The princess returns (Book 2)

I. Am. Ladybug.

"I will take everything away from you!" "You think Adrien will ever love you?" "I won't let a bunch of pathetic kids stop me from getting the miraculous!" "Ahhh!"

I sat up with a scream and opened my eyes quickly. Alya and Chloe immediately woke up and let out heavy gasps.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" asked Chloe as she rushed over to me. Alya quickly did the same and before long, Adrien was by my side too.
"How did you hear her Adrikins?" asked Chloe, grabbing hold of my hand. Adrien sat beside me and wrapped me in a hug and Alya grabbed my other hand. They were trying their best to comfort me.
"I don't need to hear her. I know. I felt it the other day when I was in London and she was in China," he explained softly. I rubbed my eyes and let a yawn escape my lips.

"I think I'm okay now," I said. I let my gaze wander to the window and I saw a shadow of what I remembered to be Hawkmoth. I shivered at the sight but the moment I saw it, it vanished.
"We're not alone," I whispered, shaking my head. The three of them looked to where I was looking.

Adrien got up and walked towards the window.
"She's watching, isn't she?" he asked. I shook my head violently.
"It... it... it was... h-h-his s-Shadow," I stammered, my body beginning to tremble.
"She's absolutely terrified," said Alya with a sad sigh.
"Of what though?" asked Chloe with a frown.
"Hawkmoth," came the reply. Chloe nodded slowly in understanding. Adrien only had to say one word and everyone immediately fell into silence.

"I'm going to the kitchen," I said, excusing myself before getting up and leaving the room.
"Wait-"

I found myself wandering around the once lonely mansion before finding myself in the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of milk before sitting down at the dining table. I felt a gush of wind blow right past me.

"Care to join me?" I asked.
"Trouble sleeping princess?" asked the bitter voice I knew to be Lila. I looked up at our eyes locked. Her eyes sent daggers to me and mine only sent frustration.
"Why are you here?" I asked. She took a seat next to me and grabbed my drink. She then moved it so that it was now in front of her.

"You invited our class members to protect you? Scared you're gonna wound up like Hawkmoth," scoffed Lady Butterfly.
"Not really. I'd embrace that," I said with a shrug.
"Y-you want to die?" repeated Lila, eyes widening. I grabbed my drink and moved it so that it was now back in front of me.
"No," I answered. "But I wouldn't be scared of it." I shrugged before finishing my milk.
"You are a strange girl Marinette. I don't know what Adrien sees in you," said Lady Butterfly with a growl.

"He sees everything in her that is not in you. Generosity, compassion, loyalty. Oh, and many more things but the other main one is honesty," said a familiar voice. We looked at the doorway and Chloe was standing there in her yellow dressing gown.
"Chloe Bourgeois," snapped Lady Butterfly.
"Rossi," snapped Chloe as she took a seat beside me. "Coming from an ex-love interest of Adrien, I'm warning you back off."
"And why would you say that?" asked Lady Butterfly with a smirk.
"Because, if anyone is going to take Adrien away from me, I want it to be her," explained Chloe smugly.

I blushed at that, reminding myself to thank her later.
"Oh but Chloe, I could give you your miraculous back and he could be yours. I could give you everything you ever wanted with a click of my fingers," said Lila, smirking with mischief written all over her face.
"Once upon a time, that would have worked. And it did. And if it were to work, then there'd be one person in your army who would make it feel ridiculous. And that would be me. Because the whole time, I will be standing with Marinette," snapped Chloe.

"Lila, there's something I need to tell you," I said, crossing my arms.
"And what would that be?" she asked, glaring at me.
"I. Am. Ladybug," I said.