Enjoy :3

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Marinette quickly got out. She looked around the train station, trying to find any other girls who were selected.

She looked to the right and saw a familiar face - she had thought it was the girl who had took her entry picture?

She waved at the girl and she smiled back walking over to her. "Hey! So, it seems you made it huh?" she asked as Marinette laughed.

"Yeah, it appears so," she breathed, "What about you?" she joked. "I made it too," they shared a laugh. "I was not expecting it at all," she added.

They paused. "So, what's your name? I would like to get to know you better," Marinette rubbed the back of her head. "My name is Alya, Alya Cesaire. What about you?"

"Marinette, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she responded, using the same format she did. "Well, nice to meet you," Alya trailed off as their conversation went into a deep silence.

They then heard cheering and whirled their heads to see where the commotion was coming from. One girl, in a long golden dress, exited a carriage - getting a big handful of chants and praises.

The girl flipped her long golden ponytail and gave a quick glare at us - the only other girls who were wearing dresses. She walked up to us and put her hands on her hips. "So, you girls part of The Selection," she said, judgement laced in her tone as she scanned their outfits.

She laughed. "You won't last there very long," she scoffed as Marinette rolled her eyes. "You're one to talk. We aren't even at the competition yet," Marinette fired back.

She smiled in response. "The prince isn't interested in tiny poor girls like yourself," she said pointing her finger at her. "How do you know? Do you know him personally," Alya dared before Marinette could shoot.

The girl rolled her eyes. "Acting tough; I like it. I'll see you at the competition later," she said flipping her hair and pointing at her face.

As she walked off, Alya looked at Marinette. "She is...peculiar," Alya laughed. "She's straight-up an a-hole. I hope there aren't many other girls like that," they shared a quick laugh.

"I've only just learnt your name, but I already like you," Alya commented, "See you soon," she ran off, getting a quick wave from Marinette. Maybe she had found an ally in this competition; a friend.

***

As the train approached the palace, Marinette was stunned. How could one family manage to take up one beautiful estate?

The butterflies whirled around in Marinette's stomach as the girls flooded from the opened doors. Marinette's luggage was sent up to her room, she checked, and she walked through the gates; they were as tall as an actual five-story house.

She finally had gotten to see a small glimpse of the girls who were chosen.

As she walked around the grand hall, someone tapped on her shoulder. "Hello, Madame. We should get to doing your makeup, Miss," a girl gestured for her to follow.

Marinette trailed behind her, still admiring all of the paintings, lights, and jewels. Who knew, maybe she'd get to see the actual Crowned Jewels and not the replicas that they sell. She glanced up and saw two people standing on top of the combined stairwells.

It was prince Adrien and his father.

Marinette took a deep breath as he looked her way. She gave a polite wave and smile, and he returned it. She put her hand to her chest; the prince had actually looked at her. She mentally slapped herself for her attitude but grinned nonetheless.

As she entered the room, many girls were occupying many seats. This was the room for washing and doing up your hair, and Marinette got seated in the back corner.

She looked over her shoulder and saw many girls changing the colour of their hair, or even cutting inches off of it. As Marinette wait, she thought of what look she had wanted.

Marinette had navy hair, so she decided not to dye it at all. She asked for a slight trim - to touch up her edges - and waited for her to finish.

"Okay, ma'am. Would you like your hair up or down," she asked. "Down," she replied as she brought out a curling iron. After she was done, Marinette got to see the results.

She had beach waves throughout her hair, and some of it was pinned to the back. She added some red flowers to her back hair, as well as the fact she had added layers to her cut.

And Marinette loved it; it was possible to say she had never felt so beautiful.

As she got out of her seat, she had switched rooms into the dressing one. She didn't want something too cliche but at the same time didn't want to not look good. She decided to choose a red knee-length dress, with a v-neck and spaghetti-straps.

She twirled around beside the other girls in the wall-sized mirror, so fascinated by her look. She exited the dressing hall, trying to find Alya.

Then she heard an announcement. "Attention. Meetings with the Prince are starting now, every girl must be finished in the next 5 minutes," they cautioned.

Since Marinette's last name initials were D-C, she was going to go sooner rather than later. She was admiring the architect, finding interest in the palace's interior.

***

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" someone exclaimed as Marinette walked over. "Yes, hello," she walked briskly up to the guard. "You may go to the room on the left, to meet with his majesty" he informed as Marinette nodded.

She took a deep breath and entered the room.

Prince Adrien was looking out one of the windows as he noticed she had come in. She curtsied as he bowed. "Bonjour, Prince Adrien," Marinette said, trying to be as formal as possible.

He smiled. "Bonjour...Marinette?" he asked as she nodded with a smile. "Nice to meet you," he said gesturing for her to sit down.

"So, you were the one who replaced the girl who had lied, right?" he asked as she nodded again. Damn it, Marinette, talk! "Yes, that is why I never lie. It always had consequences," she added.

"Well, that is nice to know," he replied. She bit her lip. "Sorry if I'm coming off a bit nervous, I'm not used to these things," she used her hands to gesture her sentence, making him chuckle.

"No, don't worry, you're doing fine," he chuckled, making her grin. "You're the girl who waved to me, right?" he asked, getting a quick nod. "Well, you seem very kind Marinette," he rubbed his chin. Oooh, I'm kind. She smiled at her thought.

"Thank you, you seem nice as well," she said, getting enough courage to stand up. "I-Isn't this incredible!" she steadied her voice, "It's amazing to think someone could grow up here," she said walked around the turquoise room, with a large desk in the middle. The bay window was open wide, the summer breeze entering through.

"The views, and everything...it's just so breath-taking," she breathed, raising her hands, and putting them outside as if she was touching the clouds. He laughed at her enthusiasm.

"It is nice to see that someone admires the architect of the palace. Many girls come from rich families, and this is all normal to them," he replied.

The duke knocked on the door. "One minute left prince Adrien," he advised. Adrien gave a nervous laugh, "I guess I forgot to ask all the questions," he chuckled. "Ahh, I'm sorry for rambling on about the palace - you probably hear that a lot,"

He smiled and laughed. "No, no don't worry about it," he stroked his chin, "Thanks, Marinette. It was nice getting to know you," he said opening the door. As he let the other girl in, Marinette waved as he tossed a quick smile.

Maybe she had a shot with these other girls.