It's Time to Change

by Natkapak29

Summary:

Gabriel, with the power of the Rabbit, can change the course of history. Aware of how fragile time is and how easily it can lead to tragedy, he decides to travel through it to create the one, perfect reality. Yet, unknowingly, he keeps making the same mistakes instead of taking the simplest solution.

Chapter 1: Prologue

M: We can work out a solution on our own human scale, even though it won’t be perfect as we want it to be.

 

Gabriel sank into thought, processing Marinette’s words. He knew she was right — they all were — but he had been deaf to their words. Nathalie had tried to stop him, to remind him why they were doing all of this, and in return, he had accused her of betrayal. Emilie too would have been horrified at what he had become — blind to love, consumed by the desire for revenge.

 

He could have had everything. He could have given Adrien the family Emilie had wished for him. And now he had lost it all. Nathalie and Adrien hated him and would probably be happy if him gone. There was no future for him anymore — even if death no longer hung over his head. That was why, in this, Marinette was wrong. His mistakes could not be undone within the bounds of human possibility. He had condemned himself to this fate — a life in solitude. And so, there was only one solution left, the one he believed would make everyone happy.

 

Gabriel watched as BugNoir stepped away from him and then detransformed into Marinette. She extended her hand to him, urging him to take it. Perhaps under different circumstances, he would have tried — but now, with nothing left to lose, only one path remained.

 

While the girl spoke with the kwamis, Gabriel pressed the ring holding the power of the Bee Miraculous and lunged at Marinette, paralyzing her. He took the Miraculous he had fought so long for and put it on. He quickly stopped the kwamis from rebelling — having learned from his previous failure when he had been closest to victory — and then spoke the sequence.

 

Before his eyes appeared two divine figures — Ladybug and Cat Noir. He commanded them to merge, creating a new being radiating immense power, which formed a pink barrier around him, keeping the others from reaching the wish. Gabriel removed all the rings, freeing the unconscious girl, who, upon waking, immediately began pounding against the barrier, trying to stop him.

 

He smiled faintly at the sight, not understanding why she wanted so badly to save his blackened soul, for which there was no salvation. He turned to her, asking for a favor — that Adrien would never know what kind of monster he had become or that he was the reason their family had fallen apart. He knew it was selfish — to leave in his son’s mind a false image, to become a hero in his eyes. But Gabriel had never claimed to be otherwise. His entire fight had been proof of that.

 

He stood face-to-face with the divine being and made his wish: read ''my heart, read my soul'', believing that in this way, he could repay Nathalie for everything she had done for him, while also apologizing for all the harm he had caused her.

 

Suddenly, his body — along with Emilie’s — began to rise into the air, bringing them closer together. Gabriel rested his head against hers, closing his eyes, feeling for the first time in a year light and free — free from obligations and broken promises. Even as he was dying, in that fleeting moment, he felt truly alive.

 

A great light burst forth, blinding everyone, as it created a new reality.

 

͠

Monarch stood frozen, unable to believe the scene unfolding before his eyes. His gaze, filled with pain and fear, was fixed on the burrow, while his clouded mind tried at once to comprehend and deny events before him. He couldn’t move, nor force out even a single syllable.

 

He remained in a trance, as if his body had turned to stone — far too heavy to move. Only when his legs, weak as if made of cotton, gave way beneath him did he collapse to the ground, unable to stay upright. He transformed back into Gabriel, feeling the weight of his suit as a single tear fell to the floor.

 

The freed kwamis watched the designer in silence, deep down believing this was the end. Though in their eyes the man had been a villain, his current state stirred them slightly. In this moment, the villain had vanished, leaving behind only a broken man. Yet, despite this fleeting empathy, none of them spoke — waiting quietly to see what would happen next.

 

G: “Nooroo… what I saw… is… is that my future?” he stammered, his voice trembling.

No: “Yes, Master. If you continue down this path… you will die.”

F: “But you can also change the course of events. Time is very fragile, and the smallest decision can completely alter your fate,” replied Fluff, the kwami of the Rabbit Miraculous, which had given Gabriel the ability to travel through time.

G: “What do I have to do?”

F: “It’s hard to say. It’s the classic domino effect — every decision you made set off the next tragedy. You have to stop the source that started the entire chain reaction.”

 

Gabriel looked at the flash drive he was holding in his hand. It was supposed to be the solution to all his problems — it was supposed to bring Emilie back, prevent Nathalie’s illness, rebuild a complete family. But instead, it had destroyed everything, as he let himself be consumed by revenge. What was meant to be the new beginning had turned into a living hell for all of them.

 

Once again, he saw in his mind the image of Nathalie’s hateful eyes, ready to shoot him to protect everything that had once been dear to him. Then his gaze shifted toward the burrow through which he had come — to the place where Nathalie was waiting for him, still unaware that in a few moments she would hate him.

 

He let out a heavy sigh and pushed himself up from the floor. He knew the time had come to decide. The heroes would soon discover his absence — unaware of his scheme. After so many failures, he wanted to secure himself, and so he devised a plan.

 

͠͠

Having received the flash drive from Nathalie, Gabriel stepped through the burrow with determination, ready to change the course of history. He touched one of them, sliding through events until he found the one he was searching for. At moments, images of time spent with Nathalie and Adrien flashed before him, but he was blind to them now. He wanted only one thing — to save his family and not disappoint the only person who had believed in him, risking her own life for him and his love ones.

 

He knew this flash drive would not only prevent Emilie’s death, but also save Nathalie, who — despite her reassurances — was still suffering. And he had no idea how else he could help her.

 

Suddenly, a scene appeared before his eyes that brought a sting to them and a lump to his throat — the picnic that started all the tragedies. It was then that Emilie had first reached for the Miraculous, creating life and sealing her fate.

 

As his younger self lifted Emilie into his arms and began to walk away, Monarch reached through the portal, slowly setting the flash drive down. But he felt resistance, as if something was holding him back. The happy ending was so close, yet he hesitated. He pushed his hand forward, but his body would not obey his mind. He turned his head, unable to fully step through the portal, when suddenly he saw before him a box he knew all too well.

 

He wanted to cast it from his thoughts, to focus on his goal, but the thoughts began to poison his mind. He pulled away from his possible future and touched the burrow to his right.

 

He searched for another moment from the past until a scene appeared before him — one also burned into his memory — Heroes’ Day. Back then, he and Nathalie had worked side by side, certain of their victory. The plan had seemed flawless… and yet they had lost, forcing her to use the damaged brooch, sealing her fate as well.

 

He stood between two pasts that had led two women dear to his heart to their inevitable deaths. Though the choice should have been obvious — Emilie, a reunited family — Gabriel remained motionless, unable to decide. He glanced once more at the flash drive before stepping toward Heroes’ Day with determined steps, silently promising Emilie that he would return and fulfill his promise.

 

Just before crossing the portal, he stopped. A voice in his head told him to halt — not to turn back, but as a warning, a signal to protect himself from the trap set by the heroes. Most of the time, he had silenced that inner voice, throwing himself into battles without hesitation, but this time he chose to listen.

 

He stepped away from the portal and combined the powers of the Snake, Butterfly, and Rooster Miraculous. Using the Rooster’s power, he granted himself the ability to control events, creating a copy of himself capable of traveling between timelines and temporarily influencing the course of history. It would be Gabriel who decided whether a given version of reality would be preserved or left as nothing more than a hazy memory in his mind.

 

He then used the Second Chance power to create multiple alternate realities without risking the heroes’ unplanned return. Once everything was ready, he sent his duplicate through the portal, creating the first reality.

 

͠

He transformed into Monarch, knowing the time had come. Hesitating too long would mean losing everything. Before his eyes, the portal leading to the reality where he would die hated by those closest to him shimmered with an orange glow, waiting for his decision. He had two choices: step through the portal, accepting that fate, or use the power of Second Chance and start again.

 

The choice seemed obvious. He had no intention of walking the path toward death. Yet, despite his resolve to make the right choice, there was no joy in him. The hesitation and uncertainty he had felt when trying to give the flash drive to his younger self still poisoned his thoughts. He didn’t understand his own emotions, trying to quiet them — all he wanted was to be happy with the woman he loved. After the tragedy he had endured, one that would forever remain in his memory, he had vowed never to repeat his mistakes. He knew it was hesitation and doubt that had led them all to their deaths.

 

Determined and focused on the only right goal, he reached for the Snake Miraculous to start over… but at that moment, the heroes stepped through the portal, ready to fight.

 

L: “Surrender, Monarch, before you destroy your future as well!”

M: “Do not be afraid. This time, I intend to do it right.”

 

Seeing the confusion on their faces, he activated Second Chance, giving them no time to respond. Once again, he stood before the two burrows — this time alongside his double, who had saved him from certain death.

Chapter 2: It’s time to do it right

Monarch, clutching the flash drive in his hand, stepped this time without hesitation into the moment when he and Emilie were beginning a new chapter in their lives — expanding their family. As the young couple headed toward the estate, Monarch placed the flash drive on the blanket along with a note briefly explaining the events to come. He knew that soon his younger self would return to tidy up the picnic while Emilie spoke with Dussu, learning the way to create life.

 

Wanting to witness that moment, he used the Rooster Miraculous, becoming invisible. He leaned against the estate wall and waited. Just as he expected, young Gabriel returned to the picnic, gathering the dishes and placing them in the picnic basket. Then his eyes suddenly fell on a small blue object lying beside a note.

 

Confused, he glanced around in search of a possible sender, but he was alone — though he could clearly feel someone’s gaze on him. He picked up the note and began to read.

 

Dear Gabriel,

You have been given a second chance by fate to change your story. The miracle you found, which was meant to be gateway to eternal happiness, has become the key to the gates of hell. Looking at this piece of jewelry, you have probably noticed small cracks, believing them to be the result of passing years — every object loses its splendor over time, yet its beauty can still amaze, giving it uniqueness. Nathalie taught us this, showing us the beauty in destruction.   Unfortunately, these cracks bring destruction. Any bearer who uses it condemns themselves to death, giving away fragments of their soul until it is completely consumed, taking their life. This is the fate that awaits Emilie if you do not stop her. She will create a son identical to herself, unaware that he will be the cause of her worsening condition, ultimately leading her into a magical coma.   That is why I ask you — change our fate, saving us all. On this flash drive you will find a way to repair the Miraculous so that Emilie can use it safely. Hurry, so you will not have to repeat my mistakes.

Good luck.

 

Young Gabriel read the note again, unable to believe its contents. The author, despite the lack of a signature, was obvious — only one person could know such details: himself. This knowledge shook him to the core. The awareness that all of this had already happened, leading to tragedy, was difficult to accept. He didn’t want to believe it, yet the proof lay in his hands. Emilie would die — or, as his future self-had put it — fall into a magical coma.

 

He didn’t know why he had been allowed to change the past, nor how he had managed to go back. He had learned a little about magic from listening to Nathalie’s stories, yet even she had never encountered such a powerful artifact. The Miraculous had vanished along with the temple, and it was pure chance that had allowed them to discover the peacock and the butterfly when they had begun to lose all hope.

 

He began to look around the garden, calling out in the hope that his counterpart would answer and explain many things. But the only reply was a gust of wind that lightly ruffled his hair. Even though he had never believed in signs or destiny — not even after meeting Emilie — he decided to believe now. He smiled faintly, unaware that he was looking directly at his future self - a version soon will be forgotten.

 

He was pulled out of his trance by Emilie’s voice—she was ready to bring life. He shook himself from his thoughts and ran to their room as fast as his legs could carry him, to stop his wife from making the greatest mistake of her life.

 

Monarch watched his younger self rushing away, fixing the mistakes of the past. He smiled to himself, believing it was the end. At last, he did something right, getting a happy ending. Though he could have stood there waiting to disappear, waking up beside his beloved once again, he wanted to share this news with Nathalie. After all the struggles and hardships caused by her worsening health, she deserved to hear — it’s over.

 

He used the Rabbit Miraculous and returned to the room between times. He found another burrow leading to Nathalie and stepped through the portal. He transformed into Gabriel, watching the woman anxiously pacing back and forth, waiting for his message. He approached her from behind and hugged her tightly. Nathalie, startled at first, jumped, but recognizing Gabriel’s jacket, she relaxed.

 

She turned to look at the face of the man she had loved for so many years, despite knowing her feelings would never be returned. Gabriel’s face shone with joy, expressing more than a thousand words. Happy, she threw herself around his neck, hugging him tightly, feeling relief — even though her heart was breaking in two, knowing that everything she had experienced with Gabriel would disappear forever.

 

The man immediately returned the embrace, holding her as tightly as if afraid she would vanish any moment. Though neither said it out loud, they both knew how much they would miss each other, losing the memories of their shared small adventures. They remained in silence until they both vanished, appearing in a new reality — in their new life.

 

 

͠

Gabriel woke up with a start, feeling disoriented. He had dreamed about something important — that much he knew — but he couldn’t remember what it was. It was as if only an empty feeling remained from the dream. He looked around the room — he was in his bedroom, a place he knew well, having spent every night there. And yet now, it felt unfamiliar, as if he hadn’t been there in a long time.

 

Suddenly, the blanket on his left side shifted slightly. Glancing that way, he noticed a blonde-haired woman sleeping peacefully. When she turned toward him, revealing her face, Gabriel froze. Emilie, his wife, was lying beside him. He had the strange sensation that this was something new, even though he experienced it every night.

 

He stared at her face, trying to make sense of the feeling, but it refused to leave his mind. Only when his wife opened her green eyes and looked at him uncertainly did all the confusion vanish, and the memory of the strange dream faded into the mist. He smiled at her, kissed the top of her head, then lay down beside her, pulling her close, and slept through the rest of the night.

 

The next day, as sunlight streamed through the mansion’s windows, he felt light and happy. He had a beautiful wife by his side and a son who was perfect in every way, whose intellect surpassed all the children his age. Gabriel had been unsure at first about Emilie’s decision to homeschool Adrien, but seeing his progress, he knew they had made the right choice. Adrien was free from bad influences who only desired his family name, and he was focused solely on his future.

 

Life in the Agreste household went almost always the same way, as if they were caught in a loop of perfection, where every day was ideal, like something out of a fairy tale. Gabriel spent most of his time designing, of course using Emilie as his muse, creating great new collections in her honor. His wife, in turn, took care of their son. Her acting career had not brought her the fame she once hoped for, but neither of them cared. Money had never been an issue, allowing them to live at a high standard, so Emilie could fully devote herself to raising Adrien, preparing him for his future role — as the main model.

 

Even though Adrien was only seven years old, modeling was no challenge for him. He always posed alongside his mother, having great fun with it, and his fame and fanbase grew by the day. After work, the family would sit together for dinner in the large dining room, enjoying each other’s company and regaining their strength for more time together. Adrien was an active child, often running around the mansion and watching the staff at work. That was why their main game became tag, which allowed him to burn off his excess energy. Most often Emilie was the one chasing him, while Gabriel watched from the side — though sometimes he joined in as well.

 

When the game was over and Adrien’s eyes began to slowly close, his parents would take him to bed, holding him until he fell asleep. Then they would go to bed themselves, awaiting the next wonderful day.

 

Gabriel wasn’t surrounded only by his family. His best friend — Nathalie — also held an important place in his life. Busy with her travels, she couldn’t visit them often, but she spoke with Gabriel almost every day over video call, telling him about her adventures. Emilie and Adrien would often join in, urging her to finally come visit. After many requests — and Adrien’s “puppy eyes,” for he loved Nathalie as much as his parents did — she agreed, announcing that she would come at the end of the month.

 

The days passed, and the Agreste family waited eagerly for their guest. They didn’t know, however, that soon everything would slowly begin to fall apart. Though Gabriel still spoke with Nathalie daily, their conversations became shorter, and she seemed restless and often distracted. Whenever Gabriel asked her anything, she would answer vaguely and quickly change the subject. The following week, she called only twice, and in the last week — not at all. Worried, Gabriel tried to reach her, but every time he was met with her voicemail. Growing increasingly uneasy, he waited impatiently for the day of her arrival.

 

Friday, the last day of the month, greeted them with gloomy skies. Although Gabriel didn’t believe in superstitions, he had a bad feeling. The family began the day as always, and despite the gray weather, everything once again seemed perfect — like a fairy tale. Unfortunately, their mood was broken by a message from Nathalie, which Gabriel received during a shared meal. She apologized, explaining that something important had come up. She had been given an urgent matter she couldn’t abandon, but promised that as soon as it was resolved, she would come right away.

 

Though the message brought sadness to all three of them, still longing to see their friend, they spent the rest of the day as usual — enjoying each other’s company.

 

Months passed, and there was no sign of Nathalie. Although he knew she was busy, he always stood in front of the screen, waiting for her to call and tell him about her adventures, as she always did. When they spoke every day, he hadn’t realized he could miss something as simple as her voice. Over time, he began to feel a certain emptiness — a missing piece. Yet he never allowed it to affect his relationship with his family. He always smiled at them, spending time just like before. Meanwhile, he locked his sadness and longing away in the atelier, believing every day that he would hear her voice again.

 

Months turned into years. Eventually, Gabriel began to forget about their routine conversations, stopping to wait for them. He focused solely on his family, trying to make them as happy as possible, increasingly neglecting his own needs. He didn’t realize what a negative impact this would have on his life.

 

Another sunny day dawned, greeting their happy family. For Gabriel, however, it was the worst day. He felt tired, as if he hadn’t slept for many nights. Even Emilie’s radiant smile didn’t lift his mood. He got out of bed, ignoring his wife’s confused look, and went to the kitchen, knowing he would need a lot of coffee to survive the day. He stared at the drink, waiting for it to cool. Nathalie’s trivia about coffee came to mind, bringing a faint smile to his face. He missed her and was fully aware of it. She was not only a friend but also support — motivating him to act and standing by him in his doubts. With Emilie, though she was his wife, he had never felt so secure expressing his emotions. He feared that his flaws would destroy the perfect life they had built together. After all, he was a designer admired by millions, captivating with his creations, with his heart devoted to only one woman, despite working with many models. He didn’t want his family or the world to discover that he was, in truth, a broken man losing his passion for what he did day by day.

 

Lost too deeply in his thoughts, deaf to the world around him, he didn’t notice the kitchen door opening — nor the figure who crossed the threshold of his solitude. Emilie approached her husband in silence and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Gabriel flinched slightly at her touch, but soon relaxed, letting the feeling wash over him. It granted him a moment of relief, allowing him to return to his role as the perfect husband and designer — slipping the mask back on, casting aside all grief and uncertainty. To the world, once more, stood a happy man with a perfect wife and son, adored by millions, living in a bubble of apparent bliss, unaware of how little it would take for it to burst, spilling all his suffering into the open.

 

Life went on, allowing no pause even for a moment of rest. Gabriel, as a fashion designer, had to set trends and create new collections. So, stuck in his perfect routine, he sat before the screen, working on a new collection for the upcoming Fashion Week. The main theme was autumn elegance, which shouldn’t have been a challenge for him — he had created many pieces in shades of green, Emilie’s favorite color. This time would be no different — consistent, perfect. Something everyone knew and admired.

 

But now, standing in front of the monitor, Gabriel felt emptiness. He tried designing several midi dresses with long sleeves, playing with various shades of green and adding brown accents. Although the design wasn’t ugly and suited Emilie, Gabriel didn’t like it. He deleted sketches and started over but still wasn’t satisfied with the result. He was grateful for technology that allowed him to revise designs repeatedly — otherwise, he’d be surrounded by piles of crumpled paper.

 

Wanting to take a break, he began absentmindedly doodling patterns. Choosing red, he drew a simple, rather square dress, thinking he would erase it soon. But as he added more contours and details, the dress began to take shape. Gabriel created a knee-length burgundy pencil dress with a slight slit on the left leg. Around the waist was a thick belt with a golden buckle, and over the shoulders draped a long chocolate-brown coat reaching down to the legs. On the model’s feet were black, thigh-high boots, black as night.

 

Gabriel looked at the final design and was captivated by its look. He wanted to create the rest of the collection in this style but stopped. The dress didn’t suit Emilie either in appearance or color. Showing it to the world would betray his muse, replacing her with a new woman. To the world, her identity would remain unknown, and the design would fit only into autumn’s color themes. But to Gabriel, the model’s face was too familiar — he feared Emilie would notice the resemblance too. He wanted to delete the design, staying loyal to his one muse, but he couldn’t — it was too beautiful.

 

So he decided to hide it in a folder with other projects inspired by Nathalie, which he even kept hidden from Emilie. Nathalie had always been his inspiration, and he never denied it, but he wanted the world not to know. Just as he was about to save the design and lock it away in the folder, Emilie entered the studio with Adrien, holding his hand. Both were curious about Gabriel’s progress and wanted to see his work. Seeing Emilie’s surprised eyes, he wanted to explain and apologize, but to his surprise, she was delighted, unaware of the model’s true face.

 

Seeing his hesitation, she encouraged him to continue, not worrying about the colors. The outfit perfectly matched the autumn palette, and the different color scheme would surely impress the critics. Gabriel smiled at his wife, appreciating her words, though feeling guilty. Still, he listened and created a beautiful autumn collection that would be remembered for a long time.

 

As everyone had expected, the event turned out to be unforgettable. Gabriel’s outfits were stunning, combining elegance with the warmth of a family home. Critics and guests gave him a standing ovation as the fashion designer stepped out and bowed to the audience. Gabriel watched the crowd, feeling happy and fulfilled after so many years of burnout. He longed to create again, already mentally planning his next collection. Believing his life had returned to perfection and that the darkness that had settled within him was gone forever, he invited his wife on stage, thanking her for everything — without her, he couldn’t have created such a breathtaking collection. He sealed his declaration with a kiss. The crowd cheered, admiring the most famous couple, while in that moment Gabriel was living a nightmare. The kiss, which should have been full of love and passion, was empty. He felt nothing, and kissing Emilie’s lips felt foreign to him. They pulled away, looking uncertainly into each other’s eyes, aware of that feeling. Fortunately, the guests did not notice the tension between the spouses.

 

That night, after putting Adrien to bed, they had the conversation they had been postponing.

 

E: “Gabriel…”

G: “I’m really sorry, Emilie. I don’t understand anything.” Gabriel covered his face with his hands, feeling broken.

E: “Hey, darling, look at me, it’s nothing.”

G: “Nothing! I can’t kiss you with love, and for you it’s nothing!”

E: “Gabriel, calm down.”

G: “Sorry… it’s just…” he sighed heavily. “I’m afraid there’s something wrong with me. What if I stop loving you soon…” He said the last word almost in a whisper.

E: “You know very well that won’t happen… you’re going through a tough time, you’re just tired and stressed.”

G: “Do you really think so?”

 

Emilie took Gabriel’s hand, smiling gently at him.

 

E: “Yes. We’ll take a vacation, you’ll rest from work, and come back full of strength.”

 

Gabriel lifted Emilie’s hand to his lips and kissed it, then smiled.

 

G: “You’re right.”

 

They lay down to sleep, cuddling as always. Although Gabriel wanted to believe his wife, he was afraid that tiredness wasn’t the problem, knowing how happy he had felt before the kiss. Yet he decided to try, hoping to find a solution to his problem.

 

A month passed, during which the entire family was preparing for their vacation together. Emilie and Adrien took care of planning the trip — from the place of stay to the attractions they wanted to see. Gabriel, meanwhile, worked hard, wanting to finalize every detail in the company so that during the vacation he could completely disconnect. He also had to prepare the next collection, ready for the grand event that was to take place a week after their return.

 

When everything was already prepared, the whole family — packed and ready to travel — went to the airport, to the private jet that was to take them to the capital of Italy — Rome. They needed privacy, wanting to rest from fame and intrusive media.

 

When they arrived after a two-hour flight, they went to the most luxurious hotel, from whose windows there was a view of the majestic Colosseum. Wanting to have as little contact as possible with other guests, they rented a spacious suite on the top floor. It consisted of two bedrooms with private bathrooms and a small kitchenette, although the family knew they would hardly use it, ordering meals directly to the room instead.

 

The vacation began — one that was meant to restore joy and love for life to Gabriel. The family toured Rome, traveling in private cars and reserving exclusive hours for sightseeing. Adrien was delighted each time, asking the guide countless questions. This liveliness of his son brought a slight smile to Gabriel’s face — the child’s joy warmed his heart. He then understood that they should leave the walls of the residence more often and travel like they used to, back when Nathalie was still with them, passionately telling the stories of the places they visited.

 

Although this trip was meant to bring him peace, it paradoxically deepened his sadness. He still missed his friend and feared that something bad might have happened to her. During the entire vacation, he almost never let go of Emilie’s hand, which often brought a smile to her face and a light laugh at his “clinginess.” But for Gabriel, this gesture had a deeper meaning. He wanted to once again feel warmth in his chest when holding his wife’s hand, to feel his heart race when their fingers intertwined, or when he saw her smile. Instead, he felt emptiness, which terrified him. Every gesture seemed forced and artificial, and he feared that Emilie would notice. Fortunately, enchanted by the vacation, she seemed not to.

 

In the evening, wanting to gather his thoughts, he decided to take a walk, leaving Emilie and Adrien in the apartment. He put on a hoodie and jeans, wanting to blend into the crowd as much as possible and avoid being recognized. He walked, lost in thought, trying to find the cause of his condition. He knew it wasn’t tiredness — despite his gloomy mood, he felt rested, for the first time in a long time able to free himself from the overload of duties.

 

There were some people around, but no one paid him much attention. He felt relief, being invisible even if only for a moment. Suddenly, in the crowd, he noticed a familiar streak of red hair. He rubbed his eyes, convinced it was just an illusion, but when he looked again, he still saw it — slowly moving away among the people.

 

Without hesitation, he ran, pushing through passersby, never taking his eyes off the target. He didn’t even notice when he returned to the hotel building where he was staying. He ran inside, catching up to the figure and touching her shoulder. Unfortunately, it was not the woman he expected. Though she had a red streak like Nathalie, her eyes were green — like Emilie’s. Desperate, he apologized to the stranger and walked away.

 

He entered the hotel bar and ordered a brandy, wanting to celebrate his failure in this way. But when he turned to leave and return to his family, he saw her. Nathalie. She was sitting on a couch with another man, signing some documents.

 

Without hesitation, he approached, not caring about his appearance. He cleared his throat slightly to get their attention. At first, Nathalie didn’t recognize him, but after a moment her eyes widened in surprise, and she threw herself into his neck, hugging him tightly. He returned the hug, sinking into it.

 

After a few minutes, they pulled away, genuinely smiling. Nathalie introduced her companion — a government official. Because her mission was top secret, Gabriel could not learn any details, but now he understood her long absence and lack of contact. After exchanging pleasantries, the government official said goodbye, leaving the friends alone. Gabriel took his place, ready to tell her everything that had happened in his life.

 

At first, the conversation revolved around Nathalie’s expedition. Although she couldn’t reveal the details, she spoke of the adventures she had experienced before finding the artifact. Gabriel listened to her as if enchanted, longing for their long talks and her voice. For a moment, he felt lighter, forgetting the problems for which he still had no answers.

 

However, his moment had to come as well. At first, he avoided serious topics, talking about his family, the successful Fashion Week where his collection was named number one, and the vacation during which Adrien admired every detail. He chuckled softly, comparing his son’s behavior to Nathalie, who always spoke of her adventures with passion and enthusiasm. Nathalie laughed too, joking that maybe one day Adrien would join her.

 

Unfortunately, the happy atmosphere couldn’t last forever. The uncertainty and fear that had plagued Gabriel’s soul since the fashion show, reflected in his sad eyes. Nathalie, knowing him too well, immediately noticed the change in mood and wanted to find out what was troubling him.

 

At first, Gabriel tried to dodge the question, avoiding answers to keep the cheerful mood, but seeing Nathalie’s unwavering gaze, he sighed deeply and began to share his problems.

 

He finished the brandy he had ordered and looked at Nathalie with a serious gaze. He began to talk about his marriage and how with each passing day, they were growing more distant. Every time he tried to show Emilie love and devotion, he felt like a stranger, as if he were a fraud rather than a devoted husband. But the last straw was their recent kiss, which should have been full of passion and desire but turned out empty, without emotion. He told her that the vacation was supposed to solve his problem — he blamed fatigue and stress, yet even the break hadn’t brought those feelings back.

 

Having heard Gabriel’s story, Nathalie looked at him sadly, seeing the suffering in his eyes. She took his hand, trying to comfort him. Grateful for her support, he smiled softly, though the sadness remained.

 

They stayed like that in silence until suddenly Nathalie came up with an idea. Although she was not very experienced in love — having only experienced it through her feelings for Gabriel — she wanted to help him. Books, although often exaggerating the subject of love by portraying it in an overly sweet way and forgetting the hard work it requires, she decided to use as inspiration.

 

In Gabriel and Emilie’s marriage, passion and desire had been lost due to the lifestyle they led. The solution seemed obvious — time spent together that would rekindle that spark.

 

Pleased with the idea, she presented it to Gabriel, volunteering to take care of Adrien. Gabriel, though initially skeptical, believing that he alone was the cause of the problems, agreed, knowing he had nothing to lose.

 

They went together to Gabriel’s apartment, surprising the rest of the family. As soon as Adrien saw Nathalie, he ran up to her and gave her a big hug. In a joyful gesture, she tousled his hair, happy to see him. Then it was Emilie’s turn, who embraced her friend, slightly annoyed by her long absence.

 

When Adrien finally went to bed—reluctantly, as he wanted to hear more stories—Nathalie shared her idea with Emilie. Woman felt a bit unsettled hearing about the troubles in her marriage from her friend instead of her husband, but she was glad to hear about the day they planned to spend together, believing it would rekindle the old flame of their love.

 

The next day, leaving Adrien in Nathalie’s care, the adults went into the city, spending the time together. They explored Rome, their hands intertwined, admiring its architecture and strolling through the crowded streets.

 

Wanting to rest, they stopped at a café for coffee and pastries, sharing them with each other. Gabriel bought a red rose from a nearby florist—the kind Emilie loved so much—and weave in into her hair. Then he invited her to dance, savoring the melodies of a street musician.

 

From afar, they looked like the perfect, loving couple, unaware of anything beyond each other. However, only Emilie’s eyes shone as she looked at her husband, while Gabriel’s were empty. No matter how many romantic gestures he made, nothing was rekindled in his heart—it was cold as stone, no longer capable of love. Still, he was glad Emilie enjoyed their time together.

 

Their last stop was a walk along Ponte Sant’Angelo. They paused in the middle, bathed in the light of the setting sun. Gabriel took her cheek and kissed her, trying to convey genuine feelings. Seeing Emilie’s happy face, he believed he had managed to create an illusion—he could fake the emotion that, for reasons unknown to him, had vanished. Smiling at her, they returned to the apartment, still holding hands.

 

After returning from vacation, he remained in the illusion he had created. He was the loving husband who had deceived the whole world—and above all, his own family. Nathalie was the only one who seemed to suspect something, yet she stayed silent, likely waiting for him to confide in her. But he chose to keep it to himself, convinced he could go on living this way—unaware that the truth would soon come to light.

 

One sunny day, he went with Nathalie to pick up fabric samples for his new collection. Emilie, who usually accompanied him, had to stay home with a sick Adrien. The boy had a fever and a cough, and she didn’t want to leave him alone.

 

In the store, despite having company, Gabriel focused entirely on the fabrics, savoring their textures. It was one of his favorite tasks, and even with all his wealth and resources, he always personally selected the materials.

 

Suddenly, the sound of a woman’s laughter reached his ears. He ignored it, absorbed in choosing more samples, momentarily forgetting his companion’s presence. Once all the carefully chosen fabrics were in his hands, he made his way toward the counter—only to be met with a sight that caught him off guard.

 

Nathalie was standing beside an unfamiliar man, engaged in an animated conversation about fabrics and color choices. The man was clearly trying to impress her, occasionally slipping flirtatious remarks into the exchange. To Gabriel’s surprise, Nathalie responded with a smile or a soft laugh.

 

He meant to walk past, reminding himself she had every right to be with whomever she wished. But when the man took her hand and laced his fingers with hers, something inside Gabriel cracked. The shock made him drop all the fabrics he was holding.

 

Quickly kneeling to gather them, he tried to ignore the strange pang in his chest. Unfortunately for him, Nathalie immediately stepped over to help. When their hands brushed, a familiar warmth spread through his chest.

 

Startled, he let the fabrics fall again. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Gabriel realized just how dire his situation was. He wanted to deny it—to remain loyal to only one woman—but as he gazed into Nathalie’s blue eyes, he sank deeper and deeper into them

 

He thanked her awkwardly and, keeping as much distance as possible, headed to the counter. Nathalie, not understanding his sudden coldness, grew slightly sad. But he knew he had to cut himself off — to reconcile his heart with his mind.

 

After the incident in the fabric store, Gabriel began to distance himself from Nathalie, trying to suppress the feelings he was starting to develop for her. Unfortunately, this also cooled his marriage — he stopped playing the role of a loving husband, afraid to give in to the forbidden emotion. Yet all his efforts were in vain. His feelings for Nathalie grew, and ordinary gestures, which had never been an issue before, now brought a flush to his cheeks.

 

Over time, he managed to control it to some extent, but one look from Emilie was enough for him to know — she already knew. His eyes had betrayed him, gazing at Nathalie with love. It was something he could not control, despite his best efforts.

 

From that moment on, his life began to fall apart. Emilie tried many times to bring up the subject, but Gabriel brushed off her questions, repeating that Nathalie was only his friend. He knew that lies would do little good, yet he wanted to believe them himself in order to regain his former life.

 

Sadly, it went on for too long, and Emilie was no longer willing to wait. After a year, she decided to file for divorce, convinced there was another woman in his heart — despite his assurances. Gabriel agreed without protest, granting her custody of Adrien and half of his fortune. He didn’t even try to fight. He knew it was his fault… or rather, the fault of his treacherous heart.

 

Despite his feelings for another woman, the divorce was a difficult time for him. He and Emilie separated on friendly terms, so she encouraged him to open up to Nathalie, believing that she felt the same way about him. But Gabriel didn’t have the courage. He felt guilty, even though he knew he had no control over his feelings, and despite doing everything he could to save his marriage.

 

He loved Nathalie and finally accepted it, but chose to punish himself by denying himself happiness. He left Nathalie unaware of the whole truth, and without reason to stay, she returned to her former life—traveling and collecting new artifacts.

 

Meanwhile, Gabriel was left alone in the large villa, shutting himself within its four walls. The only person who visited him was his son, who came by during the last week of the month.

 

 

͠

Monarch stood frozen once again, staring intently at the burrow. This time, however, his eyes showed no fear or pain. No. This time, he felt a strange sense of relief, as if he was glad the created reality had failed. He had done the right thing, saving them all. He had gained everything he had fought for during that time, risking the lives of Nathalie and his son. He had the perfect life — a life many would envy. Yet it ended tragically. Once again, he was alone, just like in the first reality, with the difference that this time his loved ones did not hate him.

 

He stepped back from the burrow, transforming back into Gabriel. The Kwamis silently hovered over his head, watching his actions — likely believing this was the end. He saw two outcomes, both leading to the same result, so what else was left for him? Although he should have asked a better question — who?

 

Nathalie — his best friend who had stood by his side for so many years, risking her life for the happiness of him and his family. If Emilie’s words were true, she had been in love with him for a long time, yet she remained silent, never trying to seduce or take advantage of his pain after losing Emilie. Though he wouldn’t be entirely honest, knowing that she had unknowingly done just that.

 

He, however, was blind, deaf to the signs, deaf to his own emotions, despite holding the Miraculous of emotions. It took seeing a reality where his counterpart — even though he had everything — fell in love with Nathalie for him to understand. Now he could no longer be surprised by it. Nathalie hadn’t won his heart with her looks or personality. It was her golden heart, selflessness, and love offered without expecting anything in return that made his heart beat faster. Her touch always calmed him, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want it more each time.

 

However, a problem arose. The feelings were mutual, but what good would they bring if Nathalie soon shared Emilie’s fate? Emilie’s death was a blow to him, even though he had never truly been as happy with her as he claimed. The bubble of illusion burst, and reality finally reached his mind, revealing the true events. This world was beautiful because Nathalie was in it — the glue of a great machine. When one element is removed, even the most perfect machine begins to break down.

 

Nathalie was his refuge, allowing him to briefly remove his mask and show the face of the real man. This was not a new discovery — he was aware that with Emilie he never felt comfortable revealing his true self, trying to be perfect in every way, forcing himself to fit into her world, which despite all his efforts, never accepted him. Yet with Nathalie, he always found acceptance. She saw him at his worst and still never turned away. Even when he became Monarch. She wanted to stop him because he went too far, but she always saw simply Gabriel — a man who longed to be loved and accepted as he was.

 

With this thought, he decided to create a new reality, focusing on the woman who had given him so much and whom he had never properly thanked. With warmth in his chest and his heart beating wildly — finally accepting the feelings he had deeply hidden — he transformed once again and reached for the power of a second chance, just as the heroes appeared once more, ready to stop him.

 

L: “Surrender, Monarch, before you destroy your future as well!”
M: “I tried to do it right, but it turned out this wasn’t the life I wanted. I chased a woman with whom I wasn’t truly happy, instead of moving toward a future with an amazing woman who gave me everything.”
CN: “I know that pain. My father is also losing his chance at happiness, living in the past, even though he’s in love with it — no matter how much he denies it.”
M: “You should make him realize it more. I had to see it with my own eyes to finally understand that I was in love with her.”
CN: “You look less stubborn.”
M: “You’d be surprised.”
L: “Guys, focus!”
CN: “Right, sorry, my Lady. So Monarch, surrender, and maybe we’ll give you time to confess your love to your beloved!”
M: “I have a better idea.”

 

Monarch activated Second Chance, giving them no time to respond. Once again, he stood before the two burrows —alongside his double, but this time with a new hope kindled in his heart.

Chapter 3: For her

Monarch stared into the burrow, showing his first major battle. Heroes’ Day, which was supposed to end all suffering and bring a new beginning. Unfortunately, as he had learned many times before, he failed, experiencing even greater losses. Nathalie sacrificed her health and life to protect him and his secret. She suffered every time she put on the Mayura cloak again, longing to be his support and help. He took advantage of her devotion, though he was not blind to her suffering and the lies she fed him, desperately trying to help him. Yet her offer tempted him every time, and he gave in, hurting her more and more.

 

He wanted to repay her — to provide support in her illness, to take care of her as she had taken care of him, but she refused. She hid her pain, fighting a lonely battle. As if she were afraid to show weakness, though to him she was the strongest person in the world. Now he regretted never telling her that. He regretted never confessing all his feelings: admiration, gratitude, and the love that, day by day, crept into his heart, filling it completely.

 

Now, however, he could make it all right — let her enjoy being Mayura and use the full potential of the Miraculous. To create an unbeatable duo that inspired fear throughout Paris. That thought brought a smile to his face. Although he had never desired power, with Nathalie by his side he always felt as if he could conquer the world. With that thought, he placed his hand on the burrow, manipulating time to reach specific moments of his life.

 

First, he had to obtain the damaged jewel to protect Nathalie from her inevitable fate. He knew the moment when she was supposed to acquire the miraculous, so he had to choose a time that would allow him to sneak into the safe unnoticed, take the jewel, and return a repaired version. It could not happen too early, or he would be caught, but he also could not delay, condemning Nathalie to the same fate. He decided the perfect moment was Catalyst’s akumatization.They were both occupied then, focused on the plan, unaware that they would be defeated.

 

Just as he had planned, he did it — he took the miraculous from the safe and returned to the room between time. Now the repair was left to him. Fortunately, he knew the perfect place to do it. A place with prepared ingredients and a translated set of instructions, waiting to be used.

 

He found the burrow leading to the moment when the miraculous was repaired and stepped through it, finding himself in the hideout. He watched as his past self descended in the elevator, surely heading to Nathalie’s room to share the wonderful news. If his memory was correct, he had spent many hours in her room that day, until sunset, before returning to clean up the ingredients. That gave him plenty of time to work slowly, following Nathalie’s instructions, which she had spent many nights translating from the guardian’s notes.

 

When he had completed all the steps, the miraculous rose, glowing with a bright light, before falling into his hand — whole, fully repaired, without the slightest crack. Overjoyed, he slipped the jewel into his pocket and, with the rabbit’s power, returned to the moment he had taken it, placing it back in its spot. Now, with everything done, all he had left was to wait. He used the rooster’s miraculous to become invisible, and then — with the horse’s power — transported himself unnoticed to the hideout, where he watched Catalyst’s actions.

 

Leaning against the wall, he listened to the exchange, chuckling softly under his breath. That day he could only hear her voice echoing in his head, but now he had the whole picture before him. Nathalie, despite the seriousness she usually showed to the world, could be just as dramatic as he was. His thoughts were broken by Catalyst’s sudden scream— a sign that it was time.

 

He watched as the woman hurried to the elevator with the intention of obtaining the miraculous. He tensed, waiting nervously for her return. Though the jewel should have worked flawlessly, the unease would not leave him. A moment later he heard the sound of the elevator and saw Nathalie in her civilian form. On her chest shimmered the brooch, ready for action, while the little kwami Duusu circled cheerfully around her head.

 

When he looked at her more closely, he noticed the determination painted in her eyes. He knew she was ready — determined to save him no matter the cost, no matter her own health. He admired it, yet it terrified him. Nathalie could go to the greatest sacrifices for her loved ones, completely forgetting about herself.

 

She spoke the formula, taking on the form of Mayura. She stood unmoving, and yet radiated an aura of mystery and grace that made one want to follow her every command. Monarch, too, was captivated. His heart suddenly quickened, and his cheeks burned with a familiar warmth. He could not take his eyes off her. Only her voice pulled him from the trance as he watched her speaking with his past self.

 

She persuaded him to accept the power, which he had at first refused. The moment he once again heard her voice in his head, his heart stopped for a moment. He wanted to scream for her to stop — he didn’t want to lose her. Yet she possessed one trait that always irritated him: she could convince him of her reasoning, even if the inner voice begged him to change his mind and spare her suffering.

 

The connection was cut. Monarch knew his past self was safe, but Nathalie’s condition remained a mystery. He held his breath, waiting and watching, quietly believing that everything was all right. A moment later he heard a loud sigh of relief and released his own breath. Nathalie was safe — that was the most important thing.

 

She, however, did not look pleased. Confusion was written on her face. She removed the magical jewel from her chest and began to examine it. When she looked more closely, her eyes widened in surprise. The cracks had vanished, leaving the gem untouched. But she had no time for further thought, for she heard the sound of the elevator. Moments later her gaze met Gabriel’s, full of fear.

 

Without hesitation, the man rushed to her and embraced her tightly. Nathalie stood frozen, confused by the sudden gesture, but eventually she returned the hug. She stroked his back in wide circles. They remained like that in silence, unwilling to part. Gabriel was the first to pull away a little, still staring at her face in disbelief. He took her face in both hands and said:

 

G: "Never do that again, Nathalie. Understood? You’ll give me a heart attack."

N: "Gabriel, I’m fine. The miraculous, it… it repaired itself."

G: "What!?"

N: "Look."

 

Nathalie handed the jewel to Gabriel, who began to examine it carefully, immediately looking at its underside. Just as she had said, the miraculous was whole, leaving no trace of the former cracks. Gabriel looked at Nathalie in confusion, and she gave him a small smile. They knew they would not solve this mystery, yet now they could become stronger, permanently gaining an additional ally, bringing them closer to achieving their goal.

 

Without a word, Gabriel touched Nathalie’s back, slowly leading her to the elevator. The day’s events had still left many wounds, mainly in the mind. The awareness of defeat, which could have led to the worst, had left its mark on them. That was why they decided to devote the rest of the day to recovery, spending time together.

 

Monarch watched as the adults moved away, entering the elevator together. His past self still kept a hand on Nathalie’s back, as if he needed to feel that she was still there with him, and their earlier embrace, however, was far from friendly. Now Monarch was beginning to understand Adrien’s words. If his son had witnessed this kind of behavior, he couldn’t blame him for suggesting their relationship. He now hoped that their more frequent cooperation would strengthen the bond even more, ultimately abandoning the mission in favor of a shared future. He also began to wonder about his own feelings. Had cooperation with Nathalie, the fight for a common goal, created them, or merely intensified what already existed? Yet he didn’t have time to think about it any longer, as he began to slowly disappear. He closed his eyes, smiling to himself, unable to wait for his new life.

 

 

͠

Nathalie sat at her desk, replying to yet another dull email about mistakes in deliveries. Sometimes she wondered if it was deliberate, just to make her job more difficult. Mistakes happened, that was human, but in this case it was edging into incompetence. Gabriel Agreste was a respected, world-renowned designer — working for him should have been considered an honor, something worth doing with the utmost care. Yet these people seemed to have no respect for any kind of work.

 

She let out a heavy sigh, her gaze shifting to the platform where her boss usually stood, sketching new designs inspired by his wife. Now, however, the place was empty, and the monitor stood off, cold, unused for many hours. She knew he was spending that time searching for a stray soul to akumatize. What she didn’t understand was his decision to sideline Mayura. Although ‘incomprehensible’ was a wrong term. She knew perfectly well why he was stalling, and his excuses only confirmed her suspicions. He claimed he wanted to sow uncertainty among the heroes by not yet revealing Mayura as his official partner. But the truth behind it was much simpler — fear.

 

The miraculous repairing itself still remained a mystery, and the undeciphered Grimoire offered no answers. They had no certainty that the jewel wasn’t toying with them, luring in its next victim and feeding on their life force. Nathalie’s fingers brushed against the miraculous resting on her chest. Once she had become its official wielder, it had adapted to her, taking on a new camouflaged form. Now, the brooch depicted a silver peacock adorned with benitoite, forming the bird’s belly.

 

The sound of the elevator suddenly broke her thoughts, and moments later her boss appeared, a sour look on his face. She didn’t need to ask — she knew he had lost. She hoped that next time he might be more willing to accept her help, but for now she kept her thoughts to herself. As always, she rose and walked over to him, resting a hand on his shoulder and offering a faint smile of support. He turned toward her, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. She felt that he wanted to ask her to don Mayura’s cloak, yet hesitation still held him back. She waited, meeting his gaze, believing him to speak. But he looked away instead, focusing on the screen before him. Nathalie sighed softly, withdrew her hand, and returned to her desk, believing he would change his mind tomorrow.

 

In the following days, they stayed in the same pattern. Gabriel akumatized his victim, then returned to the atelier with a sour expression. She comforted him, believing that he would eventually give in and ask her to join officially, instead of standing aside. Unfortunately, she was met only with his averted gaze, which made her wonder whether Gabriel was actually designing, or merely scribbling, keeping her at a distance and delaying his answer to her question.

 

Watching his latest akumas, she could see that he deliberately chose victims, wanting to prove to her that Mayura’s power was not needed yet. In two cases, she could have agreed with him. A hurt director or the bitter old man were poor choices, easy targets to defeat. Her Sentimonster, no matter how brilliant, could do little here. But the last akumatization—Backwarder—was wasted potential. Mayura’s power could have created a great clock controlling time, assigning each victim an individual moment to rewind, ensuring Gabriel’s victory.

 

She believed that the day Gabriel would finally give in was coming soon. She knew well how much he missed Emilie, and each failure pushed him further from the life he dreamed of, with his wife by his side. To her surprise, she did not have to wait long. The next akumatization turned out to be the chosen one, where Mayura would finally show her power to the world, spreading fear in the hearts of Parisians. Gabriel stood in front of her desk, looking like a frightened animal. He tried repeatedly, opening his mouth, but no sound came out, and then he closed it again. Only when Nathalie placed her hand over his, giving him courage, did he speak.

 

That was why she now stood in his hideout, lightly illuminated by the only source of light — a large, round window. She stood at the back, the brooch faintly glowing in the darkness, ready to act. Only when Gabriel, after his monologue, asked her to join him, with a slight smile on his face, did she step forward, standing beside him and beginning her role as Paris’s new villain.

 

She transformed into Mayura, absorbing the brooch’s power as it spread through her veins. She felt excited, like a child who had received a long-desired gift. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Hawk Moth, who immediately looked away when caught. She smiled slightly at his reaction. She knew he was still worried, unwilling to risk her health. His protectiveness made her heart beat faster each time, a warm feeling swelling in her chest. Yet, as always, she had to push her feelings aside, focusing on the goal — the young girl from Adrien’s class.

 

Hawk Moth, meanwhile, watched Mayura out of the corner of his eye, admiring her appearance. It was the first time he had seen Nathalie transform, and he could not take his eyes off her. She displayed class and grace, and the dress perfectly highlighted her curves. Although he should have scolded himself for this thought, wanting to remain faithful to his wife, a designer’s eye always notices beauty, and he couldn’t deny it — Nathalie was a beautiful woman in every form.

 

He shook his head, staring into the space ahead. He held out his hand, waiting for the butterfly he planned to use for dark purposes. Soon, one of his little “friends” landed on his palm, gently fluttering its wings. Gabriel always wondered why such fragile creatures were drawn to him, even though he turned them into servants that carried misfortune, feeding on the pain and suffering of others. Perhaps they sensed his own pain and sought to feed on it.

 

He enclosed the butterfly in his hand, imbuing it with dark energy, then sent it into the crowded streets of Paris toward his next victim. As usual, his lines were unavoidable, but he tried to keep them fresh, playing with words to distract himself from loneliness. Now, however, sharing this space with Nathalie made him feel uneasy. It was as if his wordplay suddenly seemed pathetic, failing in her eyes, while he feared her judging gaze. Yet, she followed his lead, improvising her own lines and sending a feather that followed the butterfly to its target.

 

As the butterfly entered the girl’s bracelet, forming a mask on her face that combined the powers of the butterfly and the peacock, Hawk Moth spoke, beginning his speech. Manipulation had never been a challenge for him — victims usually agreed to accept the power, driven mostly by a desire for revenge. This time, however, he decided to play, confident that the woman beside him would follow his lead. He became more expressive, gesturing broadly. In that moment, he felt like a teenager preparing a prank, not an adult men burdened by a promise that grew heavier with each day. Mayura’s participation, perfectly completing his lines, only intensified that feeling — he wanted to enjoy the experience fully, savoring the moment.

 

Unfortunately luck was still on the side of the ladybug. Gabriel suffered another failure, even though he believed today would finally bring him success. He was no longer alone — he had the support of a woman who, like him, pursued her goal relentlessly. With her power, the akumas became stronger, causing greater destruction. In addition, the heroes were forced to take on new roles today, switching miraculous — something meant to bring them defeat.

 

Feeling his blood boil, he clenched his fists, fighting with all his strength to avoid exploding and accidentally taking it out on Nathalie. Suddenly, the anger disappeared, replaced by warmth spreading through his chest. Mayura took his clenched hand, gently lifting it. Her pink eyes stared at him intensely, a soft smile on her face. She reassured him of the strength of their cooperation, confident that next time they would win. But those words quickly faded from Gabriel’s mind — all he could focus on were Mayura’s hands and the warmth they radiated.

 

When she let go of his hand, probably believing she had calmed his anger, she transformed back into Nathalie. Hawk Moth stared at his hand, feeling the warmth leave, already missing her touch. He shook his head quickly, his face taking on a bitter expression — ready to spit out the words flooding his mind. He lowered his hand, transforming into Gabriel, waiting for darkness to fall as the window — the only source of light — closed.

 

The two adults stood in the dark, silent. The only sound in the room was the squeaky voice of the kwami — Duusu, flying joyfully around Nooroo, enjoying her first mission. Gabriel glared at both kwamis, ruining the cheerful atmosphere. Nooroo, with his head lowered, flew to his master, hiding in his jacket, while Duusu continued hovering.

 

Without a word, not looking back, Gabriel walked away and entered the elevator, leaving Nathalie behind, watching him with a sad gaze. As he disappeared, leaving her in darkness, she sighed loudly and motioned for the kwami to follow her, returning to the atelier where stacks of documents awaited her.

 

 

Since the defeat that carried such a heavy burden and proved that even a new ally could not overcome the luck favoring the heroes, he had kept his distance. His interactions with Nathalie were limited to professional matters — he only asked her for reports or information about new collections. He knew this hurt her; he saw the sadness in her eyes, yet felt it was necessary. He had to deal with his own emotions for their collaboration to function again like a well-oiled machine.

 

The subsequent akumas, in which he used only the butterfly miraculous, reflected his own emotions — those of a father wanting to protect his child and of a lovesick teenager wanting to protect his beloved. Gabriel’s feelings combined both. By keeping his distance from Nathalie, he tried to protect his heart, remaining loyal to Emilie, yet the memory of her touch never left his mind, each time igniting an inexplicable warmth in his chest. Though he wished to forget, he could not. His subconscious continued to punish him, replaying the same scenes in his dreams — sometimes staring into Mayura’s pink eyes, other times sinking into Nathalie’s blue ones.

 

On the other hand, Nathalie had begun to blame herself for Gabriel’s distance, believing her failure was the reason. As Mayura, she was supposed to secure his victory — with the repaired miraculous she could finally use her full potential, and yet she had failed. The heroes’ switch was an additional blow. Knowing they had been weakened, relearning their powers, which should have given villans the advantage, weighed on her all the more. Still, she hoped Gabriel would give her a second chance, allowing her to prove herself. For now, she could do only one thing — wait.

 

The days went by, and nothing improved between them, leaving a heavy tension in the air. Nathalie also pulled back, waiting for Gabriel to decide the future of their partnership, while in the meantime she diligently carried out her duties. She now stood at the entrance to the mansion, waiting for Adrien, who was scheduled to return home. But he surprised her by arriving with company. Gabriel had never allowed Adrien to bring friends into the house, and the boy knew that well. That was why the presence of the green-eyed girl sharpened all of Nathalie’s senses, making her wary of the guest. But it was the girl’s words that chilled her and sent shivers down her spine. She mentioned Adrien’s slipping grades — something Nathalie herself was held accountable for. She knew the boy was very intelligent, but she had noticed how often he vanished or was late to class, which could affect his results. She had been hiding this from Gabriel, not wanting Adrien to get into trouble and be forced back into homeschooling. So, still uncertain, she let the girl inside, trusting Gabriel would spend hours in Emilie’s crypt, unaware.

 

In the meantime Gabriel stood in silence before Emilie’s coffin. He struggled to find the right words, still feeling guilty about the dreams of Nathalie. He knew nothing had happened — it was only his mind playing tricks on him, refusing to let go. Nathalie’s gesture had been nothing more than support, and that was nothing new to him. She had always been there for him — they were old friends who had endured so much together. They trusted each other completely, ready to leap into the fire together. He knew that without her, he would have long since descended into madness and lost the battle before it even began.

 

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, dragging him from his thoughts. He opened the message to see a picture of an unfamiliar girl pressing a kiss to his son’s cheek. With anger tightening his grip on the phone, he strode toward the elevator, demanding answers.

 

He flung the door open, slamming it against the marble wall. The sound echoed through the room. His employees, who should have shown loyalty, clumsily tried to hide the girl. He shot Nathalie an angry look, which slowly softened as he saw the fear on her face.

 

But when the girl—unaware of the word “discretion”—stepped out of hiding and greeted him, his blood pressure spiked even higher. He shouted at Nathalie, ordering her to go straight to his office. Then he stood by the window, staring at the landscape, hands clasped behind his back, holding a phone with a photo.

 

Nathalie, unusually flustered, began to explain herself, thinking only of Adrien and his grades, worried that she might limit his ability to attend school. Gabriel, however, knew that the boy’s absence allowed him to lead a double life. It had also been Nathalie’s argument when she asked him to send Adrien to school. All the more irritating was how easily she could act behind his back. Moments ago, he had spoken of trust, only to be met with betrayal.

 

Nathalie’s maternal care only made his emotions more complicated, showing how easily she could replace Emilie and how pointless his mission seemed when the arguments he had convinced himself lost their power. That was what fueled his anger. He vented it on Nathalie, ordering her out, compelled to correct the mistake she made. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the sadness on her face; if he didn’t know her, he might have thought she was close to tears.

 

When the door closed, leaving him alone, he let out a heavy sigh, cursing himself inwardly. He knew he had overreacted. None of it was Nathalie’s fault—she performed her duties with utmost care, worrying only about their needs. The problem lay with him, still at odds with his own emotions. He knew he had to apologize to her, because their bond and the harmony that had made their collaboration so smooth could completely fall apart. Especially since he longed for closeness, even though he had been the one to create the distance. He wanted to go to her room, but his miraculous flashed, sensing emotions that perfectly fit his plans.

 

 

The plan had failed once again, losing to the teenagers. This time, however, he wasn’t bothered. He felt neither anger nor frustration. On the contrary—a mischievous smile played across his face as he began to devise a new plan, involving a certain green-eyed girl. Her manipulative skills were extremely useful to him, and her ruthlessness intrigued him. He suggested a meeting, offering closer access to Adrien in exchange for a small favor concerning his friends. He knew the teenagers were a perfect source of negative emotions, and he had just found the driving mechanism that could provide many new victims in the future.

 

Once alone, he moved on to executing his second plan—rebuilding his friendship with Nathalie. He climbed the stairs to her room on the left, gently knocked, and then entered. When she saw him, surprise flickered across her face, along with a hint of unease in her eyes. He sat on the bed, asking permission first, and quietly stared at his feet, searching for the right words. A heavy silence filled the room, weighing on both of them. Nathalie stayed quiet, waiting for Gabriel to make a move, and he was fully aware of it. He knew it was his responsibility to mend the friendship he had damaged, a friendship strained by his own emotions. He longed to regain the closeness he had missed so much. He took a deep breath and looked Nathalie in the eyes.

 

G: “I’m sorry, Nathalie, for… for my outburst. I shouldn’t have let it happen, and I should have controlled myself better. I know you had good intentions, thinking only of Adrien.”

N: “It’s partly my fault too. I shouldn’t have acted behind your back, knowing how much you dislike strangers in the house.”

G: “Still, that doesn’t excuse my behavior. So I apologize again, sincerely.”

N: “I forgive you.”

 

Despite the apologies, the atmosphere didn’t improve, leaving an awkward silence. Both knew that today’s events hadn’t changed the distance between them. Many words remained unspoken, both uncertain about the direction their relationship should take. Aware of the situation, Gabriel spoke again, hoping his words might illuminate what had been left unsaid.

 

G: “I know I am the cause of our distance, which I started myself. Because of that, our relationship suffered. I want to apologize for that as well, and try to clarify things. Know that none of this is your fault—the problem lies with me.” Gabriel fell silent, searching for the right words. Confiding in Nathalie had never been an issue for him—he knew she would listen without judgment, always offering her support. But when emotions involved her directly, everything became complicated. He felt like a teenager trying to speak to a girl. “You probably guess that it’s because of our failure…” He cursed internally, knowing it wasn’t what he wanted to say, yet he continued, aware he couldn’t fully express the truth. “We had the advantage, extra powers, and opportunities, and yet we lost. I hope you didn’t blame yourself, because it wasn’t your fault. You’re an incredible Mayura, and working with you is a pure pleasure. Thanks to you, I can breathe, not seeing this fight as a burden that drains me—you give me lightness. I wanted to say…”

 

He suddenly fell silent as he felt Nathalie’s hand on his. The familiar warmth sparked again in his chest, recalling one of his dreams. He looked at her, noticing the smile she gave him—gentle, full of understanding and support. It was as if she saw right through him, knowing all his unspoken words. Not wanting to lose that closeness again, he returned the smile and intertwined their fingers. He enjoyed the moment, setting aside all confusing emotions, letting the current carry them wherever it might lead.

 

 

Since their reconciliation, their bond had only grown stronger, working seamlessly as one. The heavy atmosphere that once hung between them had lifted, allowing the two adults to enjoy each other’s company both at work and during additional activities. Mayura had officially become Hawk Moth’s partner, together terrorizing Paris. Although Gabriel was still torn by conflicting emotions, longed to have Nathalie by his side, yet he chose to deny, for the time being, the feeling of warmth her presence gave him.

 

Although they collaborated closely, they agreed that Mayura would appear only in battles advantageous to them, believing that her sentimonster would strengthen their efforts. Sometimes she joined the fights directly, posing an extra challenge to the heroes. This made her a wild card, creating chaos in the minds of the young heroes, who had to stay alert, never knowing if she might surprise them and steal a miraculous.

 

For Hawk Moth, having his partner there lessened the weight of defeat. He felt no anger or frustration—he simply planned the next moves, confident that next time he would succeed. This was true even in the attempt to shake Chloe’s loyalty. Despite the setback, Hawk Moth could see the positives, sensing that the teenager might still surprise them.

 

Whenever anger threatened to take control, he could always count on her support. Her touch ignited warmth in his chest every time, dispelling all negative emotions, and her gentle, comforting smile lifted the weight of all his worries.

 

 

He stood in front of the monitor, lost in thought. His attempt at akumatization had failed; he had lost contact with the akuma, yet he did not feel bitterness. He returned to the atelier, where Nathalie had been working for quite some time, too focused to notice his presence. He stared at the screen, dwelling on the feelings that had troubled him for the past few days, while sneaking glances at the woman sitting at the desk.

 

He opened Emilie’s projects, intending to adjust them, to improve them slightly, since he had long been out of ideas for new ones. Yet he couldn’t focus. He chose the color red and immediately thought of the woman to whom that shade belonged. He knew that with her, he felt light, free from the weight of promises and failures. Her smile calmed him, and her touch constantly warmed his heart.

 

Still, he didn’t know whether these were feelings he was afraid to speak aloud—fearing it would be a betrayal of the woman he fought for—or simply a natural need for closeness. He grimaced slightly as the thought crossed his mind.

 

Nathalie deserved more than being just a fleeting comfort, an answer to loneliness. He knew one thing—he didn’t want to lose her. He longed for her to always remain by his side, as a friend in whom he could find support and understanding.

 

When he returned to reality, the screen displayed a red-and-orange dress inspired by Mayura’s outfit. He smiled faintly, for the first time not feeling guilty that she had become his inspiration. After all, friends can inspire too, can’t they? And Nathalie certainly inspired him every single day.

 

Suddenly, he heard the voice of the woman in question, her face showing a trace of unease.

 

 

Gabriel’s feelings remained at odds, impossible to name. Yet he no longer fought them, allowing himself a little more freedom. Still, he felt the restraints—the grip on his finger tightening each time he tried to give in to his emotions. Emotions he grew more addicted to with each passing day, and which he had no desire to let go of.

 

Fortunately, he had found an outlet—a small loophole that let him sidestep the devotion to his wife that kept him bound, preventing him from choosing another path. That release was Hawk Moth. As Hawk Moth, he could be more direct with Nathalie—with Mayura. Behind the silver mask, he was someone else, someone unrecognizable. To everyone but the woman who had thrown his emotions into turmoil.

 

During one of their missions, when Mayura actively took part by reviving an ancient creature, Gabriel grew bolder. He allowed himself a touch of open flirtation: lowering his voice, lacing it with a hint of mischief, and ending with a flirtatious smile. Yet he could not fully see her face, for she remained stubbornly at his back, even though they were equals, fighting side by side. The hierarchy imposed by society no longer applied, and yet Nathalie still kept her distance. That was why he could not fully perceive her reaction. But just one smile from her was enough for him to feel relief and to believe that he could go on, that his behavior would not be considered shameful or improper.

 

Unfortunately, that smile couldn’t improve his mood when the mission ended in failure. Rage boiled through his veins, and he wanted to scream at the world that seemed to mock every one of his attempts. He clenched his fists, tensed his shoulders, his breathing ragged. Feast was meant to be his golden ticket. The mystical creature, born centuries ago and endowed with immense power, seemed unstoppable. Hungry for power, driven by a single purpose, untouched by the thirst for revenge like his other villains. And yet luck still sided with the heroes.

 

Then suddenly, the anger melted away, replaced by a familiar warmth spreading through his chest. He didn’t need to turn to know whose hand rested on his shoulder, tracing slow circles. He turned anyway and met the gaze of the woman looking at him with compassionate, rose-colored eyes. Wanting to show his gratitude, he took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it tenderly, his eyes never leaving hers.

 

The gesture painted Mayura’s face with a blush—so deep that even the darkness and her blue skin could not hide it. Hawk Moth said nothing, only gave her a warm smile, for a moment forgetting his defeat.

 

 

Another battle, another hope for victory. These were the words Gabriel repeated to himself every time he planned his next attempt to seize the magical jewelry. Unfortunately, with each failure, they lost strength, and he began to doubt the purpose of the fight. Only Nathalie and her fighting spirit kept him afloat—he did not want to let her down. He believed that if he gave up, he would lose in her eyes, becoming a coward who had failed his family. He feared that the touch he had so desperately sought, helping her with simple tasks, would vanish forever. Yet the words he had heard during one of the akumatizations reinforced his conviction that he had failed and was undeserving of happiness from any side.

 

That person had been a mysterious time traveler, sent to the past to defeat the young, still-weak heroes. When Hawk Moth learned of the plan, his hope grew—he congratulated his future self on the idea, believing that the fight would finally end, granting him a happy ending. Yet, as he had learned many times before, fate mocked him, revealing his greatest failure. In the future, he no longer wielded the butterfly, and someone else spread terror. He should have been glad, believing he had made his wish and peacefully grown old beside his wife, who had returned to him whole and unharmed. His thoughts, however, wandered elsewhere. To him, losing the miraculous was tantamount to defeat. He knew he would never voluntarily give up the brooch, feeling bound to it, even as it awakened a dark side, slowly consuming his soul. The miraculous had become, in part, a release, allowing him, even for a moment, to be someone else—not burdened by duties or promises he could not keep, consumed by guilt. He could express his emotions, removing the mask of the perfect, serious designer who observed the world. That was why he covered his face completely, unwilling to be recognized—even by himself.

 

Nathalie, however, did not agree with his assessment, believing that the end of Hawk Moth equaled victory. He did not know whether optimism spoke through her or whether she truly believed in his victory despite so many failures. Now, however, it did not matter. Gabriel’s thoughts focused solely on the sound of his name, melting from her lips. He wished she would call him that more often, blurring all boundaries. Nathalie, however, always maintained professionalism, erecting a social wall between them—mandating hierarchy. Though, to him, she stood above, running his company almost single-handedly. He should have been her subordinate, and as Hawk Moth, he often felt precisely that way.

 

Lost in his thoughts, he did not notice when his gaze fell on her pink lips. He could not look away. He longed to taste them, wondering how Nathalie kissed. His head moved dangerously close, wanting to feel it. Yet when his mind took control over his heart, panic appeared in his eyes. He recoiled violently, nearly falling to the floor. Slight panic gripped him, a deep blush spreading across his face. Nathalie looked at him, confused, not understanding his behavior. She often touched him, offering support, which had become a kind of ritual. Yet she had not considered that she might have blurred the boundaries. Saying his name came to her as naturally as if she had always done so.

 

 

Gabriel paced nervously around his room, afraid to close his eyes. Outside, darkness had already greeted him, and the moon, shining brightly in the sky, streamed into the bedroom through the slightly parted curtains. He approached the window, admiring its glow. Emilie had always reminded him of the sun, lighting up the day with her smile, while Nathalie was the moon. She calmed him, showed him beauty in the darkness, lit his way.

 

The thought of their almost-kiss once again flooded his mind — it was the very reason for his sleeplessness. He feared that in his dreams he would fulfill his desire, betraying his wife. He did not know what to do. Emotions he once could not name, he was now afraid to speak aloud. As if choosing one of the women would mean betraying the other.

 

He could once again cut himself off from Nathalie, return to a professional relationship, and pretend nothing had happened. Yet he did not want to, he could not. Nathalie and her closeness had become an indispensable part of his life. He no longer knew whether Emilie’s return would change anything, whether he would be able to forget Nathalie and move on. He had to set his priorities, choose one side, otherwise he would lose everything.

 

That was why he was glad for Nathalie’s trip to Hong Kong the next day, where she was to take care of the opening of his new store. In theory, he was going as well — in reality, he only sent his hologram, giving the illusion of travel and providing both himself and Nathalie with an alibi for the next akumatizations.

 

He also intended to deal with his akumas — a matter he had been postponing, being too busy. He was also forced to speak with Emilie, or rather to confess his dangerous thoughts and desires, hoping for forgiveness, treated his feelings for Nathalie as a mortal sin.

 

The sun rose, lighting up Gabriel’s room with single rays falling onto his bed. The designer hadn’t closed his eyes all night, tossing and turning restlessly. The thoughts he had hoped exhaustion would chase away remained. He rose heavily and prepared himself for another day, waiting for Nathalie to leave the estate, leaving him with his son for three days.

 

Under different circumstances he would have gone with her, unwilling to be left alone with a teenager, but now he needed this. He was ready to face his own emotions… or at least so he thought.

 

When Adrien left for school and silence filled the halls, Gabriel went to his wife’s portrait and pressed the buttons that summoned the hidden elevator. He descended into the crypt, where Emilie’s body lay, waiting for salvation. In his hands he carried the suit and a basket, necessary for gathering the delicate akumas.

 

Once there, he paused, looking at the woman for whom he was doing all of this. He knew he needed to confide in someone, or he would lose his mind. He didn’t know if Emilie could hear him, but he wanted to believe she would feel relief, even if only silence answered him, and the secrets of his heart stayed within the cold walls of the crypt.

 

He set the things down on the ground and took a deep breath, staring into her closed eyes. At first he spoke of how much he missed her, as the days passed and victory seemed unattainable. Then he spoke of Adrien. He knew the boy missed her too, though he seemed happier since he started going to school.

 

School. That had been a decision against Emilie’s wishes — she had wanted their son to study at home and receive the best education. Nathalie had convinced him to change his mind, arguing for his second identity. At that thought, Gabriel smiled faintly. She had changed much in his life, lighting it up with her radiance. The changes had been small and gradual, so subtle that he noticed them only now, lost in his reflections.

 

He began to wonder if he could ever go back to how things used to be. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was supposed to find answers, but instead, more and more doubts were forming in his mind.

 

He moved on to the subject he had been avoiding — feelings. He spoke of how he felt in Nathalie’s presence, how warmth spread through his chest each time she touched him gently. Her smile quickened his heartbeat, and he lost himself in her blue eyes.

 

He also recalled the almost-kiss, which — despite his guilt — he still longed for. When he had spoken all the words aloud, he felt relief. The emotions that had kept him suspended, he had finally been able to name. He understood that he had fallen in love — and he could no longer deny it.

 

Even so, he still did not know which path to take. Would his sense of duty allow him happiness, or would it destroy the relationship he could build?

 

When the flood of thoughts finally left him, granting a moment of respite, he turned to his work, gathering his akumas, essential for akumatization.

 

Although Gabriel had begun to live according to his emotions, becoming more open with Nathalie—not only in the guise of Hawk Moth—he still could not make a decision. He did not know whether he could move on, giving up his mission and sending Emilie to her eternal rest. Even though he no longer loved her as he once had, for he had unknowingly given his heart to Nathalie, the guilt remained. A woman had passed away who did not deserve it, wishing only for a child. And he, by placing the cursed jewelry in her hands, had become her executioner. That was why he kept circling endlessly, wanting to have everything, though deep down he knew it was impossible. Yet he did not expect that it would be his own son who would guide him onto the right path.

 

 

Today marked the anniversary of Emilie’s death—for the world, it meant her escape and mysterious disappearance. Adrien also lived with this belief, still waiting for her return, which might never come. Gabriel stood in the crypt, cleaning their wedding rings—a symbol of marriage and the miracle of Adrien’s birth. He could not part with them, as if they were permanently fused to his hand. He placed the other ring on Emilie’s finger, still sealing the vows they had made—in sickness and in health—even though his heart had long since strayed onto another path. Then he returned upstairs, waiting for the guests who were to visit on this special day.

 

Entering the atelier, he noticed Nathalie watching his son through the window. He knew that, like him, she felt for the boy, wishing to return his mother to him. He was also aware that she did not see herself in that role, though in reality, she had become a better parent to Adrien than he had. He approached the window, standing beside her. His face bore a stern expression, wanting this day to end as quickly as possible. Nathalie, however, unaware of the storm of his emotions and the influence she had over him, smiled gently and placed her hand on his shoulder. To her, it was a simple gesture of support. To him—it was butterflies in his stomach and the urge to take her hand. That was why he fought with himself, staring blankly at the glass. He knew that a single look into her compassionate eyes would be enough to drop the mask of sternness, revealing the emotions he guarded so carefully. As if fate wanted to punish him further, at that moment Adrien turned toward them and smiled warmly. Nathalie waved at the boy, while Gabriel sensed that a dangerous thought was taking root in his son’s mind, whose consequences he would soon learn.

 

Nathalie sent him to Adrien, wanting him to reveal to the boy the truth behind his mother’s mysterious disappearance. Gabriel wanted to protect him, allowing him to live in hope that one day Emilie would return. Yet he knew Nathalie was right—the longer they hid the secret, the more painful the truth would be. Especially since he himself was beginning to doubt the purpose of his mission. Without a word, he went to the garden, ready to share with his son the secret that had been destroying their family for years. He believed that Adrien would forgive him everything—even terrorism—if his intention had been to bring his mother back to life.

 

He sat down beside his son, staring at the floor and trying to find the right words. Though it seemed so simple, fear took control of him—he was afraid of Adrien’s reaction. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, and that even good intentions could not justify his actions. Still, he hoped that his son would understand and support him. He took a deep breath, parting his lips, longing at last to set the truth free.

 

Unfortunately, it was other confession that came to light. A truth Gabriel had hidden even from Nathalie, unsure of which path he should take. A truth he never expected to hear from his own son—and on the anniversary of his mother’s disappearance. Adrien spoke of their closeness, believing that his father had moved on, with the woman who had become a motherly figure to him.

 

Hearing these words, Gabriel felt betrayed, accused of infidelity. He knew his son was right, yet spoken by a “copy of Emilie,” gazing at him with green eyes, they cut even deeper. He felt disgusted with himself for having fallen in love.

 

Agitated, he stood up and began to defend himself, insisting that these were only false accusations, and that he remained faithful to Emilie. Then he left, ignoring his son, who watched him in confusion. He needed to cool down, to be alone. All the more so because the copy of his wife was soon to arrive, reminding him how deeply he had failed.

 

He drove Nathalie out of the atelier without a word of explanation and locked the door behind him. Sitting on the pink couch, he covered his face with his hands, trying to calm down. Once again, he felt lost in his own emotions. He wanted to cry and at the same time burn the entire atelier to ashes.

 

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice how time slipped by. If not for Nathalie’s knock, he might have stayed in the atelier the whole day. She informed him about the guests, forcing him to leave his safe place. As he left, he avoided her gaze, consumed by guilt over the words he had spoken about her. He stood with his son in the middle of the hall, waiting for their arrival.

 

When the door opened, his wife’s twin sister appeared. A perfect copy, different only in her choice of colors. If not for her grating voice, he might have mistaken her for Emilie, if only for a moment. She greeted Adrien, who truly seemed happy to see family—even if her visit was as false as the woman herself. He knew she had come for one reason only, not out of compassion.

 

It didn’t take long before Amelie asked about the wedding rings she had tried to take from him right after Emilie’s disappearance. Keeping his emotions under control, he offered her a place to stay, wanting to postpone the conversation. He turned to Nathalie, whose face remained unchanged, full of professionalism. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Amelie’s defiant smile—she had surely drawn the same conclusions as Adrien.

 

A lump rose in his throat, as if once again he were standing under the judgment of his wife’s piercing green eyes. When Amelie walked away, following Nathalie, he finally felt relief, able to move again. He sent his son to his room and went back to the atelier, lost in thought. Fate was pushing him toward a decision, using the dirtiest of methods against him.

 

Gabriel stood in front of the monitor, playing recordings of the young reporter showing the heroes’ battles. Most focused mainly on the heroes themselves, but he also found a few showing Mayura. He didn’t know what he was looking for, only admired the woman in action — her fighting spirit and the determination in her eyes. No matter the falls, she always got up, never showing weakness. He knew she was an incredible woman.

 

When the image zoomed in on her face, Gabriel paused the video, sliding his finger across the screen as if stroking her cheek. He remembered Adrien’s words, which, against all odds, were true. Nathalie made him happy — he had admitted it in front of Emilie’s coffin, and now he had his answer. As if the woman herself assured him that he could move forward and be happy again. Yet the fear remained. Nathalie was the source of his happiness, but could he say the same about himself? Would his mistakes allow him to enjoy life, even though the heavy burden of his crimes would follow him? Did Nathalie want to continue this path with him, or was she guided only by loyalty? He didn’t know the answer, not knowing the woman’s feelings. He could use the miraculous to find out, but he didn’t want to violate her privacy. If he were to start over, he had to leave the past and the miraculous behind.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by familiar footsteps. He quickly closed the video, opening Emilie’s projects, hoping she hadn’t noticed anything. Fortunately, Nathalie was occupied with her tablet, allowing him to put on a mask of indifference. She showed him a recording supposedly sent by his son to his friends. He immediately recognized Felix in it, knowing Adrien’s character. He knew he could use it against him and get rid of the annoying guests. Yet the ongoing battle still blocked his path to a new future, and an explanation was inevitable. Nathalie knew him well and knew he would exploit any situation, no matter how absurd. He also couldn’t use Adrien’s safety as a bargaining chip, as it would cast even greater doubt on his actions. He rarely thought about his son safety, something he was increasingly aware of now. He also wasn’t ready to confess the truth or his feelings, so he walked toward the image, smirking maliciously, carrying out a new akuma.

 

 

A week had passed since the events with his wife’s family. Gabriel had spent the entire time gathering himself, trying to confess the truth to Nathalie. He knew well that Hawk Moth’s limited activity raised doubts. He saw in Nathalie’s eyes a questioning look, demanding some kind of answer.

 

He stood in front of the mirror in his room, trying to arrange the words that would assure Nathalie of the purity of his intentions. He did not want her to think he was the “other one,” a consolation prize when the endless fight lost its meaning. He had so much to say; he wanted her to know all his feelings, fears, and uncertainties. He wanted her to understand that she had stirred a storm in his emotions, bringing to the surface feelings that were meant to remain dead, locked in his stone heart.

 

He looked at his hand, where a ring shone. It did not belong to him — it was Emilie’s. He had put it on when he discovered his own missing ring, taken by Felix. He knew this family brought only misfortune, yet he wanted to give Adrien some joy on this special day. Still, he found positivity in it. For him, it was the final sign to move forward, to end the fight, and focus on the future with the woman he loved with all his heart, believing that she returned his feelings.

 

Looking at himself in the mirror, he smiled at himself for the first time, feeling ready. He decided to go to Nathalie and confess everything that weighed on his heart. He chose to be spontaneous, becoming a better version of himself, stepping into the future with his head held high. Without fear or doubt, finally reconciling mind and heart.

 

Excited by this new vision, he left the room, almost running into the thoughtful Nathalie. He did not yet know that in a moment his whole world would collapse.

 

He invited Nathalie into the room, indicating a spot on one of the chairs. The woman sat down, puzzled by her boss’s unusually good mood. Once they were both comfortably seated, they spoke at the same time, prompting mutual smiles. As a gentleman, Gabriel gave Nathalie the floor first, listening to what she had to say.

 

Yet with each of her words, his smile faded, settling into an indifferent expression. Nathalie spoke of her akumization plan, intending to reuse the Catalyst to strengthen Hawk Moth’s powers. Gabriel knew the plan was sound and that, with a bit of luck, it would ensure their victory. But he no longer desired that. He wanted to give up and move on.

 

Unfortunately, her determination and fighting spirit, which he saw in her eyes, paralyzed him. He felt as if someone had stolen his voice, leaving him unable to confess his feelings. All he could do was go along with her plan, believing that even this time they would fail—a failure that would become their new beginning, allowing them to move together toward a wonderful future.

 

 

The first phase of the plan involved enlisting Lila Rossi. The girl was to turn all of Marinette’s friends against her, gaining many desperate souls ready to be akumatized. Then Hawk Moth would transform Nathalie, and he would become once again Scarlet Moth, wielding unlimited power. The plan, which the two had meticulously studied, was flawless.

 

To Gabriel’s dismay, everything went exactly as planned. Lila played her part perfectly, unleashing chaos at school. Marinette, once admired, was framed for cheating and theft, stripped of any chance to defend herself. The emotions ran so high that Gabriel had to remove his miraculous for a moment just to think clearly. With a false smile, he turned to Nathalie, making sure she was ready for what was to come. In her eyes he saw excitement. He knew there was no turning back, even as his stomach tightened with unease.

 

Together they went to the lair, beginning the next phase. Hawk Moth took Nathalie’s hand, drawing it close before placing a butterfly on the tablet she held. Though he smiled, his eyes betrayed a sadness that Nathalie immediately noticed. She squeezed his hand, giving him strength. He loved her touch, yet in this moment it like a curse dragging him deeper into the abyss. With a heavy heart, he placed the butterfly on the tablet, sealing his fate. Nathalie transformed into Catalyst and granted him her power, allowing him to release many akumas at once.

 

He sent them immediately, casting aside his doubts. One of the akumas seeped into Marinette’s bag, linking her with Scarlet Moth. Others struck her friends and parents, creating an unstoppable army. But what happened next froze Gabriel in place. Before transforming, the girl removed her earrings and loudly declared that she was Ladybug. Scarlet Moth’s staff fell to the ground with a hollow thud that echoed through the lair. Gabriel realized he had won — all he had to do was take the earrings. Without his partner, Chat Noir was powerless, unable to undo the damage.

 

And yet Scarlet Moth stood paralyzed. He had a choice: stay and believe in failure, or go after the earrings and finally triumph. He didn’t know what to do until he felt Catalyst’s hand on his back. He sighed heavily and turned toward her, seeing the wicked smile on her lips. Catalyst drew out Nathalie’s darker side — free of morality and restraint. For her, only victory mattered, blind now to Scarlet Moth’s sorrow.

 

He could undo her akumatization, accept defeat, and move toward the future he truly wanted. But he was lost. Not long ago, he had believed fate was sending him signs — when it took his wedding band, when it let him realize he had fallen in love, and when he received Adrien and Emilie’s blessing. But now it all felt like mockery. As if fate was testing his loyalty to his family, telling him that abandoning the plan would make him a traitor.

 

Without a word, he turned away from Nathalie and leapt out the window, seizing the jewels that had haunted his sleepless nights for so long.

 

 

He stood by Emilie’s body, the jewelry in his hands — he had devoted his entire life to her, neglecting his son. Adrien, his own child, had become his greatest enemy, preventing him from fulfilling his wish every single day. The Miraculous was so close, all it would take was to reach out. He had suspected his son before, yet Adrien had always managed to deceive him, dispelling any doubts. Now, however, he knew that the image of his terrified eyes would haunt him every time he closed his own. He took it as punishment — for the battle he had not ended, though he could have.

 

So he stood there, unable to make a decision. He had won, yet he felt no joy. He no longer loved Emilie, but he could bring her back for Adrien, who had already suffered too much. Yet he knew that in doing so he would lose Nathalie, who would set aside all her feelings to give the boy a full family. He turned to her, seeking an answer. He knew she could read his thoughts, untangling the chaos inside his mind.

 

He didn’t have to wait long. Nathalie stepped forward, took his hands holding the jewelry, and looked into his eyes. She smiled softly, encouraging him to fulfill his dream. He longed to lose himself in her blue gaze, not wanting to make a decision. Yet he knew the step was inevitable. He had gone too far, putting everyone at risk. If he abandoned the jewelry now, he would waste an entire year and hurt Adrien even more. He could have been a father, had he come to terms with Emilie’s death.

 

He smiled faintly at Nathalie, aware that the choice had been made. He put on the jewelry and summoned the great beings. Then he leaned toward her, pressing a kiss to her forehead — a quiet farewell, with the hope that in the new future he could reconcile his love for Nathalie with the family for whom he had terrorized Paris. He then commanded the beings to merge, forming a new, more powerful one. Determined, he made his wish. He wanted his wife back, keeping his promise and defying the curse that had started all the tragedies.

 

Emilie’s body rose into the air, surrounded by a pink glow. Gabriel could not take his eyes off her, captivated by the sight. Only when he heard a loud cough did he turn to the other woman, whose life was slipping away. He rushed to her, holding her to prevent her from falling. He held her in his arms, pressing her head to his chest. His eyes filled with tears, which soon began to flow uncontrollably.

 

He closed his eyes, begging for it all to be a nightmare. Suddenly, he felt Nathalie’s hand on his cheek, wiping away his tears. She smiled faintly, as if to reassure him that everything was alright. As if she had been ready for this fate from the very beginning.

 

N: “Don’t blame yourself, Gabriel… live on, with the woman you love,” She whispered.

G: “You are that woman, Nathalie!” He shouted, his voice trembling.

 

But she no longer heard his words, collapsing limply into his arms.

 

 

͠

 

Monarch stared at the burrow with an angry expression. Rage boiled in his veins, on the verge of exploding. His eyes were narrowed like a predator’s, ready to tear its prey apart. He stepped slightly back from the burrow and began pounding it with his fists, wanting it to shatter and crumble into countless pieces. He was furious at himself for making such a foolish decision. He could have had Nathalie; he knew he loved her, yet he had killed her, fulfilling that senseless promise.

 

When hitting the portal no longer brought satisfaction, he transformed back into Gabriel, ready to throw the jewelry that had caused him so much suffering. But when he noticed the blue USB drive in his hand, he decided to unleash all his anger on it. He threw it to the ground, kicking and smashing it until only small plastic fragments remained, fit for the trash.

 

Once his rage fully subsided, he sighed heavily, now staring at the burrow with sorrow, watching the scene of dead Nathalie in his arms.

 

The Kawmii hovering above his head looked at him in fear. They were afraid of his reaction—they knew the designer had a short temper and could lash out at anyone. But this time, Gabriel, exhausted by the flood of emotions and the loop he was trapped in, passed by them indifferently.

 

He approached the burrow again, transforming into Monarch, observing Nathalie’s death and the ensuing events.

 

When Emilie appeared alive in front of her coffin, she looked at her husband, crying over Nathalie’s body. She stepped toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder, smiling sadly. Gabriel looked at his wife with eyes red from tears, then turned back to Nathalie, holding her even closer, burying his face in her increasingly cold body.

 

Monarch replayed the entire event over and over, searching for a pattern. To be with Nathalie, Emilie had to disappear from his life. If not for her desire for a child, none of this would have happened. If not for his poor decisions, he would have been with Nathalie. He could have combined it all, avoiding marriage with Emilie. He could have shown his younger self which woman would have made him happier. He had to go even further back, to the shared expedition. He could have loved Nathalie back then if, despite his obsession, he had managed to fall for her. He didn’t think about the consequences—it didn’t matter that Adrien’s life was at risk, or that he had discovered his son’s identity, though the memory still lingered in his mind. Now, only the new life he intended to create mattered. He was ready to try until he achieved his happy ending.

 

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the young heroes emerging from the portal. Seeing Ladybug’s lips trying to form words that irritated him more and more, he pressed “second chance,” once again, stood before the two burrows —alongside his double. This time he looked at himself with disgust, blaming himself for a wasted future.