Marinette The Hopeless Romantic

The grand clock worked today too. Along with the silence that followed, I could hear the sound of fathers’ steps as he went down the stairs, followed by the repeated sound of chopping wood. Mother had a difficult time waking up in the morning, which is why father made sure to always prepare the kitchen, and when mother would finally fight her own eyelids from shutting down once more the smell of fresh bread would arrive through the door, and I knew I had no choice but to wake up.

“Dear, do you wish for coffee or tea with the macarons?” Mother approaches kissing me on the cheek, herself holding a cup of coffee to stay awake for the taxing day of work.

“Coffee!” not that I especially enjoyed the beverage. It’s just I did not wish to burden her further, there was already coffee in the pot, and that I would drink.

“Are you sure? Macarons ask for well-made tea, your father knows this well.” And that he knew. From the time he met mother the only thing he inherited were Dupain’s recipes, a gift of parting from grandmother.

They were a low-ranked barony, yet grandfather would never allow a Dupain to marry a daughter of a foreign merchant. What an idiot he must be! My family never needed a title or luxury, we had our love for each other, and the recipe for the most scrumptious macarons high society had ever tasted.

“Are you headed somewhere dear?” Inquired father, placing a mug of tea before me. I looked disapprovingly and equally thankful. Tea was best served with macarons after all.

“Alya had planned to check out the market early with me as I will have to help you in the afternoon.” That was not the entire truth but they did not need to know the secrets between young ladies.

Mother looked into father’s eyes before looking at me with worry “Sweetie, we know you intend to help and we are very thankful. But just today what we really wish is for you to rest.” Or maybe they can’t spare to make a mess of things today, as I often am prone to.

“In that case, I will stay by Alya the whole day.” That would give me more time to complete today’s plans.

...ꕥ...

“Marinette, are you sure the lord would fall for such a trick?” Alya inquired for the 100th time. My dearest friend's family sold cloth, from the most trivial to rare ones used in expensive garments, but she was clueless about the inner workings of love.

“I am sure I have told you this story before!” And I knew I had, but this market was such a special place. I could not resist talking about how my parents met.

“Indeed, every chance you get you have told me about it.” Alya had a grin from ear to ear, she complained but this was a story worth a play.

“So you probably know in this very market, my mother’s family had a stall…” I looked into the street where various vendors arrived to set up their goods.

“That sold all kinds of foreign goods…” She continued the story we both knew at the tip of our tongues.

“And my father was of nobility looking for new opportunities of trade to be made. He had to impress my grandfather…” In reality, that old man was nothing to mine, he was simply the villain of this fairytale.

“In the end, it was love at first sig-” she suddenly stopped walking, fixing her gaze on a familiar guy.

“And for you too it will work out.” I smiled at her face, truly my friend had not only fallen, she had crumbled. Nino Lahiffe had lived close by our whole lives and she, well, had always let him live in her heart. But with the approaching debutante, they had to be together fully. Or else it would be 2o years of longing for nothing.

“I am telling you just to pretend to faint. Instantly, he will save you and soon you will be wed.” It seemed she should read more novels, especially romantic ones, that would teach her about such simple matters.

“That might be true for most lords, but Lord Lahiffe has never minded any such manoeuvres from other ladies.” Alya looked at me with kind eyes, not seeming even a bit convinced of my knowledge.

“Alya! He is still a lord in the end, you just have to do a little spin and then-” I had told her to wear heels so she would have an excuse but she was wearing flats. However, and most importantly underneath her feet was a flyer showing the image of the future grand duke.

“Mari, I appreciate your effort. But walking in a street market with heels sounded like torture…” Alya continued to explain herself but I had to pick up the flyer.

“Oh, the Almighty Agreste! Do you still collect journal clippings of his face?” My friend looked at me disapprovingly.

“No! Not only from the journal but also fliers and drawings.” If only I could meet him, would he also admire me?

“People like that would not spare a glance. They detest people like us.” She seemed genuine, and her tone made me uneasy.

“But my father did not!” That was right my father loved before anything.

“You know your father is not at all like a typical lord of noble birth.” She shook her head as if telling me I was being naive.

“There is always the possibility he is also like my father. Maybe he will like me, he will see me before his title!” I dreamed one day he would love me, just like in the novels I had read.

“I do not know much, Marinette.” She sighed “But all I know is you cannot choose who fancies you. You can only choose to fancy someone. So that is what I will do.” Alya looked resolute, ready to end or begin a war.

I envied that side of her.

“So no swooning?” I inquired half-jokingly.

“Not a sliver of swooning! Simply me telling someone that I care about how much I care about them.” Her eyes moved frantically in his way and I knew I had to let her go.

“What will I do the rest of the day?” I asked automatically.

“Were you not going to help your parents?” That is right I was.

“Oh right, I forgot!” she nodded, waving me goodbye, it was very plausible of me to forget. Wandering around it is! As I sense, my presence is unwanted around the bakery’s stall.

...ꕥ...

Around me, vendors boasted about their trade, and people from all standings gathered at this festival. It was held yearly, precisely a week before the debutante. You see, it is most important for business. Instead of fortune, my biggest dream would be to fall in love here, but all I have got is a folded piece of paper in my pouch.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” A voice called in the distance, it belonged to a vendor sitting by a run-down table with trinkets all around it. I could ignore the situation, but what harm could it cause?

“How are you so sure that is my name?” Maybe this person had gone previously to the bakery or somehow knew my parents.

“What makes you so sure I do not know?” I could not read the person’s expression as it was covered behind a veil.

“Simply, I do not recall ever knowing you.” Although everything around seemed weathered by time, including the figure speaking, the goods were clean and shiny.

“Do you like what you see? I will give you a pair of earrings free of charge if you answer me and I am pleased with the answer.” The voice spoke monotonously, I do not doubt it is some kind of entity rather than a human.

“Isn't that too ambiguous, won’t you try to charge me a fortune later?” I asked the creature. Imagine it was a fae or a troll, they could chase me my whole life!

“No dear, I do not want anything of yours that has monetary value.” Then it must be a demon. In no time, it will require my blood or soul.

“Will you harm me later then?” I need to be prepared to run in case it shows me its fangs.

“I also do not seek to harm you.” I know it is incredibly unwise, but I conceded.

“Ask away then.”

“If I give you these earrings will you wear them at the grand ball?” The creature seemed almost worried I would say no.

“I do not see why not, they seem precious.” And they were beautiful, half-round beads that reflected the light. Much nicer than anything I could buy.

“Right! Do you consider what goes in your heart precious?” Now that was weird

“Do you mean my feelings? Of course.” It shook its head in agreement.

“Now tell me, would you call someone’s feelings, whether it be profound sadness or rage, precious?” Was it trying to recruit me into some kind of new world religion? That had happened before.

No, it did not feel the same.

“That is indeed a good question, in a certain way it is precious, you are alive after all. In other ways not much so. I would say they need to be felt but that does not mean they are pleasant. A person is not less or weak because they feel so… they are just human.” I answered as best as my knowledge would go.

“Young lady, your future is bright. I hope you will hold up to your values when life gives you hardship.” It handed me the jewels directly in the palm of my hand, not sparing any more words after that.

The earrings didn’t seem immediately cursed. Later I should get it checked, as long as a mage could verify it was not harmful, they shall make me shine at the grand ball. A few risks for a perfect debutante ball would certainly be worth it. Maybe this was a blessing that could even charm a prince… or a future grand duke.

...ꕥ...

It was dawn, the time secret lovers meet, and food sells the best. And I was already tired of walking around listening to petty gossip. I had gathered a few treasures today, maybe it was time to go home. Normally I would come home empty-handed, but this year I had gained shiny new earrings, a flyer and a journal article. They announced the appearance of Adrien Agreste for the first time in high society. I had begged a lady to let me take just that part of her daily read.

Alya did not try to find me after the morning, which meant everything must have gone perfectly well. Concerning my parents, I had walked past them once or twice, and they were doing just fine without me.

“Lady, can you help me for a few seconds?” A tall figure approached, covered in a robe from head to toe, the roads were full and he did not seem particularly threatening, but he was still a stranger.

“Lord, with all due respect I would prefer to know what it is you want first.” He glanced at something behind me. A combination of the dim light of the street lamps, loose light from the stalls and his dark clothing made it difficult to make out his features.

“I am sorry in advance.” He covered my mouth, not too firmly. His face, was close, just enough for it to seem he was kissing me. All I could make out from the proximity was blond shiny hair peeking through and his face covered by a sort of mask, resembling a black cat.

As soon as he saw some kind of sign he backed off, starting to walk away. “Once again I am sorry… and deeply grateful! I hope if we meet again I can thank you in a better manner.” Just as he arrived he attempted to leave.

“Come, I can help you!” I reached out to take hold of his arm. “It is time for you to be deeply grateful, so much so that you can only pay with diamonds.” For some reason I felt the need to help this stranger, he was no Adrien but in the end, I wanted to do something kind tonight.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***