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Ladybug's P.O.V

"Miraculous Ladybug!" I called out, tossing the ladybug-themed object into the air. The item dispersed into a swarm of magical, curing insects. The ladybugs fly all around, fixing the damages done by the Akuma Chat Noir and I just defeated. Luckily, the Akuma was easy enough for a two-person job and did not require the other rebels.

"Astounding work, Chat Noir!" I congratulated my partner, smiling brightly toward the said male.

"You as well," he replied, nodding in approval, "I must say, you are prevailing in becoming a hero. Your training is proving quite successful."

I blink in astonishment, not expecting a compliment from Chat Noir (especially with the stoic face he is holding). This might be the first time he genuinely spoke well of me without any malice in his tone.

"Thank you. I really do feel like I have improved greatly," I said, feeling levels higher than just "proud of myself." If Chat Noir is speaking this nicely of me, then I truly must be impressing him. I never thought I would be able to do such a thing.

"I...uh...need to leave. I do not want anyone to notice my disappearance," I awkwardly excused myself. As I swing away, my face flusters in embarrassment. That was a slightly humiliating and abrupt departure. Though I have never met a person who changes from being repulsed by me to friendly.

Do not get me wrong, it is a nice change. I just never experienced or even thought it possible. It was always a two-faced situation with people. They either hate me or like me, never has anyone changed their preference of me before. It is a bit surprising.

Besides all that, I really do need to hurry home before anyone notices my absence. Things have been a bit chaotic at home recently after the engagement party. I was lucky enough to sneak away with how many servants and guards were keeping a close eye on me.

I swing in through the bathroom window.

"Tikki spots off," I whispered, quiet enough so the guards outside the door do not hear me. The suit sheds of my body and my Kwami appears. I quickly catch her before she falls to the floor. Tikki looks worn down and tired. I guiltily frown.

"Hold on, little one," I continue to whisper, setting Tikki down, "I think I have hidden some croissant bites somewhere in here."

I begin to search all my hideaway places in the bathroom, trying to remember where I have hidden the sweets. I am only three minutes into my search when someone knocks on the door. I wince in fright, freezing in place and hoping whoever it is does not enter.

(I suppose I am super fortunate no one has bothered me the entire time I was in here. If someone called out to me when I was absent, this mansion would be turned upside down trying to find me and question my whereabouts).

"Lady Dupain-Cheng, are you almost done with your long bubble bath?" the familiar voice of Ella questioned from the other side.

"Uh..." I quickly think up an excuse on why I have been in here for nearly an hour, "...I have been out for some time as to not get wrinkly skin. I have—um...I have been...trying different hairstyles and makeup techniques! Yes, I really have been doing those things this whole time to practice for the test mother is going to give me over self-improvement!"

I nervously wait for whatever Ella is going to say. I do admit my lie is a partially good excuse but sounding like a believable lie was never a strong suit of mine. I scamper over to Tikki and gently place her in my palm in case I need to hide her somewhere. Ella is disturbingly silent for some time, raising my anxiety through the roof.

"Okay..." Ella hesitatingly said, continuing, "Do hurry, my lady. Your parents have just received word from Lord Couffaine."

I perk up, feeling bittersweet about the news. I do not know what to make of this. This could go in two different directions. Either, Luka is hoping I am doing okay (being the gentleman as he is) or he wants to call off the marriage. Mother would lose her head and probably do something more diabolical than abandoning me in the poor section.

Though, I do not know if there is anything worse the rich consider despicable.

"Very well," I meekly replied. Ella did not say anything else. Instead, I can hear her walking away.

"Marinette?" Tikki questioned, worry laced in her voice.

"I am sure it is nothing," I reassured her, grimacing, "I am sure it is nothing to worry over."

At least, I hope it is not.

Eventually, I do find the croissant bites in a well-hidden area. Tikki floats in the air, refurbished and energized. I quickly dress myself in the clothes I brought into the bathroom and immediately head in the direction the guards pointed me in—my father's office.

One of the two guards opens the door for me. I entered the room, hearing the click of the door shut and trapping me inside with my parents. I clutch the skirt of my dress and curtsy a greeting. I keep my face neutral as to not show emotion (just like my mother taught me).

"I was told of the message," I said, growing closer to the two.

"Indeed," mother agreed, sipping her tea. When mother is drinking tea without an occasion, it is to calm her nerves and keep a level head. A scary thought if she is at this level of losing it to be drinking tea. Father seems to be in the same position as me, sending concerned glances at his wife.

Father presents the very letter of all our worries. I gulp down the caught air in my throat. Mother snatches the envelope from father and hands it over to me with a forced smile.

"I want you to open it and read it out loud, dear," she explained, "I want to hear all the damage you may have brought onto our family."

I wince at her words and gingerly take the rectangular letter holder. This is it. This will decide my fate if I marry a rich buffoon or get kicked to live a poverty-stricken life. Although, the latter option sounds like the best-case scenario out of the two. I let out a breath.

As the poor section would say, "Yank out the wiggly baby tooth." In other words, the faster I do this the quicker it will all be over. So, I tear open the envelope and pull out the letter. After unfolding it, I begin to read the message.

Dearest Dupain-Cheng household,

I worried for all of yours' safety after the events that occurred. I wish I could have done something to settle the disturbance. But my darling cousin, Lady Rossi, had taken charge of the situation. She is truly a wonderful person! I know she and my fiancée will be inseparable after our families are united.

I have to pause, feeling my nose flare in disgust at the last sentence I read. As if I would ever befriend that slimy slug! She does not deserve my attention or friendship!

"Marinette, continue," mother snapped me out of my thoughts. She seems less agitated knowing that I am still being wedded to Luka. I do not know if that is a good or a bad thing. I clear my throat and search for the place I left off.

I hope we can set aside those past trivial matters and look forward to our future together. I will be looking forward to the next time we meet.

Yours truly, Lord Couffaine

"That was an oddly short letter," I thought. My gaze lands on my parents, who are relieved with this news. Mother sets down her tea and elegantly walks toward me. I have this instinct to move away the closer she gets but I do not move. Once she is standing in front of me, she looks me dead-straight in the eye.

"You are very lucky that Lord Couffaine is gracious enough to look past your mess-ups and still want to marry you. Honestly, I do not know how you even managed to keep him around unlike the other men. You are not a very suitable lady or wife-material," mother jabbered on about how broken I am.

I may have been berated for many years by my mother but the pain of her words never ceased. I do not know how I am not yet numb to it.

"You better treat him with the highest respect! He is a perfect gentleman! I do not know how he was still single and ended up with someone like-"

"Dearest" father cuts mother off from her criticizing me, placing a hand on her shoulder, "How about you go schedule a visit with Lord Couffaine to show our gratitude for his forgiveness?"

Mother stares at father for a few seconds then blankly looks at me. Without even a peep, mother walks toward the door and leaves the room. I finally relax once mother's presence is gone and it was just father and me.

Usually, most rich children would be terrified to be alone with their father's in a room, more so than their mothers. It is rare but I have seen bruises and blisters on some people. It is either from failure, disobedience, or drunken anger. No one should be abused like that.

It is terrible to see and the only thing I can sympathize for most of the rich. I can understand the way some act. It is for their own protection.

I am fortunate to have a caring father even though I hardly ever see him.

"Thank you," I graciously said.

Father gives me a small smile until it melts into a smaller one, seeming more saddened. He places a hand on my shoulder and kneels onto one knee so we are at eye level. Warm brown eyes gleam with distraught.

"I know it may not seem like it but your mother does do this out of love...in her own way. She just wants to make sure you are taken care of and safe. I do admit she can go a bit far at times," father said, scratching the back of his neck.

I furrow my eyebrows and scoff. It was like a trigger was pulled inside of me, exploding with fury at what he said.

"A little?" I exclaimed, stepping away from him, "How can you understand everything she has put me through? You do not understand how cruel she can be. She burned my saber to a crisp and slapped me once! How is that a little far?"

He sighed under his breath and turned his gaze somewhere else, "I...did not know that."

"How could you? You are never around," I bitterly said, crossing my arms.

"Marinette," I spoke softly, standing off the ground and wiping the dirt off his pants, "I do apologize for never being around. Life has grown busier for me over the years and what I would not give to sword fight with you more often again as we used to."

I stay silent, waiting for him to excuse me. I do not want to cause any more trouble for the time being. I barely escaped whatever punishment mother would have given me if Luka said otherwise.

"And your mother..." father continued, making me grow more annoyed. Great, now what about the she-demon? I do not understand how such a good guy like father could ever fall in love with her?

"...you do not know much about her either. You do not know what her past was like or how she was treated by her own parents."

My glare weakens into curiosity.

"What do you mean?" I quietly asked, uncrossing my arms. What happened to mother in the past?

"I do apologize again. It is not my tale to tell. You will have to ask your mother when the time comes," he explained, patting my head, "You are now dismissed."

Before I knew it, the door of my father's office closes behind me and I am standing in the hallway. I begin my trek down the hall deep in my thoughts.

It is true mother has never spoken about her past and always despised the mere mention of grandmother and grandfather. I never realized how much of a secretive woman she is until my father opened my eyes.

Unfortunately, I cannot talk to mother about this right now. She and I are not on the best terms of talking at the moment. Hopefully, I will find a chance to bring it up when she is in a better mood.

Right now, I need to go do my exercises.

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