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At first, Adrien wasn’t looking forward to this at all. He shouldn’t have been spending time with the two main characters! His plan of avoiding meeting the main characters had gone astray too fast. However, that didn’t mean he didn’t have Plan B. This could be one of his chances of making the two protagonists get together. After all, what could be more romantic than a date at a festival? Disguising, holding hands, buying snacks in food stalls, and having some games together.
“Yes! This should be one way to make them get close to each other!”
Adrien imagined the best scenario for the two people in front of him, currently sitting side by side in the carriage. They seemed to refuse to meet each other’s eyes. There was always some tense silence between them, and Adrien was determined to break it. He was no stranger to the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope; it was the common trope in some romance mangas and light novels he read back then after all. Yet he didn’t remember the actual plot of this light novel had that trope for the leads. Still, as long as they get together, any process is fine, right? And Adrien here would be their number one supporter!
His thoughts were quickly distracted by the glass window as their carriage was close to the festival. Many people passed along the way, and Adrien couldn’t take his eyes off of them. Since the time he transferred to this body, he had only been in the chateau and imperial castle. Not to mention, in his actual life, he never got the chance to actually explore the world, for he had always been bedridden. Therefore, Adrien didn’t want to let go of the chance to have fun. While the two leads could have their romantic time, he would enjoy his youth while he could.
As soon as the carriage made it stop, Adrien put up his black mask, one that covered the upper part of his face. The three of them decided to wear a mask to disguise themselves. When the carriage door opened for them, he hopped out immediately. “It’s my first time coming to a festival…” He mumbled, looking around at the sea of people. His eyes brightened, wondering which food stall he should visit first. Adrien bet all of the foods in here were good. With this body, he could eat anything and do anything without worrying about his sickness.
Marinette appeared behind him with a bright red mask, followed by Luka, who had a teal mask. “Oh, you two can spend time together; I won’t bother! I can go on my own, so have fun, you—woah!” Before he could finish his sentence and turn around, Adrien felt a grasp—no, two grasps—on his arm. He turned back to the two, finding their hands holding on to his, preventing any further movement from him.
“You shouldn’t be left alone. You could have been lost, especially since you are not familiar with this place. I’ll guide you and be your escort,” Luka started with a gentle voice, tugging Adrien's hand so he would be leaning to Luka’s side.
Adrien saw how the royal crown princess did the same thing. For a moment, her bluebell eyes glared at the duke, filled with some fiery Adrien didn’t understand. Those glares subsided as she looked at him. “And don’t forget your status now. I trust you that you will not run away, but what if someone tries to kidnap you? The duke could handle himself, so let me escort you to the festival.”
“I apologize for my bluntness, Your Royal Highness, but I don’t think it’s proper for a man and woman to be together, unmarried, without a guardian. What if people find out about our disguises and start spreading rumors? So, it would be best for me to escort Prince Adrien.” Despite the gentleness he maintained, Luka didn’t sound like he was even trying to hide the coldness in his voice. Adrien rarely heard such a tone coming from the duke since he always put up with a calm and warm demeanor in front of him.
“And you are intending to leave the crown princess of the empire alone?”
“That’s not what I meant, Your Royal Highness, but I think your knights are more capable of protecting you than me or Prince Adrien.”
“Having the knights only attracts more attention. And for your information, Lord Couffaine, I'm more than capable of handling myself and Prince Adrien at the same time.”
“How about… Let’s just go together? The three of us…?” Adrien voiced out quietly, realizing that they had started to gather people’s attention despite their attempt on disguising themselves. “The more, the merrier, am I right?” As he continued, Adrien could feel that the tension in them slowly reduced, not more than fading away completely. It was better than nothing, though. He would definitely find another way to make them have their time alone and give them the chance to get closer. For now, Adrien had no choice but to be a third party, until sometime.
There was no complaint from either Marinette or Luka, so Adrien took it as a yes. This was not going as he planned it to be, but when did his plan ever actually work?
“C'mon, Plagg, I don’t want to have you lost in the crowds too,” Adrien leaned down a little to reach for his feline companion, who jumped to his arms. “Look, I even have a mask with the color of your fur,” He pulled Plagg closer to let his face snuggle affectionately onto the soft black fur, making the cat vibrate a purr and make out a meow. “Of course, there will be a camembert for you here, I'm sure.”
Noticing he was in his own world too much, Adrien looked back toward the two protagonists, who somehow still refused to meet each other’s eyes without laying a glare. They were truly like fire and water. Adrien wondered if he had made a mistake, because if he had remembered it right, this scene was one where they started to realize each other’s feelings. “Yet, they don’t look like they want to be here together,” He sighed softly, filled with worries at the thought. Had he changed the plot? So, maybe going out to the festival was not a good idea at all?
“Umm… Your Royal Highness, My Lord, if the two of you don’t feel comfortable here, we could go back to the imperial palace. I’m sure His Majesty would understand if he knew that. Please don’t force yourself for the sake of others.”
Well, Adrien probably could get his chance to go here later on, if only he didn’t forget his time limit before his death flag. Although he did admit that he wanted to finally have fun, he had other priorities. Avoiding his death, for example, by letting the protagonists have their happy ending without him, the second male lead, interferes. Even with the cost of his own freedom, Adrien didn’t mind, as long as he didn’t have to experience death for the second time.
Once again, Adrien received silence as a reply, so he assumed that they agreed with the idea. “Shall we go back, then?” He was about to walk past them, returning to the carriage when a voice made him stop in his path.
“You said, this is your first time coming to a festival?”
Adrien turned to the crown princess, before answering her hesitantly. “Yes… But, don’t worry, Your Royal Highness! I still have my chance to go another time.”
“If so, we shall go.”
“E-eh?” Now, the duke’s words definitely had resulted in a surprise on his face, but what they said further had made him even more surprised and confused.
“We shall be the one who accompany you in your first ever festival!” / “We shall be your only escorts in your first ever festival!”
They said in unison and the next thing Adrien knew was he had Marinette's arms held on his free hand, while Luka's wrapped around his waist. Adrien gasped and later made sure that he didn’t let Plagg slip from his grasp as he tried to keep himself steady on his feet.
“We shall make this an unforgettable memory for you.”
“Pardon, My Lord, you’ve just stolen my lines.”
“Forgive me, Your Royal Highness, but it wasn’t my intention in the slightest.”
Adrien glanced at the two who were practically so close to him, that their bickerings filled his ears. He let out a small giggle at their interactions, finding a hint of tease in their intonations.
Maybe they still have a long way to go before love blooms between them. Maybe they were always like fire and water. But, Adrien was sure that if they found something in common, they would get along well.
There was still enough time and Adrien would assure their happy ending.
While making sure of his own fate, of course!