There was an uncomfortable air around the prince and his soldier. They had a packed schedule, and had barely had the chance to speak, until now.

"Just so you know, I'm really sorry. About springing this on you. I really am and I understand if you don't want to-"

"Spare me." She replied, cynically.

"Right. Sorry. It's just, can we talk...? About... What happened? You know, on the ship..."

...

"I don't see why not. I've waited this long for some answers."

He sighed. This was going to be rough. It seemed as if the birds ceased their songs, slowly, as the melody twisted and warped into sour wailing.

"I tried. To save you, I mean. No, that's not right. I'm a failure. An utter disgrace. I can't believe you even speak to me..."

...

"And?"

"I know who the enemy is..."

"Oh, do you now... Well, so do we. And you'd know that too, if you hadn't disappeared. But, I guess you felt the need to run with your tail between your legs... Just so you know, I'm not just here to find you cuz I missed you. I was sent here to bring back your head. Or, for what he knows, the Cat's head. Funny, isn't it?"

Adrien flinched, paralysed with fear. But then he relaxed.

"I know you won't hurt me. After all, if you wanted me dead, you would've done so already."

"No. It needs to look like an accident. I mean, at first I was gonna threaten Chat with the prince's life, but that didn't go so well..."

"Don't lie to me. You never intended to kill me." He said, with confidence.

"Damn. I hate you. Fine. I wanted to bring you back. So we can overthrow the black butterfly and reclaim the Organisation."

"You can't do that." He said, abruptly.

"Why not?"

"Because killing Papillion or worse exposing him would bring shame and disaster on the kingdom..."

...

"Unless the Papillion is your father or something I think we can cover up the damage. Right? Wait, why are you looking at me wierd, I was... Joking... You've got to be joking?! No way... But why? He has everything he could ever want!"

"N-Not everything... But nothing that he can get from the organisation..." Adrien said solemnly.

"Tell me. Tell me what he wants. Please. I might be able to link it to the organisation..."

"Fine... But this is top secret, understood? Nobody can know that you know."

"I get it."

...

"About a couple of years ago, the queen, my mother, died from illness. She was in a lot of pain every day, but there was still hope. Or at least I liked to believe there was. But she was taken from this world, all too soon, and he turned cold. Hawkmoth only appeared after the death of my mother..."

Marinette thought back to what Master Fu had told her. It didn't take her long to realise that this must be the work of the dark spirit Plagg. She glanced down at his ring.

"I'm so sorry. Is there a reason that the kingdom doesn't know of this?"

"Not sure."

"I see. Well, I think I know what's going on..."

"You do?!"

"Yes... Our two miraculous, when combined, have the ability to grant one wish, determining life or death of any one person at the command of any one holder."

"Are you serious?! Well let's do it then! We can bring back my mother!"

Mari glanced at the ground with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. If you attempt to force me, I will incapacitate you. Forgive me."

Adrien stared at her in disbelief. What would she lose from saving the queen? Was she just being stubborn?

"Why not?!" Before she had time to react, he had pinned her against the wall.

"Let me go!"

"Not until you tell me!"

"I don't want to to!"

"Tell me, or I'll break your wrist, and you'll never hold a sword or land a punch again!" He yelled aggressively, only realising that he'd gone too far when the tears began pouring from her eyes.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered under her breath. It broke her heart to see him going mad like this.

She looked him dead in the eyes. Master Fu, Plagg, forgive me... I have to tell him... He deserves to know...