A/N: I DO NOT OWN MIRACULOUS LADYBUG
Hope you enjoyed the last chapter! Please do leave a review as I would like to know how to improve my stories. Enjoy :)
Chapter 3
The class trooped through the wide, polished halls and towards the guest part of the magnificent palace. Gasps and squeals of happiness were heard every now and then as the children stared at the size and quality of all things in Marinette's home.
"Woah girl! You never told me your house was this... beautiful and posh! It could hold a thousand people!" Alya exclaimed, astonished by the beauty of her best friend's home.
"Seriously Alya, I barely even remembered! I left when I was four, you know. Plus, even I am shocked by this! I mean, Mom and Dad have really outdone themselves with this!" Marinette declared, looking around the room as her eyes suddenly went glassy and wide, rooted to one spot. Her face turned into a frown and her lips tugged downwards, indicating that something was definitely wrong. Her bluebell eyes flickered like flames dancing around, warning people to stay away from her.
"Girl... are you ok? I've never seen you like this!" Alya questioned, her voice barely a whisper, when Marinette didn't reply, Alya once again asked her, "Marinette! Snap out of it! You're scaring me!" she was still met with Marinette's stiff figure.
"Nino, Adrien! Get over here now! Something's wron with Mari!" Alya yelled as her eyebrows crinkled and fear etched itself onto her face.
"Marinette! Marinette, are you ok?" Adrien worriedly asked his friend, concern showing on his face when she didn't answer.
"What do you think's wrong with her? I think we should call someone!" he added, turning around and heading towards her parents.
"NO! Stop! You will not move." Marinette hissed grabbing Adrien and pulling him back, suddenly, she blinked slowly as colour returned to her face, she exclaimed "Oh my god! I'm so sorry Adrien! I-I don't know what happened to me. I'm so sorry please-" her voice was cut off by Adrien's gentle one.
"Don't worry about it, Marinette. But, are you sure you're ok? What happened?"
"I was talking to Alya and then suddenly I saw... oh no, oh no. This is so bad! This is a disaster! Excuse me." Marinette cried out, as colour once again left her face and her eyes welled up with tears. She rushed past her concerned friends and ran up to the spot she used to sit down at when she was upset, when she was smaller.
"Marinette, are you ok? You can tell me if you need something! I'll listen, it'll make you feel better." Tikki softly stated, rubbing against her chosen's cheek.
"Oh Tikki, he's back and I-I can't stay here anymore! He'll make my life horrid and he'll snatch away all my friends again, like he had before." Marinette burst into tears as Tikki quickly hid when she heard footsteps in the corridor.
"Dupain Cheng, happy to see me again? Your old friend?" a mysterious voice asked as Marinette slowly lifted her head and stared at his face.
"Get lost Felix! Haven't you destroyed me enough? Just get lost and don't come anywhere near me you backstabbing thief!" she yelled as Felix gave her an amused look.
"Oh, you won't get rid of me that easily. I will destroy you again and you will have no choice but to hand it over to me again. Just you wait and see." Felix softly muttered, his voice sounding silky and venomous like a poisonous snake.
"I SAID GET LOST! GET OUT OF MY LIFE AND LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!" Marinette shrieked as she knocked over a candle holder, making a loud bang which attracted the attention of the palace staff. As figures ran up to where the girl was crying, scrunched up in a foetal position, Felix ran into another corridor, disappearing into darkness.
"OMG Mari! You poor thing! We were looking all over for you!" Alya cried out running to her distraught best friend and enveloping her in a hug. Adrien and Nino carefully approached their usually cheerful friend and picked up the fallen items.
"Oh Marinette, we're here for you. Let us know if you want to talk, or if you want help. We'll always be there for you." Adrien reassured her before gently squeezing her shoulder.
"Yeah dudette, we are here for ya you know, you can trust us." Nino also put in crouching down next to Marinette.
"T-thanks guys... I just don't know how this happened. He has already messed up my life once, I can't risk it again." she sighed.
"Who?" her closest friends curiously asked, eager to help their friend feel better again.
"Felix. I grew up with him and we were best of friends, until one day he suddenly attacked me and left. When I moved to Paris, his family would visit mine very frequently and we would joke around and share stories. One day, when he came, I asked him if he was ok and his eyes suddenly snapped shut and he grabbed a knife and stabbed my hand. I think he wanted something and he was desperate enough to be ready to kill me to get it. He even ordered his servants to capture some of my closest childhood friends in China, only leaving them when I shut off all ways of connecting to them. Now I think he's aiming on doing something like this to you all, and I won't be able to bear it if anything happened to you. You three are the friends I cherish most, and I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you!" Marinette exclaimed before breaking down and releasing another pool of tears.
"Shh Marinette, it'll be fine girl. Do you want me to tell your parents?" Alya reassured her friend, heartbroken to see her in such an unusual state.
"No! Please don't tell them! They'll get worried and they already have enough on their minds; with the pressure of the coronation and the responsibility of the kingdom! I'll sort something out, but I'm going to need your help, and eventually, I'm going to tell you something which may make you hate me. Please forgive me from keeping this from you for so long. I'm really sorry!" she wept, her dress wet with hot tears.
As Adrien, Alya and Nino gave each other worried glances, Marinette slowly stood up, as white as a sheet and trembling with fear. The group of four walked towards their accommodation,where they were to sleep during their time in China, unaware of Felix's beady eyes swivelling up and down, taking in their appearance. A devilish grin spread across his face as he rubbed his fingers together, practically spitting the words 'I will, you undeserving Princess... I will..' and muttering some words in Mandarin, before once again disappearing into the shadows...
A/N: Well, the story sure takes an unexpected turn! Sorry that this chapter is shorter than the others (at least I think it is?). However, there is a lot of drama which I think should make up for the smaller quantity. Once again, please leave reviews and I hope to update soon! :)
