Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or Beauty and the Beast.
Chapter Two
Little Town
About ten years later...
The sun was just barely poking over the valley between the mountains. The sleepy town of Magnolia was starting to wake up with the sun. It was the middle of spring and flowers were blooming around town.
From a humble cottage close to the edge of town, a beautiful young woman closed the door to the cottage quietly. She was careful not to wake her two younger siblings who would wake by the time she made it home. She took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and smiled. With a book in one hand and a basket full of eggs in the other, she walked off. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered she needed to feed the chickens and throw some seed.
The bells of Kardia Cathedral rang across the town as people started to stir and start their business. As the woman balanced on the small cobblestone wall, the eyes of the villagers watched her as she hummed.
Mirajane Strauss was the talk of the town. Not only was it for the woman's beauty, but she seemed quite peculiar to the townsfolk. She always had her nose in a book and a dreamy far out look in her eyes.
"Good morning, Mirajane!" shouted the baker.
"Good morning," she responded. "The fresh bread smells good."
He handed her a baguette. "Please take it," he told her. "Give Lisanna my regards."
Mirajane smiled. "Of course."
She was the oldest of three siblings. Her two younger siblings, Elfman and Lisanna, helped her support their little family, but Mirajane often went to town to sell chicken eggs or other items to the villagers.
Their parents weren't in the picture. Mirajane was the only one that vaguely remembered their parents, but it was only for a fleeting moment. They were abandoned at a young age and put under the care of the former town medic, Porlyuscia. Porlyuscia is long gone, but Mirajane would be forever grateful.
Mirajane knew that all eyes were on her, but she simply ignored it. The only things that mattered to her were her siblings and books.
Mirajane walked towards Kinana, a woman that was washing clothes outside the mill. She placed the basket of eggs next to her.
"Here's your eggs," Mirajane told her.
"Oh, Mirajane, you're a lifesaver," Kinana sighed, keeping her eyes on the clothes. She stopped, paid Mirajane, and then collected the eggs. "Just a quick warning, but Sergeant Bora is coming back from Mercurius. I know how you… feel about him. He should be around."
"Thanks for the warning."
"Why do you dislike him? Bora is so charming."
Mirajane walked away without answering her. "Charming? Yeah, right…" she mumbled under her breath. "He wishes…"
She headed to her favorite library to clear her mind. She held back the urge to sneeze as Levy McGarden, the bookkeeper, dusted the collection. Levy turned quickly on the ladder she stood on and almost fell.
She landed on the ground near Mirajane and smiled while fixing her blue hair. "Mirajane, it's great to see you so soon. How's my favorite customer? Well… my only customer."
"Oh, Levy… still no luck with the townsfolk?" she asked while placing the book back on the shelf.
"I find it sad that we have so few bookworms in Magnolia," Levy told her. "I'm lucky that the church pays my expenses, or I'd be out of business. Maybe I should have you stand in front to get people to walk in."
"I'm afraid I'd have the opposite effect. The people of this town think I'm odd because I like to read and I have a mind of my own. Besides, you have me," Mirajane added while brushing the bangs from her face. "I've always been here to keep you company."
Levy sighed. "You make living in this town bearable, Mirajane." Levy reached on her toes to reach a book, but she was much too short. Mirajane grabbed the book and handed it to levy. Levy laughed sadly, "I think you'd like to read that book next. It's a wonderful adventure."
Mirajane held the leather book in her hands and smiled. "Thank you, Levy."
"It's nothing," she waved off. "Just helping a friend."
Mirajane trotted out of the library with a wave and opened the book hastily. Mirajane could hear the murmuring of the people walking around. She really didn't care for their opinion. She believed they were simply too close-minded.
She loved tales of adventure. As the impromptu head of her house, she really didn't get much time for exploring. Reading was her way out of the life she lived. Mirajane smiled as she read about the hero, dashing and handsome. She allowed herself to become lost in the story. She was suddenly away in the mountains.
The mountain mist cleared before her eyes. The prince dismounted his horse and strode towards her. His hands were rough and calloused, yet his eyes were gentle. He reached out and-
Mirajane bumped face first into a black horse. The horse jumped a little and the rider shouted a little and then soothed his horse.
"Watch it!" the man shouted fiercely. Mirajane fumbled back and dropped her book. "Oh, Mirajane… I didn't know it was you. You'll have to excuse me."
"Bora…" Mirajane mumbled.
Bora dismounted and took her hand. Bora was back from serving in the army it seemed. Mirajane wished that his time away was longer. Bora was a handsome man with dark hair that hung over his left eye. He wore a red coat and waistcoat that hurt Mirajane's eyes. His dark eyes trailed to his reflection in the glass.
"I'm glad to see you," Bora told her as she ripped her hand from his. She leaned down and grabbed her book from the dirt. "I see you've become even more beautiful than that last time I've seen you. I must say, my passion for you grew every moment I was away from you."
"How nice," Mirajane said blandly while turning to leave.
"Wait," Bora exclaimed. He handed the reins of his horse to the nearest man and grabbed flowers from the stand without paying for it. "Mirajane!"
Mirajane tried to run away from Bora as fast as she could, but he was persistent as anyways. She was close to the door to her cottage, but Bora grabbed her hand.
"Let go of me," Mirajane bit out.
Mirajane back to her door as Bora got down on one knee. "Beautiful Mirajane… seeing as we are two beautiful people. I believe we are meant to be. Mirajane, be my wife."
Mirajane glared at him. "For the hundredth time, no."
He got up and threw the flowers down. "Why not?"
"We wouldn't make each other happy."
"But Mirajane, I've changed."
Mirajane looked him up and down. "No one changes that much," she explained. "For example, I like to read, and you… you're athletically inclined."
"I do like to hunt," Bora said while taking a step towards her while Mirajane stepped back, knocking into the door.
"Why me?" Mirajane asked. She said in a quieter tone. "No, seriously… why me?"
"Why you? Oh, Mirajane… You and I… We make sense. Two beautiful people like us are meant for each other. I can give you a good life. You'd never have to read again."
Mirajane paused. "What about your followers over there," Mirajane pointed out the ladies following him. "They're all pretty. Look at Jenny. Her dress is much nicer than mine."
Bora rolled his eyes. "Jenny… so clingy…"
Mirajane narrowed her dark blue eyes. He had to have known what a hypocrite he was. Bora was just about the clingiest man she knew.
"I need to leave."
"So… are we getting married? Starting a family?"
Mirajane smiled and opened the door behind her. "I've got a family to worry about now. Bora, I will never ever marry you." With that, she slammed the door in his face. She rolled her back against the back of the door and sighed.
From outside the door, Bora's charming smile fell. "I'll have you as my wife, Mirajane Strauss." He turned around to his following of young women. "Ladies."
"What's the matter, Mira?" asked her younger sister, Lisanna. "Bora?"
Mirajane rested her face in her hands. "He won't take the hint that I don't like him. That boorish barbarian of a man…"
Lisanna chuckled. "That seems a little harsh."
"Have you met him?"
"Bora is not a good man," Elfman added. "I remember him from my service."
Mirajane walked over to ruffle Elfman's nicely tied hair. He looked very dashing with his soldier's uniform on. "See, Lisanna. Elfman understands." The giant, muscular man smiled, taunting Lisanna who stuck her tongue out at Elfman. "Enough, you two. I need to travel passed the East Forest to purchase more feed for the chickens. Jet said that he wasn't able to get more feed yesterday."
Elfman rose slowly. "Wait, Mira. Let me do it. I know the town you're talking about." He leaned on Mirajane to get up.
"No, Elfman. You're supposed to be resting. The army just discharged you. That leg of yours needs to rest."
Elfman smiled despite the shame he felt. Mirajane did so much for them. Elfman just wanted to help her out one in a while, but that injury he got from his short time with the army halted him.
"Mira, I just want to help you. It's just a day trip there and back. I can do it with Halphas," Elfman told her.
Mirajane thought about it for a little while. It was a low-risk trip after all. If Elfman wanted to help her out, then Mirajane saw no reason to stop him. "Only if you have Halphas pull the carriage."
Elfman smiled brightly. Mirajane wondered where the time went. Elfman looked to be a grown man. He looked as if he had been a seasoned soldier with the ragged scar down his cheek and those hardened eyes. Lisanna was turning into a little copy of Mirajane, but she was still too young and naive.
Lisanna walked over to Elfman and giggled. "Will you bring me back a rose, dear older brother?"
"A rose? How unmanly."
"Well, it's not for you, silly," Lisanna told him.
Elfman shook his head. "Well, of course, I'll bring a rose back for my favorite little sister." He started to walk out the door with a couple of coins in his pocket. "I'll be back by the next morning."
Mirajane walked out with him. Reminding him of things as if he was a child. He waved her off, embarrassed by her motherly actions. She and Lisanna watched the carriage leave their sight. "Please come back…" Mirajane whispered.
Hey
So, I figured I should update one more time in the day since I just released the first chapter. You know, so there's more of a first taste to the story.
It seems like people are like the story so far. I'm glad.
Please let me know your opinions!
Peace 3
