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7. Belle – Cast of Beauty and the Beast

Minnie clutched her book under her arm and hurried through the square. She hopped over the largest cobbles, since the soles of her shoes were so thin she could feel every lump and bump. She slipped between an ox cart and a flock of sheep brought into town for market day.

"Watch it!" yelled a shepherd.

"Sorry!" Minnie ducked and dodged, always protecting the book. "Excuse me. Sorry. Pardon me. Coming through!"

"Look out!"

Someone crashed into her from the side. Minnie tripped. The book slipped through her fingers. She struggled to catch it, stumbled and fell to one knee. The book flew from her grasp – right towards a muddy puddle.

"No!"

That book had cost a month's wages. She worked hard in the magic shop, sweeping, cleaning, serving customers, and even doing the old witch's laundry for extra cash, the odd lesson and a coveted staff discount. She had set the book aside as soon as it came in, promising faithfully to pay for it by the end of the month. The witch who owned the shop had looked at her askance, but agreed. Minnie was a hard worker and had never tried to steal anything, which put her head and shoulders above every previous employee.

Minnie watched as the book headed for the ruinous mud. As if in slow motion, however, someone reached down and grabbed it before it could hit. Her breath escaped in a relived whoosh.

"Thank you!" She scrambled to her feet.

"Love spells?" her saviour read off the front cover. He met her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Why not?" she said before she could stop herself. "Everybody needs a little love in their lives."

A small gasp went up from the clumsy shepherd who had knocked into her. Other people also made shocked and dismayed noises. Apparently she was speaking out of turn or something.

Minnie finally registered the guards behind her saviour. He was on a horse, which wore a bridle emblazoned with an insignia like a stylised mouse head. Everyone in Disneyland knew that symbol. Dismay sot through her like she had swallowed a lump of ice. Shop girls, even those with a talent for magic, didn't talk to nobles the way she just had. She raised her eyes once more and recognised the crown prince leaning down, her book still in his hand.

"I couldn't agree more," he said, holding it towards her. "Love is a very good thing to have in life, and we could all use a little more of it."

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