"...and they lived happily ever after," Lady Marinette of Paris read, letting out a wistful sigh as she closed the old, dusty storybook.

Marinette, or Mari, as she was now known as in order to protect her true identity, sat in her chaise and closed her eyes, letting the words on the page sink into her mind. She dreamed of world peace, of a wedding between her and Prince Adrien, the blond-haired and green-eyed boy whom she'd had a crush on since childhood, and of a happily ever after.

In real life, though, there was never a happily ever after.

Marinette remembered the night everything changed as if it had happened yesterday.

"Marinette, there's something we have to tell you," Sabine said, stroking her beloved daughter's cheeks.

"What is it, Maman?" the little six year-old girl asked with wide bluebell eyes. Her mother didn't usually sound so serious when she was talking to her, and this made her worry.

"You see…" she hesitated, glancing at her husband. He gave her an encouraging nod. "I know you are still young, but we feel that this is the right time to tell you. In order to maintain the royal line, we have arranged an marriage between you and Prince Adrien."

Marinette's mouth dropped open in shock. Prince Adrien was her best friend, the two having grown up together in the castle. They did everything together, and being two years older, he was almost like a protective brother to her. But what he didn't know was that Marinette had a crush on him.

For them to get married someday… that was one of her wildest dreams.

" A-Arranged marriage?" she squeaked, unable to believe her ears.

Her mother nodded. "Yes, dear. You will marry him when you grow up. I…I wanted to tell you now so that you will be able to learn to love him. But, you have to be careful. Not everyone is fond of royalty…" her gaze darkened sadly.

"What do you mean, Maman?" Marinette asked curiously.

"Just promise that no matter what happens, you will always smile, Marinette," her mother said, tears forming in her eyes. "I promise you will understand someday."

Marinette was confused and wondered why her mother was crying. She gave her a toothy grin, hoping to cheer her up. She had just lost one of her front teeth, which made her look extra silly when she smiled. "I promise, Maman!"

"Oh, Marinette…" her mother pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the top of her head. Marinette snuggled closer, relishing in her mother's warmth, when suddenly, loud shouting came from outside.

The young girl looked up at her parents with terror in her eyes. "Maman, Papa, what's happening?"

"Get out of here, Marinette!" her father yelled forcefully. Tom had never showed any anger in the six years that he had been raising her, and his sudden rage startled the small girl. She froze, and he took the opportunity to grab Marinette's arm. He opened the window quickly and pushed her outside. "No matter what happens, don't come back to the castle! And remember that your maman and I will always love you – "

Before he finished speaking, the door broke open to reveal a group of rebels. They were commoners who wanted to abolish the royalty system and blamed the King and Queen for France's problems. Tom shut the window and stood in front of it defiantly, blocking Marinette from their view.

"Your blasted system ends now," the man in the lead snarled, brandishing a sword at the two. Sabine whimpered and pressed herself against her husband. At least, when they died, they would be together, and they knew that Marinette would be okay. She would be scared and alone, but she still had a life in front of her. And she would marry Adrien when the time came. Sabine knew that her daughter was in good hands. She was sorry that she wouldn't be able to see her grow up...

The man thrust his weapon forward, plunging it into Tom's stomach. He didn't even have time to block the attack.

Sabine screamed for her husband, but her scream was cut short as another man lunged for her. None of them heard the third shrill scream of terror that came from outside the castle.

For a moment, Marinette could only stare in horror at the scene that was enfolding in front of her, her entire body shivering. She had to get out of here. It had started to rain, and thunder rumbled in the distance. She jumped at the sound.

She got up and took off running, not caring where she was going or how long she would be able to run for. She just kept running, and running.

And then she collapsed.

...

If it weren't for Marinette's adoptive parents, she wouldn't have been able to smile again. Marinette hugged the book close to her.

See, not every story had a happily ever after.

Especially when her prince had been missing for three years.

A/N: I'm so sorry (not sorry)! I couldn't help getting this idea and wanting to write it out because I love Marichat and I'm ML trash. I'm sorry for what happened to Mari's parents, I love them to pieces but it's important to the plot... ;) please don't hate me /hides (Adrien is also slightly older for this reason XD)

Please let me know what you think~ I'd love to hear from you!