Back in the village Ladybug carefully snuck back to her home and slipped in the window that lead to her room in the basement. She closed the window with a soft click making sure she did not wake Madame Rossi or Lila. Then, she began to take off her costume revealing the fragile girl that hid beneath it. Without her costume, she was a beaten and broken girl by the name of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. As she opened her satchel to put away her costume she noticed a piece of paper inside. This wasn't in here before, Marinette thought as she pulled out the piece of paper and carefully unfolded it. Using the moonlight streaming in from the window she could just barely make out what was written on the note.

Dear Ladybug,

I want to apologize for what happened last night. It was wrong of me to try and touch you without permission. I only wished to comfort you in your time of need. I promise will never harm you and my intentions will always be pure. I did not want to hurt you any further by apologizing aloud in front of everyone and embarrassing you, so I hope this letter will suffice. Please forgive me and I hope we can continue to work together.

Forever yours,

                             Chat Noir

Marinette sat in stunned silence as she stared at the note. He had apologized for what had happened even though he had done nothing wrong. It had been her that had been afraid and over reacted. She was the one that pushed him away when he was only trying to help. She should be the one apologizing not him. The thoughts swirled through her mind as she tried to make sense of Chat Noir's note. For the first time in seven years somebody cared about her and she didn't even know how to react. She knew she should be excited but her fears held her back. She had been hurt and unloved for so long, how could she trust a person she just met? Marinette sighed, she couldn't trust him. At least, not yet. However, she would except his apology. With that, Marinette pulled out her sketch book from inside her mattress and ripped out a page to write on. She knew Chat Noir deserved a reply and it was only fair. It was her fault anyway, so she wanted to make sure he knew he was not to blame. So, putting pen to paper she began to write.

Dear Chat Noir,

Please do not blame yourself for what happened that night, it was not your fault. I over reacted to your kind gesture and I let my own fears cloud my judgement. If anyone is to blame it is me. You did nothing wrong and I appreciate your concern. I will tell you that my life is far from perfect and most of my days are difficult but I make due. Please do not worry about me.

Gratefully yours,

                                  Ladybug

Marinette read over the note making sure she had not made any mistakes and then placed the note and the rest of her belongings in her satchel. Then, she carefully slipped the bag inside her mattress to make sure Madame Rossi would not find it. Marinette new if that woman found the bag that contained her costume, whip, and sketchbook she would most certainly take them away. The only items Marinette was supposed to have were her mattress, her 4 dresses, and the small trunk she kept them in. The rest of the basement was bare and the rest of her belongings had been thrown away when Madame Rossi and Lila moved in after her parents were killed. Well, except for the stuffed cat she had made when she was young. She had given it away as a gift before her parent's death. Marinette sighed as memories of the awful day filled her mind.

It was springtime and her parents were busy baking that days orders. She had just gone down to the basement to help her Papa grab some more flour and sugar when her mother's scream filled the bakery. Her father immediately scooped her up and placed her behind the barrels of corn meal in the corner. "Stay here Marinette and don't come out until I come to get you," her Papa had said before he raced upstairs. She then heard her Papa arguing with another man before she heard a loud gasp and a thud. Marinette closed her eyes as she heard frantic rustling upstairs and then silence. She waited for her Papa to come and get her, but he never came. Finally, Marinette had gone upstairs only to be met by the sight of both her parents lying on the floor dead. Both had been stabbed over a few loaves of bread and the twenty dollars in the tip jar.

After racing to get help, both her parent's bodies were removed from the house and Sheriff Roger began looking for a place for her to stay. That's when he found Madame Rossi and her daughter Lila. They had been looking to move into town but there had been no available housing. That was, however, until her parents died. Madame Rossi had immediately put in an offer to buy the home and when the news reached Sheriff Roger he immediately went to speak with her. He told Madame Rossi about the orphan girl who had once called the house home and after careful consideration she agreed to take in Marinette. Sheriff Roger immediately introduced them and the arrangements were made. The day Sheriff Roger dropped her off things had seemed like they would be ok. Madame Rossi had introduced her daughter and had shown them the room where Marinette would sleep. Once the Sheriff was satisfied she would be well taken care of he had left. However, as soon as the door had shut behind him Madame Rossi allowed her true colors to shine through.

Satisfied Sheriff Roger was gone Madame Rossi immediately grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the basement. Once they were down there, Madame Rossi immediately began to inform Marinette of the new rules and what was expected of her. Madame Rossi told her that she was now their servant and was to do whatever was asked of her, whether the orders came from her or her daughter Lila. She was also told that she would be living in the basement with only a mattress and a chest that contained a few dresses. Lastly, she would only get two meals a day, breakfast and dinner and she was not allowed to eat until after she had served Madame Rossi and Lila first. She also had to eat in the basement. Content that Marinette understood the new rules Madame Rossi had left her alone in the basement.

From then on, she became their servant coming to them at their disposal and catering to their every need. She had always done her best but Madame Rossi had always been able to spot even the slightest mistake and with those mistakes came the beatings. Madame Rossi had even forced her to sew long sleeves onto her dresses to hide the bruises she had made. Not that it mattered, Marinette was not allowed to leave the house. Her happy childhood had ended at 10 years old and her life has never been the same.

Marinette shook away the painful memory as she brushed away the tears from her eyes. There was no use in crying, it wouldn't save her from the witch of a woman that lived upstairs. The only bit of freedom she had was being Ladybug. The costume had been her mother's costume at one time. She had found it in a box stashed in the rafters of the basement. The only remnant of her parents that had been left behind and she cherished it. It was the one possession she would never let Madame Rossi get her hands on. It was the only thing that allowed her to stay connected with her childhood friends. It was also her last symbol of hope that one day she would be free. Marinette yawned and realized she needed to sleep. If she woke up late or failed to have breakfast made on time she would surely get a beating and lose her meal privileges for the day. As she got older, Madame Rossi's punishments grew harsher and if she could avoid making her angry it was for the best. With that, Marinette settled in for the night hoping that she could make it through another day.

The next morning Marinette woke up to the sun just barely beginning to rise. This was the time she got up every morning to begin making breakfast. After doing the same routine for seven years her body had learned when to wake her up regardless of how late she stayed up. With that, Marinette trudged upstairs to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. Just as she finished setting up the food on the trays an all too familiar voice shattered the morning quiet. "MARINETTE! Bring me my breakfast NOW!" Madame Rossi's voice shook the entire house as she yelled. "Coming Madame!" Marinette called back as she headed upstairs with a tray in each hand. She knew from experience that as soon as she gave Madame Rossi her tray Lila would call for hers so it was best to take them both.

Marinette placed Lila's tray on the table outside Madame Rossi's room as she entered. "Good morning, Madame." Marinette said trying her best to be pleasant as she sat the tray in the woman's lap. "Quit trying to make small talk and get to your chores. You aren't worthy of conversation anyway, now go!" Madame snapped pointing at the door. Marinette immediately scurried away not wanting to anger her anymore. Then, right on cue, Lila began hollering for her breakfast. Marinette immediately grabbed Lila's tray and made her way to the other end of the hall. "Here you go Lila," Marinette said as she placed the girl's tray on her lap. "Ugh, would you just leave already!" Lila scoffed as she made a shooing gesture with her hand. Marinette immediately left not wanting to send Lila into one of her fits. As soon as she reached the kitchen Marinette immediately shoved a warm croissant in her mouth as she began to quickly wash the dishes. She knew she was supposed to eat in the basement but if she didn't have the dishes washed and put away before Madame Rossi or Lila came downstairs she would be in even bigger trouble. So, with that thought in mind, Marinette finished the dishes and then took her last croissant downstairs to eat it in the basement before starting her chores for the day.

Madame Rossi came downstairs and found the kitchen clean and Marinette nowhere in sight. "Little urchin must still be shoving food in her face," she muttered as she packed up her purse for the day. She and Lila would be going out to do some shopping and then head to a friend's house for dinner. Madame Rossi then did a quick sweep of the kitchen making a mental note of the food they had. She wanted to make sure that if Marinette took more food than she should while they were gone she would be able to tell. Madame Rossi then began to gather her things as both Lila and Marinette made their way into the kitchen.

"Mother I'm ready to go!" Lila called cheerfully as she made her way to her mother's side. Madame Rossi looked up and smiled. "Perfect timing my dear I just finished packing my bag!" Then, as she turned to Marinette, her smile faded. "Marinette, I expect you to have your chores done by the time we get back. I will do an inspection when we return and if everything checks out you will get your dinner and be sent to bed. If things do not check out, you know what the consequences will be." Marinette nodded in understanding. "Yes Madame," she replied. Satisfied, the two ladies left the house leaving Marinette to her chores.

Marinette did the same chores everyday but Madame Rossi could always tell when they had not been done. On days that Madame Rossi and Lila left her in the house alone it was important for her to do her chores right. If she didn't, the consequences would be even more severe because Madame Rossi would claim that she broke their trust. Marinette also knew that if she got a beating it would make it difficult for her to practice with the others tonight. She had to keep herself out of trouble at all costs. With that thought in mind she began to complete her chores. After doing the same chores for so long it didn't take her long to make her way down the list. Once she was satisfied that everything was done correctly she headed towards the basement to wait for Madame Rossi and Lila to return. However, as she walked through the kitchen her stomach growled in protest making her pause as she reached the door. Maybe a small snack wouldn't hurt. If I take something small Madame Rossi won't notice. She doesn't spend much time in the kitchen anyway. With that thought in mind Marinette walked over to the cabinet and grabbed the one banana that had been left over from breakfast.

Marinette quickly ate the banana and buried the peel in the crawl space. Then she laid down on her mattress to wait for Madame Rossi. It wasn't long before she heard the door open and Lila's excited voice echo through the house. Madame Rossi immediately beckoned her upstairs to watch as she inspected the house. They went from room to room checking to make sure that they had been dusted and swept and windows cleaned. Once the house had been checked from top to bottom they made their way back into the kitchen. "You've done well Marinette, but there's one last thing I have to check." Madame Rossi said as she began opening the kitchen cabinets and peering inside. Marinette's whole body filled with dread as she neared the cabinet that she had taken the banana from. Please don't let her notice. Marinette begged silently as Madame Rossi opened the cabinet. She stared inside the cabinet for a moment before turning to face Marinette. "Marinette, where is my last banana?" Madame Rossi asked as a devilish smile pulled at her lips. Marinette let her head drop to the floor and said nothing.

She knew what was coming. Madame Rossi grabbed Marinette by the chin and forced her to meet her gaze. "Answer me!" she snapped digging her nails into Marinette's neck. "I ate it. I'm...I'm so sorry!" Marinette began to sob. She knew what was coming next. Madame Rossi grabbed her arm and dragged her to the basement before slapping her so hard she fell to the ground. "Get on your knees and take off you dress!!" she snarled as she walked over to the crawl space and pulled out her whip. Marinette did as she was told and removed her dress. She then began to brace herself for what was to come. Madame Rossi showed know mercy as she began to crack the whip against Marinette's back repeatedly as she shouted insults and curses. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the beating stopped and Madame Rossi left Marinette sobbing and bleeding on the basement floor. However, before she closed the door she spoke one last time. "I hope you enjoyed that banana. It will be the last thing you eat until Thursday morning." With that said she closed the door and left.

Marinette laid on the floor and sobbed. If she had just gone straight downstairs and hadn't eaten the banana this would have never happened. She had gotten herself in trouble and there was no excuse. She knew the consequences and had received them. Marinette body screamed in pain as she slowly pulled herself off the floor. Whipped or not she had to meet her team and help them prepare for their mission. They only had six months before the Crowning Day Ball would commence and Prince Adrien would take the oath to become the future king when his father was unable to perform his duties. Marinette wanted to get the prince on the throne sooner rather than later. The kingdom needed to be freed from King Gabriel's control. No matter what the cost may be. With that, Marinette pulled her costume on over her injured body. The touch of the fabric against her wounded back caused it to sting and burn making her flinch. Soon Marinette was dressed and she carefully made her way out the window and into the night. She could only hope that she would be able to make it through the meeting without arousing suspicion from her team.