Its temporary, I keep telling myself as I stare in the mirror. As soon as you get home, you can wash it out. I dyed my hair today, or rather the people at the salon did it. If I'm going to find out Hawkmoth's secrets, I can't go in looking like Ladybug or Marinette Dupain-Cheng. In fact, I've even temporarily changed my name.

Getting up from my crisscross applesauce position on the floor I pick up the Horse Miraculous. Its go time. I shoulder my backpack, and take a deep breath. "Voyage!"

Hawkmoth's castle looms above me, looming large and soaring up into the clouds. The walls are thick, but instead of feeling frightened, I look forward to the challenge which starts at the front gate.

"You can't just waltz in here! You need to have appointment!" the girl at the front gate says. "Okay, how do I make one?" She sighs in annoyance, opening the door further. "I can tell you've traveled far, so I'll overlook it just this once. Now, once your inside, stick with me."

I nod, keeping my emotions masked. Its not as grim and foreboding as I thought it would be, and the girl who's name is Celeste seemed to be about my age.

"Celeste!" A sharp voice makes Celeste stop in her tracks as a man in a pin-striped suit walks towards us. "What did I tell you about letting random girls in without an appointment? This is not only a fashion house, it is a home!" "I know, Gabriel. I could tell she had a Parisian accent, so I would feel sorry for her if I turned her away."

Gabriel? As in Gabriel Agreste? But I don't have time to dwell on it. "You! What's your name?" "Wisteria." The name seemed to suit my newly dyed purple hair, and Wisteria is a symbol of good luck, just like a ladybug. "And your Paris?" "I've from Paris, yes. But these days I've been traveling, to work in the fashion instructed." "And you think you can just walk in here and you have a job?" "Oh, no. Give me a half-hour of your time, and I'll amaze you or I'll be on my way."

Gabriel strokes his chin, looking impressed. "Celeste, have Natalia get a room ready with the mannequin. Wisteria, follow me."

Fifteen minutes later, I sitch a row of fabric under Gabriel's critical eye. He puts me through several tests, including how fast I can sew buttons. Finally, he holds up a hand. "I've seen enough. You've got real talent. I'd be glad to have you working for me." Gabriel takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. He gestures to a small oak desk and invites me to sit.

"I used to live in Paris with my son, Adrien. After his mother died, I rarely visited the outside world. When Adrien was old enough, I left one night, not telling him a word. I'm sure he rarely thinks of me, for I was a very strict father."

I keep my face neutral, but eat up the information. "And now, I live here in my castle, providing young orphaned girls a home and a job if they have families." I blink in surprise. Was that why Celeste was so sour towards me?

His gestures seem kind and sweet, but I feel a nagging sensation, like there's more to this man that meets the eye. Even when Gabriel lived in Paris I felt this way.

He sighs. "I'll provide a room for you." He pushes a button on a phone. "Calleum, will you come to room 5B?"

Calleum? Like my rival Calleum in Felix's class? When she enters, it is the same girl, but how did she get here to Tibet, from half way around the world? "You sent for me, Gabriel?" "Take Wisteria to her room. Your start work right after breakfast. Be ready and on time." I nod, and follow Calleum out of the room, our footsteps echoing along the length of the halls.

"What did you do to impress him? Most girls get turned away here after five minutes," Calleum asks. "I showed him my talent," I answer simply. "Then you and I are now rivals, because I don't like competition. Though Gabriel did promise that my designs will soon be sold across the world."

Great, now we're rivals twice over. Oh, well, I'm not here for the fashion. She shows me my room, and I have to admit it is quite cozy.

I have a full length mirror, a four-poster bed, and a picture window I would paint three days straight for to afford. "Supper is at seven. See you then."

The door clicks shut, and I sigh, walking over to the mirror. The first step in my plan is complete, and now alone for the moment, I can relax. I stand up, ready to lie down for awhile, but then the mirror's surface wobbles.

Curious, I touch its surface, mesmerized by the ripples. Is it a two-way mirror? Only one way to find out.

Taking one step, and then the other, I slowly step through the mirror. But this is no mirror image of my room, rather its dark and cold in here.

I can see my breath coming in white little clouds. Crunch, crunch, crunch. I hold my breath now as there's nowhere to hide, and a pure white cat comes out of thin air. Cat Blanc.

We stare at each other, blue eyes to blue. "Ladybug, welcome to the world of your future." He holds out his hand. The first time I saw him, I so afraid, but this time its different. I want to take his hand. Slowly, reaching the space between us, I rest my hand in his. "Come with me, for you have many things to see."

He starts to tug me forward to start the journey, but I hold fast for a moment. "Cat, how did you know it was me? I'm in disguise here." Cat smiles and points to another mirror. Ladybug stares directly back at me. I guess in this world, I don't have to hide. As if he can hear my thoughts, Cat comes up behind me, whispering in my ear. "You know you don't have to hide anything from me, love."

For the first time that I've stepped through the castle walls or this mirror, my heart thuds in my chest. "Give me time, please." Cat smiles, a brilliant smile. "You can have all the time you need."

I follow, not knowing where I'm headed, but I'm safe. Though there seems to be no sense of time here, my stomach rumbles. "Hungry?" Cat snaps his fingers, and immediately a cauldron of stew appears, simmering over a roaring fire.

"You'll rest here till morning, and you'll be sent back to the castle. But when the clock next chimes midnight, you'll find me again. Good luck, Marinette." I gasp, wondering how he could know that, but when I blink I find myself where I begin.

"Supper!" A girl voice's floats through my door. "Come get it while its hot!" I move quickly then, splashing some water on my face. I need to blend in, not to look suspicious.

But as I head to the dining room, I pause to look out the window. Gabriel is standing in a small courtyard, looking up at a statue. I think it could be his wife, but from here, its unclear.

Its as if he senses being watched, and turns slowly to gaze up into the window and into my eyes. I duck back immediately, and hurry as fast as I dare to supper.

Does Gabriel know it was me, the new girl? Or, from that far away could I be any girl in the crowd? After loading my plate with food, I sit down at an empty table hoping someone will be brave and talk to me.

Memories of school rush in, of Adrien sitting with me, and on rare days sometimes my partner. Cat. Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. Other girls are joining me, and I plaster on a smile.

When I get back to my room, I change into a pair of pajamas and walk into the bathroom. I want to be cautious about calling Cat, for anyone could be listening outside the door.

I hold my breath as I wait for him to pick up, but all I get is his voicemail. Oh, well.

I climb into bed, keeping Adrien and Cat in thoughts until my eyes grow heavy and I fall asleep. Bright sunshine fills my dream and Cat is standing there with a grin on his face until he detransforms. I blink in the bright sunlight, but when I get closer the world stops. For where Cat was standing, now stands Adrien Agreste.

My eyes fly open, heart pounding. What if it was a mistake to come here, what if its bad luck?