"Anyways, enough about Nathaniel," Lila smirked before getting up to sit beside Adrien. "Let's talk about us."

Adrien let out a sigh of frustration when her arm brushed his. He was seriously tired of girls like her, but what did he expect when he invited her to have lunch with him?

"Us?"

"Yeah. I know there's a lot weight on your shoulder now since your wife has gone missing. I want to be here for you, to help you get over her and to let you know that she's not coming back. Let me relieve you of your stress," She purred, placing her hand on his thigh.

"Are you saying I should cheat on my wife with you of all people?"

"It's not cheating, Adrien. You're just taking a break," Her hand itched up more.

Adrien snapped.

He gripped her hand and removed it from his thigh.

"You are disgusting. I thought maybe the things that everyone said about you isn't true and you're actually nice, turns out I was wrong. So very wrong. You want me to cheat on my wife with you?! You're crazy if you think I'd do that," Adrien glared at her intensely and she cowered in fear. "Now listen to me and listen to me carefully, if you ever think about touching me or talking to me again, you're going to regret it. That website you have, what's it called again.... Oh yeah, Royal Spice, delete it."

Lila's eyes widened, "H-how did you know?"

Adrien smirked, "I wasn't sure until now when you confirmed it."

Lila was stiff and scared.

"Now get out of my sight and off my property, Miss Rossi," Adrien said calmly, downing his lemonade.

Lila stood on shaky feet and turned to get the hell out of there. This Adrien scared the hell out of her.

"One more thing," He said, making her stop in her tracks.

"Y-yes?" She answered, her voice wavering.

"If I find out that you had anything to do with Marinette's kidnapping, you and everyone who assisted in the kidnapping will die a gruesome and painful death. Do I make myself clear?" The fear that stood out in Lila's eyes made him know that his job is done.

"Yes."

"Good. Now leave."

And with that, Lila left with her tail between her legs, never wanting to see that side of the Prince again.

Alya, seeing Lila rush passed her, went around to where Adrien was.

Sitting across from him, she asked, "How did it go?"

"As planned," He replied while stuffing his face.

"You are a prince, stop eating like a pig," Alya said, giving a look of disgust while he stuck out his tongue at her. "So, what's the plan."

Adrien dabbed the corners of his mouth before smirking, "We have a friendly meeting with Prince Nathaniel."

* * * * *

Word count: 2199

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

Well, I haven't had Wi-Fi for a while and I finally got some so I decided to finally post this chapter.

This chapter is a lot late because school is back in session and that means, less Wattpad books and more school books. It's tiring, to be completely and utterly honest.

I'm glad I finally got to update and I hope the next chapter follows this one very soon. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter (I found it a bit boring).

Bye bye little butterflies 🦋🦋🦋.