(Edit: No A/N... anyway, enjoy :D)

"Your Majesty," -he paused- "You have your evening classes are soon, you must gather your notes-". "Yes I know," -he shut the door- "Luka, I really need to ask a question."

"Oh?" -he cleared his throat- "You may proceed." Adrien sat down, rubbing his face, "It's about Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng." Luka froze, "Uh, yes," -he rubbed the back of his neck- "I have had the pleasure of chatting with her a before..." "...What about her?"

The prince sighed, rubbing his temples, "You seem very close to her, and-". "Just lay it on me, Agreste," -Luka interrupted with a chuckle- "No dancing around the topic." He sighed, "Marinette clearly just wants me as a friend... but I don't. I really like her, but..."

"I have to make the decision if I am going to kick out Marinette or not."

The assistant's eyes widened. "So, what do you think?" -his breath hitched- "I personally want to keep her here. But, she made it clear yesterday that we are just friends," -he paused- "And I don't want to mess with that."

"But," -he sighed- "If I keep her here then she'll view me as a friend until I can prove otherwise." "And, what if she doesn't fall for me in that time? She would basically be a waste of my time..." Adrien rubbed his temples, desperately waiting for a reply.

Luka thought for a moment; "I thought she liked you..." "I thought she did too," -he frowned- "But she still views me as just a friend, after everything." "Though," -Adrien paused- "I think it's because of another boy. She said that she had an ex before she came here, so...."

"What do you think, Luka?" the prince finally glanced up. Luka sighed, "Well, if you really love her, why haven't you decided that she is the one yet?"

Adrien sighed, "I didn't want to make too quick of a decision, and then regret it my whole life," -he groaned desperately- "I like other girls too, like Kagami, and..."

"Well," Luka started firmly, "If you want my opinion, kick her out," the prince's head jolted up. "If you have a shot with other girls in the competition, that actually like you, then you should leave the girl that doesn't behind," -he crossed his arms- "And, it seems like you like this Kagami girl, so why not kick her out?"

"Even if I do, I don't want to lose all connection with her," -he rubbed his temples-"Since she lives on the other side of the country."

Luka almost felt pity for the prince, but Marinette just needed another small nudge, and she'd be in his arms once more.

"You wanted my opinion," -he shrugged- "And besides, your majesty, if you get rid of her and only see one girl in your mind, you'll see that one in a whole new way."

"That girl could be Kagami, or Chloe or Lila," Luka listed. "Or Marinette," Adrien mumbled, Luka's brows furrowing. The assistant sighed, "In the end, it's your decision," -he walked up to the door- "Though, if you really love her, you'll let her go. For both your sakes," Luka left the room as Adrien ran his hands through his hair.

"I guess Marinette is going home."

***

The prince was in the dumps for the rest of the day. "Chin up, Adrien," -his instructor lifted his chin with her stick- "We are not frowning today, are we?" "No, Ma'am," Adrien sighed, his pouting still evident on his face. "Go get you fencing equipment," -she turned her back to him- "We must begin training for the tournament immediately."

Adrien changed his clothing into the proper unitard, grabbed his sabre, and ran to the doors at the back of the palace. At the door, he noticed one of the girls walking around the hall; her heels making evident noise on the tile. "Hey Adrien," he immediately recognized Marinette's sweet tone echoing from behind his back.

"Hey, Marinette," his grip loosened on his sabre; the prince's back still faced towards her. "I was just getting ready for fencing practise with my instructor," he laughed nervously. "Sounds cool!" -she smiled- "Could I come and watch? I'm not really doing anything right now." He chuckled, "Sure," he backed out of the building-sized door frame, letting her walk out first.

"Now this is amazing!" Marinette spun around, running out further.

The sunset echoed in the distance, the large cliff covered in wet grass, as well as a large stoned area; designed for fencing tournaments. Trees and wildflowers were scattered around the area, Lake Maestoso glistening with its emerald green water. The lake was actually given its name by the Italian term 'majestic'.

Adrien walked up to the stone plate, got into a fighting stance, and waited for his instructor to come up. She bent her sabre, slashing it in front of her as his determined smiled deepened. Marinette raised up her hands, "Ready, both of you?" -the timer hit zero- "Go!"

Adrien lunged forward, quickly recoiling as the sabre almost touched his suit. She did a backflip and landed swiftly behind the prince. He did a 360 to avoid the hit, leaning back on his heels, avoiding a hit to the face.

"Very good Adrien!" -she exclaimed between breaths- "But not good enough!" She jumped in front of him, hitting in him the chest with his sabre. "Gah!" Adrien caught himself before falling.

"Your form needs work, Adrien," she commented, slashing her sabre once more. "I thought you were great," Marinette smiled nervously, avoiding the negativity. "Who's this girl," The elder finally noticed her.

"That's Marinette, she's my friend," the realization of his last word hit him like a ton of bricks, making him look at his feet. "That's right," Marinette tossed a smile. "I never thought Adrien had any friends," The elder laughed.

"Aller!" She then exclaimed, taking Adrien by surprise. "You can't do that," Adrien exclaimed unprepared, blocking her slashes with his sabre. "Be ready for anything," she jumped to behind him. Adrien did a backflip, Marinette gasping, and then landed on his feet once more.

When he attacked, he missed, when she knocked his sabre into a different angle. "Form!" She exclaimed panting. His brows furrowed, and he grabbed his sabre, again leaning on his heels to avoid her hit. He spun around, and hit her in the back, her stopping instantly.

She smirked, "Not half bad." "That was amazing Adrien!" Marinette squealed, "I've never seen anyone do so well under pressure like that!"

He finally looked at her and Marinette smiled widely, her bluebell eyes glistening like the emerald lake. Her navy hair was whipping in the wind, and her smile; was as bright as the stars settling into the sky.

How could he just let her go?