Based on Peony_Fanarts Royal Academy AU on Instagram

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Marinette sat in the middle of shreds of luxurious and expensive fabrics: lace, satin, silk; all those which merchants had travelled far and wide, risking their lives to find and bring back to Paris. She couldn't even begin to think about how many wasted coins she was sitting in the destruction of. How many coins Fei had wasted to make sure Marinette looked the part. She didn't want to cry — to let them all see the effect of their maltreatment, but for some reason the message wasn't communicating to her eyes; tears falling in streams as she threaded her fingers through the fragments of material.

"Oh, Marinette." Tikki's eyes looked around the room, ending on where the girl was sitting disheartened on the ground.

"Don't," she sighed through the tears. "It's my own fault. I shouldn't have stood against them."

Sitting in her nightgown, Marinette wasn't sure what to do. The ball was in less than two hours and looking around her room there weren't many options. The choices seemed to be what she was wearing now or her night robe, neither having the desired effect of a Princess or Lady in training.

"You can't blame yourself." Tikki moved forwards, crouching down beside Marinette and clutching at some of the fabric. The fragments that were left couldn't even make a decent skirt. The most they could be used for, would be used as cleaning rags. The once chic garments were now nothing more than glorified rags.

"Lady Fei's going to be so disappointed in me. She wanted me to come here and make something of myself, not end in a situation where I've ruined her clothing and managed to miss the biggest event of the social year."

Tikki continued to rummage through the material scraps, grunting and mumbling to herself as she pulled fragment after fragment from the pile of scrap.

"Tikki, there's no point." Marinette stood and wrapped her arms around herself, moving towards the window and staring out into the snow covered gardens. She perched herself on the window seat, bringing her feet in front of her and hugging her knees.

As she watched the snow fall delicately onto the gardens a figure appeared, draped in a black cape. She watched the snows intruder make their way across the lawn, every now and then stopping to grab some snow and mould it into a ball. The perfectly laid snow was destroyed by the impostor's movements.

The action seemed so juvenile at first. A student out and about in the grounds to enjoy the freshly fallen snow of the first covering of the year, but on second glance Marinette could pick up the emotions of the trespasser and she couldn't help but feel drawn.

He grabbed some more snow, packing it together in his gloved covered hands before launching it hard and fast in the opposite direction. A throw of hurt, of anger, of betrayal. She watched him repeat the action time and time again, until a member of the staff exited the building and came to him on the lawn.

Marinette couldn't take her eyes off of their exchange as the conversation seemingly heated in front of her. The staff member was flinging his arms around; wide, wild gestures used to make his point more known.

The companion stood poised and unfazed, not even twitching as the other man continued making his point known. The hood blocking his face and covering the feelings obviously being suppressed. Marinette looked at his posture — a tense lift of his shoulders — it seemed he was attempting to be formal, yet everything about his previous actions screamed freedom.

The member of staff turned and left. It seemed they had demanded he come back inside, however his following actions screamed no as he launched another dozen snowballs at the garden gazebo.

Suddenly turning, his bright green eyes met hers — her eyes meeting a startled Prince Adrien. Dipping his head down he followed the fresh footprints of his predecessor back into the building and out of the gardens.

"Marinette?"

She continued to watch where Prince Adrien just was, wondering what the Prince was doing out in the cold — alone. The ball was only in the matter of hours and Prince Adrien was the guest of honour (as always). Shouldn't he be preparing for the evening's events?

"Earth to Marinette?"

Turning her head back to Tikki, she noticed the woman was hiding something behind her back, her face showing lines of happiness and mischief.

"You are looking very happy with yourself," Marinette commented before heading back to the pile and once more shifting through the scraps of material. She'd been through it many times, yet she still prayed that maybe something would appear for her to wear.

"Here."

Lifting her head, Marinette came face to face with a luxurious red material with black speckles over it. The dress looked almost like a ladybug.

She reached out with shaky hands, scared that if she touched it it would disappear. That all this was wasn't it? A simple peasant's dream, because there was no way this dress had come from the mound she was seated in now.

Slowly she reached out, amazed that when her hand had touched it, it hadn't disappeared or fallen apart. The dress was real and it was beautiful.

"It's wonderful," Marinette gushed, standing and taking the dress from Tikki's hands.

She walked to the mirror and held the dress in front of her body, the dark red a perfect match for her skin tone and hair colouring. The tight bodice was coated in an expensive lace and decorated in the most expressive gems she'd ever seen. The light reflected off them in a thousand shades of every colour, it was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

The dropped shoulder sleeves were a little risqué yet didn't look out of place with the elegance of the rest of the dress. She was sure a necklace added to the bare neckline would look exquisite and high society.

The wide full circle skirt matched the dark red satin of the bodice, however a thin black netting covered the material fanning out at the bottom with added lace. It was stunning.

"Tikki, I don't know what to say, apart from thank you." Marinette hugged the dress to her body. She'd never seen or worn anything as beautiful as this before and her fingers itched to place it on her body.

"You're welcome Marinette, and remember, they don't call me the queen of creation for nothing."

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Adrien stood as people fawned around him, hands touching places he wished they wouldn't and Nathalie giving him the briefing about what his father would expect from this evening's festivities. It seemed the King wanted Adrien to find an eligible maiden, yet every Princess and Lady he'd come in contact with just didn't challenge him the way he wanted.

They were all beautiful, every single girl that surrounded him was stunning and the perfect look to be his bride, and Paris' future Queen, but none could meet him on a level mentally — all, that was, except one.

Lady Marinette.

As he looked in the mirror he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have her arms threaded neatly through his. A join of commitment and unity, she was striking and had everything it took to be a future Queen, very similar to his mother,

Her beauty was second to none and her vibrant and adventurous personality a perfect match for him. If only she didn't hate him so much. She'd seen him tonight, whilst he was out for some fresh air, and to get away from responsibility for a while. She looked shocked by his appearance, probably forming a story in her head about the spoiled Prince who probably didn't like the colour of the cravat chosen for this evening's event. He wanted to go back to the night in the lake, the night he felt her warm a little to him. Oh, how he wanted to feel that again.

"You'll dance with all maidens this evening and by midnight your father wants you to have made a decision. Adrien, are you listening to me?"

His thoughts had become entirely locked on the idea of Lady Marinette as his bride and Adrien hadn't even realised Nathalie was still talking to him. He looked down to her, giving her an apologetic smile as she rolled her eyes and started again.

Finally reaching the end of her spiel, Nathalie stood and made her way to the door, giving Adrien one last look before exiting. The people within the room scattering and leaving Adrien alone to contemplate his evening. Most of the ladies there that evening would know Adrien had to dance with them, that he had a decision to make, he was tired before it had even begun. Wanting nothing more than to turn in for the evening and hide away.

He walked over to the table holding his mask. Tonight was the Winter Solstice ball the night — his father liked to remind him — was the night he found his Queen, that he'd danced with Princess Émilie of the Southern province and made her his betrothed.

Adrien knew his father meant well, that he just wanted Adrien settled with a possible wife, someone he could run the kingdom with once he was long gone; but how could Adrien possibly choose someone that sporadically. He knew the answer, he just didn't like to think about it. His father wanted him to choose someone like Lady Chloé or Lady Lila, that way the kingdom would be reinforced and strengthened, with the joining of two powerful families..

Adrien, however, wanted to marry for love.

He picked up the mask lying perfectly against the wooden table and held it up in front of his face, his thumb tracing the smooth edges of his black catlike eyewear. The mask he wore out in the town when he met the kind and fearless Ladybug.

Positioning his mask over his eyes, he let out a sigh.

Chat Noir was out to play tonight and he couldn't help the tiny hope that Ladybug would be there too.

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Adrien had been followed pretty much since he'd arrived. It was obvious that Lady Chloé and Lady Lila had been told about the possibility of Adrien finding a suitor that evening, and now both were making it their job to obstruct any other female from talking to him.

"You know, Adrikins, you still haven't danced with me yet? "

"No, Chloé," Lila said, knocking the blonde out of the way and placing herself in front of Adrien. "It's my turn now."

As the girls continued to squabble about who should join him on the dance floor, he looked around the room for someone else he could speak to. His first thought was of Lady Marinette. He hadn't seen her yet this evening, and with the ball in full swing he was surprised she hadn't arrived already, a drop in his stomach at the thought that, maybe, she might not appear at all.

Looking out onto the dancefloor, he spotted Nino and Alya dancing amongst the crowds, their coordination near perfection as they danced around each other joining in the formation dance and getting acquainted. He let out a sigh, moving to the side of the dance floor and away from Chloé and Lila.

"Prince Adrien, it's good to see you here this evening." A sudden voice shook him out of his resolve and had him turning to see Master Fu standing beside him.

"Master Fu, it's good to see you too. Is that a turtle mask you're sporting this evening?"

The older man laughed, bowing down to the Prince before speaking once more. "Where have you been, young man? Isn't tonight the big night? The night you choose your bride?"

Adrien sighed, something he'd been doing quite a lot of recently as he looked out towards the dance floor once more.

"I'm not ready to choose a wife, Master. I know my father wants me to marry for value and to keep the Kingdom safe and secure, but I want to marry for love. I want someone who adores me and cares for me, someone I can love and cherish and be myself."

"And you don't have this here?" Fu asked, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Adrien looked around the room once more. Within this room was there anyone? No. The one person who intrigued him wasn't here and he couldn't help but feel the dull ache in his heart as he wondered where she was this evening. The other person he didn't even know who she was, was she even a Lady? And even if she didn't have a high social rank, would he be able to join her in matrimony?

Shaking his head, Adrien responded to Master Fu. "Unfortunately not. There are only two Maidens I want to know more about and they're not here this evening."

"Really?" Fu raised an eyebrow and looked towards the young Prince. "Not one?"

Master Fu turned his head towards the staircase, a smile intriguing Adrien to follow his actions, and he was glad he did. Walking down the stairs with an undeniable air of grace and beauty was a maiden he'd seen before... but not here.

Like a magnet, Adrien began to move towards the bottom of the staircase ignoring those around him calling his name and trying to grab his attention. There was only one woman he was interested in and at the moment he couldn't even blink in fear of her disappearing.

He was taken. This girl was everything he wanted, and even though he didn't know her name, he knew he adored everything she stood for.

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Marinette was running late and even though it was nothing unusual, for once in her life she wanted to be on time. Grabbing her Ladybug mask, Marinette quickly placed it to her face before entering the ballroom, hoping that her late arrival wouldn't draw too much attention.

Tonight was meant to be fun and carefree, one of the biggest and greatest nights in the social calendar and one she couldn't afford to mess up. Tikki had done an incredible job getting her ready, the makeshift dress more beautiful than anything she'd ever adorned before and for the first time since arriving at The Royal Academy she felt like she belonged.

Heading to the top of the staircase, she could hear the music playing and the excited chatter from down below. Closing her eyes, Marinette took a deep breath before placing her gloved hand on the balastraid and slowly making her way down the staircase.

The constant buzz from below was swept into the abyss as her eyes locked on those below her. The wonderful green accented by the black mask surrounding them, the mask of Chat Noir. She couldn't believe he was here. How could she not have noticed him before? The green eyes and blond hair were a sight to behold and a sight to remember.

Marinette couldn't take her eyes off him as she continued to descend the staircase into the main ballroom. One hand holding the thick, varnished wood for support as the other held the hem of her dress off the floor allowing her to step carefully. The last thing she wanted was to fall down the staircase and draw attention to herself, although the way Chat Noir was looking at her at this moment her whole body was ready to ignite in flames, creating a fire of unknown brightness.

She tried to keep herself calm, to walk down towards him and greet him in her Ladybug way — cool, calm and collected.

As she moved closer, she could see Chat Noir through her peripheral vision making his way over to the bottom of the grand staircase, a hand lifting out towards her.

Still taking it cautiously, Marinette finally made it to the bottom step... and tripped over a slight lift in the carpet. As she began to plummet towards the ground she closed her eyes and braced herself for impact only for it to never come, instead the strong and sturdy arms of her masked saviour wrapped around her and pulled her to safety.

"Falling for me, I see, M'Lady?"

Closing her eyes she savoured the feel of being in his arms. The warmth from his body seeping through and onto her skin, a warmth she never wanted to lose.

"I-I'm just madly clumsy, kind Sir. Though I must thank you for saving my dignity."

He helped her back onto her feet, making sure she was balanced before removing his hands from her arms and, instead, cupping one of her own to bring to his lips. A soft, delicate kiss lay on top of her gloved hand, her heart stuttering and head screaming for her to remove her glove and allow him to place his lips to her skin. The thought was despicable at such a time.

"Would I be too bold to ask M'Lady for a dance?" With one hand behind his back, Chat Noir bent down in a bow, his eyes gazing up through its black masked frame and he continued to hold her hand. A hand he didn't seem eager to let go of, a feeling matching her unwillingness to allow him.

"Your Lady? To what honour does one grab your attention?" Marinette responded, a smile gracing her lips.

"True beauty could not be ignored," he responded, standing tall and beginning to lead her to the dance floor.

"I'm starting to think you're taken with me, Monsieur Noir." She felt his hand tighten quickly, before loosening again and relaxing once more. It seemed the name had taken him off guard.

"If I were to tell you your beauty and kindness was the greatest in the whole of Paris would you understand my infatuation?" His eyes flashed with playfulness and glistened with amusement causing her small smile to extend to one covering her face.

"I don't think you know me enough to claim something as substantial as that Monsieur Noir."

"I'd prefer you to call me by my real name." His eyes sparkled once again and as he smiled he stole her entire heart. This man was beautiful inside and out, and she couldn't deny how he made her feel. So

important, so desired, so, dare she say, loved.

"One can only do that if they are familiar with said name. I, for one, have no understanding of what that might be."

His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her. "Are you telling me you accepted this dance, M'Lady, without knowing to whom you are dancing with?"

Shaking her head, Marinette swapped her hold on Adrien and started the set dance. "Your name is blocked by the mask, Sir, though I am quite sure he is nothing less than exquisite if you are anything to go by, Kitty."

With one hand joined, they separated. Marinette curtseying to her partner as Chat Noir placed one hand behind his back and tilted his head in acknowledgment.

They moved in perfect coordination with each other, going to and fro with the other Lady's and Lords on the ballroom floor, their movements making everyone look mediocre in their wake.

"You are quite the skilled dancer," Chat Noir said, spinning her underarm and into his body.

"As are you my Lord. Thank you for this dance."

Chat Noir suddenly looked shocked, once more staring at her curiously and she couldn't help but think she was missing something.

"Lord?" he said in shock. "Have you not considered that I might be a Prince?"

"There's only one Prince within the Academy and I am quite certain he is not dressing in a cat mask and going strolling through town market places, helping those in need." Marinette chuckled, her partner holding out his arm and allowing her to link her own onto it and start making their way off the dance floor.

"It seems you think lowly of this Prince. May I ask why?"

Marinette shrugged her shoulders, heading towards the balcony doors with Chat Noir leading the way. As they stepped through and onto the balcony, the cold chill of the winter night air hit the bare flesh on Marinette's arms and caused her to shiver.

"Here." Letting go of her arm, Chat Noir shrugged off his jacket and placed it upon her shoulders. The incredible weight of the material spoke wonders about Chat's wealth.

"Thank you," she responded, smiling as her eyes went in search of his wonderful green orbs. His eyes glowed in ways she didn't even know was possible and all she wanted to do was find out more. "And to answer your question, I do not think lowly of Prince Adrien, we've just had a couple of misunderstandings and I may have leaped to the wrong conclusion."

"Sounds reasonable to be cautious," he responded, Marinette smiled in response.

"Though I may be cautious, Prince Adrien has shown me some honourable qualities."

"Maybe you should give him a chance." Chat led her over to the balcony, taking her hands in his and running his thumbs over her gloved knuckles.

"May I speak carelessly for one moment without you holding it against me?" she asked. She felt like she could confide in him about what she'd seen out of her window earlier.

"Go ahead."

She nodded in thanks, preparing to speak. "I saw Prince Adrien earlier today from my chamber. He was outside in the courtyard. He seemed so troubled and lonely, I know we didn't get off to the best of starts, but I am worried he feels isolated. I don't know much about nobility, but I see a sadness in his eyes which troubles me. How could one person be so lonely when he's admired and surrounded by so many people."

"I feel the Prince would be overwhelmed that someone was considering his feelings. From what I know about nobles, others tend to see only the title and the glamour around it. It takes someone really special to see beyond that. I'm certain Prince Adrien would be grateful that someone understands! His life is being crafted for him and he just wants to be free to make his own choices,"Chat Noir explained.

He rested his forearms on the balcony and started wistfully out into gardens of the academy. A sudden familiarity shot through Marinette as she studied his silhouette only for it to increase when the light shone from the ballroom across the perfectly trimmed lawn, sliding past her companion and highlighting the high cheekbones and emerald green eyes. Green eyes which she'd looked into on many occasions — and not all friendly.

Startled, Marinette moved backwards with a gasp, her hands covering her face as her eyes blew wide. "Oh my, I shouldn't have... I need to go."

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"Ladybug?" Adrien stood and turned only to notice the paling of her already delicate, milky skin. "Are you—"

He was cut off as his companion stopped and curtsied in front of him. "I must excuse myself, I have stepped out of line tonight. Goodnight, Prince Adrien."

Ladybug's hand moved to her eyes, wiping underneath them and she turned and moved back into the ballroom.

His heart broke as she ran away, leaving him standing alone on the balcony following after her with his eyes. Was it that bad he was the Prince? She seemed to understand him. What had happened for her views to change?

Her views. The garden. Seeing him from her chambers. A sudden flash of a bright smile on a dark night, wet hair stuck to a beautiful face as they hid from those searching for him, of a woman who challenged him and saw him. Of Marinette.

Without another moment's hesitation, Adrien ran towards the balcony doors, his eyes scanning the scene for Ladybug, or, should he say, Marinette. He looked up and down, lifting onto his toes to find the girl in the red and black dress, complete with his jacket. Something about her wearing it made him feel possessive, the link of the women becoming one only making his heart yearn for her more.

"Master Fu, have you seen—"

A sudden scream echoed through the hall causing all attention to turn from where people were having fun to the commotion near the staircase, where Lady Chloé and Lady Lila had cornered Marinette.

Adrien pushed his way through the crowds, eyes set on the three women only for his advance to speed up as he saw Lady Chloé reach out and pull Marinette's mask from her face.

"You're not even a real Lady, you're lucky to be here," Chloé screamed, "you don't belong here and you most certainly don't deserve whatever Prince Adrien sees in such a commoner."

Before he could reach any closer, Lady Chloé moved once more, grabbing the jacket and ripping it from Marinette's frame, leaving her in her dress and a worried expression on her face.

"Don't go any further," Nino said, placing a hand out and restricting Adrien from getting closer. "They'll only start on you too."

He couldn't just stand there though, not when Marinette was being assaulted in such a way.

"Move out of my way, Nino, don't make me order you to get through." His friend looked into his eyes and obviously saw the sheer passion and anger radiating there.

"As you wish, just be careful, especially if these claims are true." Moving to one side, Adrien stepped forward and closer to the confrontation.

"How did you manage to find something to wear? Peasants like you aren't exactly equipped in gowns." Lady Chloé confronted Marinette, stepping into her personal space and there was nothing more Adrien wanted than to step forwards and drag her away from his Lady.

"She stole it from me! That was meant to be my dress for the ball this evening, but she knew Adrien liked red so took my dress. She's doing whatever she can to get into the royals and destroy us all." Lady Lila mocked despair as others listening in began to gasp and chatter among themselves. "And all this..." Lady Lila sobbed, "...is because she's a fake."

The room fell silent as Adrien took the last remaining steps forward.

"A-a fake?" Alya asked, looking between the girls. "Is that the truth?"

Prince Adrien watched as Marinette's shoulders turned in on themself, the strong woman he knew from the marketplace disappearing under his gaze. He advanced a little further only for Marinette to straighten herself to standing, her confidence suddenly oozing off her.

"I may not be a lady or a noble," Marinette began, "but I was invited here. I received the highest accolades to be here. I deserve to be here. And this is my dress."

Before Prince Adrien could get to her Lady Chloé had stepped into Marinette's personal space and he saw red. How dare she?

"You deserve to be back in that bakery, being the slave you are destined to —"

"Enough!" Prince Adrien stepped forward, coming to Marinette's aid and taking a hold of her hand.

"Adrikins, you're not defending this peasant are you? She belongs out on the streets with the rats," Lady Chloé huffed.

"I said enough." Prince Adrien's voice came out a lot harder than intended, a shock to everyone around — even to himself. "Is that how you speak to your future Queen?"

The gasps of the audience almost cleared the atmosphere of oxygen as jaws dropped open and more attendants came to gather around.

"P-Prince Adrien... don't you..."

"Don't I...what? Marinette? Don't I know an extraordinary Lady when I meet one? Even if they don't hold Lady in their name? I was told to choose a wife tonight, but I know in any life, under any circumstance, I would always choose you." Lowering onto one knee, Prince Adrien took hold of Marinette's hand and made an announcement to all that were listening.

"Marinette, whether you are a Lady or not, it means nothing to me. You are here by your own merit and dignity, everything a future Queen should possess. Though we may have some troubles, I am willing to fight for this — for us. All I need to know is are you willing to fight by my side?"

He wasn't sure but he was almost certain tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"But I'm not worthy, your highness," she whispered.

"You saw me Marinette, do you know how rare it is for someone like me to be seen? You make me stronger..." Adrien stood up and took her other hand to hold both. "You end my loneliness."

Her blue eyes reflected the lights, dazzling him in a way he'd never experienced before. Eyes so wonderful he wanted to wake to them daily, to see them shine with happiness and love.

"But your father?"

"A fight for another day. So, Marinette, I need to ask you again. Will you fight by my side and give me the honour of becoming your husband?"

He didn't want to blink, scared that one action could break the magic that was building between them. That was until the words left her lips and flooded his heart with warmth and love.

"Yes, your majesty. Let me fight by your side — forever."

He moved forward kissing her for the first time and allowing the longing he'd felt since the day he'd met her disappear; a fire igniting in his heart in sheer ferociousness he dared his father to demand change, because right now, at this moment, and with Marinette, fate would be on his side.

As applause broke out around them, complete with cheers and chatter, a faint scream could be heard in the background. He didn't care about his father, Lady Chloé and Lady Lila, not right now. After all, his dreams for true love were finally coming true.