Takes place the day after the last chapter!!

*Marinette's POV*

Frustration dawned over me.

I had kissed Chat.

He had kissed me back!!

But I'm here for Adrien!

I knew I was in trouble. I really was falling for Chat. Was I really?!

No! That stupid stray! What is he doing to me?

"Marinette? Why are you pacing around so much?" A small voice groggily interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to find Tikki floating by the nightstand next to my bed. I had woken up extremely early. Not being able to sleep.

"Sorry Tikki"

"Is this about that make-out session with Chat yesterday?"

She knew that was a yes from my silence.

After what seemed like forever, I finally spoke, "Tikki? How am I supposed to feel?" I looked at my kwami. I felt my eyes full of worry and begging for an answer.

"I'm sorry Marinette. Only you know the answer to that." Tikki spoke with a frown.

"Hey! The ball is tomorrow!" Tikki exclaimed. That seemed to pull me straight out of my "deep pit of worries".

"Oh yeah!! And I brought the perfect dress for that!" It was true. I brought a dress I had been working on for a few months. When I heard about the ball, I worked day and night to finish it in time. I had to pull several all-nighters to change a few designs.

Since I was already dressed, I headed to the dining hall for breakfast. My stomach already growling at me to eat something.

Breakfast had been the same. Chatting with other nobles, and of course, eating. There was only one thing different. Adrien.

I had noticed him sending glances my way. I started to get nervous. As soon as breakfast was over, I walked as fast as I could back to my room. If you couldn't tell, I didn't want to run into Adrien.

Unfortunately, my bad luck reigned over my good. Because there he was waiting at the end of the hall just outside the dining room.

"Hey Marinette!"

"Uh...um. Hey- Adrien!" I responded nervously.

He gave no notice and walked over to me. Which made my state much worse. Now I was starting to sweat and I'm sure my face looked weird.

"You ready for the ball?"

"Uh? Oh yeah! Yes, I have my dress ready and yeah..." I trailed off.

*Adrien's POV*

When she said her dress was ready, I couldn't help but think of a certain alter ego that was going to see it really soon. This time, I would have an excuse to be visiting my princess. I had promised to take her back into town regularly, hadn't I? Even if we wouldn't be sneaking out until much later tonight.

Marinette started to look nervous. I didn't know why but I didn't want to keep her from whatever she does.

"Ok. Well, Bye purr- UH I MEAN Marinette!" Dang it! I almost called her princess. I need to be more careful. I mentally slapped myself.

She said her goodbyes and headed off to her room. I watched her as she walked away. What are you doing to me Mari?

*Marinette's POV*

After that talk with Adrien I walked back to my room. I could feel his gaze on me as I made my way. But when I got to my room, my breath of relief was shortened by a stupid alley cat. And that breath I so longed to release, was only made much bigger.

"Ugh stupid cat!" I thought. It was then that I realized I had said those words out loud. I didn't know what to do.

"Me-owch purrincess." He made a display of feigning hurt and drawing a hand over his heart. "You wound me!"

This made me giggle. "What are you doing here silly cat?"

"Just visiting my favorite, and only, princess." This made me smile. "Soo.. What's your dress to the ball? Can I see~?"

"No!"

"But princess!"

"No chaton! Bad cat!"

"What! Please?"

"No minou!"

"Whyyyy?"

"Because!"

Chat suddenly stood up straight and crossed his arms. He wore a look of dissatisfaction. I have to admit, this made me nervous.

He walked over to me and got so close, our noses nearly touched. My breathing hitched and my heart started pounding. Why is he so close?!

I stared into his pure green eyes, watching his eyes stare deeply into mine. I felt my face heat up and I couldn't take it anymore.

"Fine Chat! You can see my dress." I muttered in defeat. I didn't really want to show my dress of to Chat. What if he didn't like it? Or he hated my fashion designs? I wasn't too ecstatic about showing my design to Chat. Or anyone for that matter. And just thinking about the ball made me anxious. What if I made a fool of myself? Or I nobody liked my dress? Or worse! What if I tripped (being the klutz that I am) and fell on Adrien, gave him a concussion! Then he would hate me forever and I would be banned from the Agreste's Kingdom and I would never get to marry Adrien!

I realized I hadn't moved or anything for a while. And Chat was starting to look uncomfortable. To ease the silence, I took an audible breath of air and began to get out my dress.

---

"Wow princess!"

Chat awed. "Did you make it?"

"Uh yeah! It's a design I worked on especially for the ball. Let's just say, I worked really hard to make it!"

The dress was completely red. The skirt part was Ruffles and two black bows hung above the skirt on the front. The front middle of the chest bore a black lace pattern. The red straps of the dress had another black ribbon on each side in the front.

"This is amazing purrincess! You have real talent!"

"It's really nothing compared to King Gabriel's designs!" A rarely spoken subject. Gabriel Agreste had an eye for fashion. Unfortunately, his desire to design faded away along with his missing wife. When she disappeared, his cheerfulness turned into coldness and he pushed many talents, including fashion design, away.

*Adrien's POV*

When I saw the dress, I was in complete awe. Marinette definitely had a talent for designing. Fortunately for her, fashion design wasn't a frowned upon activity. Especially for royalty. I was fed up with the Royal etiquette. It wasn't fair that a royal couldn't be involved in certain activities. For example: baking, cooking, and regular sports. If you were going to play sports as a royal, it had to be a serious match. It was worse for those deemed 'unroyal'. They couldn't be wherever they wanted and they had to serve those who thought themselves 'higher'. It was an unfair system, but most people (the higher class) grew offended at the mention of 'unfairness' especially when it came to social hierarchy.

Anyway.

I thought the dress was amazing! And if the dress was beautiful now, how gorgeous it would look on Marinette.

I couldn't wait any longer for the ball.