Hello. I am Marinette, just a normal girl with a normal life. However, with the help of Tikki and the Miraculous, I become one of Paris's superheroes, Ladybug. You see, being Ladybug is a pretty big secret. But I am full of more mysteries than people think. I am also Princess Mei Cheng, current heir to the Chinese throne.

I haven't been to China since I was really little. I came to Paris with maman and papa so that I could escape the life of royalty and be a normal person, but also to escape from dangerous people that wanted the throne.

My mother is the daughter of Empress Bridgette, so she should be the current heir. However, she fell in love with a man from Italy, Thomas. They would secretly date, but then one day it was found out, and they were forbidden to ever fall in love and meet again.

That didn't stop them. Instead, they said that they would continue to date, they just moved. However, they were forced to leave, while their daughter, who they had, was left with Bridgette. I was pretty upset when I found out the truth, but I left it be. It was better to let the situation be. The only time they would be allowed anywhere near China is when they watch my coronation on the television in a couple weeks.

When I was seven, that is when the threat came and so we had to move. Nobody is quite sure who they were, nor why they would want the throne. Our family was super kind to our people, well most of the time, but it appears that somebody wanted to take advantage of that. The most of the time is because once grandfather died, grandmother was never the same. She was more upset and since we were there the most, she took it out on us. She banned maman and papa from China forever, and I wasn't allowed to leave the castle unless there was a royal meeting or we were to talk to the country for an important announcement. Most boring years of my life.

I woke up the next morning after Tikki woke me up and I realized that I had been oversleeping for fifteen minutes! I quickly got dressed, ate breakfast and headed to school.

I went through the school door just as the bell had rung. At least I am finally on time for once. The chances of that happening are like one to a hundred and something. I should really work on this whole on time thing unless I want to deal with my grandmother and her long talks about how to be the 'perfect princess.'

"Good morning, Marinette. It is nice to see that you are just on time for today's announcement," said Ms. Bustier.

"Today class, you are all in for a very exciting announcement! By invitation of Empress Bridgette of China, we are going to stay at a hotel nearby the castle and learn about Chinese history. All of this is sponsored and she is providing the money. At the end of the trip, we get to watch the coronation of the Princess of China. I will hand you your permission slips at the end of the day. We will leave next week when school is out for Summer, and the rest is explained in the packet. Today we are going to read about the royal family of China. Please turn to page 220."

Marinette was not happy. She never wanted to go back to that dreaded castle.

Now, Marinette would be forced to listen to the huge story of her life that was written in the textbook. Why oh why did it have to happen so soon.

"Alya, please read for us first."

"China is ruled by emperors and empresses. The current empress is named Bridgette. Her husband died a year before she announced her daughter, princess Sabine as the future ruler of China.

One night, it was revealed that young Sabine was secretly dating an Italian named Thomas. However, the Empress wanted Sabine to marry a young Chinese man to keep the lineage going along with the heritage and she grew upset. She revoked Sabine's title as princess, and it seemed that they would lose the line of rulers, as Sabine had only one brother, but he ran off to become a chef.

Apparently, somewhere along the line, Sabine had a child. However, nobody knows what happened to her and her husband Thomas whom she married. The child's name was Mei, as nobody ever found out the last name of Thomas. To this day, her name is Mei Cheng."

"Thank you, Alya. Marinette, would you please read for us?'

Marinette was just staring at her book, upset by the fact that she was still known as little Mei Cheng. She was Marinette Dupain-Cheng and always would be. On the inside, she wanted to yell that things were way worse for the family then it seemed. But then she realized that she was called a third time when Alya nudged her out of her thoughts.

"Marinette! I have called on you a third time. Please focus, and read next."

"Oh, yes. Sorry Ms. Bustier. One day, somebody went after the throne. Somebody attempted to attack Mei so that there would be no heir to the throne. Although it seems that this would happen, it is more than likely that there was a plan the whole time as to what would happen if Mei were to die.

Marinette was thinking about this sentence for a moment. Maybe, she could just fake that she died like in those movies she had once seen and then live with Alya. She could manage.

Ok. So Mei was seven when this attack happened. Nobody has seen her since then, and thinks that she is probably hiding with somebody trusted by the royal family. There is not much known about this family, as they are a huge mystery to everybody, but they are hoping that one day, Princess Mei will return to them."

Marinette was getting even more upset with every word that she read. She was only allowed to be with her parents until her coronation, and then she would have to move. For life. She would not be allowed to visit, or associate with them in any way. If only the kingdom knew the real reason in which she was always kept inside or where her parents were.

"Thank you Marinette and Alya for reading. As you can see, there is not much known about Princess Mei, so we are all glad that we can hear this little piece of information. We should be really grateful and honored that we are allowed to see the coronation of Princess Mei. I will send all of you your packets. The empress insisted when they mailed, that she wrote down anything that was in the packet, and gave me my own to look at. I will pass them out now.

As she passed out the packet's, she realized that Marinette's packet seemed to be very huge, and different from all of the others. She just brushed it off, and then headed to the next desk to pass out more packets.

As class dismissed Alya saw Marinette's packet and noticed that it was even bigger than everyone else's. "Wow girl, the empress sure had a lot to tell you!"

When Alya was not listening Marinette mumbled a quiet, "Tell me about it."

Eventually the day ended and the girls parted ways, both promising that they were going to go with each other.

"Hey maman and papa, I'm home," groaned Marinette. She was normally all energetic and then they noticed that she had something huge in her hands. That must be what it was. Sabine decided that she would leave to help Marinette while Tom helped with the bakery.

"Marinette, is something wrong, sweetie? You are always all happy and energetic when you come home. What is wrong?"

"Next week, we have to go as a class to my coronation, but I don't want to. And if I don't, all of China is doomed without an heir to the throne and all of my class will probably never leave me alone about how I left the throne. I don't want to leave you. You are my maman and I can't just leave you after finally getting to meet and know you for ten years." Marinette said through soft tears and a sob every now and then.

"Oh honey, there's got to be something that we can do."

"Like what? I can't just fake my death or whatever."

"Where on Earth did you come up with that idea!"

"Earlier when we were reading up on, ugh, Princess Mei, it said that one day when the palace was attacked, she went into hiding. It also said that if she were to die, what would the kingdom do because there would no longer be an heir to the throne. I hate these stupid rules. I don't want to be a princess. I don't want to lose you again. I promise the second I get to the throne, I am lifting the ban on you not permitted to set foot in the country."

"Don't worry honey, we'll find something out. Why don't we talk to dad tonight."

After the bakery closed for the night, Marinette and Sabine were ready to talk to Tom about the situation. Sabine said, "I guess you have to turn in your packet so it looks like you are still a normal student, and not the poor lost princess who has to return to that awful place."

Tom said, "I- I guess we should read the packet shouldn't we."

Marinette began to read. "Dearest Mei, Ugh. She doesn't even bother to use my real name. Anyways the rest of it says: Dearest Mei,

As you can see, I have invited your class to the coronation. Don't worry, they aren't allowed to go back to Paris telling everybody that you are the princess. I trust that you are ready to become your full princess potential?

The threat has been set aside, as now you will have your own bodyguard as the person was never found. I am excited to see that you are finally coming back.

Thomas, Sabine, I suspect you are reading this. Before you ask, yes, the ban is still up. Why would you even leave this amazing city? Oh, wait, you betrayed me and married anyways!

You can still watch the coronation from the television. Don't worry, I'm sure you will eventually hear more from Mei when she is set to give declarations for the royal family across the country.

Enjoy. With Love,

Empress Bridgette

She didn't even bother saying grandmother! I can't wait until one day I am empress and then I can lift the ban on you two setting foot in China. I still can't believe how evil her attitude is."

"Hey! Even if she is rude, she still is your grandmother and you will love her." Said Tom.

" I wish this was as easy as when I finally got to meet grandpa Rolland. Wait, maybe he didn't even realize he did have a granddaughter."

"I'm pretty sure that he did. I mean I think you would realize if your son ran off with the princess of another country. I feel like it is my fault that this happened. I mean, if I had just left, your mother could still be the princess and you wouldn't have had to be stuck in that castle your life. I suppose we better get to signing the permission slip."

"Tom, don't you ever blame yourself for this! It is not your fault that this happened. Besides, we wouldn't have even had the chance to meet Marinette. We are happy where we are now, and everything will be settled. Except for the fact, people are going to realize that I was the princess that got evicted from the throne. I suppose we should all get some rest now."

Marinette sighed and then walked upstairs. She fed Tikki a cookie.

"Oh, Marinette, is it true? You are the missing princess Mei but now you have to return and your parents aren't allowed to see you? That is terrible!"

"Oh, Tikki. I at least have you and the other kwamis. How am I supposed to be Ladybug and a princess stuck in her own castle? I'm going to miss Paris, and my parents especially. Good night, Tikki. I hope that one day, I will be free from all of these decisions and hardships of having to be the granddaughter of the Empress."

Some of you might have noticed that this is rated K+. I think it could probably be K, but I am going to keep it this way to be on the safe side. I am just trying this out as I have always been a fan of the au of princess! marinette and wanted to try one myself. I did not really mean to make her grandmother seem this rude, but I guess I will make it work. I hope that you all enjoy, and please let me know what you think whether it be good or constructive criticism. Have a good day as well as your family and friends, and happy reading, -HopeGiver07