Chapter 17

Adrien's House - That evening

"OMG that is amazing, Marinette. We need to go shopping then so we can find you a perfect outfit for the gala!" -Alya replied to the text she received from Marinette on the gala news.

"Totally rad! Good luck Marinette!" -Nino replied.

"That is so exciting, Marinette. I hope your designs do really well!" -Adrien sent back.

AfterAdrien put his phone away, he continued to finish his dinner. He looked over at his father, who was in his normal spot, but Adrien had hardly seen him since yesterday. Every time he tried to see or talk to his dad he was sent away by him or Nathalie. No more than had Adrien finished eating did his dad look up at him.

"Now that you are finished, you need to practice piano."

"Yes, father." -Adrien answered as he always did.

Adrien got up and left the room. As soon as he was gone Gabriel got up and walked out and into his study. Nathalie came with him and the moment she closed the door, Gabriel collapsed into his chair in pain. Nathalie walked over to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a special cream and some bandage wraps.

As she walked back over to Gabriel, he unbuttoned and pulled off his shirt, revealing several bandage wraps on his body which looked like they needed changed. Nathalie began to pull them off as Gabriel held onto the chair in pain. As the bandages were removed, Nathalie could see several severe burns across his body. She laid the old bandages on his desk next to the burned manuscript he was able to recover from Mr. Croix's vest pocket.

"Your burns are healing, but it still may be awhile before they fully recover since you refuse to go to the hospital." -Natalie explained as she started to apply the burn cream to the wounds.

"You know very well I cannot do that, it would raise too much suspicion." -he replied wincing in pain. "I still can't believe I let my guard down and let him grab my miraculous."

"You should be lucky he didn't see your identity." -Nathalie continued to wrap. "What I am more worried about is your distancing yourself from Adrien again. If you do not start to interact more, he will get suspicious."

"Adrien is my son, and will do what I say, even if he does not understand it. One day I will be able to tell him everything." -Gabriel thought back to his master plan.

"A day I hope comes soon." -Nathalie agreed, though deep down her feelings for Gabriel were giving her mixed emotions. "Have you been able to find out anything from the manuscript you went for?"

"Unfortunately, no. Most of the pages were destroyed by the fire before I could escape with it." -Gabriel replied with irritation at his failure. "But at least I made sure I left my point across and should not have to deal with that man for a long time. If it wasn't for Ladybug and Cat Noir, I would be rid of him!"

Nathalie nodded as she finished with the bandages and walked away. Gabriel put his shirt back on and readjusted his clothing so no one could see what had happened to him.

"Besides, I may have found something more valuable." -Gabriel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small part of Mr. Croix's broken rapier blade, in which he could see a reflection of the Butterfly Miraculous.