Chapter Text
My dearest Gabriel,
First , I want you to know that this isn’t your fault. I am choosing to do this, not because I don’t love you and Adrien, but because I love you both so much. I couldn’t let this happen to you- either of you.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. If you found this, it means that I lost the battle (though hopefully not the war). I am hurt beyond any doctor’s aid, possibly even dead. Duusu warned me this could happen; a damaged Miraculous is nothing to play with. But I didn’t have a choice, if I wanted to save my son.
But I have to begin at the beginning. I am- was, if you’re reading this- Le Paon. I have been the hero since before you knew me, Gabriel.
I know what you’re thinking. How could I have kept such a secret from you, how dangerous being a hero is…I have had this gift of a burden for a long time. And most of the time, it’s not that dangerous. First, my power is to create defenders, not fight myself. And second, I have a partner of sorts, La Belle Dame (Painted Lady).
Had a partner. I can’t call her that now. If I ever could, since I didn’t know her name until a month ago. And before all this, we’d never even met. I couldn’t believe she could be any kind of threat…but I couldn’t take that risk.
It began after a battle in a remote village near Milan, about six months ago. You remember- where we were shooting the new fall line? There was a woman there, whose husband was beating her. I could feel her pain and heartbreak through the distance. After making sure Adrien was napping, I transformed in the hotel room (it was so easy then! The Miraculous wasn’t broken!), and made her a senticreature that would remove her from her abuser and take her to the hospital. I had no idea then that she was so connected- everyone in that remote village turned out to that small country hospital to check on her and make sure she was all right. I guess they had suspected the man for a while, but were unwilling to confront him while the woman was loyal.
Her explanation of a giant taking her away was being written off as a delusion brought on by the trauma- except by one person. Her godmother, who found me. Don’t ask me how. I’m convinced it was magic, since I had stayed in the hotel room and far away from the drama.
But the old lady did find me, in the hotel dining room.
“You are the one,” she said, speaking accented French but not even introducing herself. “The Peacock who saved my goddaughter.”
I was used to hiding by then; I tried to play it off as a misunderstanding. I couldn’t even get a sentence out around her. “No, you are the one. These eyes can see it, and many other things. And I will return the favor, Peacock.”
She sat down across from me, gripped my hand, and closed her eyes. “You have a family. A loving husband, who works hard to provide for you. A beautiful son, a ray of sunlight to all who meet him.”
It was no secret why we were there, but this felt- odd. Like she really could see all of us. It made a chill go down my spine.
“I can see your son’s life. He will wield a power, like you, but greater. He will be the Black Cat, and his Ladybug will love him very much.” That made the chill stronger. I knew from the book I had acquired when I found Duusu that those were the most powerful of the Miraculous.
The woman’s voice suddenly turned darker. “But the Butterfly will destroy your son’s life. And not even his Lady can shield him from it.”
I didn’t want to hear any more. I jerked my hand free; the woman seemed unaware that I’d even moved. I grabbed my purse and headed back to the room as fast as I could.
Adrien was sitting there, finishing the schoolwork his tutor had assigned. I smiled as he ran over for a hug, trying not to let him see the distress I was in.
It couldn’t be true! I had worked with La Belle Dame many times before; her ability is to infuse power into a person, creating a hero for a given situation. She was a good person; she had to be. She created superheroes who helped in the worst situations! I never had reason to doubt her- the old woman must be wrong!
A bit of inquiry in the village quickly shot that down. Signora Bianchi (Lei Che Vede, they called her) is never wrong, according to the people of the village. Most were curious about what she said to me; I said it was very private, and they accepted that. But one young man said something else.
“It is true Lei Che Vede is always right,” he shrugged, “but her Sight doesn’t tell how it will happen, only that it will. Some have tried to avoid what she sees, and ended up causing the problem. Others who accept what they are told seem to fare better.” He patted my arm. “I can tell that you are worried. Whatever she said, just let it happen. It will not be so bad.”
…
I can’t do that. I can’t let my son’s life be destroyed by someone I thought a friend. An ally!
So the last few months, I’ve been trying to get to La Belle Dame. If I can get her Miraculous away from her, she will never be able to destroy Adrien in the future. He and his Ladybug will have the chance to be happy. And that’s all I want for him.
About a month ago, Duusu’s pin got damaged. I’ve still been using it- that’s why I’ve been sick. But I can’t stop now. I’m very close, Gabriel. I may have La Belle Dame pinned down by tonight. And- no matter what else happens- I’m going to get her brooch away from her.
If you find it after I’ve taken it away, I’m trusting you to hide it for good. You’re a good man, Gabriel; I know you won’t let this fall into another’s hands, where it might destroy our son. I know if you’re reading this, that you’ll have to raise Adrien without me. I know you can do that too. You are so strong, so determined- I know you will keep Adrien from harm and let him be happy!
And if our son is alive and happy- that will make all this worth it.
I love you forever,
Emilie
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Gabriel placed Emilie in the cryogenic chamber he had gotten right after he had found her. She’d had no heartbeat, no breath against his weeping cheeks. He would never feel her vibrant love again. Unless he succeeded.
He had come upon her just as she detransformed and collapsed in his office, violet brooch in one hand and the grimoire he had seen her studying in the other. He had enjoyed looking at the pictures the few times she had shown it to him, explaining it was a book of hero’s tales for children. Although the language it was written in wasn’t one he knew.
That was less important than the little creature that came out of his wife’s peacock pin, twittering in distress. The tiny thing was so distraught, he could barely make any sense out of what it was saying. But the most important person was on the floor of his office.
He questioned the tiny creature, who called herself Duusu. She gave him a little bit of information- that she was a kwami, that she could give magic powers to a person, that his wife had died of it due to the damaged pin- but not why. He pressed, he threatened, he wept, and yet the little thing just shook her head and sobbed.
How Emilie could have done this, he still couldn’t understand. Why had she kept such things from him? What could possibly have made her endanger herself that way? Didn’t she know how much Adrien needed her? How much Gabriel needed her?
But if magic did this to Emilie, then perhaps magic could undo it. He would study the grimoire; the small purple brooch in Emilie’s hand looked something like one of the pictures in the book. Perhaps it was another of these- Miraculous? Odd name - and he could use it to bring Emilie back.
He would bring her back. By any means that came to hand.
A rustle of paper in his hand distracted him. The discreet funeral home who had prepared Emilie’s body for the chamber (and faked a funeral in the family crypt) had found an envelope on her, sealed and addressed to him.
He wasn’t going to read it. If Emilie thought a note was enough to explain what she’d done- well, it could wait until she was back again. He wasn’t going to read those words- his wife’s last words- because they Would. Not. Be . Her. Last.
She was going to come back. She had to. Gabriel tucked the letter back into Emilie’s jacket, and closed the lid of the chamber. Activating the pod, he turned and left the underground grotto.
Whatever he had to do to get Emilie back would be worth it.