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Four years ago...
Alya's P.O.V
"Straighten your posture!"
"Is that a hair out of place? Fix that bird's nest at once!"
"Smile like you mean it! Your looks mean everything along with your wealth and reputation."
"Do not speak unless spoken too! Men despise dominant women, who think they know it all."
"You call that a curtsy? Disgraceful is what I call it! Keep doing curtsies until your muscle memory embraces the perfect one each time without failure."
It has only been a week since father had taken me to the exiling. Mother has done nothing but endlessly train Nora and me to be proper ladies. Mother continuously slanders us for our "incompetence" so she says.
She wants us to join the Ladies of the Court since we were late in joining the wealthy class. It would be a good way of getting to know the rich families and finding a potential husband (more of it would be him finding his trophy wife).
I pitied Nora. She has to deal with mother more than me since she has to find a husband quickly. She is the oldest, after all.
Luckily, our lessons had ended around half an hour ago. It was time for bed as night had fallen over the sky. I could feel my eyelids growing heavy.
My body begged for me to sleep but this was the only time I was free. The only time I could breathe without mother putting more and more weight on my shoulders.
It has been nothing but lessons, criticism and visiting households to build our name. The most of a break Nora and I would get during the day was to eat or have a bathroom break. Even then, it was not enough.
I was worn down and could not help feeling an icy blanket wrap around my body. Everything tasted bitter and my mental stability was slowly cracking.
"This is all absurd," I muttered, smoothing out my nightgown. There was an ache in my heart instead of a fierce lion's beating.
"I despise this place," I hissed, walking out onto my balcony, "I have felt nothing but pain ever since arriving. They say it is a city of love? Ha! Paris is nothing but a city of misery! I was doing just fine living in Italy without this...this...madness!"
I let out a frustrated growl.
I am forced to be perfect and will have to find a suitable husband. I am being trained from early dawn to late dusk to be a proper lady.
Is this what my life has come too? Is my whole future set in stone?
"Maybe, this is a good thing. Living a life of poverty and disgrace sounds even worse than the life I have now," I thought.
If I mess up, there was no going back. I would be sent to the poor section. I would be all alone and trying to scrape by day by day. I probably would not be able to survive for very long and die a horrible death.
Everyone will only remember how shameful I was to my family's name...or forget that I even existed at all.
I placed my elbows down on the railing and hid my face in the palms of my hands. I let out a long, stressed sigh while rubbing my tired eyes.
Just thinking about the burdens of a rich life and what would happen if I broke the rules made my back physically ache. Either that, or it was from constantly trying to keep a straight posture.
"Are not ladies supposed to have a straight posture or something?"
Out of instinct, I gasped in fright and straightened my posture.
"I will keep my posture straight! I did not mean to slouch! I-I am sorry!" I stammered out my apology.
It took me a moment to realize that it was not my mother's voice before turning to see turtle boy. He stared at me wide-eyed in surprise, not seeming to have expected my reaction. His face softened only a second later.
Was that a look of pity?
I hate when others pity me. I am not a weak, little girl who has to hold anybody's hand. I do not want to be treated like someone I am not.
I am a powerful woman that looks down on the pitiful, not be one of them.
I glared sharply at turtle boy once realizing that his words were merely teasing.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed out the question. I scanned the area, trying my best not to look worried that there may be an Akuma around. That was the only explanation I could come up with for his reasoning to be here.
Somehow, turtle boy read my mind.
"There is no Akuma if that is troubling your mind at this moment," he assured me. I was slightly relieved by his assurance but still ticked by his presence.
"You either explain yourself or go away," I growled, wishing he would leave me alone. Could he not tell that I am not in the mood to be messed with? The teasing only improved my grouchiness.
Yet, he could be a good distraction. I admit to only myself that I am curious. It is a part of my nature. It could be a blessing and a curse.
Turtle boy seemed to unsurely study me before going to speak.
"Well, I finished my patrol early so I thought I would come to see if you were out and about," turtle boy explained, awkwardly finishing, "I was wondering if you wanted to talk...or something."
I raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
Turtle boy winced at his word choice before trying to correct himself, "I mean—or, I could just leave and forget I was ever here in the first place. I apparently came at a bad time and—um...have I told you how nice you look today?"
Turtle boy gave a boyish smile, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.
"He tried to fix his messy explanation by complimenting me?" I thought.
I blinked then let out a raspberry. All the stress from this week dulled as I erupted into a fit of laughter. It felt so good to laugh. Somehow, turtle boy's attempt to fix his greeting gave way to being funny to me.
Honestly, it was not even that funny but I am laughing as if it were the funniest thing in the world. I do not understand why I am not telling him to go away before I call the guards.
Turtle boy just stared at me in confusion like I just lost my marbles. Which, I probably have. He just kept silent until I finally calmed down from my fit.
"You truly are an incompetent fool, are you not," I said, still a bit giggly and wiping away joy-filled tears.
Turtle boy scoffed but I could tell it was not an offended one. I knew exactly what an offended scoff sounded like. Then, what kind of scoff was it? I have never heard it before.
"I will have you know that this incompetent fool saved your life a week ago," Turtle boy retorted, jokingly.
Ah, he was being playful.
I could not help smiling until realizing what I was doing.
What am I doing?
Was I actually enjoying his company? I cannot be doing whatever this tomfoolery was!
If I am caught mingling with this magic user, I will be harshly punished. This is treason! Also, I do not even know who this man is!
I shook away the smile and rolled my eyes. My arms crossed along my chest.
"At least, you are aware you are one but that just makes you more of an imbecile," I responded, venom laced in my voice, "Scurry along like the vermin you are currently being and do not return. This is your final warning and if you return, I will not hesitate to call the guards-"
"Why have you not called them by now then?"
I was caught off-guard by his question.
"Excuse me?" I irritatedly questioned.
"You heard what I said," Turtle boy said, leaning against the railing, "If you were like any other rich girl in Paris, you would have already called your guards at the sight of me. Yet, you hesitate to do so and give me a chance to leave. Why is that?"
I froze, my body going stiffer than the brick walls that made up my mansion. That was a fair question, one I did not have an answer too. Why was I just letting him escape when he should be arrested for his crimes of wielding magic?
However, there was a small voice in the depths of my mind telling me not too.
I opened my mouth but struggled to find the words. If I said anything that was not the truth, turtle boy would see straight through my lie.
So, I just answered truthfully.
"I do not know," I replied even though everything within me said otherwise.
"I think I do," Turtle boy stated, earning a raised eyebrow from me, "I think you like me more than you let on—in a companionship way, th-that is!"
I gave him an exasperated expression while my heartbeat sped faster than light.
"That is far from the truth!" I scoffed. Turtle boy caught the waver in my voice and grinned.
"Get off my balcony and get lost. Your nonsensical reasons are very irritating and I am not in the mood. I am tired and want to sleep. So scram!" I snapped, pushing him to leave.
Turtle boy was not the slightest bit intimidated. He was actually chuckling which only made me boil.
"He is no gentleman. He is rude and incompetent," I thought, bitterly. Yet, I found myself not minding and not as angry as I thought I would be.
For fraction of a second, I was thinking that I was the looney one.
"Okay! Okay! I shall leave," Turtle boy gave in. A wave of relief washed over me, finally able to get rid of this guy and ignoring the small part of me that wanted him to stay.
"Good," I huffed as he leaped onto the railing. Before he moved to depart, he turned back to me.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Carapace. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier," he said.
"I do not care. Leave. I am very close to calling the guards," I hissed, pointing out to the city.
"Right. Sure you are," Carapace mumbled.
"Did I hear you say something?" I warned.
"No, mademoiselle," he replied with sarcasm in his voice, "Au revoir."
Carapace leaped away, disappearing into the city without a trace. I let out an annoyed huff before turning in for the night.
I pray I never see that idiotic buffoon again!
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As I returned to my bedroom for the night, I let out a relieved sigh.
"I am so glad the day has finally ended," I thought. Today seemed to last so painstakingly long.
The only interesting thing that happened was an Akuma attack. The Akuma sounded like it was destroying many things from the booming noise and the shaking earth. My family spent the battle huddled in our bunker until it was dealt with. That was a nightmare.
Not only that, mother was not in a very good mood and decided to take it out on me.
Father seemed to be seen lesser with each day that passed. He would spend most of his time working or traveling to his animal sanctuaries with his pet. The only time we do see him is at parties.
I trudged down the hallway with a sore back.
Hopefully, I can soak in the bubble bath without falling asleep and go straight to bed.
"There you are, Lady Cesaire," my personal servant called. I groaned before looking at the woman.
"What?" I grouchily asked, narrowing my eyes at her. She better not have anything for me or I swear...
I was too tired to think of a good threat.
My servant caught onto my antsy behavior before respectfully bowing.
"I apologize for bothering you. I just wanted to let you know that your bathtub is currently broken and you will have to bathe tomorrow morning. I came to help you clean up for bed before departing to my quarters," my personal servant informed me.
I stared at the peasant for a moment to see if she was joking. Of course, she would be fired for pulling such tricks on any of her masters.
I let out an irritated growl before spitting out a word of confirmation as if it were venom.
I wanted to rip my hair out as a practically stomped the rest of the way to my room, with my servant in tow.
Every day seems to only get worse the longer I stay here in Paris. Mother and father said that it would be a much better improvement than our dainty house in Paris. To me, it was a downgrade.
Once we arrived in my private bathroom, my personal servant helped me clean up a little with a wet rag and soap. After I changed into my sleepwear, I dismissed my servant for the night.
I wanted to have as much peace as possible before undoubtedly passing out from exhaustion.
I fell onto my bed and let myself melt into the comfort of my sheets. I wanted to do something remotely fun but had no motivation to do anything.
I used to love writing stories and keeping entries of interesting things that happened to me.
Yet, what I loved doing seems so far away now. I was practically itching to pick up a pencil and write something. I could not since I was constantly busy and was too wiped at the end of the day.
I could feel myself already losing consciousness and starting to let slumber wrap me in its arms.
I was startled awake when hearing a rapping on the door.
I bolted up in bed and stared at the door. Who in Paris would disturb me at this hour? Surely, no one would bother me considering I now have a curfew.
Then, there came another knock.
It did not come from the door but from my balcony. I stared at my balcony doors, wondering how anyone would be able to get onto-
My eye twitched.
It had just occurred to me that there was one particular person who could get onto the inhumanly high balcony. And the only one who dares to visit me.
Suddenly, my exhaustion evaporated as rage charged my energy source.
A trail of fire was left from my every step and my teeth were grinding together. I nearly ripped away the curtain covering my balcony door to see the very guy I knew would be on the other side.
He gave me a cheeky smile and wave.
This son of a mule.
I unlocked my door and opened it. I did not give him a chance to say a single word as I hissed out, "And just what do you think you are doing here?"
"I...uh...came to check on you," Carapace answered, "I was...worried."
I raised an eyebrow, scoffing out, "Worried? That is your excuse?"
"It is not an excuse," Carapace spoke with honesty laced in his voice.
"I have told you once and again to never return. You are clearly not getting the message. So, it looks like I will have to do this the harder way," I scolded him, about to call for my guards.
A hand covered my mouth, stopping me from producing a single sound. His arm wrapped around my waist as his foot shut the balcony door.
I struggled to get free from his hold. What was he going to do to me? Is he going to ransom me for money? Unfortunately for him, my parents will not waste their money on getting me back.
Although, I do not understand why he was continuously apologizing. Why has he not carried me away yet if he was kidnapping me? Now that I think about it, he was holding me pretty carefully like he was trying not to hurt me.
"Can you please let me explain why I was worried?" Carapace requested, earning a scowl from me. I stopped struggling in his grip but crossed my arms.
"Are you going to call for your guards if I let you go?" he asked. I shook my head. Finally, he released me.
He gestured for me to join him over at the railing which I was begrudgingly compiling. Carapace leaned on the railing and looked out at the buildings.
"You have five minutes and not a second more. If you are here any longer, I am calling my guards," I spat.
"Then, I shall get straight to the point," Carapace said, "Do you remember what I told you about Akumas? How they spawn through someone's negative energy?"
"I am aware," I said with a bored tone and rolled my eyes. Where was he even going with this?
"Most of the time, we rebels do not know who is the cause of the Akumas. It is a big city, after all. Yet, I have a feeling I know who the cause of this one was," he explained, "and I believe you are the source."
Now, my interest has been restored and looked his way with wide eyes. Me? I was the cause of today's Akuma? How would he know it was me? What did the Akuma do that pointed fingers back to me?
"Pardon?" I questioned, wanting him to continue.
"The Akuma went on a rampage and destroyed many buildings. It was the most destructive Akuma we have dealt with. It was angry at the city as if it caused it pain," Carapace said, finally turning to face me, "I seemed to find a mutual aggression against the city within you as well."
He read me like a book.
"So what if you did," I snarled, "It is not like I meant to create a monster."
"I said I was worried for you. I never did blame you, nor would I blame a single soul for having feelings. I only blame the one who takes advantage of them," Carapace explained, "I just came to check up on you to make sure you are doing okay, even at the risk of you calling for your security."
He was...concerned for me? I felt something in my abdomen flutter but shoved this odd sensation aside. I cannot let my guard down or fall for his charms.
I do not know how I deserve his concern. I have constantly been rude and aggressive toward him. Why does he continue to try and win me over?
"Well, you saw me. I believe it is time for you to depart now," I said, making my way to my room, "I will call my guards next time and I mean it."
Before I shut my balcony door, I heard Carapace chuckle.
"And what is so funny?" I questioned.
"My five minutes ended three minutes ago."
I raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about? Five minutes?
"What do you mean?"
Carapace grinned at me.
"You never called for your guards."
Oh, that is what he meant. I narrowed my eyes at him, "So?"
"So," he began, "I think you truly do have a soft spot for me."
"What?!" I screeched but Carapace had already leapt away. My bedroom doors opened and my guards burst into the room, searching for the danger.
"Lady Cesaire, did something trouble you?" one of the guards asked. I shut my balcony door with irritation before taking it out of the guards.
"Does it look like something is troubling me?" I hissed, "Leave me so I can sleep."
The guards bowed and did as I asked without hesitation. I let out a growl before finally going to bed.
Although, my fueled anger only had me rolling around in bed for a few hours before falling asleep.
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