It was the day after Chloe's efforts to help Hawkmoth take over Paris as Miracle Queen ended in abject failure, Master Fu sacrificed his memory to save the day and Marinette Dupain-Cheng ended up becoming the newest Guardian of the Miraculous.

As if the baker's daughter didn't already have enough responsibilities, what with her hectic life as a superhero and troubled romantic life already taking center stage.

All in all, it had been quite an active week, and the prospect of unwinding with the rest of her friends by the bridge to eat ice-cream had been too good to pass up.

Of course, that also meant having to see Adrien Agreste again, her one-time crush who'd now apparently found love in the arms of his fencing sparring partner, Kagami.

But it was all fine. Marinette was happy now too, with the blue-haired hunk Luka who listened to all her problems and even wrote a song about her that he promised to play later. Yes, everything is perfect… so why do I feel so…

Her internal brooding was cut short by the appearance of Alya's mom arriving at the waterway. Alya was indisputably her bestie, and no-one could sniff out a hot scoop better than the budding reporter.

Alya's mother though also had unique talents: she was the head cook at the Le Grand Paris hotel, and was apparently an expert at tracking her children down without even needing a radar or a bloodhound.

"Hey there missy, hope you're having a good time… but did you forget already?!" Marlena Cesaire frowned at her daughter with her arms crossed. "You told me there would be 'no worries' if you babysat your sisters for me tonight while me and your father go out! It's the first evening I've had off in months, you know how important this is to us... and I thought I'd be able to count on you!"

"O-Oh no! I completely forgot! Sorry Nino, I have to dash now!" A clearly mollified Alya gave her dejected boyfriend a quick peck on the cheek, before leaping off her seat. "Honestly Mari, you don't know how lucky you are not having any little sisters or brothers! You get all the attention you want, lots more presents and you probably get to stay out much longer, too! Well must hurry! See you all tomorrow!"

"Y-Yeah…" Marinette whispered to herself as everyone said their goodbyes and Mrs Cesaire and daughter argued their way off into the distance. What Alya seemed to also forget is the blunette did actually enjoy looking after and spending time with younger children, if her voluntary work taking care of Manon and Chris was anything to go by.

After all, it did get kind of lonely sometimes, as Ladybug. With the obvious exception of the Miraculous creatures and a future superhero by the name of 'Bunnyx' who wouldn't 'til she was all grown up, no-one else now knew her secret identity. With Master Fu departing to pastures new with his love, who can I confide in now? Sometimes I wish I had a younger brother or sister… that I could share my secret with… but Mama and Papa say they don't want any more children because they're rushed off their feet as it is… oh what to do?

Marinette's extended soliloquy was cut short by a friendly nudge from Luka, who indicated that he was heading over to Andre's for a second portion of delicious dairy goodness. The blunette nodded that, yes indeed, she wanted another helping, all the while pondering other such important things, like: Now that most of the Miraculous Holders identities had been revealed, who would replace them? How was she supposed to get any homework done at all, with her new dual role? And… why is Kagami caressing Adrien's hand so lovingly?!

Meanwhile, as her holder was no doubt setting herself up for years of therapy bills through mental exhaustion, her kwami Tikki had other concerns on her tiny mind.

A moment ago, her biggest bugbear whilst stashed in Marinette's handbag was a pang of jealousy felt as her mistress got a double-helping of ice cream, whereas she'd run out of cookies hours ago.

Not for much longer. Her spots had flashed an intense light as soon as Marinette had secretly stated in her head her sincere wish for a younger sibling, only to fade as soon as the blunette's attention had been refocused elsewhere.

It had to be a coincidence… right?

Uh oh… Tikki gulped nervously, as though knowing what would happen next.

….

Meanwhile, at the most fashionable and therefore bestest hotel in Paris (you better agree, or you'd be sued) a blonde blustering brat had finished her hour-long routine intimately examining every single follicle and pore in her Queen-size mirror, and was now ready for bed.

...But not before rubbing expensive scented ointment over her body and swapping her trademark sunglasses for a sleeping mask, of course.

"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" The spoiled girl raged at no-one in particular, as her yellow nightgown-attired self pulled the silky cover of her four-poster over her toned frame. "If that spotted idiot had just given me the Bee Miraculous in the first place, I wouldn't have had to resort to such measures! Do you think that I'd want to work with Hawkmoth by choice? The man has no sense of style, carries that lame stick with him everywhere... and have you seen how pale his complexion is? It's like he spends half his life in pitch darkness! Surely if Ladybug had any common sense, she'd have seen my desperate move was merely a cry for help, not a serious attempt at taking over the city, but no… wait, why am I even talking to you?"

Mr Cuddly was an invaluable pal to hug in stressful or pressure-filled situations, but no-one could say that the stuffed bear was a great conversation partner. Chloe gave the toy a wry grin, before continuing to lament just how 'totally unfair' her life had become.

"See what I'm reduced to, ever since Sabrina went on vacation with her mom and my parents started acting so lovey-dovey they don't even know I exist? Even Adrikins isn't returning my calls… I do hope he isn't still sore along with everyone else at that whole 'aiding a terrorist' thing. I don't care if everyone else ignores and hates me, as long as he's still there…"

Chloe gazed thoughtfully out of the window, as a slight breeze ruffled the curtains and the moon rose over the majestic Eiffel Tower. Something about the starry sky brought out a rare sentimental side of herself, and she began speaking in an unfamiliar morose tone, mercifully free of her usual scorn and sarcasm.

"Y-You know, Mr Cuddly… I never told anyone this before, not even Adrien, but… before I was born, Mommy lost a daughter. I could've been a little sister! Amber is what she would've been called, and I would've loved and cherished her forever. She might've even taught me a few things, and kept our family together. W-Who knows, maybe if things had worked out differently, Mommy wouldn't be in New York for most of the year, Daddy wouldn't work so hard to take his mind off it a-and I wouldn't be s-so…"

Realizing she was currently on the verge of sobbing (not a good idea when your face is covered with soluable gunk) Chloe abruptly wiped her tears away, humphed 'oh who cares what you think, you're just a dumb old bear' and wasted no more time in turning her bedside lamp out.

If she'd been a bit more observant, she might've noticed the moon suddenly grow larger for a split-second to momentarily bathe her relaxed form in a pure white light…

But as usual, her only cares were for her beauty rest and avoiding the dreaded stigma of wrinkles...

Which, considering what was about to happen to the snoring heiress, should be the last thing on her mind.

….

AUTHORS NOTE: Three rules for y'all to follow.

Don't ask about other story updates.

Please be patient, I'll update in my own time.

(Most important rule) Have fun! :)