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Marinette woke up, groaning from the lack of sleep she had. Her hair was a mess; all the running around after curfew must have done something to it. Well, also the fact about her tossing and turning all night long, thinking about Luka. She had some dark circles, but nothing some foundation couldn't cover-up.

She begged Zoey sleepily to cancel her breakfast, Zoey laughing at the attempt. "Get you but out of bed!" Zoey continued ironing her dress. "Coming," she mumbled in response.

Marinette did her usual morning routine, throwing on a day dress as well as heels that she had picked out. Marinette was putting on her left heel as someone knocked in the door. She answered it, and to her surprise, it wasn't the prince or her ex.

It was her strict professor, Miss. Bustier.

"Miss. Marinette," -she was out of breath- "Sorry to disturb but all girls are needed downstairs immediately," Marinette raised an eyebrow. "There has been an incident."

"Okay...?" Marinette closed the door frantically, facing her maid. "Zoey, do you know what's going on?" she asked desperately, Zoey tossing her a shrug.

"You should go see! I have no idea," she responded, pushing her into the hall. Marinette raced down the stairs to the grand hall; all of the remaining competitors, the prince, his assistant, and also the king who were occupying the hall.

"What's going on?" Marinette shuffled her way into the middle of the crowd. "I don't know, but all of us were called down immediately," the girl beside her replied, her voice barely audible. "Sabrina! What are you doing talking to her!" Chloe Boujerois shouted from the other side of the crowd.

"Coming Chloe!" she squealed, "Sorry, Chloe!" "There has been an incident," The king boomed, all of the competitors now looking at him. "One of the girl's belongings, Kagami Tsurugi's, has been stolen."

Whispers were shared between the competitors. "This is very serious," he added. "A family heirloom passed on by many generations has been taken away." Luka took over, repeating what the king boomed with an evident tone. "It is worth very much, and is made of more jewels that most of you are wearing combined,"

"Whoever has stolen this piece will have to come forward now," -the king stole the spotlight- "Or they shall be told on by other competitors, meaning worse punishment." The room went deadly silent. the only thing that was heard was the sound of the girls' breathing.

A single girl raised her hand over the crowd. Marinette was behind her, not being able to see her face; but had she been the thief? "Are you coming clean for your crimes?" Luka dared. "No, I am doing something much better," the girl shot back, Marinette then gasping after recognizing the voice.

Lila.

"It was the girl over there! She did it!" Lila accused pointing her finger behind her. As all the girls turned to face Marinette, and she had then realized what happened.

Marinette gasped. She pointed at her.

"What!?" she shrieked desperately. Luka's expression softened, Adrien's eyes widening. "I did not do anything!" -tears brimmed her eyes- "Please, sir, she is lying!" "Do not raise your voice at me!" The king yelled, everyone flinching, especially Marinette. She desperately looked at Adrien, the prince tossing her a worried glance.

"Do you have any proof about your discovery Miss Rossi?" Luka asked, silently knowing Marinette hadn't done anything. "Yes, I do. I saw her sneaking around the other night, way past curfew," Lila smiled, Adrien and Marinette's expression matching the shock they felt.

"With the prince," she continued, "It seemed he tried to stop her from the thievery but she wouldn't listen." Marinette and Adrien's eyes met, both of them not speaking. What was she going to do?

If she came clean and said that she was walking with Adrien, and he would get into a lot of trouble.

But, if she said she had done it... She would get kicked out.

Marinette felt more tears burn her eyes. "It wasn't me! There are many reasons to stay after curfew - and you just accuse me of being a thief?" Marinette argued.

Luka's brows furrowed, "Is that your only evidence, Miss Rossi?"  "Also, she pushed me down through the door the other day. It seems she is trying to get rid of her competitors," Lila muttered, the competitors' whispering echoing in everyone's ears.

"We already discussed that yesterday, Lila. Marinette didn't push you," Adrien intervened. "Lila, it wasn't me. Maybe we should be pointing fingers at you since you are trying to frame other competitors," Marinette exclaimed, the eyes all directing at her once more.

Lila turned around, "Are you calling me a liar?" "Well, I'm not calling you a truther." she shot back confidently, Lila glaring at her.

"Now, instead of blaming other competitors with very bland proof, how about you try and help the Miss. Tsurugi find the actual thief!" Marinette face-palmed.

"Fine. Go and trick everyone to say you didn't do it, but don't say I didn't warn you," Lila met eyes with the king. Lila then walked up to Marinette; Marinette raising her hands in front of her chest. "Check your dresser," she muttered, continuing to push through the crowd.

Marinette swung her head, everyone now watching as Lila slammed the large doors, the noise echoing throughout the palace. "At a time this week, we will be coming at random times to inspect your rooms and baggage," Luka simply put, all the eyes on him once more.

"Now you all are allowed to proceed," Luka finished, the sounds of whispers and scurrying heels flooding everyone's ears. Marinette immediately ran up to Adrien, the prince tossing her a smile when she arrived.

"Hey, Mari-" "Please don't tell me you believe her," Marinette interrupted. He sighed. "I don't believe her since she doesn't have valid proof," he cleared his throat, "And also since I know what we were actually doing last night."

"Hey girl," Alya said walking up to the duo. "You guys look cute together," Alya backed up, putting her fingers into a frame, putting the couple in the square she made. They both smiled, "Thanks, Alya. I'll catch up with you in a second."

Alya tossed a quick wave at Nino, leaving the prince and her friend. "Don't you have a feeling that Alya doesn't like-like you?" Marinette asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, I don't think she likes me," he said giving a nervous laugh. "I don't really either. I kept her here since it seemed you guys seemed like good friends."

Marinette blushed and bit her lip. "Thanks," she mumbled, pecking his cheek. "See you later, kitty," Marinette saw Adrien smile cheekily over his shoulder.

Stay tuned!