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Marinette's P.O.V
"You may enter," my father's voice called.
I made my way into my father's office and the guard shut the door behind me. My father sat at his desk while mother was looking out the window, unfazed by my appearance.
After the mayhem that went down in the secret tunnels, mother was finally informed about our family meeting.
"Now that we are all here..." father started, standing from his desk, "would you care to explain why you moved Marinette's wedding to this week, dear?"
Father did not sound pleased with mother's decision. I am very lucky that father is on my side and kind enough to stand up for me. It is very rare to have a nice wealthy parent. While father may hardly make an appearance aside from events, he is a good man at heart.
Mother glanced over her shoulder with a sharp look in her eye like a knife ready to pierce skin.
She was not happy...but when is she ever truly happy?
"Our child has grown more...rebellious. She is ruining our reputation even worse than before arranging for her to marry Lord Couffaine. If she keeps this up, the arranged marriage might very well be broken off," Sabine explained.
"How is this a bad outcome?" is what I wanted to say just to irritate mother. Honestly, I would continue being bad just to be thrown out and put into the poor section.
But I need answers. Rose and I are getting closer to figuring out the bigger picture of what mother is up to. I cannot get kicked out...but I also do not want to get hitched within the week. Especially, when my husband-to-be is a puppet corpse.
"And why did you never discuss this with me?" father asked.
"Because I knew you would never agree to move the date. It is for the better for our family," Sabine stated.
"You keep saying it is for the better but how exactly is it for the better?" I questioned, "And do not say it is to improve our reputation. If you wanted to do that, you would have sent me to live in the poor section already."
We had a small stare-down before mother returned to looking out the window.
"Marinette, your father and I are not like the other wealthy parents. We care for you," she said.
I scoffed like she was telling me the funniest joke in the world.
"Care?! Now that is rich coming from you. Do you even know what that word means? If you did care about me, you would have said it straight to my face but that would all be a lie too," I snapped at her.
"You only care about yourself."
I did not miss mother's body stiffened like a board. The room went silent. Father gaped at me but paid him no mind, keeping my dagger-eyed stare on mother.
I cannot believe she has the nerve to say she cares for me. She is so manipulative but I am not going to fall for it anymore. Her time of controlling me is through. I am sick of it!
I will just do something so bad that it will send me to the poor section. Then, all this heartache will be over. I will finally be free. I would hate to leave Rose alone to solve the mystery of my mother. But I just cannot take this anymore. At this point, I do not care.
"Marinette..." mother started, finally facing me. I was taken aback by the distress wrinkling her features. Was she faking this too? Typical. I cannot believe how naïve mother is for still trying to trick me.
"Going to the poor section is not the only punishment there is," mother said.
"What?" I questioned, confused by where she was going with this. Out of everything she could have said, I was not expecting this. What is she talking about? Was this just another method of manipulation to get me to cooperate?
It was not going to work.
Father frowned as if he knew what she was going to say. Sabine sighed and approached me with weariness.
"What is she doing?" I thought.
"I think it is time I told you the reason why I do all of this," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged her touch off.
"You have a reason for being so cruel to me my entire life," I huffed. I let out a laugh but there was no humor behind it. She really is insane for thinking she can get away with all she has done and not done to me. How entertaining.
I glanced down at mother's hands, which were clenching the skirt of her dress. A far-off look was on her face, seemingly dead serious with whatever she was about to say. A hint of melancholy lingered in her gaze.
"Marinette-"
One of the windows shattered and a thunk was heard. We all ducked away from the shattered glass flying at us. Surprisingly, mother covered me from most of the raining shards.
A growl attracted our attention to a purple monster.
An Akuma.
It had eight tentacles for legs like an octopus but the rest of the body was a bit more humanoid. The creature's body was twig-like skinny, almost bone but its head was oval-shaped. Big yellow eyes took up most of its head.
The creature let out a cry before the guards barged into the room. The monster did not hesitate to throw the two out the broken window before shooting out a tentacle at mother and I.
Everything happened so fast.
Before I knew it, mother shoved me out of the way and dodged the attack with quick dexterity of her body. I gaped at her precise movements. She flipped, bent her body in ways I did not know were possible, defended herself, and even fought back a little with kicks and punches.
"Does she know martial arts?" I questioned myself.
My whole life, I thought my mother was like any other rich woman. Abusive, selfish, only cared about reputation, and being exactly how society deemed ladylike. Mother always seemed to know how to act like a lady...at least, only in the public eye.
When it was just the people in the mansion such as me and the servants, that lady facade diminishes into her true rotten colors.
She was nothing but a cruel, two-faced wealthy woman.
I never imagined she would know hand-to-hand combat and be skilled in throwing knives. It was like seeing a different person and not my mother.
I was intrigued when learning about my parent's possible connections with Hawkmoth. I honestly did not think they were involved with anything and just normal wealthy folk. It was not that I did not believe Rose but...it was just hard to believe.
Yet, I continued learning more and my doubts slowly disappeared. Now, my eyes are wide open to the truth.
Who is my mother?
I was so shocked but was brought out of my state when father yelled at me.
"Get out of here!" Father shouted, practically picking me off the ground and onto my feet. He had one of his old fencing swords in his hand and went to help mother fight. I could tell he was somewhat rusty but still managed to wield his saber with much valor.
I shook off my surprise and gave him a firm nod. Father was right. I need to go. Hopefully, my parents will distract the Akuma long enough for me to transform into Ladybug. I made a run for the door.
Where did this monster even come from? Why here of all places? Did Hawkmoth figure out my identity? Does it have something to do with my parents—my mother?
"TOM! WATCH OUT!"
I could not help looking back on instinct even though I should have kept going. My body froze while my brain yelled at me to go save the day!
Unfortunately, I watched everything in slow motion yet it went way too fast my brain could not process the situation.
My mother was on the other side of the room reaching out to her husband but was held back by the monster's tentacles. She was terrified out of her mind. The monster kept a trained eye on father and let out a shrill.
Father stood unprepared for the attack.
One of the monster's tentacles plunged straight through his chest.
I felt my heart stop beating. My lungs were unable to function and filter in air. A sheer chill ran across my skin. The world around me blurred my main focus on the horror before me.
"MARINETTE!"
I did not realize I was gasping until mother's voice cut through the traumatic experience. My muscles tensed and it took everything for me to finally lock gazes with my mother's.
"RUN!" she yelled at me before grabbing her own weapons. Tears streamed down her face and a fire blazed in her steely eyes. She fought her way over to me.
Finally, my body reacted to her command. I sprinted out the door with mother just on my tail. The creature was not too far behind.
Some guards tried to defend us but it was futile. They merely were killed but it gave us time. I pulled mother over to a wall and quickly opened a secret passage. Once the door was open, I yanked her inside with me.
We breathed heavily but held our breath when the creature shuffled past the other side of the door. I released a sigh of relief but did not relax in the slightest.
My adrenaline was bursting passed the sky's limits. I could feel myself tremble as the gruesome memory repeated in my head. My stomach churned, and I had to swallow down the bile rising in my throat.
"Marinette, are you okay? You did not get hurt, did you?" mother asked, voice shaky. Something touched my arm, making me jump away from what I assumed was mother's hand.
"Okay?! Are you kidding me?" I replied in frustration, keeping my voice down. I did not want to alert the Akuma of our hiding place. Yet, mother's question was beyond levels of stupidity.
Of course, I am not okay!
I had just witnessed my father's death right before my eyes!
...I suppose she watched her husband die. Mother even seemed remorseful due to the tears she shed. I let out a sigh.
"I am sorry but I am also not. I do not know. Everything is happening too fast," I admitted to my mother of all people. I made my way deeper into the tunnel, using the walls as my guide. I could hear mother's footsteps right behind me.
"There is no need to apologize," she replied.
"The least you could do right now is give me an explanation. I do deserve that at least," I said, "I theorized you were withholding secrets but now my theory has been solidified."
"Whatever do you mean?" mother questioned. I could hear the waver of challenge in her tone, daring me to continue my thoughts. I stopped walking which caused mother to run into me.
"Do not play dumb with me, mother. You know exactly what I mean," I sharply stated.
"You really believe I would not find out anything suspicious sooner or later when I live under the same roof as you. Such as your secret phone calls. Now, I see you performing stellar martial arts fighting and not going to question why someone who claims to be ladylike knows it."
Mother stayed silent. Even if I looked over my shoulder, I would still be unable to read what emotions crossed her face.
"Tell me..." I spoke with a raucous voice.
"Are you working for Hawkmoth?"
"No," she answered, sounding quite baffled, "Whoever that is is a menace to society. I would be overjoyed when that villain has been knocked off of his throne and celebrate watching his head get chopped off by a guillotine."
I am confused by her answer. Is she lying? Although, she sounded truthful in her response. I can never be too sure.
"Alright, say I believe you. Care to explain what is really going on then and who you are working with?" I asked.
"Is this really the best time to be discussing this matter? We are in quite a predicament," mother pointed out.
As much as I hate to admit it, she is right. There is no time for this talk right now. I will have to corner her later.
I need to go defeat that monster before it massacres the whole household. But I have to figure out how to get away from mother. I do not think she is going to let me out of her sight anytime soon...not after what happened to father.
"Alright, then what are we going to do?" I asked.
I did not receive a response.
"Mother?"
I reached out behind to see if she was still there, only for my hand to touch air. The spot mother was in is vacant.
Did she sneak away? But why? Where did she go?
"Do not tell me..." my thoughts trailed off. I let out a growl of annoyance and ran back in the direction we came. I kept my hand out, so as to not run into anything.
I know there are no other hallways in this tunnel so there are no other ways she could have gone except back. The hallways are pretty narrow so I would have felt her pass me.
"Is she really going to face that Akuma by herself?!" I muttered, "She is a mad woman?!"
Finally, I reached the door.
"Tikki, spots on!"
I left the secret passage and made a beeline in the direction the Akuma went. Has mother really lost her mind?! Why is she doing this? Why?!
I follow the path of destruction and death. I tried to keep my focus straight ahead and not on the bodies of servants that I had known since my early years. The ones who raised me in place of my parents. I just prayed that Alya and Rose were okay.
"I can mourn over their losses later," I told myself in my head, scrubbing away tears.
I arrived at the ballroom, taking in the scene before me.
Mother once again was facing off the Akuma. The beast kept lashing its tentacles at her. I could tell she was losing stamina and would not last much longer.
"Seriously, what was her plan? What she is doing is basically suicide!" I growled under my breath, rushing into the room.
There was a knot in my stomach that tightened when the Akuma finally caught mother. I grabbed my yoyo and slung it right at the monster's eye. The Akuma cried out in pain and released mother. She fell from an unfortunate height that not even her skills could save her.
I am unable to get to her with the monster's limbs blocking my path and my yo-yo's. There was no time to get to her. She would either be severely hurt or she may die on impact.
"No!" I yelled, still trying to save her. I may not be in good graces with my mother. She could be a living demon. Yet, not even she deserves death. I already failed many good people. I cannot fail another, even if this one is not a good person.
Unfortunately, the Akuma grabbed me and stopped me from saving my mother. I struggled to free myself as she grew closer to the ground.
Was I about to witness both of my parent's deaths on the same day? I have yet to do anything except watch their fate right before my eyes and do nothing about it. Am I truly this useless even with supernatural abilities?
Something within my chest hurt with a heaviness and rabid beating.
"Mom," I whispered in disbelief. Much to my surprise, mother was looking right at me with shock etching her expression.
The space between mother and the floor grew scarily less. Only a second away from hitting the ground and me being unable to save her.
A blur of orange zipped past me and managed to break my mother's fall. The two slid across the ground until a tentacle stopped their movement.
"Are you alright?" Rena Rouge asked, helping Sabine to her feet. I gaped at Rena Rouge's sudden appearance but was relieved all the same. I am so thankful for her arriving just in the nick of time. It was better late than never.
Mother never had the chance to respond when Rena and mother dodged another attack from the Akuma.
"My oh my, you seemed to have put yourself in quite a bind there."
I turned to see Chat Noir crouched on the top of his baton with a smirk on his face. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered, glad to see my partner. But I was not in the mood for his commentary.
"How about less quips and more freeing me, please," I stated, not asking. Chat Noir was a bit baffled by what I said but returned to his serious persona. With his enhanced strength, Chat Noir released me from the Akuma's grip.
The two of us leaped away when the Akuma noticed my escape and tried to snatch us again.
"Go search for any survivors and get yourselves out of here!" Rena yelled at Sabine.
Mother seemed to hesitate before glancing over at me. There was something in her eyes that I could not read. Why was she looking at me like that?
"Very well," Sabine replied, making her way past Chat Noir and I, "We shall meet again soon, Ladybug."
I was taken aback by my mother's comment and narrowed my suspicious eyes at her leaving form. Now, I know she knows something. There was no denying that. I had a very bad feeling I knew what she figured out.
Mother knows that her daughter is Ladybug.
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