The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Beaumont Paris mansion as Nidhal stirred awake, stretching with a yawn. The weight of recent events still lingered in his mind, but today was a new day. As he prepared himself for school, Nooroo, the kwami of transmission, hid snugly in his pocket, peeking out cautiously.
Descending the grand staircase, Nidhal found Mario, his ever-loyal butler, waiting for him.
"Breakfast is ready, sir," Mario announced, his tone professional yet warm. Then, with a knowing smirk, he added, "I saw the news yesterday. That 'Ice Queen,' Aurore, just wanted to win the Winter Girl competition—but she nearly froze the entire studio. Humans can be so fragile."
Nidhal narrowed his eyes slightly, but remain silent
Finishing his meal, Nidhal exited the mansion and walked through the elegant streets of Paris. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, always aware, always calculating.
Soon, Françoise Dupont High School came into view. As he approached the school gate, a familiar voice called out.
"You study here?"
Nidhal turned to see Adrien Agreste and Nino Lahiffe standing by the entrance.
"Oh, Adrien," Nidhal responded, a faint smile on his lips. "I forgot to introduce myself properly yesterday. My name is Nidhal Beaumont."
Adrien waved it off. "Not a problem! I'm Adrien Agreste, and this here is my best friend, Nino Lahiffe."
Nino grinned. "Wait, you two already know each other?"
"Yeah, we met at the park yesterday," Adrien explained. "He helped Vincent with the photoshoot."
"Well then," Nino declared, slinging an arm over Nidhal's shoulder. "Any friend of Adrien's is a friend of mine!"
As they entered the school, Plagg peeked from Adrien's pocket, his small eyes watching Nidhal carefully before vanishing again.
The camera shifted toward the entrance of Class 9A, where three girls stood chatting.
Alya Césaire, full of energy, grinned wide. "Did you hear the news? We've got superheroes in Paris!"
Beside her, Marinette Dupain-Cheng scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. "Y-Yeah, I watched the news. Let me remember… uh, BugGirl and CatBoy?"
Alya gasped in exaggerated shock. "No! Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
The third girl blinked in confusion. Amira Duvas, a fifteen-year-old with brown hair, dark green eyes, and glasses, adjusted the book she held. "Superheroes? When did that happen?"
Alya rolled her eyes. "Of course, you don't know! I bet you were buried in a book again."
Amira sighed. "I was reading Romeo and Juliet all night and doing my homework. I didn't have time to watch the news."
Before Alya could comment, her eyes flicked toward the entrance. "Look who's coming!"
Marinette turned and immediately ducked behind Alya, her cheeks flushed.
Alya sighed. "Marinette, just tell him how you feel already! Or should I do it for you?"
Still hiding, Marinette stammered, "No! I'm happy being just friends!"
Amira, who still wasn't looking at the boys, said, "You can do it, Marinette. I'm sure he'd accept your feelings. It's not that hard."
Marinette groaned. "Easy for you to say! I turn into a malfunctioning robot whenever I try!"
Alya chuckled. "More like a malfunctioning toaster."
Marinette shot her a look" thanks alya…", but Alya quickly changed the subject. "By the way, who's that with Adrien and Nino? I haven't seen him before."
Amira finally turned. The moment her eyes landed on Nidhal, her expression shifted. "...Nidhal?"
Alya grinned. "Oh? You know him?"
Before Amira could answer, the boys approached.
Adrien greeted them with a warm, "Hey, girls! What's up?"
Alya crossed her arms. "Oh, nothing much, just talking about our local superheroes. And I see you've got a new friend."
Nino nodded. "Yeah! This is Nidhal Beaumont." Alya greet him "nice to meet you nidhal " nidhal nod "it is pleasure to meet you too " alya grind with a wide smirk staring at amira
Nidhal glanced at Amira. "It's been a long time, Amira."
Amira smiled, about to respond—
But a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Oh wow, what's with that outfit? You look like a spy, Aurore."
Everyone turned to see Chloé Bourgeois, standing with Sabrina Raincomprix and Lila Rossi. Opposite her, Aurore Beauréal stiffened.
Aurore had been through hell since the Ice Queen incident. Her face still bore the moles caused by sabotaged skincare she try her hard to hide it. A tracking bracelet adorned her wrist—something the police put it. She wore a face mask and sunglasses, hoping to hide her shame.
"Oh, forgive me," Chloé continued, her voice dripping with mockery. "Maybe I should say Miss Criminal Girl."
Aurora's hands clenched into fists. "L-Leave me alone, Chloe." Chloe shrugs "and if I don't are you gonna turn into ice queen and freeze us " the mention of ice queen cause other students to turn to aurore direction whispers start "is she gonna transform again"," I heard she freeze the entire studio", "maybe she should stay home", "should stay as ice queen at least she doesn't look pathetic like now" aurora clunch her fist she memured"I'm not a criminal I just…"
Lila stepped beside Aurore, her voice sweet but deceptive. "Chloé, you shouldn't say things like that. Aurore's still recovering."
Chloé smirked. "Recovering? From what? Freezing the whole studio? Pfft. Ridiculous. More like the Loser Queen, right, Sabrina?"
Sabrina hesitated, but then followed Chloé's lead. "Y-Yeah… the Loser Queen."
Aurore's shoulders tensed. Memories flashed—police guiding her home, her mother nearly lost unconscious, her father disappointed look and the feel of the cold metal device around her wrist, the shame of it all.
Ladybug's voice echoed in her mind. Revenge is not the answer…don't let your anger consume you.
Taking a shaky breath, Aurore turned away.
But before Chloé could gloat, Alya stepped in. "Leave her alone, Chloé."
Amira added, "Don't you have anything better to do than bully others?"
Chloé scoffed but backed off slightly. She then glanced at Marinette, smirking. "What about you, Baker Girl? Don't you have anything to say?"
Marinette lowered her gaze, her voice dying in her throat. Instead of speaking, she hurried into the classroom.
Sabrina watched her go, an unreadable expression crossing her face before following Chloé
Lila gave a mock-sympathetic look. "Poor Marinette… Chloe's so mean."
Alya and Amira exchanged worried glances.
Lila then turned to Nidhal, smiling. "I don't think we've met. I'm Lila Rossi." She extended a hand.
Nidhal didn't shake it. Instead, he simply nodded. "Nidhal Beaumont. Nice to meet you." Lila glance at marinette as she enter the classroom and For a brief second, Lila's smile twisted into a smirk—one Nidhal caught.
As the group headed inside, Ms. Bustier introduced Nidhal to the class.
"You can choose any seat," she said.
Without hesitation, Nidhal walked over As he sat down, Amira leaned over slightly.
"It's really been a long time," she murmured.
He smirked. "Yeah. You still read a whole book in one night?"
She chuckled. "Only the really good ones
After ClassAs they walked home, Ayla nudged Marinette. "Girl, you need to learn to stand up for yourself."
Amira agreed. "If you keep letting Chloé push you around, she won't stop."
Marinette forced a smile, but said nothing.
Nidhal glanced at her.
A lower whisper echoed in his mind.
Her sorrow is calling. Akumatize her. Weaponize her emotions.
Nooroo peeked from his pocket, with unreadable expression.
As they reached a crosswalk, they started parting ways.
"See you guys tomorrow!" Nino waved before heading off in his direction.
Alya and Marinette said their goodbyes, leaving Nidhal and Amira walked side by side, the cool evening air settling around them.
"So… are Uncle Thomas and Aunt Elisa here with you?" Amira asked, using the titles out of respect rather than relation.
Nidhal shook his head."Nope.They're still in London with my little brother, Nadim, who is 18 months old." Then after a pause he added "as for me I'm stay at the mansion with my butler Mario"
Amira's eyes widened. "Wait, you have a baby brother? That's unexpected." A small smile tugged at her lips. "I bet he already bosses you around."
Nidhal rolled his eyes. "He's a toddler, Amira."
She laughed. "Exactly."
As they reached a crossroads, she turned to him with a teasing grin. "Well, see you tomorrow, Nidhal. And by the way..." She stepped closer, eyeing him playfully . "After all these years, you're still shorter than me."
Nidhal scowled, crossing his arms. "It's temporary."
Amira chuckled, waving as she walked away. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
He sighed, watching her go, then shook his head with a smirk.nooroo glance from his pocket another time he watching Amira go before vanishing.