The golden lights of the hotel lobby shimmered off polished marble floors, casting a soft glow across the chandeliered entryway. Guests flowed through the double doors in glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos, their laughter echoing faintly off the high ceilings. Everything about the place whispered elegance and old money—an odd choice for Chloe Bourgeois if you'd known her back in middle school.

But this was not that Chloe. Not anymore.

"Whoa," Marinette breathed, her heels clicking on the stone floor as Adrien offered his arm. "This place looks like a movie set."

He smiled at her, still slightly dazed from the moment she'd descended the stairs at her bakery earlier that evening. The way her dress flowed—white satin with silver accents she must have sewn herself—kept replaying in his mind. Her confidence had glowed from within.

"You fit right in," he said softly.

Marinette blushed. "Stop."

They reached the main ballroom doors, where the faint beat of music pulsed through. A staff member in a crisp black blazer welcomed them and pushed open the doors.

The golden theme burst into full view. A forest of gold balloons arched overhead, with twinkling fairy lights strung between them. Elegant round tables were scattered about the room, draped in white cloth and topped with gold runners, while waiters in black vests wove through the crowd offering sparkling cider in flute glasses.

"Marinette!" Chloe's voice called across the room. And... it was happy.

Marinette turned just in time to receive a tight hug and a kiss on each cheek—la bise, as the French did—Chloe's perfume floral and surprisingly subtle.

"You made it!" Chloe grinned and pulled Adrien into a similar greeting. "I was worried you'd ditch because of your whole... mysterious pretty-boy schedule."

Adrien chuckled. "Never."

Marinette smiled, a little stunned. She still wasn't used to this version of Chloe—gracious, radiant, and not even a little bit mean.

"You look amazing," Chloe added, eyes dancing. "Did you alter that dress? I can tell. You always were the best with a needle."

Marinette's cheeks warmed. "Just wanted to make it feel like me."

"You nailed it." Chloe's tone was sincere. She turned her attention elsewhere, beckoning another group in with a practiced hostess wave.

Adrien leaned toward Marinette. "I think I'm still in shock. That's the same Chloe Bourgeois, right?"

Marinette laughed. "I don't even want to question it. Let's just enjoy it while it lasts."

They strolled further in, passing by classmates gathered in cliques—Max animatedly explaining something techy to Alix and Kim, Rose twirling in a light pink gown beside Juleka in black velvet, Nino waving from across the room where he and Alya stood by the DJ booth. Alya raised her phone, mouthing, "You look amazing!" and Marinette waved back.

"Can I get a picture of you two?" Alya called, already pulling up her camera.

Marinette blinked. "Uh—"

"Smile!" Alya clicked before either of them could pose.

Adrien gave a sheepish grin while Marinette covered half her face, laughing. "Not fair!"

Alya winked. "It's going on the class group chat!"

Adrien glanced down at her. "You okay with that?"

Marinette shrugged, trying to seem casual even as her pulse quickened. "Sure. I guess we're kind of... a thing tonight."

His expression softened. "I like the sound of that."

Marinette turned her eyes toward the food table, trying not to melt under his gaze—and then she saw it. Her breath caught.

There, on a pedestal surrounded by golden cupcakes and tiny éclairs, stood a towering white-and-gold cake. It was three tiers tall, decorated with edible golden butterflies, soft blush roses made from icing, and flecks of glitter dust that shimmered under the chandelier.

Her parents had made that. She'd watched her father pipe those roses this morning while her mother carefully applied the brush of gold. At the top, in swirling script, it read:

"Happy Birthday, Chloé."

Adrien followed her gaze. "Is that—?"

"My parents' cake," Marinette whispered, eyes shining. "It looks even more beautiful here. Wow."

Chloé reappeared at her side. "Isn't it stunning? I told your parents exactly what I wanted and they went above and beyond. Everyone's raving about it."

"You didn't tell me they were baking for your party," Marinette said, a little dazed. "I found out this morning while they were icing it." 

Chloé shrugged. "You were stressed enough this week. Besides, I thought it'd be a fun surprise."

It was a surprise. And Marinette didn't know what moved her more—how thoughtful the gesture was, or how Chloe no longer needed to announce her generosity to the entire world. She just... did it.

"Thank you," Marinette said softly. "For trusting them. It means a lot."

Chloe smiled with a rare gentleness. "You've always been way more amazing than I gave you credit for. I just wanted you to know that tonight."

Marinette blinked. "...Thanks."

As Chloe drifted off to greet new arrivals, Adrien leaned over and whispered, "Are we sure this isn't a dream?"

Marinette giggled, finally relaxing. "If it is, don't wake me up."

They wandered toward the drink table, passing a few familiar faces.

"Marinette!" Rose called, skipping over. "You look so elegant! Like a princess—but not one of those helpless ones. One who runs the kingdom and fights dragons."

"She made it herself," Adrien added, proud for some reason.

Rose gasped. "No way! I'm so jealous!"

"Trust me," Alix called from her spot near the mini dance floor. "If I tried to make my own dress, I'd end up with hot glue burns and half a hem."

The music shifted to a jazzy swing tune, and the volume picked up as more students filed in. Couples drifted to the floor, chatting over the beat or swaying awkwardly in their formal shoes. A cluster of students started a conga line. Someone spilled sparkling cider and laughed it off.

Adrien and Marinette stood off to the side, sharing a plate of miniature tarts as the room pulsed around them. The cake gleamed from its place of honor, and Marinette caught sight of her mother slipping through the kitchen door in the back, hair pinned up and apron folded neatly over her arm.

It felt like everything was coming together. The past few weeks of tension and uncertainty had led to this—a golden room full of laughter, a beautiful dress that felt like armor, and Adrien standing beside her with that smile that always reached his eyes.

"You okay?" he asked gently, watching her face.

Marinette nodded. "More than okay."

She didn't notice Lila watching from the other end of the room, eyes narrowed and lips pursed. But that didn't matter yet.

Tonight was golden. And Marinette Dupain-Cheng—designer, class rep, and maybe-something-more—was finally shining with it.