Madame Sabine Dupain-Cheng was one of the richest women in all of Paris but she was also one of the kindest as well. She was born in China but she moved to France where she became an oprea singer and fell in love with the wealthy trade merchant Tom Dupain. They married and a baby daughter called Marinette who they adored. Thirteen years later they had three more children: Jacques, Erik, and little Lily. Things couldn't have seemed more perfect for them.

Until World War 1 broke out, Erik and Jacques were much too young to fight so Tom was called to battle. He died saving several men on the field. The entire family was devastated but Sabine almost died and she would have had it not been for her children. Marinette, Jacques, Erik, and Lily were her pride and joy, her only reason for living.

Jaques was ten years old now, he had been four when Tom died and he was a spitting image of his father. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes, he was a little shy but was very talented on the piano.

Erik was eight, he was two at the time Tom passed. He had jet black hair and green eyes, he was very mischievous and would cause trouble sometimes especially when he would annoy his little sister, but he was a good boy.

Little Lily the youngest of them, was six years old, she was hardly more than a baby the last time she saw her father. Her hair was light brown and her eyes were baby blue, she was a sweet girl but would often fight with her brothers.

Sabine's oldest and dearest child was Marinette. She was seventeen when she lost her father and ever since then she had served as a second mother to her brothers and sister while also taking care of her poor old mother. Sabine loved her dearly and the little ones adored her for she was so kind and good.

She was also one of the most beautiful women in all of Paris, with her midnight hair, blue eyes, perfectly white skin, and rosy cheeks. Many suitors had come to court her but she always rejected them mostly because they only wanted to marry her either for her beauty or her mother's vast fortune.

"Here we are children." Sabine said as they finished their ride through town. "Home sweet home. Hawkmoth can you be a dear and get the door?"

"Of course Madame." Her butler said opening the door to their mansion.

"Thank you Hawkmoth." She said walking inside.

"Thank you Monsier Hawkmoth." Marinette said politely. "Children be sure to thank him."

"Thank you." Jacques said.

"Thank you." Erik said.

"Thank you." Lily said.

Hawkmoth glared at the young woman and three children once they were inside. He despised all of them ever since he started working as their butler. In his mind they were just four spoiled brats who weren't worth anything.

"Welcome Madame." Said Alya their faithful maid. "Welcome home, Marinette, Jacques, Erik, Lily."

"Thank you Alya." Marinette said.

"Hawkmoth, I'm expecting Fu to come by today." Sabine said. "He's going to help me write up my will, please help him you know how old he is."

"Of course Madame."

"Alright children now run along and play." Sabine said.

Erik, Lily, and Jacques ran outside to play in the garden like they always did. While Sabine and Marinette readied themselves for Fu's visit.

"Miss Marinette." Alya said. "Nathaniel is here to see you."

"Oh dear." She sighed. "Send him in."

"I do believe this is the tenth time he's come for your hand Darling." Sabine said.

"I know mother and once again I will have to break his heart."

"Marinette I know those other men were vain and arrogant but Nathaniel truly loves and cares for you."

"I know and I love him too...but as a brother."

She went downstairs to greet the young man with red hair. "Good day Marinette." He said.

"Good day Nathaniel."

"Marinette, please. Won't you reconsider my proposal?"

"Nathaniel you are a good man but I cannot marry you. My mother needs me especially now in her old age and not to mention I have to take care of my brothers and my sister."

"Marinette if you became my wife I would see to it that your family was taken care of. I could hire a nanny."

"Nathaniel when I marry." She said. "It will be out of love not out of need."

"I see." He sighed.

"You deserve someone who will love you just as much as you love me if not more. I'm very sorry."

"That's okay. Have good rest of the day."

Alya showed him the door. "Tell me Miss do you ever plan to marry?"

"I'm not sure, I don't think I could ever leave my family."

"You need not worry about them Miss. I'm sure I could take care of your brothers and sister, I have a couple of rambunctious siblings myself."

"I know but I'm more concerned about my mother would feel."

"I'm sure she would encourage you to go out and find that special someone who will love and cherish you always."

"That's not important right now, I better hurry Fu will be here at any minute."