Hey guys! So yeah, I have this new short story planned out, and I know I have to update Brotherly Conflict and stuff, but I'm going through some heavy stuff right now…and sadly, it makes it super difficult for me to write. So I'm doing something I would like to call writing therapy, where I'm trying to build myself back up again. I'm really wobbly right now just due to the new spoilers for the fandom that was revealed at comic con and at times I get really discouraged when I see some great stories that other people are coming out with. So please be really supportive about this story.

The soft sunlight streamed into Marinette's bedchamber, causing the young noble to moan and turn over away from the light. Her forehead was met against a hard chest in which she smiled fondly and moved closer to, wrapping her arms around his waist as she snuggled up to him. He rumbled and his arms that were loosely draped around her pulled her in closer.

"It's morning Chat." She groaned. He sighed but snuggled his head closer into the crook of her neck to place a light kiss.

"And a beautiful one at that my lady."

"Someone will be up here soon."

"I know." He whispered moving up to cup her face as to lean in and slowly kiss her pink lips. She smiled in return and eagerly returned the gesture, running her hands up to the back of his head.

"You have to go kitty." She whispered hugging him close. "I wish you could stay so that we would never have to be apart."

"Your wishing star sent me to tell you it's a work in progress." He grinned at her eye roll as she rolled over onto her back.

"I can't run away Chat. I wish I could."

"You tried." He reminded her, laying across her chest. Ever since she attempted to run away in search of some fun, she ran into the young rogue who knew immediately of what she meant by being unhappy with what her parents expected of her. That was, until she was caught by the guards and returned home. Though that didn't stop the stealthy Chat Noir from coming to her bedroom every night. They quickly became friends, and from friends they turned into lovers, and from lovers they turned into an inseparable pair that dreaded the hours on sunlight and counted to the hours of darkness.

"Yeah, and instead I just found me a black kitty with blonde hair." She giggled, tussling up his messy blonde locks.

"And I found me a princess." He grinned and leaned up to press his nose to hers. "That is if my lady will have me."

She grinned and cupped his face.

"I wouldn't want-" A knock jolted the two apart as Marinette immediately began searching through her sheets for her nightgown.

"Just a moment please!" She cried hastily and looked up to see Chat already leaping into his black ensemble.

"Will you be able to get away unseen in daylight?" She asked. He grinned and shot her a wink before standing above her to pull her in for a quick kiss. "They won't even see my shadow. But will you have me Princess?"

"Chat I-" The knocking interrupted again as the two glared at the door. "Yes one moment! You have to go. Please." She begged. He smiled softly before pulling her closer once more for a kiss. "I want an answer tonight Princess. If you have the answer I want to hear, I promise I will make all your dreams come true."

She sighed dreamily before turning back to the door and opening it for a maid to enter.

"Are you feeling ill today Miss?" She asked with slight worry. Marinette shook her head with a thankful smile.

"No Rose I'll be alright."

"That's excellent news! We wouldn't want you feeling ill when you have to meet Lord Theo."

Marinette sighed heavily and sat in front of the vanity and started brushing through her dark hair. Her parents had been welcoming suitors left and right, and Marinette felt miserable. A Lord Theo wrote weeks ago saying he was seeing his cousin back to the palace and would like to meet her, hoping to take her as a wife.

Per her parents' instruction, she was brought down in a fresh blue gown with her hair pulled back in a bun. As she entered the dining room, she noticed her parents conversing with two young men. One, clearly older, looked up in awe at her his mouth slightly open. The other, was considerably younger and looked up with mild interest before turning away.

"Good morning Darling." Her mother chirped, getting up from her seat to welcome her daughter into the room. "You are just in time for breakfast."

"Yes, it is such a beautiful morning I wish I could have been awoken earlier to greet our guests." Marinette smiled although wished no one would have come to disturb her morning.

"It has been beautiful my lady, but your ethereal beauty does it shame." The older gentleman said, standing up from his seat to bow before her.

"I am Theo of the Barbeau house, and it is an honor to meet you." He whispered taking her hand to kiss lightly. Marinette smiled although grimaced at the gesture.

"The honor is mine Lord Theo. I hope you enjoy your time here in Paris."

"I'm certain I will." He smiled, gesturing to the table. Marinette smiled politely as she walked to the empty chair conveniently placed beside him that he pulled out for her.

"And if I may introduce my cousin, Nino." He gestured to the man beside him who gave her a deep nod.

"My Lady,"

"Lord Nino…oh my, you're Alya's fiancée!" Marinette beamed. The young man smiled brightly at the name.

"Yes, I'm glad that I'll be seeing her again shortly. With a suitable escort, its time I take her back to my homeland to introduce her to my family before we marry."

"I'm so glad. I will miss her dearly, please remind her to write me daily."

"My lady, I'm sure she's already planned for that with how much she's told me about you." The two smiled before Theo took the seat in between them.

"And have you a fiancée abroad?" He asked. Marinette winced and diverted her gaze to her bowl of porridge.

"No my lord. I have only been called upon a few times." He beamed and stirred his own porridge.

"I myself have been looking for a bride." He indicated. "I have yet to find someone to compliment me and my lifestyle."

"I'm sure you will find yourself a lucky lady soon." Marinette said politely.

"Yes…I'm sure." He replied, causing the young girl to frown at her porridge as she slowly raised a bite to her lips.

After breakfast Marinette rose from the table, hoping for her mother to excuse her, but knew it was a false hope.

"Marinette, why don't you take Lord Nino and Theo out for a stroll in the garden? Our flowers are in such lovely bloom at the moment it would be a shame for our guests to have not caught a glance." Her mother suggested politely. Theo looked at her with a beaming smile and eagerly took hold of her hand.

"I would be delighted to see them with you." His cousin held a less enthusiastic shrug which Marinette snuffled a chortle too. Mistaking it for a pleased smile, Theo tucked her arm through his and led her through the hall with Nino following close behind.

"How long are you going to be staying with us Nino?" Marinette asked, turning to him with a friendly smile.

"Only until morning, I always make arrangements to stay with an old friend, and I thought to stay here for a night to keep an eye on my cousin."

"Have you grown up in Paris you're whole life?" Theo jutted in, turning the attention back to Marinette.

"Yes, sadly I haven't had the chance to leave the city. Everything our family needs is right here."

"I see, I'm known as an artist, so I usually take the chance to travel in order to sell my work. Often times I'm held in the company of royalty and attend grand parties." He boasted.

"That sounds so thrilling." She lied, knowing perfectly well he was trying to catch her attention with the offer of social gatherings.

"I still lack a partner to attend these affairs. It often gets lonely being on my own. If I were to take a wife, I would want her to take her with me on my travels." She nodded and directed her attention elsewhere, trying to make it obvious that this conversation was uncomfortable. Although she knew most girls would have loved the thought to travel and attend parties on the arm of a wealthy handsome man like Theo, Marinette cringed at the thought of being his partner to such affairs.

"Why is that?"

"Well, I would want to make memories with her of course. And being together as we go to affairs and discuss things like art, it would bring us much closer." The bluenette smiled politely as she turned them to the direction of the back door. With spring soon leaving, the warm sun rained down on the trio as they passed by on the path lavished with hanging flowers and plump flower bushes.

"Although of course, I suppose she wouldn't be able to always travel with me once she became pregnant." Marinette lost her breath when she dared to look back to his gaze. His brown eyes holding promise that he was enraptured by her that she in no way intended.

"So Marinette." Nino spoke up from the back. "Alya told me how you have a talent for sewing your own dresses."

"Oh? Are you interested in the arts as well?" Theo perked up.

"Well, I more so just find it as a nice hobby. I did study with the help of a kind seamstress in town. It was thanks to her that I was able to take up making up most of my clothes, like this gown."

She motioned to herself with a smile at her own handiwork. It was something she was proud to be able to do, as most ladies couldn't even mend their own clothing. Chat gave her such praises and recognition whenever he came to her room to see her engrossed on a dress or when she showed him her latest creation. He never had the chance to see her in one of her own handmade dresses though.

"You have a great artistic talent as well." Theo beamed.

"I wouldn't go as far as calling it art, but it is something I admire to do."

"You truly are an inspiration. A true muse. I would be so grateful to have you serve as my own inspiration." He brought her hand up for a polite kiss and Marinette wanted nothing more but to run up to her bedroom and wait for him to leave. But as they walked forward making polite small talk she knew, he had no intention of leaving without her.

When they finished their walk, it was no surprise to Marinette or Nino that Theo requested a meeting with her father. Trying to put the thoughts out of her mind, she excused herself from Nino's company to go up to her room and work on some sewing. Although the hobby usually relaxed her, her fingers trembled as she tried to weave the needle in order to form a seam on a new dress for Alya. Probably only half an hour passed before the door opened for her mother to come into her room beaming.

"Oh sweetie, I have some good news for you." Marinette gulped and knew that it only meant bad news to have her mother's enthusiasm.

"What is it Mother?"

Her mother walked over and took the empty chair beside her and took hold of her daughter's hands.

"I know that it's sudden, but Lord Theo wants to ask for your hand in marriage!"

"What?" Marinette gasped, her mother took it as happy shock and she nodded eagerly.

"Yes! He knows that it's very sudden, but he would like to have a short courtship so that way he can propose and take you back home with him for you to meet his family while a ceremony can be arranged! Darling isn't this wonderful?!"

Marinette felt like sinking. Although it was predictable the thought of leaving Paris made her ache. It was not at the thought of leaving her family, and she would have her best friend with her, but at the thought of being apart from her lover for more than the few hours they spent apart during the day. She stood up and walked slowly to the window as she thought about what to say. The only answer that came to Marinette's mind, was the truth.

"Mother, I don't want to marry Lord Theo."

"What?"

"I don't want to marry him. We know nothing about each other yet he has the gall to think that we are close enough to not even take the time to know one another."

"Darling, there is plenty of time to know someone after engagement and even after marriage."

"Yes, but I don't even like Lord Theo. Please don't tell me Father has accepted." She turned to her mother with tears in her eyes to meet the sympathetic gaze returned to her by Sabine. She looked away from her daughter and closed her eyes as a means to compose herself.

"Marinette, I'm afraid we have no choice but to accept Lord Theo's offer. We never told you…but our family is in debt." Marinette's eyes widened as she returned to her mother's side and lowered to sit.

"What debt?"

"We have owed quite a deal to several collectors. In reality, we barely have enough to manage the house. Our only hope, sadly, rests within a good dowry offered for you. Lord Theo…knows of this condition now, and has agreed to pay off all of our debts once you are married." She looked up to her daughter's eyes and let her own tears stream down her face from the misery she saw. "I'm so sorry my dear…you have no choice."

A sobbed gasp left Marinette's throat as she lowered her head into her hands and tried to stop the tears that fell. A debt of her family rested on her shoulders. And with her life, and her happiness she would have to pay it. Though the worst part about this was not about her own pain. As her tears kept flowing out, her heart clenched at the thought of Chat, and how she would have to break his heart as well.

Marinette paced her bedroom already in her night gown and had a light shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She knew that the lights in the house were beginning to go out which meant Chat would be coming in soon. Sitting upon her bed, she laid back to look up at the ceiling and released a small whimper. Oh Chat, what am I even going to tell you. She clutched the fabric under her hand tighter before releasing a sniffle.

All this time, we've been so happy together. Nothing mattered. But of course my luck had to ruin it all. We could always run away together. She thought about it a moment before shaking her head remembering the earlier conversation with her mother. No…I can't leave my family with their debt. Running away wouldn't fix it all. I have to save my family.

Tears rolled out of her closed eyes as she curled up tighter. Even…even if it means we can never be together again.

A small tapping on her window bolted her upright as she squinted into the darkness outside to only make out a shadow. The man was surely stealth itself for how easily he could get around undetected. Walking up to the window, she pulled her shawl tighter around her as she opened it to his beaming face.

"Good evening milady." He smiled with his dazzling smile and hopped down from the sill to stand about her. His emerald green eyes looking down to her as he held up a rose. "I brought you this apology for my behavior in rushing off this morning." She smiled sadly and took the flower.

"Thank you Chat, but you don't have anything to apologize for." She turned away to her vanity and took a seat, her thoughts running wild for when to tell him. The rogue picked up on the mood and crept closer to his love where he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Marinette, what's wrong?" He asked in heavy concern although she didn't respond at first. Smiling, he turned her face closer to his so his emerald eyes could gaze directly to hers. "Would a kiss make you feel better?"

He was quick to close the space between them with a chaste kiss until she pulled apart as if burned.

"No Chat…it…it won't." He stood up and crossed his arms as he watched her pulling out a fresh gown for the morning, clearly diverting her attention from him.

"Princess, tell me what's wrong, you aren't acting like yourself."

"Please don't call me Princess!" She demanded. "I…I can't be that to you anymore."

"What do you mean you can't be that anymore? Marinette, you aren't making any sense."

She took a deep breath before turning to look at him with a solemn expression.

"I…I mean it as…we can't be together anymore." There was a beat of silence, as he let out a breath that wasn't even aware to being held.

"Wh…why? When did this happen? Did I move to fast in asking you that question this morning?"

"No." She gulped and looked away. "I'm just…I'm engaged to someone else."

His green eyes narrowed and she could have sworn she heard an angry hiss. "Who?"

"It doesn't concern you anymore. Just…I'm engaged…to someone I love dearly. And I can't have you around if I'm to be married, it's inappropriate."

He was silent as he looked away, he raised a hand to rub down his face before he looked back to her. His emerald eyes breaking her heart from the pain they carried, but she tried to not let her façade trip.

"Have…have you felt this way the whole time? Have you ever wanted to be with me?" He raised his hand to her cheek, waiting for her response as her blue eyes looked up to his.

More than anything! She wanted to scream, although was forced to shake her head.

"No." She lowered her gaze and he lowered his hand away from her. She turned away, hearing him walk in the direction of the window and soundlessly hopped up to the ledge.

"Goodbye Marinette…I wish you and your lucky love happiness." He seemed to grudge out and with a 'whoosh' of his clothing he was gone. A sob broke from Marinette as she flung onto her bed and sobbed out her heartbreak at the horrible lie.

I'm sorry Chat. Please, please forgive me. She begged in her thoughts and proceeded to cry for the rest of the night.

Outside, the young rogue was running from rooftop to rooftop, his tears leaking out onto the black mask. He bit his lip to keep from sobbing although with his blurry vision, he ended up tripping on a shingle and nearly lost his balance hadn't he prevented himself from falling off the roof. Gasping for breath, he wrapped his arms around him to let out his emotions. She didn't love him. Daring a glance back, his heart ached to see her house, knowing she was in there. His princess was to wed another, it was a cruel fate. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small emerald ring he had made for her. It wasn't as extravagant as his mother's, but he wanted to ask her tonight and to reveal himself to her. But instead, he returned home with a broken heart.

So tell me what you guys thought about it. And please review, it helps get me through it and inspires me. I'm hoping I can keep this going. Also, this will be a two part story so the next chapter will be the second half and I'm excited for that one. Also I have a few other short things that I want to write and just wanted opinions on for what you guys would want to see

When the Kitty Starts a Litter (title pending) when older Marinette and Adrien start a family while fighting their weird instincts, akumas, and rowdy teammates (may include Chloe and Alya miraculous holders

Beware My red Hooded mate- Girls in Marinette's village seem to be going missing, and Marinette is worried but doesn't let it bother her on her deliveries. Although she doesn't know that she is in the most danger of them all.

So please tell me what you think and I hope to see you guys soo!