There was only You
Eliza was finishing her dusting in the main foyer when she heard the pounding on the door. Setting her rag on the nearest table, she approached the closed portal. Opening the door ever so slightly, she saw a young man on the other side, dressed in the typical armor and tunic of the militia. "I am sorry, but Lady Rossi was called into a meeting, and I do not expect her to return until..." she started to say, only for the young man to bow his head. Her heart pounded against her ribs like a trapped animal vying for escape as she breathed "What happened?"
"I... regret to inform you that Lila Rossi was murdered yesterday evening." She saw sadness mixed in with kindness on the young man's face as she took a step back, her hand going to her chest. "She was murdered by the villain, Raptor, who was in turn killed by Ladybird Beetle and Black Cat."
Nodding, the young woman let out a breath. "I will inform Lady Rossi..."
Kim shook his head. "Actually, we're here to escort you to Lady Couffaine's home." He took a step to the side, showing a trio of militiamen, the group bowing when they saw her. "She has requested you be sent to her right away since Lila implicated Lady Rossi in the plot to overthrow the King and Queen."
"Wh-What?! Sh-She was... but... how?!" Eliza stammered, unable for a few seconds to believe that the woman who had been her employer was capable of such a thing, until she remembered how her personality shifted once Zoe Rossi had a few drinks in her. Shaking her head, the young woman sighed. "Nevermind, I don't think I want to know..."
"Either way, pack up all that you wish to keep, and I will take you to Anarka's home." Kim offered. She nodded slowly before closing the door.
Returning to her servant's quarters to recover a couple of minor items, Eliza left her uniforms in the room. Tears threatened to escape her eyes as she sat there, looking at each item she had acquired with her meager pay. 'Why did this happen? Am I going to be implicated in her plot too?' Changing out of her uniform, she slipped into a commoner's dress, and a pair of boots, before picking up the small leather bag that held all of her worldly possessions.
Holding the bag in front of her legs with both hands, she exited the manor with Kim closing the doors behind her. "Is that all you own?" he asked.
Nodding, she reached up to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Why four of you?" Eliza's voice was tremulous, and he could hear the fear in those four words.
"You'll see in a moment." Kim uttered just as they were passing through the outer walls of the compound. The sight that greeted her was one of fire and fury, as hundreds of Parisians had taken to the streets with torches, and whatever weapons they could find. As they approached the line, the young man gave the orders to protect Eliza from the mob, but her ears didn't take that in as she saw the crush of humanity descend upon the former home of her employer.
There were several moments when Eliza felt the angry glares, and heard the riotous anger of the people directed her way, as if she had anything to do with her employer's plans, but the quartet of men that surrounded the young woman kept the angry mob at bay. Without even realizing she'd done so, she tried to make herself look as small as humanly possible. It was that action that caused one of the men to shout "SHE WAS PART OF IT!" he reached for her, only to have the militiaman closest to him, twist his spear around, keeping the man from getting any closer. "Look at her! She's knows she's guilty!" he added causing several others to swarm the men reaching for her.
Kim was good, but he wasn't capable of taking on five people at once while trying to protect the poor maid and his own life. He knew something had to give. There was a moment when he looked into her eyes, and saw the terror there, her mouth moving slowly before he felt the weight being pulled off of him. "Back! OFF!" everyone heard as people went flying into other members of the mob. A male dressed in black and gray flung men into others bodily as his voice snarled at the group.
The man who had incited the attack turned with fury in his face to regard a woman in red with black spots that was even now yanking him off of the militiaman. "My son was murdered the night of the coup!" he shouted in her face. Eliza looked in that direction, only to see Ladybird Beetle between her and the enraged man on one side, Black Cat stood on the other, and another warrior positioned themselves behind her. Kim looked at the wide berth most of the people gave the trio of heroes, especially since two had their weapons out.
"Many people were murdered the night of the coup." Ladybird Beetle acknowledged. "Friends. Loved ones. All were taken before their time... but you do the dead a disservice, and dishonor their memory when you attack an unarmed, innocent person." She looked at him. "If you want someone to hate, then hate the right people."
Clearly her words had no effect on the man. "Maybe you were helping the people responsible and are just fooling everyone?!" the man sneered at her. "Maybe that's why you showed up when you did!"
"I showed up," Ladybird Beetle remarked, "because Paris needed me. Without me, Black Cat," she motioned for her partner, "and Ryukishi," she motioned to the other warrior, "more people would have died. The people who started it would've been in power, and we would've had a return to the days of Darkblade." The moment that name left her lips, several of the people gasped in horror, stepping back in fear. "You may think whatever you wish, sir, but know that we saved Paris that day from a worse fate."
"... but..." the man's anger seemed to dissipate.
Reaching out, she lightly touched his shoulder. "I understand your anger, and agree with you. The coup should never have happened, but it did, and now we have to pick ourselves up," she looked at the group, "all of us, and roll up our sleeves to rebuild Paris into the shining jewel I know it can be." She then looked at Eliza. "But, we don't do that by harming the innocent just because we're angry."
"Men," Black Cat remarked, "get her to where you're going. We will clear the path." Twirling his staff, he extended it, and brought it down, causing people to back away. The other two Miraculous wielders took the other side, parting the people until the militia could see the way through. It took only a minute or two before the quintet were out of the mob, the trio of heroes working together to extract themselves from the crush of humanity.
"Can you guarantee that the last of those that started the coup are gone?!" one of the women in the front shouted.
Ladybird Beetle stepped forward, shaking her head. "We know they had at least two financiers, but were only informed of one." She then looked at the group. "Regardless, we will continue to protect Paris until our last breaths." The four militiamen, and Eliza, didn't stick around long enough to hear much more of her statements, as they had to get the young maid to safety at Lady Couffaine's home.
Once they arrived, Kim stepped up to the door. Eliza looked around at the two story home, her heart pounding. 'Is she going to be like Lady Rossi?!' the thought died as the door opened.
"Lady Couffaine, this is Eliza." Kim introduced as the older woman stepped forward. "Eliza, this is..."
"Anarka is fine." Holding out her hand, she felt the timid girl wrap her warm hand against hers. "Thank you, Kim." Shaking the hand of the young maid, she motioned for her to enter. "Please, come have a cup of tea with me. I want to get to know you a little better."
"I... Lady Couffaine..."
Shaking her head, the older woman smiled. "Please call me Anarka."
Eliza blinked. "That... is highly unusual for me, La... Anarka... but I will try to remember." she took her hand back, taking a deep breath and letting it out. "Please tell me... are you going to use my services as a maid?"
"That is part of the reason why I offered you to come and have a cup of tea with me." Anarka offered. "Consider this your interview process." Stepping to the side, she motioned for the young woman to enter, nodding to Kim with a pleasant smile. "Thank you again."
Upon entering the kitchen area, Eliza found herself already familiarizing herself with the layout of the room. Her eyes reasoned out three things in those few seconds alone; first, the kitchen was small in comparison to the manor. With space as a premium it was set up to be as efficient as possible while keeping a more homey, down-to-earth appearance. Second, plates and cups were set out from when food had been prepared and eaten. A small wash basin in the corner was stacked with a small collection indicating someone who lived alone. Finally, the scrubbed wooden surfaces of the counters and table were clean of all food, yet she could see stains from when that wasn't always the case.
"I already have some tea steeping on the table." Anarka commented as she entered the room. "When I head out on my typical excursions to India, I always pick this brand up from Darjeeling." She then motioned to the young woman to sit. Pouring the amber liquid into a small cup, she then added some to her own before setting the teapot down. "Now then..."
"Lady Couffaine... I don't know what you've heard, but I knew nothing about..."
Holding up her hand, the older woman smiled sadly. "Easy." she soothed. "Lady Rossi has already exonerated you. This is just so that you won't have to continue to clean a home for no pay in the coming months." Folding her hands together, Anarka looked down at her tea. "I'll admit that when I found out about Lila and Zoe's involvement in the coup, along with Lady Chamack... I was furious." A tear found its way to her cheek, that she casually wiped away. "To know that my own son... my Luka, had a part to play in that hurt me more than anything."
"I'm sorry... I didn't know..." Eliza breathed.
Anarka smiled softly, nodding. "We have kept that out of the news for the time being, but I know there will come a time when all the names of the conspirators will become known. My hope is that people try to understand that not everyone affiliated with them knew of their actions."
Nodding, the young woman picked up the tea, blew on it and took a sip. "You... said this was an interview?"
Taking a sip of her own tea, Anarka nodded. "Yes." she set her cup down, looking at Eliza. "I'm not here much during the year, and now because of the coup, I suspect that my shipping business will increase quite a bit." Smiling at the young woman, she folded her hands together, interlacing fingers. "Your duties will be to keep the building ship-shape, and the inventory going out to the right people."
"I-I've never done anything like that, La... Anarka." Eliza stammered.
"Don't worry, I can teach you everything you need to know." Anarka remarked with a smile.
"... b-but..."
"Eliza, I know that this is a drastic change from how you normally work, but I can't be here all day. Baron Agreste has me in meetings for supply distribution while I'm in Paris, and when I need to be on ship to bring in all the supplies, I can't be here at all." Looking at her sadly, the older woman gripped her hands together. "I need you."
Those last three words hit her like a hammer to the chest, causing Eliza to gasp. Looking down at her tea, she nodded. "O-Okay, b-but... please be patient with me. I really know nothing about..."
"Do you take in supplies for what the manor needs?" Anarka asked.
"I... well, yes, but... this is different..." Eliza remarked.
A chuckle left the older woman's lips. "Luka said the same thing when I started to teach him, but it took him only a few days to understand where everything was, and what to distribute." Smiling at the younger woman she nodded. "You will be fine, Eliza, and who knows? Maybe if I earn enough, I can hire a dedicated distributor and you can join me on ship."
"I-I-I wouldn't know the first thing about being on ship!" Eliza stammered, her eyes wide.
A giggle left Anarka with a nod. "Neither did Lila, but she took to it like a fish to water after that first week." Standing up, she motioned for the young woman to follow. "Come. I'll show you what to do, and where you will be staying." Eliza stood, following the older woman, her body slightly tremulous as she was informed about the various goods, and who would be picking up which, and how the paperwork should look. She also found she would be staying in the room that once housed Lady Couffaine's daughter.
oOo
Nearly a week later the council returned to the chambers with three new members. "Thank you, Mr. Stone, for accepting the appointment of District Leader after our discovery of Lady Rossi's," Gabriel cleared his throat, "indiscretion. Would you like to introduce our newest member?"
"Absolutely," Jared said with a smile, "the young lady I'm sure one of you doesn't need an introduction toward, is the proprietor of the Rose Petal Inn; Juleka Couffaine." Stepping into the room wearing a long lavender gown with a black bodice, the young woman's pale complexion was only enhanced by her long black hair, and copper eye, the red across her lips adding more of a contrast. Her mother's eyes widened at the look of the young woman, while tears glistened in her eyes.
"Jules..." Anarka breathed, only for the young woman to walk up to her.
From so close she could see the pain in her eyes, the knowledge that she was now an only child in the family causing her no end of agony. "Mother..." her voice cracked, "I'm so sorry..." The pair held each other, sharing their pain of loss for the first time since Luka's death.
Everyone watched as the two women broke apart, mother and daughter looking at each other with familial love and understanding. "I'm so sorry it took this long for us to see each other again..." Anarka started to say only to stop when her daughter opened her mouth.
"We were both busy." Juleka interrupted with a smile. "I understand more than you will ever know... but... I do have some additional news." She held up her hand to show the glint of the golden band, the single diamond in the center flanked by a pair of amethysts.
Picking up her daughter, she swung the younger woman around joyously. "I'm so happy for you honey!" Anarka admitted. "Who is the lucky person?"
"My bodyguard and captain of the guard for the inn." she breathed out with a smiled. "It was he who comforted me when I found out about Luka, holding me while I cried, and helping me through the pain. It was then that I realized how much he loved me... and we agreed to try a relationship."
"I would love to meet him." Anarka beamed.
"We'll come over for dinner one night."
Gabriel cleared his throat. "I apologize for interrupting, but we still have to announce the other appointments onto this council." Everyone nodded as he motioned for his choice to come forth. "I am sure none of you need introduction to Tom Dupain, my son's soon to be father-in-law." Tom smiled at everyone, dressed in a suit very similar to the one he wore during his daughter's announcement party.
"Thank you, Baron Agreste for the appointment onto this council. I will endeavor to help Paris out as much as I possibly can."
Nodding, the baron smiled. "That's all any of us will ever ask of you."
Lady Tsurugi stepped forward, motioning the young woman with her to approach the table as well. "My pick for councilwoman is named Clara Contard." she announced. "She is Nadja Chamack's subordinate but after an extensive interview process, I have determined that she is best suited for the task at hand."
Everyone looked around the room with Gabriel nodding. "Thank you all for accepting your roles as council-member. Without each of you, I doubt we will be able to return Paris to the prosperous town I know it can be." Motioning for everyone to take their seats, the women sat first, as the men stood by their chairs. Once each was seated, the men sat in respectful silence. "First order of business; we have received information that Andre Bourgeois' cousin has been informed of his passing and although he wishes for the council to remain, he has announced that he will be taking over the throne of France."
"Where is he haling from?" Clara asked.
Pulling up the parchment, he read off the name "Marseilles. It says here that he is currently packing up himself, his new bride, their personal cook, and a few others to come to Paris. They will be here at the end of the month."
"That's still three weeks away." Anarka announced.
"Yes, and that means we cannot slack off on our assisting of Paris." Gabriel countered. "How goes the acquisition of supplies?"
"Very well." Anarka answered. "We currently have more than 27,000 tonnes of food, textiles, and building materials ready for distribution in my warehouse."
"Excellent. We'll send that out through the proper channels." Gabriel remarked before looking to Clara Contard. "Now about the announcement of the new King and his family arriving..."
oOo
Marinette sat in the gardens behind the manor, her eyes gazing up at the statue of Adrien's mother, while her betrothed sat beside her. Silence reigned between the pair, long and oppressive as the lady thought about their most recent battle. Feeling a squeeze from her hand, she looked down at the appendage. "Is everything alright?" his voice was soft, but she understood his need to be aware of her mental state.
Shaking her head, she looked at the young man beside her. "I'm not sure." Turning to look back at the statue, she spoke softly. "When we fought the Alchemist, and I wound up... killing her... I was a wreck." Marinette shook her head. "I felt sick to my stomach, and worried that my immortal soul was in danger of being corrupted... but... with Raptor..."
"You meant to kill him, and were fine afterward." Adrien summarized her point.
Nodding at the statement, Marinette sighed. "I've tried not to hurt anyone so badly that they are permanently injured, but... I've killed, and although the first time it was accidental, when I physically meant to... it... didn't..."
Adrien wrapped his betrothed up in a hug, gently rubbing at her arm. "The same thing happened when I faced off against Master D'Argencourt... I knew that it was a fight to the death, but part of me didn't want it to go that far." Resting his forehead against hers, he spoke softly. "Knowing that didn't make me feel any better, but afterward I was fine with the outcome because I survived."
"That was different, though." Marinette countered. "He was intending to kill you. All the bishop wanted was our Miraculous, had I just transformed back, and helped wake both of you up... I doubt that he would've followed us." Pulling away slightly to look into his eyes, she shook her head. "What I mean is that there were options I could've chosen, but the only thing I did was take his life in the worst possible way."
A chilled wind rustled their hair, causing the pair to pull together. "Maybe some part of you felt like there wouldn't be an end to Raptor's actions until he was dead?" Adrien suggested.
"No." Marinette turned to regard the statue in the garden once more. "That would just be me trying to justify myself, which isn't something I would do. I don't justify my actions, but instead try to understand why I made the decisions." Holding herself, she saw a raindrop impact the statue's left eye, before it slid down her face like a tear. "Maybe..." she shook her head, "I'm probably reading too much into it, but... part of me wonders if perhaps I instinctively knew that Lila was hurt by him so badly, that I just wanted to make sure he didn't get away with it anymore?"
They watched as the rain started to fall for a few seconds before the pair stood up and started for the manor. "It's possible." Adrien offered. "You are more empathetic than I am, so perhaps when she and you were alone, you felt her pain, and knew the only way to stop it was for Raptor to die."
By the time the pair entered the large manor's doors, their clothes were absolutely soaked. "I'm glad your father has given me a permanent guest room." Marinette smiled. "Going home like this isn't the smartest idea."
"Lady Dupain-Cheng, shall I run you a bath?" Mylené asked in her soft, squeaky voice.
Both looked at her with a smile. "Yes, please. How was your visit with Ivan's extended family?"
Mylené wrung her hands slightly, blushing and smiling happily. "Wonderful..." her cheeks went scarlet as she elaborated, "his grandmother really likes me, his grandfather is wonderful... and... we..." clapping her hands over her eyes, she squealed out, "we set a date!"
A moment later she squeaked as she was wrapped up by both teens. "I'm so happy for you!" the voice of Marinette filtered into her brain as it short-circuited.
"You both are such a cute couple, I know you'll be very, very happy together." Adrien offered. "I just hope we get an invite."
"Of course!" Mylené nearly yelled. "You both have been so kind to me... everyone in the manor has! You're like my extended family."
Smiling at the shorter woman, Marinette nodded. "I, for one, will be only too happy to attend your wedding, Mylené."
"It won't happen for nearly another year," Mylené amended, "but Ivan's just as excited as I am." Her broad smile caused both teens to smiled in response. "Until then, I'll be here for both of you when you need me."
Adrien nodded. "We wouldn't have it any other way."
oOo
The next day, while Marinette helped her parents at the bakery, and Adrien finished his studies, Gabriel strolled through the garden with his paramour. The scent of the past rains washing over both of them. With her hand on his forearm, wrapped around his bicep, Nathalie strolled beside the man she'd grown to love while her long, black hair shimmered in the sunlight behind her back. Her body was covered in a soft red dress and white chemise that allowed freedom of movement for her legs.
Dressed in a dark blue jacket, white shirt, and black breeches, Gabriel smiled at the woman beside him, his hand on top of hers. Initially, their conversations changed subjects between how well the new council was performing, to troop movements near the coast, and eventually to Marinette and Adrien's training. When there was a lull in the topics, the older male motioned for her to sit on the same bench his son usually sat with his betrothed. Sitting down beside Nathalie, the older male looked up at the statue of his ex-wife.
"I have been trying to find the time," Gabriel remarked softly, "the words... and the courage to speak with you, Nathalie." That last part had her reach for his hand, but she didn't interrupt as he added "Over the past couple of years, so much has happened. If you had told me that my son wouldn't wish to be a Duke, helping the people of Paris, I would've called you insane. Had anyone told me that he would fall for the daughter of a baker, I wouldn't have been able to contain my laughter, and if you, or anyone, had told me that I would lose the love of my life, only to gain that love back... I don't know if I could have survived the shock."
"Gabriel... I..." she started to say, before he turned ever so slightly, sliding off of the bench, and onto his knee in front of her. At that moment her breath caught in her throat.
"Nathalie Sanceour, I love you." Gabriel let that love fill his voice as he held her hands. "I have been in love with you for years, but could never really show it out of fear. Now, however, with my son showing me the courage of his heart, and me showing you the passion of my soul, I have no excuse for waiting any longer." Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a golden band with a single gem set on the top. The diamond glittered in the sunlight as she let go of his hand, and held hers up to her mouth.
The moment her eyes caught the diamond, her heart pounded against her ribs like a trapped animal, desperate for release. "G-Gabriel..." she breathed, daring not to hope that this meant what she wanted it to mean.
"I ask you now, without fear of a future where Paris will be the site of coups and insurrections, if you, Nathalie, will make me the happiest man on the planet... and become the next Mrs. Agreste?" he didn't need to see her nod, or hear her cry out in the affirmative seconds later, the tears, and her shaking hands as she reached for his were all the answer he needed. Slipping the ring on her left ring finger, she pulled him up into a hug and a kiss seconds later.
Several minutes passed with the pair sitting on the bench, holding each other, Gabriel's arm around her back, while his other hand held hers, now wearing the ring. "Why... did you want to propose to me in the sight of your first wife's statue?" she asked.
"To show that her death no longer has any power over me, and because... at this time of the day," they looked up to see dozens of white butterflies fluttering over to the flowers that littered the gardens, landing on each one in turn, "it almost seems to be a magical time." Turning to look at her, he smiled softly before he saw her look down. Glancing at her hand, he saw a lone ladybug land on the ring.
A giggle escaped Nathalie's lips. "Silly little bug..." she breathed. Part of her wanted to shoo the little thing away, but the red and black insect looked so adorable she dared not try anything of the sort.
"Quite the contrary." Gabriel smiled at her. "In the folklore of the Chinese, it's believed that a ladybug symbolizes true love." He raised her hand ever so slightly. "This could easily be a sign that our impending union is blessed..."
Reaching over to her growing abdomen, Nathalie shook her head. "I don't need a bug landing on my hand to tell me that our union is blessed, Gabriel. Every time I look in a mirror I'm reminded of that fact." The insect in question turned as if to look at her, before the red carapace opened to reveal wings. They both watched as the ladybug fluttered away to join the collection of butterflies in their appreciation of the garden.
The pair sat on the bench, holding each other, until the temperature started to drop, and the sun descended toward the western horizon.
Welcome one and all to the end of "Angels and Demons". I apologize if this sounds so final, but I will be taking a brief three week hiatus while working on "Too Late" with Lady Rhi, before I start posting the final series "Monarchs" here for your perusal.
Although my initial plan was to make the entire collection five series, I couldn't justify doing such a thing after I found myself dumping more info than I thought I would during this one. In keeping with that, I will not be extending scenes to pad out the run for "Monarchs", so it could have a resolution in two or three chapters, or it may take ten to thirteen, but understand that I will be hitting the major plot points in order to finish out the final series.
Thank you all for coming with me on this journey, and for allowing me to do something I honestly wanted to try.
Bug out!