Epilogue

Your Remorseful Father

Peace had once again returned to Paris. Adrien, Marinette, Nino and Alya had spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating their victory. Of course they came across Chloé on their way out of the TV station, finding her mildly confused. She instantly walked towards Marinette, apologised and told her she would never tell anyone; then she walked away from the group altogether.

Marinette seemed to have gained some newfound respect with the girl who was once her greatest enemy.

Of course, all of Paris was still left in the dark on Ladybug's true identity, because the Ladyblog had experienced some 'unexplained technical difficulties'.

Nadia really had to plead for her job this time, allowing this kind of scoop to slip through her fingers. Naturally, the network had found out that she'd left the studio during filming and blamed her for the lost footage. But she was given a second chance.

It seemed as though things would continue on as normal… until Adrien returned home.

Nathalie had been fed the excuse that Adrien's father had gone on a business trip and that Nathalie would temporarily be Adrien's caretaker while Gabriel was absent.

But of course, Adrien knew better. A letter waited for him on his desk, with the safe combination written on the top.

It was empty. The book, the peacock miraculous – both were taken. Adrien didn't have to guess what his father was going to do.

Dear Adrien,

Please don't tell anyone who I am, or what I am truly doing. I'm sorry that things had to end this way, but I wouldn't have been able to explain things any better in person. I have taken your advice to heart, and have concluded that it's probably best this way.

Don't ask where I'm going. I don't know, and nobody else does. You won't be able to find me unless I want you to. I'll send you a letter if I ever need to speak to you.

I know you'll never understand why I tried to get a hold of the Miraculouses. And you probably never will. But I promise I had nothing but good intentions in the end – perhaps my means of getting my wish to come true weren't too honest. That's why I'm leaving.

Please continue to protect Paris, even if I'm no longer around. You are a good person, Adrien.

Please don't let my actions affect you and let your good heart go to waste.

We'll see each other again. When, I don't know. But we will.

After all, I have to get back from my business trip someday, don't I?

Love,

Your Remorseful Father

Adrien understood his father's reasons to depart, but he didn't understand what he was going to do, or why he took the Miraculouses with him. But perhaps it was best not to know.

But he would follow his father's advice – as long as Paris demanded them to be there, Ladybug and Chat Noir would be. That was a given.

And if Le Papillon would ever return? Adrien and Marinette would make sure Ladybug and Chat Noir would be waiting for his return.

The End