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Four years ago...
Alya's P.O.V
The monster leaped on top of the railing and perched on it like a bird. Its face split apart to reveal a circular-shaped mouth with a row of rotating teeth. It screeched, some of its spit flying onto my face. I would have complained about how gross it was if I was not in this peril danger.
"Somebody help!" I called out, terrified.
I do not know why I would even bother to do such a thing though. It does not matter how much I scream or plead, nobody is coming.
We have not hired any guards or staff. Not even the neighboring guards and staff would lift a finger to help me. My family cares more about their own well-being and reputation than me.
If I were to die here and now, it would mean nothing to them.
They still had daughters they can marry off. Losing one out of their four children would not make a difference.
I am only but a simple drop of water in the ocean.
That is all I will ever be.
Nobody will care or even notice my absence. It is not like anyone notices it while I am living. The only way I can get attention is if I cause mischief.
Maybe, this is my punishment for all the trouble I caused. We might have never moved here if I had not made our name bad in Italy.
Now, I am paying the consequences for my actions.
The monster's tongue slithered out its mouth and extended to an unbelievable length. Suddenly, the tongue shot at me. Out of instinct, I let go so the slimy thing would not touch me.
I screamed as I fell, hardly able to hear a sound coming out of my mouth due to the air rushing past my ears. I watched the tongue extend after me.
I was either going to die being eaten or splattering on the stone ground below.
I know it was worthless to do so but I braced for impact. If I survive the fall, I would be unable to escape the monster's grimy claws due to severe injuries. I would be an easy meal.
The best way I was going to die a painless death would be to knock myself out and instantly die on impact.
I relaxed and no longer braced myself.
This was the only way.
I was falling from a four-story height. That should do the trick.
I was not expecting something to collide into me and hold me close. I coiled my arms around whoever caught me so as to not fall. Once we safely landed on the ground, my savior called out, "Shelter!"
A turtle-patterned dome built itself around us. The monster's tongue hardly a second later crashed into the barrier with a loud "thud." The creature cried out in frustration before something distracted it.
Yet, I could only stare in astonishment at my turtle-themed savior. My mind was still abuzz and running on adrenaline. It was hard to wrap my thoughts around what all just happened in less than a minute (or felt like less than one).
The turtle boy smiled down at me.
"Are you alright?" he asked, gently. I blinked, unable to think of anything to say so I just nodded.
That was when everything suddenly caught up to me. I was still in his hold and immediately fumbled out of it, stumbling away on my feet. I crossed my arms in a huff.
"Release me from this barrier," I demanded. The turtle boy raised an eyebrow before rolling his eyes.
"You know, I did just save your life. A thank you would be much more appreciated," he said, taking down the dome.
Wearily, I looked around for the beast but saw it nowhere in sight. Where had it run off too?
"Do not worry about the Akuma. My friends are taking care of it," turtle boy reassured, "Although, I am surprised you did not elude to the safety of your Akuma bunker. Did you not receive the alert?"
I raised an eyebrow, having no idea what he was talking about. What was an Akuma? What alert? The seller had not said any of this to us, aside from there being a bunker. I thought the bunker would be for occasional emergencies if Paris would ever be attacked by terrorists or something.
The way this turtle boy is explaining it, the bunker is for Akumas...whatever that was.
For all I know, this is all a dream or a hallucination. Although, magic was not unheard of but I have never actually seen it. Magic is outlawed worldwide, after all. It is strange to see it being used out in the open.
"What?" I questioned, blandly.
Before he could answer, a sounding explosion startled us. Turtle boy nearly broke his neck to look in the direction of where the sound came from.
"Uh..." he started, quickly thinking what he wanted to say, "If you do not know what an Akuma is, I assume you are new in Paris. I will return later tonight on your balcony and explain everything to you. For now, I need you to go to your family and get to that bunker."
Before I could criticize that idiotic idea, turtle boy had already leaped away. I scoffed, furrowing my eyebrows in vexation.
"No matter where I go, every male is an imbecile," I muttered under my breath, stomping back into my new home. How dare he order me around and invite himself over as if he owns the place!
He is lower than me. I can tell by his ungentlemanly actions. I will not let a grimy rat infest my room!
"He has another thing coming if he thinks he can mess with Alya Cesaire!" I thought.
I am a proud woman with high standards. If that person cannot meet those expectations, then that person does not deserve to exist in my presence. Those who meet my requirements are lucky and should appreciate the blessing of myself.
That turtle boy better be groveling at my feet if he wants my attention. Although, that would make him look more pathetic as a man.
I grin at the very image playing through my head.
That is something I do enjoy though—men begging for my forgiveness.
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It was odd preparing for bed without a servant assisting me. Yet, the staff would arrive tomorrow at dawn to unpack everything that has yet to be settled in the new house.
I glanced over at my balcony, keeping an eye out for turtle boy. The sun had set an hour ago and he had yet to show. Maybe, he did not have the guts to show his dirty face. I smirked at the thought.
The moment I finished brushing my hair, I heard a knock and nearly fell off my vanity's seat.
My eyes lock on the balcony doors, spotting a warm-smiling turtle boy waving from outside.
I narrowed my eyes at turtle boy. I practically left a trail of fire in my tracks with how much I was fuming.
I yanked the doors open. He was about to greet me before I came face to face with him. Turtle boy immediately stopped talking before he had the chance to peep a word. He stumbled back from the close proximity in surprise and hit the stone railing.
"Do you think you can just invite yourself over without my consent?" I hissed, "My day had already been bad and it grew worse when that horrendous beast nearly killed me! Then, you were rude enough to invite yourself here and run off without letting me any say!"
Turtle boy didn't say a word. He just stood there and listened with wide, blinking eyes. I slowly approached him as I continued my ranting.
"I already despise this city and the people in it. The sad part about it all, it has yet to be an entire day and it has already been a long one. So, take your grotesque costume and your magic away from me permanently before you get me into trouble," I concluded my scolding.
I stood proudly nearly an inch away from him, harshly jabbing a finger into his chest. I glared directly into his gaze and almost dared him to say something stupid.
Turtle boy raised his hands in surrender. He was attempting to ease me but it did little to improve my mood.
"Listen, I know Paris is not all sunshine and rainbows. We are attacked by Akumas nearly four times a week and more than half of the population in this city is suffering," he said.
"Yet, Paris is my home and I would rather not be anywhere else but here. There is beauty in this city if you really look and see past all the darkness."
Turtle boy extended an offered hand out to me and pulled an awkward smile.
"Will you allow me to show you?"
I looked at his hand before staring daggers at him again. How much of a buffoon is this man?!
"Put that hand down before you wished to never offered it to me in the first place," I snarled in a low voice.
Turtle boy frowned but did as I asked. He will not win me over with his charms. Every other male around my age that I have met has already tried to win me over with that tactic. It was getting old and tiring. It was downright pathetic!
Although, I am surprised he is still here. Usually, men instantly leave once I turn them down or are just desperate enough to stay to win my affection. Turtle boy seems to be the latter of the two types of men.
Unfortunately, my curiosity did get the better of me. I wanted to know what was going on in this bizarre place and this may be my chance to get answers sooner rather than later. Either that or I will be up for the entire night wondering and regretting asking.
My curiosity outweighed my want for turtle boy to leave. I let out an irritated sigh. Curse my need to know the latest gossip.
"Before you go, I do accept your offer of an explanation of what is going on in this city," I said, somewhat begrudgingly.
Turtle boy perked up at this and tilted his head.
"Did you not just tell me to leave moments ago?" he questioned with confusion, "Now, you want me to stay and explain?"
"How about you just be grateful I changed my mind and get on with the explanation before I change it again," I growled.
I wanted him to just do a quick description of what was happening in Paris so I can get my beauty sleep. I have a feeling that I will have another long day tomorrow too. I wanted to at least get some shut-eye so I am not dragging my feet tomorrow in dread and sleep deprivation.
Turtle boy was not pleased by my attitude but took a seat on the railing, anyway. I pulled the nearest seat out from my bedroom and properly sat down to listen. I did not know how long this was going to take but I was not just going to stand, especially in these heels.
Turtle boy went on with explaining Hawkmoth, his Akumas and the war. He included his superhero teammates and leader, Ladybug.
At times, I asked questions. He answered them all with genuine truth. He seemed very patient, even when I was getting testy with him.
I did not want to jump to conclusions...but he did not seem like a bad guy. If what he says is true about being a hero, it would make sense. He did save me from that Akuma, which I have come to learn what that monster was.
I am pretty good at judgment of a character but that does not mean I am not skeptical. I will admit this only to myself. I can jump to conclusions sometimes.
Yet, the situation Paris is in may just make this city slightly interesting.
"So, you are telling me that Hawkmoth is a villain attacking Paris? You and your teammates fight to protect Paris while trying to figure out Hawkmoth's identity," I said, earning a nod from turtle boy.
"Precisely," he answered.
"Do you know Hawkmoth's true goal? I would assume he is doing this for something," I questioned.
"As far as we are aware, we believe he is after the cat and ladybug miraculous," he said, "Unfortunately, the reason for that is classified information which I cannot speak of."
My interest seemed to perk higher with each new thing I discover about Paris and its dilemma. It is rather a thrilling place with ginormous mysteries with both the heroes and the villains.
"Why can you not tell me?" I asked.
"Even heroes have to keep secrets to keep civilians out of harm's way. Besides, I told you a little more than I should have as an apology," Turtle boy explained.
I wrinkled my nose in confusion, "An apology? For what?"
"Your first day of arriving in Paris did not go very well. You should feel welcomed instead of scared. I wanted to be the one to fix your outlook by doing the welcoming," Turtle boy said with an innocent expression.
He extended a hand to me with a bright smile, "At least, if you trust me enough and let me. I can show you the beautiful parts of Paris."
For a moment, I am caught off guard and let a slightly agape look slip. He was actually being somewhat sweet. No boy or man has ever done such a thing. Turtle boy has definitely caught my surprise and attention.
Still...I am too stubborn to let a male grab my affections that easily.
I tried not to let him see my surprise by quickly morphing it into a scowl. I crossed my arms again and turn away from him.
"Absolutely not. I just met you today. I do not trust you," I spat, "In fact, I want you to leave and not return."
I did not know what he was thinking since I was facing away from him. He kept silent for a while making me wonder what was going through his head.
"Alright, that is fair enough," he agreed.
My eyes widened. Never once have I heard a man admit when he was wrong. My gaze lingered over my shoulder to turtle boy.
"I suppose I have overstayed my visit. I apologize once again for intruding and that your welcome to Paris was awful," turtle boy said, climbing onto the railing, "Au revoir."
Then, he leaped away. I finally turned around and watched him disappear into the city.
I would never admit this out loud...but I yearned for him to stay for just a little longer.
I shook away that longing feeling and decided it was time to go to sleep.
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I sat across from my father in the carriage, displeased with being dragged to who knows where. My arms crossed along my chest as I looked everywhere except for my father. The entire ride so far has been in complete silence which I favored over talking with him.
Supposedly, we are going to see the punishment if a lady or gentleman strays from the rules.
This is such a waste of time! I could be back at the mansion meeting my personal servant and decorating my bedroom.
"This is for your own good, child," father spoke up after being quiet for nearly half an hour. I narrowed my eyes in his direction.
"You will learn what happens to those who misbehave in Paris. This is for the sake of our reputation. If one of us fails to keep our name good, there is a chance the shame will spread to the whole family. And we all will have to face the punishment."
"You and mother have exaggerated many things in the past. How do I know this is no exaggeration and you are not just wasting my precious time," I rebuked with some venom in my voice.
"Believe me, child," father started with such seriousness in his tone, "This is no exaggeration. If this warning were not truly important, I would not be escorting you."
I did not respond, merely looking back out into the city. He did make a valid point. Father would not waste his time on trivial affairs if they were not necessary.
I grew slightly concerned but did not let it show. I decided not to worry about it too much until I see it for myself.
We soon arrived at a giant gate and parked a little ways away.
"Ah, perfect timing," father complimented, checking the time on his pocket watch. He tucked the small, golden clock back into his pocket before gesturing over to a rickety horse-drawn wagon entering the plaza.
Aside from the chauffeur, the only one riding in the wagon was a rich male. He looked to be in his early twenties but I had a hard time telling. His head was bowed in shame. I can understand why though. The entire area was staring at him as if he were a disgrace and whispering to each other.
"What is happening?" I asked my father, glancing over at him.
"This is what happens when you do not follow through," father simply explained.
I scrunched my nose up in confusion and continued to watch what was about to happen. I suppose the only way to learn would be to watch.
The giant gates opened as the wagon stopped in front of it. The guards at the gate guided the male over to the gate and shoved him through. Then, the gates closed sealed shut and everything went back to normal like the banishment never happened.
"What is on the other side of those gates?" I asked.
"Paris no longer has a middle class. It only has two classes, the rich and the poor. We live on the rich side..." father explained.
"...and that man was banished to the poor," I concluded, "But for what purpose? Is his family not wealthy?"
"Yes, his family is rich but he has led his family name to shame. As punishment for such a sinful mistake, he was disowned and exiled from the rich class forever to live with the poor," father answered.
A sudden chill hit my skin, sending shivers along my spine. I stared at my father in disbelief, not wanting to believe what I saw before me was true.
This was the punishment...
...how cruel.
"Now that you have learned the consequences, I expect you to be less resilient against your mother and me," father started, locking his eyes with mine.
"It is time for you to start practicing the way of a lady. It is time for you to build our reputation into something far greater."
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