While it was nice to live in a kingdom Adrien, his merry men, and some of the refugees preferred to live in the forest. These refugees were actually local peasants who were thrown in jail for being too poor to pay their taxes only to be rescued by Adrien and his men. They came to live with them in the forest rather than face the cruel jail cells of Prince Xavier and they found it a rather nice place to live. The forest provided meat, nuts, and berries to eat along with fresh drinking water from the streams, herbs for medicine and ointments, and trees for tree houses and woods for fire and weapons.

"And now mon amies." Adrien said dropping a dead boar with an arrow in it's chest in front of the fire. "We feast."

His men and the refugees cheered over their dinner and began cooking it.

"Nathaniel give me the news for tomorrow will ya?" Adrien asked as they began to dine on their meal.

"Well Sheriff Theo will be doing his usual tax collection at the local orphanage and the homes of the lame and crippled."

"Orphans and the injured? That's low even for him."

"Also he will be escorting the prince's niece to the church."

"The prince's niece?"

"Why King Thomas's daughter mate." Jagged said. "She just returned from finishing school and from what I've heard she's blossomed into quite the beauty."

"She has, I've seen her." Nathaniel sighed. "Heaven never designed a more lovely being."

"Uh-oh is our spy in love?" Nino teased.

"No!" He said blushing. "I just happened to think she's very pretty."

"Sure you do mate and so does every other man in France." Jagged chuckled.

"Hmm..." Adrien thought. "When there's a king's daughter there's jewelry. Looks like we'll be paying the little lady a visit tomorrow."

The next day Sheriff Theo went to collect taxes but not before escorting Marinette to the church to see Friar Fu. Now Theo had seen Marinette before she left for school and he was expecting himself to be escorting a little girl so imagine his surprise when he saw that she was now a radiant young woman.

"Maid Marinette." He said in awe.

"Good day Sheriff." She said honoring him respectfully like she was taught to in school.

"My you grown into quite the fetching creature." He said kissing her hand. "Dare I say you've become the kingdom's most radiant jewel."

"Thank you sir." She said secretly wiping her hand on the skirt of her dress."But now is not the time for flattery, remember I have business to discuss with Friar Fu.'

"Yes of course. Right this way Miss."

He helped her into the carriage and followed her inside. The carriage then began taking them to the local church.

"So tell me my fair lady." He said. "How were your days in finishing school? No doubt they taught you to be a proper young lady."

"Indeed they did but they taught me other things to. They taught me how to read and write and you'd be surprised how interesting books and poetry are."

"I've never had much interest in such things. Anyway Miss I hear you're now about seventeen or eighteen correct?"

"Yes sir."

"What a shame that you're not married yet. I thought surely a woman of your charms and loveliness would have attracted a husband by now."

"Well to be fair Sheriff it was a finishing school reserved only for young ladies."

"Yes of course still are you not frightened by the fact that you are unmarried?"

"I beg your pardon? Frightened?"

"Yes with your father fighting in the war and the possibility of him being killed and your uncle being such a busy man you may not have anyone to take care of you."

"I thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself and besides I have Lady Alya and Friar Fu looking after me until Father returns."

"Alya? Fu?" Theo began to chuckle. "Forgive me Maid Marinette but a serving wench and a friar aren't exactly the best protectors."

"Oh you'd be surprised by what Lady Alya can do in the face of danger."

When the carriage arrived at the church he dropped her off and would return to retrieve her once he finished his tax collection. Marinette couldn't help but roll her eyes in disgust when the sheriff flashed his sickening grin. She had always disliked the sheriff ever since she was a child because he was arrogant, cruel, boarish, and ruthless. She couldn't stand that horrid man and hoped that when her father returned he would have him removed along with her uncle.

"Excuse me Friar Fu?" She called entering the church.

"Yes can I help you my dear."

"It's me Maid Marinette."

"Marinette? Can't be why the last time I saw you, you were no bigger than a little kitten and now...Oh my how you've grown, you look so much like your dear mother God rest her soul."

"Thank you."

"So what brings you by?"

"I brought more jewels for you to give away as charity."

"Oh thank you kindly my lady. You truly are your father's daughter, giving to the less fortunate."

"You're very welcome."

"So where is that blaggard who calls himself a man of justice?"

"You mean Sheriff Theo? Well he's off to collect taxes from the orphanage and the home for the lame."

"That low down thief! If anyone belongs behind bars it's him. Sigh...If our lord in heaven didn't insist we be forgiving I would give that man a good thrashing I would."

"I know what you mean. Sometimes I wish I could do the same." She giggled.

...

"Okay Nathaniel is the cost clear?" Adrien whispered to his red headed look out. He was sitting on top of a tree and watching for the sheriff's carriage to drive by.

"Yes sir." Nathaniel said.

"Excellent. Okay Jagged you're on."

"Gotcha mate."

Jagged then threw himself in front of the carriage causing the horses to jump back in fear, stopping the carriage.

"Oh God help me please!" Jagged cried in false agony. "Oh the pain! It's unbearable! Just put me out of misery! Oh it's getting dark! I can see a bright light! Tell me the truth will I ever play the guitar again?"

"Oh you poor old man." The driver said.

"Hey! Who are you calling old?"

"Freeze!" Nino said standing up and pointing his sword toward him. "Hand over the gold and no one gets hurt."

"Pierre why the devil have you stopped?!" Theo demanded stepping out of the carriage.

"Bonjour mon capiton." He heard a familiar cocky voice say then looked up to see Adrien standing on top of the carriage.

"You! I have you now!" He drew out his dagger.

"Are you sure you want to fight me sheriff? Don't you remember what happened last time?"

"Fight!"

"As you wish." He pulled out his bow and shot an arrow at his hand knocking the dagger out of it. Then he jumped down and using his sword stripped the man of all the clothing he wore except for his underwear.

"Ah! Not again!" He cried running to find something to hide himself in shame.

Adrien chuckled mischievously to himself as he and his men began to collect the gold from chest that sat next to the driver.

"Well done gentlemen." Adrien said proudly. "Now let's get out of here."

Once they had their bounty they fled back into the forest. However Adrien stopped and looked back when he heard a sweet and concerned voice ask.

"What on earth is going on here?"

That's right the prince's niece was in that carriage too. No doubt she was wearing very expensive jewelry that could be used to feed a starving family. But then again he didn't particularly like stealing from a lady except the Duchess Chloe but she was a spoiled brat who deserved worse than having a few items stolen. Perhaps this young lady was just like Chloe, spoiled and wretched. Someone who didn't deserve such fine things. But his debating on weather to rob her or not was interrupted when he laid eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He felt a sharp feeling pierce his heart and all thoughts of doing this lady any dis service was instantly forgotten.

"Hello?" She asked looking around. "Pierre what happened to Theo?"

"I shall fetch him for you Miss."

The driver then left to retrieve the sheriff leaving Marinette alone and giving Adrien the perfect opportunity to get to introduce himself to the young lady. He quickly brushed his hair, straightened his clothes, and checked his teeth then he went to get to know this woman who's beauty out shined every priceless jewel he had stolen.