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Marinette's P.O.V
"I will end your entire career if she is not okay!"
Those are the first words I hear in my hazy awakening state. I let my vision clear, solidifying the world's shapes and colors. I immediately know I am laying in a bed, feeling the softness of the mattress and the texture of the blanket covering me.
I notice my father is sitting on the edge of the bed with a distant look in his eyes. My gaze shifts to the side, seeing my tempered mother talking with a scared doctor.
"Madam Dupain-Cheng, I do not have any means of disrespect. But, I need you to calm down," the doctor replied, making my mother more furious. Yet, she held in the boiling anger within herself to hear out the medical professional.
"There is nothing wrong with her. Your child merely needs some rest. I theorize the reason she fainted in the first place is that she is being overworked and placed under a lot of stress," the doctor concluded.
While he is correct about my situation with stress, I know that is not the actual reason why I fell unconscious. I can recall the reason I had fainted. Unlike mother, I can remember the intruder's identity.
Ella...or Princess Fragrance as she dubbed herself. Princess Fragrance is infamously known in the wealthy section as a wanted witch (like every other magical user). I have heard a few rumors of her existence but only so much.
What I do not understand is, why do I remember her? What was she doing rummaging around mother and father's room?
"That does not explain why she was in our room," mother insisted on an explanation, snapping me out of my thoughts. The doctor gave my mother a deadpanned look, growing more tired of my mother's attitude than being fearful anymore.
"M'lady, I am a doctor, not a detective. I am sure your daughter will give you an explanation once she has awoken," the doctor said, picking up a bag from off the ground, "Right now, let her rest, and do not stress her out. Now, if you will excuse me."
"Thank you," father gave his appreciation. The doctor placed a hand on his chest and gave a slight bow.
"It was my pleasure," the medical professional stated before leaving the room. Once the doctor left, mother let out a long sigh and hugged herself. I could feel the bed's movement of father standing and moving over to mother. He pulled her into an embrace.
I capture this rare moment of my parents actually looking like a loving and caring couple. Normal parents, if you will. It has been a long time since I have seen these two adults interact this way. A secluded man buried in his work and a feistily-tempered woman, who needs everything to be perfect.
A strange high-classed pairing. But, it is endearing to know they still love each other though they hardly see each other much anymore. From their love, they created a rebellious daughter—they have me.
"Weird," I thought. We are a very unusual family, unlike the other wealthy class households. They all seem to be mindless clones in a handful of different groups. (Sometimes, there would be families who would go as far as to wear the exact same thing or color. I find that to be odder than my family's dynamic).
Honestly, I should not be complaining too much. I have it better than most other rich children. The most I have been physically abused by my parents was my mother slapping me that one time. Although, I cannot say that my mental and emotional states have not been severely damaged on multiple accounts.
I finally decide to make my consciousness known.
"Mother? Father?" I groggily spoke up, clearing my throat of the scratchy feeling. My parents shot their gazes over at me and split apart (I was a bit saddened at that). The two made their way over until they stood next to the bedside.
"Darling, how are you feeling? Do you feel ill? Does anything hurt?" mother rambled off, keeping a close eye on me. I can feel her hand grasp mine. I do not know if the concern in her voice is real or fake. It is hard to tell when my mind is still pretty hazy from just waking up.
A part of me wants to believe it is out of real worry for her child. Yet, another part of me knows I am just an object in her eyes being used to keep the family name mighty. Or, there is no concern at all and I am imagining it.
"I am fine," I monotonously replied. Mother's face contorted into a deeper frown and knitted her eyebrows. For a split moment, I thought I saw her flinch. I blame my foggy state for these obtuse delusions. To think, mother actually caring for me is only to be seen in my dreams and hallucinations.
"Yes..." mother seems to hesitate with her words, "...do get some rest. Everything you were scheduled to do today will be canceled until further notice."
I hum in reply, blankly staring at the ceiling. Does she think I am gullible enough to give her another chance? Another chance to believe she may change only to return to the same mother I have always known. I will not fall for her "motherly care" again. I am tired of all these tricks!
Mother gives my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. Then, she walks out of the room. Father takes mother's place. He leans down and places a kiss on my forehead.
"Do get well soon," he said before leaving as well. Father shut the door, leaving me all alone in the room for only a few minutes. I had closed my eyes to fall back asleep until hearing the sound of the door creaking open. Fluttering my eyelids open, I turn to see who has entered the room.
Suddenly, I am wide awake when seeing "Ella" walk into the room with a smile. Not a menacing smile, a sweet smile like she usually wears on her lips. I keep my barriers up, not trusting it. Everyone thinks they can play the "kindness" game with me but I will not fall for those tricks again.
"You!" I exclaimed, pointing at the witch. I need to be ready to defend myself. Witches can be dangerous. Unfortunately, I am not in the best state to think correctly. But it takes a fighting spirit to keep going without giving up.
"Calm down, Marinette. I am not here to harm anyone," she explained.
"Then, do explain why you are impersonating a servant, assaulting my mother and me, and going through my parent's valuables," I huffed, narrowing my gaze at her.
"I am on a mission to find information on Hawkmoth and find out his true identity," Princess Fragrance explained.
I blinked, baffled. I was not expecting her to say that. I shake my head. No. This is just another trick to throw me out of the loop. I cannot believe I almost fell for that again.
"Tell me the real reason you are here," I sternly said.
"That was the real explanation. I thought you might be interested in a thing like this and finding out what your parents are hiding," Princess Fragrance answered.
What my parents...are hiding? What on earth is she talking about? My parents are just the everyday average wealthy parents. Although, father did say I did not know about my mother's past.
Yet, what does my family have anything to do with Hawkmoth?
"Why would I be interested in anything you say?" I questioned.
Princess Fragrance sat on the edge of my bed. I notice the way she sits. Her posture is straight and her hands rest on her lap.
She turned to me and gives me a kind smile.
"As both Marinette and Ladybug, I would think you would be very interested in my investigation."
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Alya's P.O.V
"We have a deal."
I shoot up in bed, placing a hand on my stomach when feeling an uncomfortable knot within me. I swallow down my nausea and use my free arm to wipe my eyes.
"That blasted dream again—that memory," I thought, frustrated with myself. Why can I not forget it? No matter how much I shove it into the depths of my mind, the memory still finds its way to emerge back to the surface. That awful memory still replaying and tormenting me.
I remove the blanket from myself and stand up. I need to walk this dreadful feeling off. My feet pad outside, pacing back and forth. Luckily, I managed not to wake up Nino this time around. He deserves the rest...unlike me.
"Alya? What are you doing out here so late at night?"
My already jittery mind elevated my frightened jump and stumbled away from the voice. I caught onto my foot and fell to the ground. My stare locked with caramel.
My sweet neighbor, Mylène Haprèle.
Mylène stood in front of me, holding up a candle. She is wearing a dirty nightgown with a few unraveled strings and tears. She has a wondering and troubled expression displayed on her features. The short teen extended a hand out to me, offering her assistance to help me back up.
Without much thought, I grasped her hand.
Once I am on my feet again, I wiped off the dirt the best I could that clung to my clothes. It is definitely not to prolong any conversation with Mylène on why I am out here. Speaking of which...
"I could ask you the same thing," I replied, "I am sorry if I woke you up."
"Oh no, you did nothing of the sort. I was already awake before you came out here," Mylène reassured me. I raised an eyebrow, my curious spirit getting the better of me.
"You were? Why is that?" I asked.
"I was having difficulty sleeping," she answered, "Night terrors are such a dastardly experience. So, I have been out here making candles and soaps to busy my mind. It helps calm my nerves before heading back to bed."
"Oh..." is my only response, not sure what I was expecting her to say. I switched my gaze over to Mylène's hut. She had all her supplies and ingredients out on the ground. There are a few candles and soaps set aside in small boxes.
Mylène has made a business out of making small things such as candles, soaps, occasionally crayons, pencils, tea pouches, dyes, and other little random things. I am somewhat jealous of her crafty talent but amazed all the same.
"Do you mind telling me why you are out here?" Mylène asked. I felt myself relax in her presence. My rainbow-haired neighbor is very kind. We instantly became close friends the first time we met. We could share everything. Well...almost everything.
"I had a night terror as well," I answered, "I came out here to pace off my anxiety."
Mylène hummed in acknowledgment before gesturing to the wall, "Would you care to talk about it?"
I can feel my face scrunch up in a debate. Would it be wrong to tell Mylène about the mistake I made before Nino? I do not feel like it is fair, considering my mistake involved him. Nino should be the first to know the entire truth.
"I will have to decline for right now. Nino does not know of my entire mistake and I feel like he needs to be the first to know," I explained. Mylène smiles and gives me a nod.
"That is alright," she said, "Would you care to learn how to make a bar of soap or candle? Maybe, it will help ease your mind," she offered. I blinked in surprise.
"Really?" I questioned.
"Of course! Think of it as a thank you for figuring out who stole my scented candles that one time," Mylène joked. I chuckled, recalling the memory of Mylène's adopted sister, Manon, hiding the scented candles behind their hut.
"Okay. I...I think I would like that," I answered.
Mylène linked her arm in mine and guided me over to her work area, explaining the first step of making soap.
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