Chapter Text
Rong sat still from where he sat. He could scarcely believe what he had just been told. "Are you certain?"
His head of international security nodded. "As certain as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west." He reached into his robes and pulled out a tablet. "While I was on that undercover mission in Paris, France, I stopped in a local bakery—a boulangerie, as they call it there—for something to fuel me for the task ahead. And when I entered, there she was."
He held up the screen towards Rong, so that he could see the photos taken by the spy's hidden camera on his clothes. A smiling Asian woman stood at the counter, wearing a Chinese-style white top and a lotus blossom in her short, dark hair. She was much older than she had been when Rong had seen her last, but her face glowed and her eyes laughed in the same way he remembered.
"Sabine...after all these years..."
"That's not all.", the agent continued, swiping for more photos. "She co-owns that bakery with her husband."
Rong’s eyes widened at thar last word. "Husband?"
"A Frenchman.", explained the agent, pointing to a picture of Sabine next to a man. He was tall and bulky and covered in flour from his simple clothing to his bushy brown mustache, but his eyes were kind and his face was sweet, there was no denying the adoration he and Sabine shared in a single glance.
"By the name of Tom Dupain. Even in the brief time I was in that bakery, I could tell that he is a good man."
Rong smiled gently at the photos presented. "I'm glad she has found happiness. But, be that as it may, she still must return home. And since she has married, the husband must come with her."
"Oh, but my lord,", said the agent. "I have yet to tell you the final piece of the puzzle." He paused for dramatic effect, then swiped on the tablet. "They have a daughter."
Rong sat up straight when he saw the next photo appear on the tablet. The girl in the photo was lovely. Her hair was as dark as the night sky with highlights of blue shining in the natural sunlight. Her round eyes were as blue as the ocean that stretched towards their great land. Her pink lips formed a smile that made anyone feel at ease. At just one glance at this picture, Rong could see that this young lady possessed all the striking yet comforting beauties and airs that her mother did. In fact, even at first glance, she reminded him so much of Sabine at a young age.
"Her name is Marinette.", his agent told him. "She is fifteen years old. Charming girl, makes a good first impression. Happy and bubbly, with that certain charisma that Sabine was so beloved for. In fact, she is very much like Sabine was at that age."
Rong stared at the photograph, the wheels in his head turning. This could solve their recent problem.
"Leave me the tablet."
The agent placed the tablet on the floor at Rong's feet. The higher man nodded. "You have served me well. Go see Officer Xio for your reward."
The agent bowed and mumbled gratitude, before graciously leaving the room.
Once he was gone, Rong picked up the tablet and held it close to his face, studying every detail and feature of the likeness of Sabine's daughter captured on film.
"Marinette...", he mumbled to no one in particular. "Your life is about to change."