Author's Notes: this fic is very loosely based on the actual fairytale Beauty & the Beast. Nonetheless, I think the title suits the storyline, hence I am keeping it. -smiles- The story takes place somewhere around Europe's Renaissance period. Although I am quite aware that women were hardly treated fair around that time, let's pretend that they are given a LITTLE MORE CREDIT than they really did. I tweaked a few technicalities too. -blush- Please keep in mind that during this time period, many people were married very young (girls started to wed at ages 14-17, whilst men… -frowns- hmph. They could basically marry at any point.). And er, in all honesty, this first chapter might be a wee … blah,so please try not to judge it alone on the first chapter. -bows- Much thanks for your considerations. Oh, and by the way: chapter one follows the prelude 'three months later.'
denotes flashback
'character's thoughts'
Disclaimer: Tralalalala. You've heard it more than once, you're hearing it again! I hold no rights to G-Wing's characters whatsoeverrrrr! Yeah yeah yeah.
Beauty and the Beast
-Chapter 1: Home-
"Relena, could you perhaps pick up the cloths I ordered at the market?" Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft inquired, as she and her sister-in-law finished up their morning errands. The Peacecrafts were known to be kind, especially to their servants. Unlike many prestigious families, they actually let their workers go home to their families for 1-2 days every week. "Today I am to meet with Sally, two hours before noon. So unfortunately, I cannot pick up the fabrics myself," Lucrezia went on saying. "Is it too much trouble for you to fetch them?"
"Not at all. T'is no trouble, I assure you." Relena glanced at the twenty-year old female beside her. "Lucrezia, has your condition worsened since yesterday? I heard you ill again this early morn."
"Don't fret your pretty mind, dear." Secretly, the woman had an intuition that she was indeed pregnant with a second child. Still, Lucrezia needed to be sure. "Sally is a miracle worker for treating any sorts of discomfort; I have faith she shall figure out the situation at hand." The dark-haired femme reached inside her apron pocket and retrieved a pouch. She handed the small bag of coins to the younger girl and winked. "On your way to the market, feel free to drop by the Changs' bookstore."
Relena beamed and nodded. Women were not particularly encouraged to read in their society, so it was a real treat for the blonde (who was true reader buff) to get her hands on any written piece. She quickly left the kitchen, only to return, attacking Lucrezia with a hug. "Thank you, Lucie!" she whispered and then scurried off again… leaving a laughing Lucrezia.
"You're very welcome!" the older woman called back. It was amusing to see a lady as developed and mature as Relena suddenly transform into an excited child at the mere mention of a book. The reflective smile on Lucie's face, however, did not stay long as a sudden feeling of nausea attacked her.
"Miss Relenaaa!"
The honey blonde halted at the cry of her name. She looked back in search for whoever called out to her, but saw no one in particular. She was about to continue with her stroll, when she felt a tug at her skirt. Her gaze dropped down, finding a pair of vivid blue eyes twinkling innocently up at her.
"Hello, Marimeia."
The youngster curtsied cutely. "Good day, Miss Relena."
"Were you the one who called out my name a few moments ago?"
"Yes, I was. Aun - "
"Marimeia!" a new someone appeared. The newcomer was a lovely thing: wavy blonde hair with hazel eyes, just like her kin, Lady Une Kushrenda. Right now however, this dame looked slightly disheveled. "Don't you ever run off like that, again! Is that understood, young miss? Your parents left you under my care, and I — "
"With all do respect, Auntie, but you were just so busy with flirting with Mister Trowa that you didn't notice I went away! Now, who's at fault here?"
Midii burned crimson red. "That does not validate your leave!" A staring contest broke out between the two.
Relena chuckled, watching the spectacle. Her amused sounds brought Midii to remember her manners. "Oh, Relena! A thousand apologies for my rude behavior. I thank you for finding this little girl."
"Excuse me, but I am not a little girl."
"Mmh," Midii replied, clearly not convinced.
Relena laughed once more. "You two act more like sisters, than Aunt-and-niece!" She smiled. "How sweet."
Midii returned her smile. "Perhaps you are right… Will you and your family be attending the theatre tonight?"
"Yes, I believe so. Both Lucrezia and I have been anticipating the new play Master Vladimir (1), Catherine, Trowa, and the other actors will be performing this eve. My brother's coming, of course, as will my nephew Lucas. I shall see the both of you there, yes?"
"Naturally. Accompanied with Treize and Lady."
"That's good. I must go now; I'll see you two later!"
"Take care," said Midii as she watched the young woman depart. Her hazel eyes fell back upon the strawberry red-head beside her. "Come, dear niece. Let's go home."
She got to her destination: the bookstore. Her little piece of heaven… Inwardly excited, the sixteen year old entered the quaint shop, suddenly surrounded by the smell of… well, books. She let herself smile.
"May I help you, Miss?"
Recognizing the voice, Relena turned expectedly to the owner of the voice. "Good morrow, Sir Wufei."
Sir Wufei Chang wasn't really a noble, but he came from a long line of honest and partially-wealthy merchants. Two years ago, he fulfilled a wedding arrangement, and married a woman who was just as honest and bold as he. The Changs owned two of the most successful shops in the village of Cinq; the bookstore (for Sir Wufei's reverence for books) and an affixed shop that sold ceramics and other valuable objects.
"Miss Relena," he nodded, in salutation. "Is there anything in particular I can do for you?" Wufei was hardly actively social, but the young Peacecraft knew that this did not mean the Chang was any less righteous.
But before the blonde could answer his question, a new figure appeared, carrying a little boy one year of age. "Meiran, dear friend! How are you? I daresay your son has grown another inch since I last saw him..."
"Aye. It's true what old folks say: they do grow up fast. Say hello, to Aunt Relena, Lee."
"Mama… Dada," was all the amber-eyed boy could say. He looked like a mini Wufei (ponytail and all), with the exception of his amber eyes, which he inherited from his 'Mama.' Relena smiled at this childish gesture, as Meiran affectionately kissed her progeny's cheek. The young mother then handed Lee to her husband.
"I'll assist, Relena," said she. "No worries, Fei." With a nod, Wufei left the area, returning to the private room in the back, his child in tow.
Having left, Relena was tempted to start skipping. She was giddy from her newly made purchase. She could not wait to arrive home and bury herself in its glorious pages.
But first things first: fabric store. There, Relena was met with another two familiar faces.
"Hello Dorothy, Quatre," she greeted.
Quatre R. Winner and Dorothy Catalonia had been put in an arranged marriage (courtesy of their aristocratic families) when they were merely infants. They were a darling couple and very much in love. Friends and acquaintances were befuddled at first as to why the two would be genuinely enamored with one another, for in actuality, they were different in their personas. Regardless, the twosome proved to be a 'match made in heaven': Quatre and Dorothy simply complemented each other. Their wedding was a month away and neither could wait for the day to come.
"Relena," acknowledged both, warmly. The three of them had been close friends since their childhood; they had basically grown up together.
"What brings you here?" inquired Dorothy.
"I'm picking up a parcel for Lucrezia. And you? More last-minute garments for your wedding?"
"Heavens no! Quatre and I are buying new cloth for Iria's and Rashad's newborn, Emma."
"How delightful! Is both mother and daughter well?" Relena asked, remembering that Quatre's elder sister had given birth just last week.
"Indeed, they are. Rashad couldn't be any prouder," beamed Quatre.
Somehow, this talk of having families triggered a rush of recollection for the honey-blonde. "That's good to know," Relena managed to say kindly, even as a bitter memory flashed through her eyes.
There they were. It was surreal; the young maiden thought it to be an illusion, at first. But there they were: adjoined in bed. Breaths were shallow, both partner's names moaned passionately, and pleasure was further evident in their sweaty bodies… The stench of their lovemaking hung in the air, nauseating the blonde that stood in the doorway.
"Jonathan," she heard herself gasped in immeasurable shock. The couple detangled themselves hastily. "How... wh-why… Is that Syl - "
"Relena, I'm sorry. I-I've been meaning to cancel our engagement for some time now, but… but, I never got around to telling you."
That was, by far, the most pitiable excuse Relena had ever been told in her whole fifteen years of living. "How long has this been going on?" she demanded to know.
"Five weeks, about," the man answered.
A silence followed. The dame recognized her fiancée - ex-fiancée's shame, but understood he felt no remorse for what he had done. He truly didn't love her the way she thought he did. "I wish you had told me sooner, Jonathan. I would've understood."
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I didn't mean to have you find out this way."
She did not respond to this statement. "I hope you are happy with your choice," said she, slipping off her diamond ring. The Peacecraft placed it on the table beside her, and then walked out. She did not think to look back, never mind that tears were spilling from her crystalline eyes.
"I'm back," Relena announced, walking through her doorway. After her 'episode' at the store, she quickly took the Lucrezia's order and hurriedly left with a polite goodbye to her friends.
"Ah, Relena. You've returned. How was your time in town?" Lucie asked, emerging from the next room.
"It was pleasant. I came across many friends, today." She had been gone for a little less than three hours. The Peacecraft Manor was towards the edge of town, and Relena had to travel a bit by foot before arriving to the bustling streets of the Village, and making her journey back home.
"I can imagine."
"How was your appointment with Ms. Sally?"
Lucrezia smiled a rather mysterious smile. "It went well. I shall tell you of it when Milliardo and Lucas return this evening."
Relena's eyebrows raised in quiet curiosity. Yet, she conceded to Lucrezia's words and went along with her day, her hands itching to open her newly bought book. To the maiden of sixteen years, it was just another passing day…
-tbc-
1 Master Vladimir: he actually is a MINOR role in G-Wing, as well… as the ringleader of the circus in which Catherine and Trowa both perform? Yes, that's him… I've made him out to be in this story, as both Bloom siblings' Uncle, and is known popularly as 'Master of Theatre.' (Hence, the title, 'Master' –though technically he is of lower status than that of noble or merchants.)
A/N: Ah yes, one more thing: Trowa's last name is Bloom, in this story. Originally, I was going to call him by 'Tristan,' 'cause technically that IS his proper name, but we all must admit: ALL GW FANS SEE TROWA, AS TROWA. It'd just be… a wee awkward, ne? Side from that-fidgets- um, what'd you think? Review, please.
Thanks to all who reviewed the prelude-huggles them all- They were highly appreciated. -bows- Arigatou.
