Chapter 11: Belle
(Extra Filler)
(Before the encounter at the library)
In the quiet village of Riverside, a cozy house with a sloped roof stood nestled among gardens bursting with colorful flowers. Its rustic stone and wood walls gave it a warm, inviting charm.
From the house emerged a young woman, her brown hair tied back as she clutched a book in one hand. She hummed softly, her voice carrying through the morning air.
"Little town, it's a quiet village,
Every day like the one before,
Little town, full of little people,
Waking up to say..."
She paused as the clock tower struck six. The resonant chime echoed across the village, and as if on cue, the townsfolk emerged to greet the day.
"Bonjour! Bonjour! Good day!"
Belle smiled, her voice blending into the familiar rhythm of the town as she continued her stroll. Passing the bakery, she hummed another verse.
"There goes the baker with his tray, like always,
The same old bread and rolls to sell,
Every morning just the same,
Since the morning that we came,
To this poor provincial town..."
The baker noticed her approach and grinned. "Good morning, Belle!"
"Morning, monsieur," she replied cheerfully.
"Off to the bookshop again?"
"I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk and an ogre," Belle began enthusiastically, "and—"
"Sounds boring," the baker interrupted with a shrug, turning back to his work.
Belle only smiled, unbothered, and continued on her way.
Across the square, Gaston leaned casually against a shop wall, his hunting bow slung over his shoulder. His sidekick, LeFou, stood beside him, looking a little less composed.
"Look at her, LeFou," Gaston said, his gaze fixed on Belle. "My future wife. Isn't she stunning?"
LeFou frowned. "But she's so... different. And you're... well... so athletically inclined."
"That's what makes us perfect, you dimwit," Gaston declared, puffing out his chest. "She's the only one in this village who's worthy of me."
"Ever since the war, I've felt like I've been missing something. And she's the only girl who gives me that sense of—"
"Je ne sais quoi?" LeFou offered.
"I don't know what that means." Gaston brushed past him. "Here in town, there's only she who is as beautiful as me. So, I'm making plans to woo and marry her."
"But doesn't she... not like you?" LeFou ventured cautiously.
"She just doesn't know she loves me yet," Gaston said confidently. "And today, I'll change that."
Grabbing a bouquet of flowers from a vendor, he strode confidently toward Belle.
"Hello, Belle," Gaston said, planting himself in her path.
"Bonjour, Gaston," Belle replied politely, though she didn't slow her pace.
Unperturbed, Gaston snatched the book from her hands and thrust the bouquet at her.
"Can I have my book back, Gaston?" Belle asked, sighing.
"How can you read this? There are no pictures!" he exclaimed, flipping through the pages.
"Well, some people use their imagination," Belle quipped, reaching for the book.
Gaston ignored her, holding the book just out of reach. "Belle, it's about time you got your head out of those books and focused on more important things... Like me."
"The whole town's talking about you, you know," he continued, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "It's not right for a woman to read. Next thing you know, you'll start getting ideas... and thinking."
Belle sighed, finally snatching the book back. "Gaston, you are positively primeval."
"Why, thank you!" Gaston said, clearly taking it as a compliment. "So, what do you say? You and me, the tavern, a tour of my hunting trophies?"
"Maybe another time," Belle replied, sidestepping him with practiced ease. "I have to return this book to Mr. Robert."
_______
The village library was a small, cozy building tucked between the butcher's shop and the apothecary. Inside, the air smelled of aged parchment and ink, a haven for someone like Belle.
"Ah, if it isn't the only bookworm in town! Where did you run off to this week?"
"Two cities in Northern Corona," Belle replied as she handed him the borrowed book. "I didn't want to come back. Have you got anything new?"
"Ha! Not since yesterday."
"That's alright," Belle chuckled and wandered to the shelves, her fingers grazing the spines of well-loved books, pulling a familiar book from the shelf. "I'll borrow... this one!"
"That one? But you've read it twice!"
"It's my favorite," Belle admitted with a wistful smile. "Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise..."
"If you like it that much, it's yours," Robert offered kindly.
"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly—"
"I insist."
"Well, thank you! Thank you very much!" Belle said, clutching the book to her chest.
Before she could leave, Robert called after her, "Ruby's in the other room, by the way. She's here with a guest."
"Ruby?" Belle's eyes lit up as she hurried toward the back of the library.
________
There, in a sunlit corner, Ruby sat at a small table with a steaming cup of tea.
"Sister Belle!" Ruby squealed, jumping up and running into Belle's arms.
"Oh, Ruby! I missed you!" Belle said, laughing as she hugged the younger girl. "What are you doing here? Are you with Miss Agathe?"
"Nope!" Ruby replied, grinning. "I'm with Oppa—a guest of Miss Agathe!"
"Oppa? What's that?" Belle asked, tilting her head.
Ruby grinned. "It's what he taught me hehe! It means brother!" She pointed toward the corner of the room. "There he is!"
Belle followed her gaze to a man with striking white hair, his attention buried in a book. Curious, she stepped closer and peeked at the title.
"The Cursed Prince?" she read aloud. "That book has no happy ending."
The man flinched, startled, and turned to look at her. For a moment, he simply stared, his expression one of bewildered recognition.
"Hermione?" he muttered under his breath.
Belle blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry... who?"
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