The Galgorm Manor Hotel was situated on the outskirts of Ballymena, a city in Northern Ireland, nestled in the picturesque West, seemingly in the middle of nowhere beside a wild, flowing river. At first, Marinette couldn't understand why they had chosen this place, but after strolling from the hotel down to the Phantom House, the reason became clear—it was stunning!

When they had arrived at the hotel late the previous night, it had been too dark and cold to explore the grounds. Both had decided to call it a night and head to their respective bedrooms—which turned out to be a single room with one luxurious Queen Sized bed.

Adrien had risen early to attend to his best man duties for Félix, followed by his 'bridesmale' duties for Kagami. Meanwhile, Marinette had spent the morning entertaining herself in the pool before preparing for the day's events and making her way down to the venue over the uneven path. Gammy had offered her the chance to join her in the spa, but Marinette had declined. Everything was already awkward enough.

She had been stumbling over her words with Adrien for the past week, her mind swirling with feelings like a relentless carousel. Conversations with Chat Noir had also shifted, reduced to minimal answers and sparse quips as they watched TV together. The awkwardness had grown palpable, and she knew exactly why—her heart was well and truly torn in half. While she loved Chat Noir, she was developing strong feelings for Adrien, finding herself thinking about him more and more.

"This is stunning!" Her partner's voice sounded near her as they made it closer to the venue.

Other voices behind her made Marinette turn, offering a smile and nod to a couple dressed in exquisite outfits heading towards the Phantom House. As usual, she pulled her phone from her clutch bag and pretended to talk.

"I bet you'll be glad when you don't have to keep doing this. Pretending to talk to people," Chat Noir chuckled.

"Of course," Marinette replied into the phone. "Not that I don't enjoy having you with me 24/7, but it'd be nice to actually be able to hug you. I feel we need one after all this." She turned back towards where Chat Noir stood and flashed him a smile, a free-flowing waterfall creating a perfect backdrop behind him.

The gentle, hushed tones of the river's flow covered the deep sigh that escaped her lips. She felt stuck in limbo at the moment, unsure of what direction to take. A future with Chat Noir seemed impossible, while the thought of a future with Adrien felt not only possible but also appealing. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to delve into her thoughts—a luxury she hadn't indulged in for a long time.

"Did you ever think about if we got married?" Chat Noir asked abruptly.

Marinette felt a sorrowful smile tug at her lips. "All the time, Kitty," she whispered, her heart aching with the painful truth. "Until recently."

She recalled the look on Chat Noir's face when Adrien had comforted her. The gentle caresses, the solace she had sought and found in another, leaving her partner to witness her falling for someone else—a pain she had never wished to inflict upon him.

"But now you've met him." Chat Noir slouched over the fence beside her, his voice heavy with defeat and brokenness.

"Yeah," Marinette replied softly, her voice filled with regret and unspoken sorrow.

They stood side by side, the sound of water thrashing over rocks the only noise breaking the silence between them.

"He's hiding something, M'Lady, I know he is." He turned to face her, his hand reaching out unconsciously before pulling back to his side. "Marinette, please. Just give me a little longer to figure out who he really is."

She turned to face him, his kitten-green eyes begging her to follow his lead just this once. "I'll try."

"Thank you."

They continued to look out over the river, neither speaking, yet her mind was running a mile a second. Could Adrien be hiding something? Well, she wasn't exactly Miss Honesty herself.

Everyone was free to hold things back. And it wasn't like they were in a relationship or anything. He had made it perfectly clear that they were just platonic plus ones, not dating. At first, it hadn't mattered to her. After all, he had helped her as much as she had helped him. However, with each caring and kind gesture he made towards her, she couldn't help but feel there might be something more. She wanted there to be something more.

She was undeniably head over heels for the guy, which definitely didn't suit her lifestyle, her partnership with her best friend, or her career. But Adrien was someone she wanted to take a risk on. She had played her life safe up until now. It was time she became the leading lady of her own story. She just wanted the chance to try this, to see if something could work.

"What was it like?" Chat Noir's voice floated over the sounds of the river, his eyes still fixed ahead, watching the spray create hopeful rainbows. "Our wedding? When you imagined it, what was it like?"

She blinked at him, momentarily stunned by his question. Gathering her thoughts, she responded, "I suppose it was small, just close friends, maybe in a place like this. You can't deny it's utterly beautiful." She glanced quickly at him, noting the slight incline of his head as he waited for her to continue.

"I'd want it to be something memorable, not just because of who I am, but because of..." She stopped abruptly. A sudden uncomfortable prickling in her nose forcing her to ignore everything she wanted to admit.

"It's okay," he whispered, pushing himself from the railing. He walked over to her, and she wanted to touch him and hug him, to tell him she was sorry for falling for someone else. But it would be futile. He was only there in spirit. "When you get married, I'll buy you that dumb idea of a plant bouquet."

"With the matching wristlet?"

"What type of friend would I be if I didn't?"

She giggled, dabbing a finger under her eyes to check for mascara or eyeliner smudges. She'd spent way too long on her makeup for it to go to disarray now.

"Only the best kind," she replied, attempting to give him a playful nudge. "And you better wear that ridiculous cat tie I got you."

He mock-scowled. "Hey now, that tie is a masterpiece. It'll be the talk of the reception."

She shook her head with a grin. "I'm sure it will. Just like how you'll be the life of the party, dancing to 'Meow Mix'."

"Hey, I've got moves you haven't seen yet," he joked, winking at her.

She chuckled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "I look forward to it, Kitty."

"Count on it," he said, his eyes sparkling in a way that made her heart ache just a little less.

"I'll be around today in case you need me, but you'll understand if I stay out of your way?" Chat Noir said, waiting for her to nod before continuing. "Just promise me you won't do something stupid like sign your life over to an Agreste."

Marinette chuckled again. "You know as well as I do, I'm just Adrien's platonic plus one."

"For now," Chat Noir replied, stepping forward with a sad smile on his face. She felt a slight tingle on the apple of her cheek from where he attempted to kiss her. It was a sensation she had never felt before, and she wished she had more time to read into it. "He has no idea how lucky he'd be to have you."

Marinette's heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks warming. She looked up at him, searching his eyes for something she couldn't quite name. The air around them seemed charged with unspoken feelings, and she found herself wanting to say so much more.

"Chat...," she began, but before she could continue, he shook his head gently.

"Just remember what I said," he murmured, his voice soft yet filled with a hint of longing. Then, with a final, lingering gaze, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Marinette stood there, her mind racing, her heart conflicted. The touch of his lips on her cheek lingered, leaving her with a thousand questions and a newfound awareness of the complexities of her feelings.

She placed her phone back into her bag and sighed. How had her life suddenly become so complicated?

With one last wistful look at the waterfall, she reluctantly turned away and headed in the direction of the Phantom House, following the path along the riverbank. A beautiful swing bench caught her eye, nestled under a sprawling tree. The temptation to sit and soak in the serene surroundings, with the sounds of nature and the beautifully crafted buildings around her, was strong. But time was not on her side today.

"It would have been wonderfully romantic, Kitty," she whispered to herself, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

After a lingering moment gazing out over the picturesque scenery, she resumed her walk down the cobbled steps leading towards the quaint, small building. Each step seemed to echo her conflicted thoughts, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

Nestled against the backdrop of the rolling woodland and gently flowing waterfalls was the magical Phantom House. The building was part of the original estate, boasting traditional stonework, an Aga fire, and a private balcony with unrivalled views of the River Maine — or so the concierge told her.

It was truly unique, with just the soft sound of the cascading river in the background, and she felt ridiculously lucky to be here today.

Finally making it down the staircase, she snapped a couple of photographs on her phone and sent them home to her maman and papa, who were eager for a step-by-step recount of the wedding. Carefully navigating the cobbles to avoid tripping, she rounded the corner and saw the crowds gathering outside the building, patiently waiting to enter.

With both Félix and Kagami being high-powered individuals from influential families, it wasn't surprising to see the vast array of wonderful outfits on display. From top-of-the-range Gabriel to Gucci and Versace, the attendees showcased exquisite fashion choices. She even spotted a few pieces from the upcoming 'House of Humphries' summer line, not yet available in stores.

Her eyes scanned the area, catching Gorilla and Amelie standing by the entrance, while Nathalie straightened Gabriel's buttonhole. A few others she recognised from work functions only added to the feeling that she was well and truly out of place here. Finally, her gaze was drawn like a magnet to someone staring at her.

Félix.

He stood alongside Adrien, engaged in conversation with a group of women around their age. Jealousy began to swirl in her stomach—a feeling she needed to squash to avoid ruining their friendship. The jealousy dissipated abruptly when she noticed Félix jab Adrien with his elbow, directing his attention towards her.

The easy flowing laughter and smile dropped from Adrien's face as his eyes locked with hers. Marinette's breath caught in her throat, a rush of nerves mingling with an unexpected thrill. She clasped her hands in front of her, suddenly feeling more exposed yet strangely exhilarated under his intense scrutiny.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, regretting her choice of dress more intensely than ever. Chat Noir's playful advice now seemed like a deliberate attempt to unsettle her, especially in light of his unspoken rivalry with Adrien.

Exhaling to calm her nerves, she turned back to Adrien just as he murmured a few words to those around him, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on her. His approach towards her was deliberate, his gaze still carrying a determined intensity.

As he reached her, he stood close, offering his arm in a gesture that held more weight than mere politeness. "May I escort the beautiful lady inside?"

Marinette's heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening as Adrien's words made her feel more beautiful and important than anyone else present. Despite the inner turmoil, she found herself drawn to him, unable to resist the unspoken connection that seemed to deepen with each passing moment.

She nodded, a smile forming on her face as Adrien's gaze seemed to be solely fixed on her—well, at least that's how it felt. He was staring, as though she were a cherished jewel on display, and she couldn't help but hope it was because of the way she was dressed, her styled hair pulled into a chignon. But then she reminded herself how her luck typically fared—i.e., non-existent.

She slipped her arm through his, allowing him to lead her forward into the building. Adrien looked incredible. The perfectly tailored black suit he wore was complemented by an indigo cravat and pocket square, a colour she'd never have chosen for him but one that dazzled effortlessly against his hair. Félix had good taste.

Every pair of eyes seemed to be fixed on her as she walked on Adrien Agreste's arm, the women he'd been conversing with giving her burning glances as they scrutinised her from head to toe. Hushed whispers and increased chatter followed in their wake. She felt like she was being paraded, like Adrien wanted people to see them together. The thought was both flattering and terrifying.

Adrien slid his arm from hers and placed his hand low on her back—almost possessively. As he leaned down towards her, the musky scent of his aftershave caught her off guard, causing her to lose a step in her stride.

"They're jealous," he whispered into her ear, the hot breath tickling her neck and causing the hairs to stand to attention.

She nodded, unable to speak, as Adrien continued to lead her into the building. Guided by him, she felt as though she were being led by a prince into the enchanting castle. The moment she stepped inside, she couldn't help but gasp in wonder. The interior looked straight out of a fairy tale, rather than an ordinary event venue.

Fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft, ethereal glow that mingled perfectly with the flowers standing tall on ornate stands lining the aisle. The old stone walls were adorned with delicate white netting, adding a touch of enchantment to the rustic setting. Every detail, from the elegant draping on the chairs to the whimsical decorations, felt like a scene from a dream.

It was nothing like she'd expected from this couple, yet it was undeniably perfect in its charm. She found herself swept up in the magical ambiance, her heart fluttering with a sense of anticipation as she followed Adrien further into the fairy tale setting.

"Woah!" The words left her mouth as easy as breathing, her eyes struggling to take it all in.

"It's okay...but I've found something more perfect to look at." He looked down at her, his green eyes piercing and flickering, the tiny specks of gold defined against the dazzling emerald base.

Marinette's mouth fell open as she felt a sensation akin to a whale flip-flopping in her stomach. Did he mean her? His eyes were intense, the green deepening, making the yellow flecks more prominent as he licked over his lower lip.

The air between them seemed charged with unspoken words leaving an electric tension hanging between them.

"Marinette, I was wondering if we could —"

"Adrien!" Félix came hurrying into the building, skidding to a halt and glancing between them. He winced and mouthed an apology to Marinette before refocusing on Adrien. "Kagami's here," he said in a panic. "Everyone's still outside, and my incredible fiancée has arrived early! I don't know why I'm surprised—it's Kagami, and she always says that early is being punctual. But aren't brides supposed to be late on their wedding day? Worst of all, Gammy's heel is stuck in the cobbles, and Uncle Gabe's decided that now's the best time to explain to her why kitten heels are not suitable for an 87-year-old."

Félix said the entire speech in one breath, and Marinette was almost certain he was going to pass out — the green tinge on his face matching the colour of his eyes.

Adrien removed his hand from Marinette's back and stepped forward, placing his hands on top of Félix's arms. "Fé, I've got this!" he said. "You just go and get ready. I'll get the guests in and sort out Gammy. It's going to be fine."

Félix nodded, taking a deep breath before straightening himself up. Despite their physical similarities, Marinette noticed a difference between the two. For all the front Félix put on, he was nowhere near as calm as Adrien in such situations. Adrien always took it upon himself to bring calm to chaos—unless he caused it. He looked at Marinette, remorse obvious in his eyes.

"It's okay," Marinette smiled reassuringly. "We'll talk after the ceremony."

"Sorry," Félix interrupted, causing Marinette to laugh.

"Don't worry about it. Our conversation is not as important as your wedding day."

She looked to Adrien, hoping he would jump in to agree, but unfortunately, he appeared frustrated — almost torn — as he wavered on the spot. The pressure was on; with the bride's arrival, Adrien had to perform perfectly, or his peachy ass would surely be kicked all the way to Timbuktu. Not that she'd been staring at his ass, but it was hard not to notice it in the fine tailoring of the suit — or the boxers he had been walking around the room in that morning.

"Just go," she giggled.

"I promise we'll talk later."

"Go!" She encouraged, ready to push him out the door.

Adrien bounced on one foot, then the other, before rushing out of the room, nearly knocking Gammy off her kitten heels in the process.

The older woman smacked him around the back with her small diamanté handbag. "Youth of today! Always in a rush!" she muttered, making her way forward toward Marinette who was left standing with Félix.

She looked over Marinette, approval in her eyes and a smile on her rose-red lips.

"Can I escort you to your seat, Gammy?" Félix offered his arm to his oldest relative, but Gammy shoved it away, keeping her eyes on Marinette.

"How about you, doll? Could you walk me to my seat? I'd like some company for the ceremony."

Marinette nodded, extending her arm to help lead Gammy down the aisle to the front row of seats. They stopped beside the wooden chairs, and Gammy smiled at Marinette once again.

"You look so wonderful, Pet! Give me a twirl."

Holding her arms out slightly, Marinette twirled to give the woman a view of her dress.

"I bet you gave my favourite grandson a heart attack. I know what he'll be thinking about through the service." The older woman giggled, obviously pleased with her own joke.

Marinette tried to smile and laugh along, but her heart dropped. Too much hope was hanging in the balance, and hearing Gammy say this was inflating expectations that most likely wouldn't come to fruition.

"You know," Gammy continued, "he's always kept his relationships close to his chest — with everyone but me, that is. He had a girlfriend when he was younger and he adored her. He was so happy all the time. He'd text me telling me about her and how much he loved her, she made him smile so much. Then his father moved them, and the smile went. I never thought I'd see it again."

Marinette helped her sit down, unable to respond to the violation of privacy Adrien's Gammy was suddenly spilling.

"But then he met you, Doll, and the sun shone again."

As Marinette sat down in the chair next to Gammy's, the older woman placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head towards the back of the room.

Her gaze collided with Adrien's, and she felt her breath catch in her throat as much as she heard it leave her mouth. He was looking straight at her, his eyes seeming to search for something — that was, until another older relative took the opportunity to squeeze his cheeks, leaving his cheeks warm and flushed with embarrassment. Adrien guided them down the aisle and onto Félix's side before returning his gaze to Marinette, a gaze that remained fixed on her throughout the entire ceremony.

*****

The ceremony had been wonderful. Kagami was the most beautiful bride, her fashionable white dress, elegant and fitting her perfectly. But it wasn't solely the dress, hair, makeup, or flowers that made her shine — it was the look on her face. The pure joy and happiness radiating from her as she made her way down the aisle on Adrien's arm was what truly made her stunning. She appeared so in love, only to be surpassed by the sight of Félix seeing his bride for the first time — a scene that had Gammy squeezing tightly onto Marinette's hand and tears threatening to ruin her makeup. They were so completely and utterly in love, she could help but be swept up by the moment.

She tried to keep her attention on the service as much as possible, especially after learning that the venue was where Gammy had married her love over 60 years ago — a venue both boys had sworn they would use in memory of their late grandfather. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, and not just by Adrien.

A prickling sensation raised the hairs on her neck as she stood outside the reception venue, a glass of champagne in her hands. It had been a while since she last saw Chat Noir; he seemed to have disappeared not long into the ceremony. Marinette wondered if he was waiting outside or had gone to admire the scenery. Despite being surrounded by others, she couldn't help but wish he would appear. Something felt off without him. She didn't feel quite herself without his support. In moments like this, he was usually her first point of contact.

Adrien had briefly checked on her, and Nathalie and Gabriel had been cordial, but they were constantly needed to greet family and friends and participate in numerous photographs. Marinette took a sip from her wine glass, feeling the uncomfortable sensation engulf her body again, her hands automatically tightening around her bag.

"And there's me thinking you wouldn't have the nerve to leave Paris."

The voice twisted her stomach between its words, a nauseous feeling overwhelming her. She turned around quickly, almost toppling off her heels as she came face-to-face with the woman from the bar.

"Excuse me?" Marinette said, proud that her voice hadn't broken with the question.

"Being here? A little ways from Paris, isn't it?"

Trying not to show any weakness, Marinette stood her ground. Whoever this woman was, she was tall with legs that seemed to go on forever. She was attractive and made Marinette feel smaller, less like the strong, independent woman she believed herself to be. But she was Ladybug, and this time whoever this woman was would not catch her off guard.

"I have a passport. I'm allowed to travel," Marinette replied with a nervous smile, her lips twitching as she tried to hold her composure.

The woman continued to stare, her glare reminiscent of Lillie's...

Lillie? Suddenly, the two women were vying for dominance in Marinette's mind.

"But is it always the smartest thing to do? After all, being away from your friends might make situations a little...complicated," the woman said, her words laced with a subtle threat.

Suddenly, Marinette felt a pressing need to contact Luka, a wave of worry crashing over her about the state of her city. Had she dropped the ball by getting too involved with Adrien? Nagging doubts gnawed at her. Was falling for a guy going to be her downfall?

"Marinette!" Adrien's voice broke through the blood pounding in her ears, a soothing balm to the tension she felt standing here with... "Chelsea," he said, coming to a stop next to Marinette, once again placing a hand on her lower back—this time she was sure this was possessive.

"Adrien," the woman responded — the woman whose name was coincidentally the same as Adrien's ex-girlfriend's.

Oh, merde.

His hand remained on her lower back, his fingers slightly digging into her.

"Well, aren't you going to comment about my dress? I know how much you love red," Chelsea remarked, placing her hands on her hips and twisting side to side, accentuating specific areas of her body.

Marinette studied the dress closer. It was incredibly similar to one she had designed, which wasn't red in her drawings but a dark green — a design that was in her sketchbook. A cold creep made its way up her spine as she studied Chelsea again, wondering about the unsettling familiarity of the situation.

Adrien's fingers tensed a little more, the tips embedding themselves deeper, an action that was surely going to leave a mark. Without responding, he turned them both in the opposite direction, leading them into the ballroom.

A few steps away from the encounter, Marinette glanced over her shoulder, but Chelsea was nowhere to be found. The sudden disappearance left Marinette with a lingering sense of unease, as if Chelsea had never been there at all — or perhaps had never existed outside of that unsettling moment.