Hey! So this updated took too long because I was figuring out how I wanted the story to go and I think I got the hang of it for now. Enjoy!

why

"Hey princess. "Were the first words he said.

He watched carefully as she bolted up, her eyes wide as she took in his presence, her expression morphed from shock to sorrow and finally to anger.

Chat shifted awkwardly under her gaze, he sighed and decided to walk closer to her, he sat in front of her and winced when Marinette moved away and hugged her knees closer, he put the plate of food between them and gave her a small hopeful smile.

"I-I brought you f-food" he mentally cursed his voice for sounding so broken.

The girl briefly glanced at the food before looking at him once more with narrowed eyes.

"I am not hungry." She spat and he blinked a bit trying to think of what to say.

"I-I know you haven't been eating lately, I don't blame you though; the food sucks!" he made a disgusting face in hope to lighten her mood but she merely bated an eye, "but don't worry, I choose this one myself, so please eat!"

She snickered and he flinched at the cold expression gracing her features, "oh, so am I supposed to trust you again?"

Ouch, her words stabbed him right through the chest; reminding him of an incident he would rather ignore or forget. But honestly, he couldn't blame her, he knew for a fact that if the table were turned then he would probably do the same, after all he admit that he had betrayed her and it would be hard to regain that trust again, but he was determined to change that.

Why though? Why am I doing this?

He inhaled a deep calming breath before taking a taste from everything that was present in the plate; he chewed hard and swallowed it all in a big gulp before giving her a serious look.

"Happy? Now, eat." He took the bread and held it, waiting for her to take it.

Marinette let an annoyed sight before looking away, "tsk, I do not need your pity."

"Stop being so stubborn damnit! You're gonna die if you keep starving yourself like this!" he snapped and she gave him an angry glare.

"Why do you care anyways!" she yelled back and he flinched.

Exactly, why? Why do I care so much?

"I don't want to live to be honest." She started while looking at her feet, "I would rather die than be turned to one of your master's puppets. So just leave me to perish peacefully."

"Are you listening to yourself?! You're not going to die so stop talking shit!" the bread was long forgotten and placed back in the tray as he averted his gaze and murmured the last part gently, "I-I will protect you."

He didn't know why he said that or from where it came but he just blurted it out without thinking, maybe it was the rush of the moment, maybe he just didn't want her blood on his conscious since he was the reason she was here in the first place, however it was strange…He committed worst crimes in his life; yet never felt guilty nor he felt the need to justify his actions to what was considered an enemy, so why?

Why do I seek your forgiveness? Why do I want to protect you?

"You don't understand, do you?" She said darkly, catching his attention once more, "I don't have anything left, I acted irrationally and foolishly and now I am suffering the consequences of my choices!"

That was it, it was her breaking point. Tears started pouring from her eyes and she sobbed lightly as she tried to speak. He felt his heart shattering and he chewed on his lower lip; trying to push his feelings away and preventing himself from reaching to her.

"I-I lost everything C-Chat Noir," she managed to mumble between her tears, "M-my mother and friend are worried sick about my state, the kingdom is slowly falling apart, Oldiron will probably declare war, and Hawkmoth posses a book full of power and secrets; all because of me and my ignorance!" she started shivering and shaking badly but he was right at her side, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his eyes flickering from her weak figure to the bars of her cell as he gulped anxiously.

He was scared, not scared of being heard, not scared of being found helping a prisoner, but scared for her. Scared of those terrifying creatures hunting the corridors, he knew that they would come for her eventually, especially when she was broken like this and he couldn't let that happen, he didn't understand why but the idea of his princess being consumed by darkness and negativity was unbearable, he couldn't stand the fact that she would become an empty soul and a servant to his master.

Why? Wouldn't that solve the problem? Once she's akumatized this guilt and worries will vanish away, right?

"If only I obeyed for a bit longer and just married this damn prince instead of attempting to play hero; then nothing of this would have happened!" she held her head in her hands while tugging slightly at her blue locks, "my people would have been safe, I wouldn't have met you, and I wouldn't be stuck in this bloody cell not knowing if I will wake up alive and as myself or not!"

The blond was taken aback by her words; he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth unable to say anything, the feeling of guilt washed over him; placing a heavier weight on his heart.

He wanted to scream at her, tell her that he was sorry, terribly sorry!

It wasn't her fault, he didn't know what she was trying to do back in the forest; but he was sure that this kind girl that stopped to help a complete stranger, a villain, the girl who was so naïve an fascinated by the simplest of things wasn't wrong, wasn't pushed by selfishness, she was good and doing only what she believed was good and would help her beloved ones.

If there was anyone to blame, then it was certainly him. If he didn't meet her, if he didn't push her and persuaded her in order to steal her map then maybe nothing of this would have happened. He would've missed the opportunity to meet her, he would find her room at the castle empty and would be back declaring he didn't find her, no one would know where she was or what happened to her, this feelings in his chest wouldn't have existed and Marinette would had a chance at achieving her goal and would be safe away from him and from the castle and from all of this!

It's his fault this girl is suffering right in front of him and his fault that she can't help her kingdom and people.

But….But I-I'll not let it happen, I'll protect her.

After what felt like eternity; he finally spoke, "shh, it's gonna be alright. You'll be fine; nothing will happen to you, I swear." His tone was soothing yet hesitant, but he did his best to calm her while rubbing her back gently.

he wasn't the best at comforting people, heck god forbid he even shows any kind of emotion (let alone sympathy and kindness) in this environment that he grew in, but despise all that, he felt the need to help her and take away her burden, maybe even hug her.

It was stupid, this new emotion he felt toward a stranger, an enemy; was stupid, and would most likely cost him both of their lives, but for some reason he didn't care, not now at least.

She didn't speak or move, and he panicked for a second; thinking that an akuma had slipped passed him and got to her. Suddenly she yanked his hand away and turned to him, he expected to find sorrow, doubt, anger or even confusion but never this.

her eyes, they were empty and broken.

"Do not make promises you can't keep Chat Noir." He'd be lying if he said that the amount of hatred she spat his name with didn't send a shiver down his spine, she smirked coldly and continued, "we both stand on different ends, we fight for two opposite beliefs. you are a villain so stop kidding yourself and face the bitter reality: there is nothing you can do, not when you're Hawkmoth's servant and I'm the princess of the enemy kingdom."

He was at loss of words once more, he didn't know how to respond to all of that, because deep down he knew she was right. In this story he was the villain, the bad guy, he wasn't the prince that would save her and protect her, he wasn't the one to make everything right.

I can't save you, yet I still want to try, so why?

"leave." she hid her head in her arms again but he could still hear her muffled voice, "you are only making the situation worst. So if you want to help me, then just leave me alone. Please."

He bit his lips and looked down at the floor in shame, eyes narrowed and thoughts scattered. He didn't know what he had to do, was it safe to leave her alone? His presence seemed unwanted and would cause troubles so maybe he should just go for now.

With heavy steps, he walked to the door and opened it, he turned back to take a last look at her but she didn't bother to look at him anyway, with a shaky breath he stepped out of the cell, locking it behind him and whispered "I'm sorry, I truly am".

He left and Marinette found herself staring at the food, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes and relaxing, trying to summon all the happy thoughts and memory she could, they weren't much, but they were enough to sooth her for the time being and prevent her enemy from taking control of her broken state.

She chuckled lightly and looked up to the small window above her bed. Just how much could she fight back, how long would it take before she surrenders.

I'll do something this time, I promise.

Next chapter we see how things are going on in the kingdom of Lermeria.

TILL WE MEET AGAIN, KEEP DREAMING MES PETITS PAPILLIONS!