Marinette woke up the next morning confused. How had she gotten inside her hut? She was sure she had fallen asleep outside beside the goblin. She blushed as she recalled how he had given her a blanket to keep her warm.  

     "The blanket is here," She said. She got up, set the blanket aside, and picked up some clothes, a towel, and a soap bar.

     She went outside, removed her dress, and stepped into the creek. She washed, dried off, and got dressed. She felt someone touch her shoulder.

       She spun around. "Ah!" She screamed.

      "Marinette, relax, it is me," He said.

       "Oh, Mr. Goblin, I did not see you there," She responded.

            "Sorry, I did not mean to scare you." He said.

         "What brings you outside so early in the morning?" She asked. "Early, it is nearly 9 am," He answered. He smiled as he pointed to the flowers. "Oh, what lovely lilies," Marinette remarked when she saw them. 

        Marinette and the Goblin looked around at the lilies for a while longer as Jane began to wake up.  The mouse munched on some stray giblets of cheese, and Daisy ate hay.

          Jane prepared for the day and went looking for her sister. She saw her talking to her friend and decided not to bother them. She felt it would best to give them some privacy.

           Sometimes she felt as if she was intruding since she had joined them because of how affectionate the goblin was towards Marinette. She noticed Marinette blushing when she did not think anyone was paying attention. She supposed a goblin was not the worst creature her sister could have gone, and fallen in love with.

      "So, Mr. Goblin, what is your proper name?"

      The goblin sighed. He had hoped she would not ask.  Marinette heard him sigh. She felt perhaps the question had troubled him. 

     "Marinette, the thing is I am not allowed to tell you. I have to let you guess it."

     "Guess it?  Why would have to do that?"

      "It is part of the conditions given by the one who turned me into this green goblin you see before your very eyes."

        "I see more than that because you are kind, compassionate, giving, and share with others around you. You share your time, food, and goods." Marinette told him.

       "You also shared this lovely view of all the lilies. I happen to like them quite a bit," Marinette said. She reached up and held his cheek with her left hand.

        "St-Stop, you m-mustn't do that, Princess Marinette," He protested.

           "It is alright, it will not hurt you," Marinette said.

            Marinette looked into his green eyes. "You have green eyes, and your hair is turning blonde.  Let me see, your name is Auston?"

           "No, but it does start with an A," He stated.

       "Adam?"

   He shook his head.

   "Alexander?"

   "No way," He said.

   "Abraham?"

   He cringed. Marinette kissed his other cheek.

      He blushed. "You must not do such things, Your Highness," He said.

        "Oh, I feel I should have the honor to kiss you any time I please," Marinette retorted. She saw his shocked look as if he had been wounded.

            "Anthony, Andrew, or  Alvin?" She guessed.

     "I am afraid you are wrong by a long shot again," He said.

    "Can't I get some hint?" She asked.

       "A hint, yes, I believe that is allowed," He responded.

    Marinette looked at him as if to say well out with it then. 

      "My name begins with A,

     Some might even say,

     I  am part of the line,

   that lives near the sea,

     and dreams of  one who will 

always love him so,

regardless of what or who he might be."

   Marinette was stunned. She had never known he could speak in such a way. She felt as if he were different somehow than before. 

   "You know your hair was not always blonde when I met you, but it is now," Marinette said. She had heard stories of a prince who was said to have a castle by the sea. She could not think of his name. Now what was it? 

       "Is there anything else about me you notice, Princess Marinette?" He asked. His voice was softer than before.

        "Y-yes, I notice that you are ..." She began.

      "I'm what?" He asked standing closer than he had before.

        Marinette did not know what came over her, but she pressed her lips into his and closed her eyes.  He was shocked unsure how to respond. He placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly began to return the kiss. He pulled away and saw a single tear drip down her cheek. He caught it in his hand. His hand turned back to as it was before in the days before he was a goblin.

    "W-what is happening?" 

   Marinette opened her eyes. She smiled at him. "It is okay, I felt it too." She put her hand back on his face once more. "Please, do not be frightened, Adrien," She whispered.

 Marinette did not know it yet, but she had unknowingly said his name. He gasped. "W-what did you call me?"

  *Author's note: What will Marinette say?

 Find out more as the story continues in Chapter 12

   Until then,

bye-bye, 

little owlets!

Summer out!