Forbidden Love

Chapter 5

Marinette and Alya sat in the kitchen on the second floor of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, joking and giggling away their Saturday afternoon. They had finished their schoolwork and deliveries for the day and had many more hours before the day was done.

"Have you heard the rumors on the Adrien's engagement with Princess Kagami of Kanjin?" Alya exclaims.

"That can't be true." Marinette shook her head.

"It totally can be, girl! Kagami is such a beautiful Princess with wits and strength too! Sure, they would break so many hearts, including yours." Alya smirks.

"I don't have a crush on Adrien, that's absurd!" Marinette defends.

"Yeah tell that to the countless hours of drawing hearts around your very intricate sketches of him." Alya snickers.

"I dozed off and I tend to sketch things when I zone out!" Marientte whined.

"Yeah, right." Alya jokes.

"It's true!" The bluenette confirms with a sure nod.

"Alright, alright." Alya held her hands up in surrender.

"Girls! The mail is here!" Sabine calls out, walking into the kitchen with a couple letters in hand.

"These would be for you, and this will be for Lila." Sabine confirms, handing the two best friends an envelope with a royal stamp on the front.

The two girls looked at each other in confusion for a split second before opening their envelopes.

"Dear subjects of Parisia, you are invited to join us this weekend for the engagement party of your Prince, Adrien and Kagami, Princess of Kangjin. Wear proper attire and you will be allowed entry. Thank you and have a wonderful afternoon." Alya read.

"So the rumors are true!" The brunette exclaims, jumping out of her seat.

"We need to go shopping now!" Alya cheered.

"You girls go ahead and have you fun." Sabine chuckles.

"Thanks Mama!" Marinette cheered, hugging her mother before darting out the door with Alya by her side.

"We need to visit the boutiques at town square for outfits!" Alya exclaimed, pulling the bluenette's arm as the duo power walked down the streets.

"Alright! Alright! Slow down Alya!" Marinette giggled.

The two finally slowed down and walked into the bustling streets of town square as they made their way around, pointing at vendors and shoppes that lined the walls.

Without noticing, Marinette accidentally ran into someone and fell back to be caught by the arm.

"I'm so sorry!" Marientte frantically apologized, before looking up.

It was Luka who stood before her.

"Hey Mari." He chuckles.

"Hi, Luka." She responds, blushing furiously.

"What are you doing down here?" Luka asks.

"A ball is coming up for the Prince's engagement and we are deciding to go!" Marinette responds with excitement.

"Sounds fun." He replies with a soft smile.

"Have you got anyone to go with yet?" Marinette asks, staring into his aqua eyes.

"No, not yet, but if you want we can go together?" Luka suggests.

"Like a date..?" Marinette asked.

"That's up to you, or just as friends, you know?" Luka responds smoothly.

"That would be great." Marinette nods.

"Want to come with Alya and I for outfits?" Marinette offers.

"I'd love to." Luka says with a smile.

The two walked down together to find Alya in one of the boutiques, bouncing on her heels as she ran from dress to dress. And then Alya caught eye contact with Marinette and waved her over. With a giggle, the bluenette nods and rushes over with Luka trailing behind.

"Look! Isn't this gorgeous?!" Alya exclaims, holding a crimson red gown.

The gown has translucent sleeves from the bottom of its shoulder down to the wrists. A lighter color of red served as a corset, wrapped from the bust to the top of the hips. Beautiful red silk laid lightly against the gown. The gown itself, had glitter and sequins laid at the bottom, creating a border around with faux rubies shining on it.

"It's beautiful, Alya!" Marinette cheered.

"I'll definitely wear this to the ball, how about you?" Alya asks.

"I'm not sure yet, let's go look!" Marinette responds.

Wi the a nod the two girls ran around trying in different dresses for Marinette to see and Luka sat watching at the girls' antics.

"Look at this Mari!" Alya called from the opposite side of the fifth boutique they had gone to,

Marinette rushes over and marvels at the dress.

"Go try it on!" Alya exclaims.

With a nod, Marinette took the gown and walked into the fitting room with it.

The gown was a midnight blue with translucent midnight blue sleeves to the elbows and sapphire gems placed on the borders of the elbows. A tight white corset laid from the waist to the bust, accentuating a tiny waist. The gown itself was layered in ruffles of different shades of glittery blue.

Taking one final glance at herself in the mirror, Marinette exited the fitting room and twirled for Luka and Alya to see.

"Okay, that's gorgeous!" Alya cheered, clapping her hands.

"It is beautiful, but I don't think it shows me." Marinette murmurs, examining the dress.

"Girl, this is the sixth dress you've rejected, we're running out of boutiques!" Alya groaned.

"I can make my dress instead." Marinette suggests.

"That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" Alya remarks.

"You can't think of everything, Alya." Marinette giggles.

"I'm sure you'll look great." Luka nods.

"Thanks." Marinette blushes faintly.

"Well, it's this weekend, so you better hurry if you want to make a gown!" Alya reminds.

"Right!"