Sunny and warm was the afternoon. Inside the castle walls were quiet with nothing but the echoing footsteps of a woman walking down the hallways. She opened a door to an old chamber and proceeded. She slowly wandered, looking at the details of the room, acknowledging how untouched it was. The desk and wardrobe were covered in dust. The violin that hasn't been played in years sat against a corner.

A small red sprite depicting of a ladybug flew next to her. "Bridgette, are you sure you want to be in here?" the small kwami asked with concern. The woman laid down on the clean bed, spreading her arms and legs out in comfort, looking up at the ceiling.

"It won't be long, Tikki." She deeply took in the scent. It still smelled just like her.

Suddenly, a knock was heard. She raised her head up to see Prince Felix with his black cat kwami by his side, already walking in without permission. "The servants told me you would be in here," he said, taking a seat next to Bridgette on the bed. Plagg had the same look of concern as Tikki.

Bridgette sat up. "Please leave me be. I just... wish to be alone for once. Only a few moments."

Felix consolingly took Bridgette's hand. "You know we have a responsibility to our people. They need us."

"But I need to be alone! Just please, leave me in my sorrows." Bridgette plunged her face into a pillow so that she could conceal her tears. Felix felt obligated to pat her on the back, but he hesitated and refrained. As Bridgette hugged the pillow closely to her face, she felt her hand pushing something hard and leathery. She touched through and grabbed the corner of it. "W-what?" She pulled it out a as she sniveled, then gasped in shock.

"What is it?" Felix asked. He leaned over her shoulder to see an old leather-covered journal with a belt lock keeping the cover closed.

Bridgette unbuckled the book and flipped through pages. "It's... it's M-Marinette's diary. I didn't know she kept something like this..." She flipped back to the first page. "She kept this since she was eight."

"Well what does it say?"

July 14, XX45

Dear Diary,
Today my tutor was being really mean and really bossy again. I wish I could spend more time with mamma and papa, but they're always busy. The only one I can play with is my big sister, but she's getting busy too. It was another boring day.

---

A little ladybug flew by, and of all places it could've landed, it chose her hand. It crawled up to her index finger, and she held it closely to count the number of black spots on its red coat.

"Marinette!" The young child jolted, which startled her little buggy friend and made it fly away, out through the window. "Are you even listening?"

Marinette sat up straight in her desk, heels together and hands held. "Yes, ma'am," she replied to her teacher.

Ms. Gracia gave her a stern look. "Then what did I just say?"

"Uh... Something about the sky?" Ms. Gracia pinched the arc of her nose as she let out an intolerable sigh.

"Please, princess. Keep your head out the clouds. What I was discussing was the important history of our divided kingdoms and the Great War between the Peacocks and the Chat Noirs."

My parents are the king and queen of the Ladybug Kingdom, which makes my sister and  I princesses. Since Bridget is four years older than me, she would be the first in line to take the crown before me, at least that's what they said. She can be queen as long as I can keep being the princess. While our parents boss people around and go to meetings, me and my sister stay here in the castle. Whenever we are not playing in the gardens, we would have private classes. Ms. Gracia is our Royal Tutor. The finest in the land, and in my opinion, the most rude and patronizing. I never found the lessons amusing.

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Why can't I have lessons with my sister?" To the young princess, that would make learning a lot more interesting if she was accompanied by her sister. Just anything that wouldn't keep Marinette alone with this adult.

"Because, your highness. She is in a higher level than you, much older and more advanced than you. And unlike you, she will become queen one day to lead our kingdom."

"But if she'll be queen, why do I have to have lessons?" Marinette groaned.

"Because if anything were to happen to your parents and the future queen, you will be the only one left in line to take the throne. In addition, a proper lady must have the proper education to advance in life. Regardless, it is important for you to learn the basics of math, language, and art. It is always best to start early."

I don't care about math or playing the violin. All I want to do is to have fun. Yes, being a princess can be nice, but I never get to do anything on my own. I never really get to do what I want.

The old man clock rang, signaling it was three o'clock. Ms. Gracia closed her book. "We are done for today. Do not forget to memorize your terms tonight," she dismissed as she exited out through the door.

"Finally!" Marinette exhaled once the teacher was gone. She ran to the other side of the room and pushed a brick within the wall of a fireplace. A hidden door then opened, leading to a secret passage way. The girl giggled as she closed the door behind her and started crawling through the narrow passage.

This castle is full of hidden tunnels and escape routes in case if there were any emergencies, but I love using them as shortcuts and sneaking around. Although dark, I got used to them and memorized each footing and each corner.

Once she arrived to her destination, she pushed through the wall slowly and quietly, peaking through to make sure no one would see her. The room was empty with ornate furnitures, so it was clear to go. She ran out of the room and passed a few doors to knock on the door to her sister's chamber. "Bridget!" she called out as she knocked on the door. Marinette could hear her playing the harp from the other side.

"Not now, Marinette," she called back.

"Come and play with me," Marinette persisted.

The music paused. "I need to practice," she snapped back, then resumed playing. She would rather rub the strings of that instrument than play with me, Marinette thought. She stuck her tongue out at the door, then headed out. If she wouldn't play with her, then Marinette would go out and play by herself.

***

(Adrien)

He stumbled backwards, dropping his wooden sword and landing on his tush. Before he knew it, he was met face to face with the tip of his brother's weapon.

"Sloppy," Felix said disapprovingly.

Without breaking eye contact, Adrien quickly reclaimed his sword and tried to swing it at Felix's side. Felix swiftly moved passed him and elbowed his back, knocking Adrien to his hands and knees.

"Nice try."

Adrien looked at him tiredly. "I don't want to do this anymore," the little boy whined. They have been practicing out in the sunny courtyard for hours. His muscles were hot and tense, his hands were cramping, and his face was coated with precipitation.

"Quit your complaining. You'll thank me one day," Felix said, casually removing his practice gloves from his hands. "You just need more practice."

"But it's hard!"

"I started learning when I was your age, so it'll probably take five more years for you to get as nearly good as me."

Adrien's step brother always thought he was higher than him, just because he was more skilled and talented. If only they were related by blood Felix would be the one to take the throne, not Adrien.

Felix lowered himself and offered a helping hand. He pulled him up when Adrien accepted. "You have to stop throwing your weight around and keep your stance balanced. You're using way too much energy."

"Yeah yeah," Adrien replied, annoyed. Whenever his father wasn't around, Felix would be the one to scold him too.

"That will be all for practice today. Don't forget to transcribe your Chinese tonight."

"Okay..."

They picked up their tools and started heading inside. As the front gates were opening for a wagon to enter, Adrien took a peak of the outside and caught a glimpse of children running around, laughing. Adrien couldn't remember the last time he actually played with someone, or had fun.

"When can I go play with other kids?" Adrien asked innocently.

Felix stopped to turned toward him. "What are you talking about? You have plenty of servants and knights here to keep you amused."

Adrien looked down shyly. "But I want to make friends. Play with people my age."

Felix scoffed. "You don't need friends, only allies. Friends are just distractions. You'll understand what I mean when you get older."

Ever since his mother, the queen, died, his step father King Gabriel coordinated his life for him. Everyday consisted of scheduled lessons, and he barely got to see his father. The only companion close to his age who spent the most time with him was his brother Felix. Even with him, however, did not find the slightest comfort. Felix was second bossiest to Gabriel, as stern, but less intimidating. They both rarely pay any attention to Adrien.

All Adrien ever wanted was a friend. Someone who he could honestly talk to. Someone who could understand him.