Chapter Text
Marinette awoke the next morning. The estate was still and silent, a stark contrast to the bustling excitement of her arrival the previous day.
As she dressed in her chamber, she heard a soft knock at the door.
“Enter,” she called, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
The door creaked open to reveal a strikingly handsome man with blond hair and piercing green eyes. His presence was both captivating and unsettling.
“Good morning, Lady Marinette,” he said in a low, smooth voice. “I trust your night was restful?”
Marinette turned to face him, her noticing his intense gaze. “Good morning. May I ask who you are?”
“I watched you from afar,” he continued, whilst he closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Your arrival was… a sight to behold. You are even more enchanting than I imagined.”
Marinette felt a rush of confusion and curiosity. “I’m flattered, but I must know your name.”
The man stepped closer, his hand brushing against her cheek in a soft manner. “You still haven’t figured it out, love?” he asked with a small charming smile. “I couldn’t resist meeting you before the wedding.”
Marinette’s eyes widened slightly. “Before the wedding? Are you..?”
He cut her off, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Indeed I am. You’ve captivated me even before we exchanged words.”
Before she could protest, he pressed his lips to hers, his kiss gentle yet compelling.
Marinette, caught off guard and unsure, found herself unresponsive to his kiss, just for the first second. Her heart started fluttering as he deepened their kiss.
He guided her backwards. A few steps backwards. She found herself pushed onto the bed. His hands moved with an assertive, almost possessive grace.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. His eyes widened. He quickly withdrew. And hid behind a nearby curtain. All with swift movements.
“You may come in!”
A servant entered, carrying a beautifully embroidered gown. “My lady, I have brought you your outfit for tonight. Lord Adrien is not in the city at present but will arrive this evening to meet you, before the wedding of course.”
Heart racing like a horse, the realization dawned on her. The man in the room was NOT her betrothed Lord Adrien, but someone else entirely. An imposter.
As the servant departed, the man emerged from his hiding place, a smug smile on his lips.
Marinette’s shock quickly turned into rage, “you are the twin aren’t you?!”
“His mirror image. I trust you enjoyed our little… encounter?” he bounced instead, his tone cold and calculated, “I wonder if you’ll come clean and say that you’ve been unfaithful. To your fiance. With his brother. And on your first day,” he said with a chuckle.
“How dare you deceive me and then have the audacity to threaten me?”
His eyes became as hard as stone. “I wanted to see how you would respond. And now that you’re aware of me, and how good of a kisser I am, you have a choice. Keep our encounter a secret, or I will ruin your reputation. The scandal would ensure you’re discarded, stripped of your place here.”
Marinette’s face flushed with a mix of humiliation and rage. “I was only… It was because you were supposed to be him! I was only trying to fulfill my duty. This is despicable! You are disgusting.”
The man’s gaze remained unyielding, his voice a chilling whisper. “Duty and reputation are fragile things love. You’ll need to navigate this palace with care, with double intentions. Always looking over your shoulder or you’ll face the consequences.”
Marinette stood there, torn between fear and resolve, knowing that her next steps in the palace would be fraught with danger and deceit.
“I can’t lie to him.”
“It’s not that difficult, we all have secrets. Some darker than others. If you are going to survive here, you need connections. And luckily you have me,” he said with a smug grin.
“Go to hell.”
“On it,” he winked whilst exiting her chamber.