Despite objections from Nino and his other friends, Adrien was determined to feel those soft lips again. Little did Adrien know that this was a trap for him. You see Prince Xavier knew that Adrien was a master archer so whoever was the best archer in the competition would be Adrien. As for Marinette while she was happy that her greedy uncle was finally giving away some of the wealth to her people she wasn't too thrilled about being forced to kiss some man she didn't know.

"I can't believe Uncle is insisting that my lips be a prize for this tournament." She complained to Alya.

"Well at least it's your lips and not your hand." She said. "Imagine instead of the prize being your kiss, it would be your hand in marriage."

"Don't even joke about that. Heaven knows what that could lead to."

"Who knows maybe the winner won't be so bad. You might like him."

"Doubtful but for the good of my people I'll grin and bear it."

The two young ladies went to go get ready for the tournament unaware that Adrien and Nino were watching them from the bushes.

"There she is Nino. Isn't she beautiful?" Adrien said almost thoughtlessly following after her.

"Cool it lover boy." Nino said pulling him back into the bushes. "Your heart's running away with your head."

"Oh stop worrying." Adrien said as he changed into different clothes, smeared dirt on to his face, and put on a fake mustache. "This disguise would fool my own mother."

"Yeah but your mom's not here. You've gotta fool the prince, guards, and the sheriff."

"Piece of cake."

"I still say you're taking a huge risk."

"I know but she's worth it. Did you not see her Nino? She's worth every risk in the world."

"I saw her and she's cute but I kind of like her friend."

"Look it's about to start. Hurry don your disguise."

"Okay, okay, don't rush me."

Nino then changed into some fancy clothes he had stolen from Duke Andre, replaced his glasses with monocle, and put on a fake beard. With their disguises on the two went to introduce themselves to the prince and sign up like all the contestants had to do before the tournament.

"Good day to you my lord." Nino said in a disguised voice. "And may I say you are looking exceptionally regal and handsome today."

"Why thank you my good man." Xavier said impressed. "And who might you be?"

"I am Nicholas Duke of the Northern territories."

"Ah a nobleman, then please take a seat next to me." The prince said.

"Thank you very much my lord and this young man to my left is my knight and best archer Sir Andrew."

"It is honor to be in your presence your highness." Adrien said in a disguised voice.

"Sire." Simon whispered to Xavier. "I don't like the looks of those two. What if their bandits?"

"Oh poppy cock, see the way they address their ruler. Surely bandits couldn't have such manners."

"Begging your pardon your honor but if you don't mind I would like to see if your lovely niece would wish me luck?" Adrien said.

"Sure say whatever you want to the winy brat I don't care." Xavier said.

Adrien held back a growl when Xavier called Marinette a winy brat and he found it even harder to hold it back when he saw that filthy pig Theo talking to her. He knew Theo long enough to know that he had a horrible habit of mistreating and forcing himself on to young woman so you can imagine his rage and concern when he was around the woman he loved.

"I do look forward to your kiss Maid Marinette." Theo said to her.

"Now remember Sheriff you may not win after all there are plenty of archers here today." She said.

"Yes but who could possibly be a better archer than me?"

"Hopefully anyone." She whispered to herself.

"You know my dear I've been around for quite some time and I've decided that now maybe a good time to take a bride."

"Oh." She said worried about where he was going with this. "Really?"

"Yes and while I've had my fair share of lovely ladies there's one in particular I've had my eye on."

Before he could go any further an arrow was fired and it just barely grazed the sheriff's hair.

"Oh my apologies sir." Adrien said changing his voice. "I was just doing a little target practice."

"Well watch your aim!" Theo said angrily. "You almost took off my head."

"Sorry Sheriff I didn't mean to. Say you've had your time with the lovely lady, why not let me have a little word with her?"

"Fine. Save those lips for me my dear." He said.

He puckered his lips at her which made her want to spit and Adrien want to shoot another arrow right into his mouth. When Theo left Adrien walked over to Marinette and gave her his best smile.

"You alright Miss?" He asked.

"I'm fine."

"If you ask me that scum is not even worthy of looking at you. Don't worry I'll make sure that you don't have to kiss that man."

"Oh really?" She said giggling. "And how so?"

"By winning the tournament."

"Well that may save me from kissing the sheriff but what about you?" She asked with suspicious giggling.

"Fear not my lady, while kissing you would be the greatest thing in the world I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do. So when I win I'll let you decide if you want to kiss me or not."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I thank you then good sir for considering my thoughts on this."

"You know I hear that Adrien might be at this tournament. What do you think?"

"I don't think so."

"Why?"

"Because there are guards everywhere ready to shoot him if he were to be seen. For him to be here would be foolish."

"Well what if he wanted to enter contest?"

"He wouldn't."

"Why?"

"Because if he wanted the golden arrow he would just steal it."

"Well maybe he wanted the honor of kissing you."

"Now that's nonsense. Why would he risk his life just to get a kiss from me?"

"I don't know maybe because he's desperately in love with you. Maybe because from the moment he met you he hasn't stopped thinking about you, the memory of your beautiful blue eyes and your cheerful laughter haunting his thoughts and dreams. So much that he would give anything even his life if only to once again see your face, hear your voice, and hold you in his arms as he gently kisses and caresses you."

Marinette felt her heart flutter as she listened to his words and saw the way he looked at her. There was something so familiar about him. The clothes, face, and voice were completely unrecognizable but there something about the way he acted, the way he spoke to her, and his eyes that seemed so very familiar to her. Where had she seen those eyes before?

"Do you really think that?" She asked. "I mean about Adrien?"

"I don't think it my lady. I know it, from the bottom of my heart I know it's true." He then planted a soft kiss on her hand and held up a pale blush pink rose. "Ophelia roses. Extremely rare and extremely beautiful just like you my lady."

"Oh my." She gently took the rose from his hand and sniffed it. "Thank you, it's beautiful and you know I would love to give you a kiss."

"It would be my greatest honor my lady."

She blushed.

"If you don't mind me asking my lady, would you be so kind as to wish me luck?"

"Of course my good sir and to prove it take this." She handed him a bracelet. "My lucky bracelet, it will serve you well."

"Thank you my lady, I'll keep it with me always."

The trumpets began to sound letting everyone that the tournament had begun. The contestants were Ivan the blacksmith, Max the candle maker, Kim a royal hunter, Theo, Plagg, Nathaniel, and Adrien. Now not all of them entered to kiss Marinette. Ivan, Plagg, Max, and Kim just wanted the golden arrow. All the archers had their bows and arrows ready as they waited for the cue to shoot at the targets. Once the cue was given, arrows were fired and they either missed or hit their targets. The first one out was Nathaniel, poor Nathaniel a great spy and artist but a terrible archer. Next was Max, then Ivan, after him was Plagg who despite being a good archer was still a little too young to hit some targets. Kim was out after Plagg, leaving Theo and Adrien to be the only ones left.

"Hmm..." Prince Xavier said. "That knight of yours is quite the archer."

"Yes he is." Nino said.

"Dare I say he could better than that outlaw Adrien."

"Adrien?" Nino said nervously. "Ha! Isn't that funny! Ha! Ha! Why would he be here?"

"Well just between us noblemen this whole thing was a trap set for him."

"A trap?"

"Yes you see the sheriff is one of the greatest archers in france the only one who can beat him is Adrien so if someone beats him then I'll know it's Adrien."

"Uh-oh." Nino thought. "I gotta warn Adrien."

"Excuse me my lord but nature calls."

Nino got up and quickly went to search for a way to tell Adrien what he found out before it was too late. But the final target was up now, this would determine who the winner was.

"Now for our finalists!" Simon announced. "Sheriff Theo."

"Boo! Boo! Boo! You stink!" The crowd shouted.

"Hey I could have you all arrested for that!" Theo said annoyed by their response

"And Sir Andrew."

"Yay! Yay! Yay!" The crowd cheered.

"Theo went first, he made his aim, and shot his arrow. It was a perfect bull's eye right into the target.

"Well looks like I win." He boasted. "Looks like the arrow and the kiss are both as good as mine."

"We'll see. I haven't gone yet."

"Oh you're wasting your time. No one can beat that."

"Maybe and maybe not."

Adrien pulled out his arrow and made his aim.

"Adrien! Psst! Adrien!" Nino called in a whisper. "Adrien! You have to lose! You have to lose! It's a trap!"

But his whispers fell to deaf ears as Adrien fired and his arrow broke right through Theo's hitting the bull's eye much to the shock and awe of everyone watching.

"Well, well, looks like we have our winner." Xavier said grinning deviously.