"Her Majesty will be joining shortly."
Mal found herself in the middle of the most enormous library she'd ever seen. Auradon Prep had a vast collection but Mal figured that nothing could touch the Queen's personal collection. Light flooded in from the open window and with the four tier crystal chandelier in the middle of the room it seemed that there was a individual sunbeam for each precious cover. Mal smiled at the thought of every title having its own spotlight. For a brief moment she allowed herself to imagine curling up into one of the oversized seats with thick novel and wasting a couple hours, or even days if she let herself. She let her mind wonder a little deeper as it created a wish. Her imagination created the perfect seen of sharing the space with her majesty herself, just quietly enjoy the worlds words create. Suddenly the space seemed smaller and cozier. But a voice interrupted her reverent awe before she could let her mind go any further.
"She wanted me to extend her apologies for her tardiness."
Mal turned to her escort and shot a pointed smirk. "Lair," she giggled, "You gave me an earlier time so that you could have me to yourself for a minute." Arms came around her waist as a familiar low chuckle wash over her.
"Well it worked," Ben playfully growled at his mischief fairy. She willingly folded herself in his arms. Mal knew that she could garner strength from his embrace. Neither of them knew why Queen Belle had called her for tea. Ben was just happy to see his mother opening her heart to Mal. He prayed that it'd only be a matter of time till they could convince his father to do the same, and soon the Circle of Auradon.
Circle of Auradon... Ben's anger and disappointment flared as he held his purple imp. He hated the role his family had on her childhood, and now that he was King he'd become determined to right that horrific wrong. Mal seemed to read his mind because she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Stop it," she demanded. "You are going to a dark place and I can't allow that."
"But," She put her finger to his protesting lips.
"No. Just kiss me and remember that I'm here because of you. The rest can be taken care of later." She felt Ben release a pent up, angry sigh.
"You're right Mal."
"Good. Now kiss me." Ben complied. The kiss started out timid as if he weren't certain Mal knew what she was asking for. She pulled him closer to show him she knew exactly what she wanted. After that Ben gave in wholeheartedly. This was his first real example of how he saw his future would pan out. Ben knew if he hadn't been in love with Mal before he most definitely was now. Audrey never made him feel... supported. This was a different feeling for the young king. He's used to being needed, having responsibility demanded of him, and even criticized for doing his job. Never had he felt truly supported, but with Mal secured in his arms he knew that she'd be with him through it all.
Their kiss had ended awhile ago, but Ben had her anchored to his chest. She moved slightly as if she were trying to survey the room again. He smiled because he could feel her anxious curiosity.
"Alright, Mal you win." She gave him a queer look. "I've got work to do, so you go ahead and explore. Mom will be in shortly."
Mal watched as Ben left the room. Once she heard the door click she quickly moved to the closest shelf. Her fingers itched to touch the binding, but she didn't dare. Mal climbed one of the ladders and looked at more titles.
"Impressed?" The voiced question frightened Mal. She'd been so absorbed in the beauty she never heard the click.
"Your Majesty," Mal sputtered. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention."
"Oh please don't apologize. I love seeing someone else enjoy my collection." The queen had a look of awe in her eyes as if she were seeing it for the first time as well. Belle remembered the moment Beast showed her the room. She had been complaining to Mrs. Potts that she hadn't been able to read in so long, and her fingers were longing to caress pages of an epic adventure. Beast had over heard her wish and knew that if her were going to make her fall in love with him soon, he now had the perfect ammunition. Belle smiled to herself, she knew that she'd already fallen in love with her beast by the time he gave her this room, but that was the day that she actually showed him her admiration.
"How long did it take you to fill these shelves?" Belle heard Mal ask as she came out of her flashback.
"Oh... it is an ongoing process. Adam already had the shelves pretty well stocked, but I've been adding to it ever since the day he gave me this room." Belle smiled at Mal's shock. "I'm glad you like it my dear. This is the only room in the castle that is completely my domain and no one can tell me what I can and cannot do in it."
"I wish I had a place like that," Mal whispered. Her whole life had been a series of demands and expectation to live up to that she never had a place where she could be herself and answer only to herself. On the island her mother had henchmen that would hunt her down, and in Auradon she had to be strong for her friends, smile at cameras for her boyfriend, and now train to take over as Mistress of Good. She would do anything for a place where no one could demand a thing of her, a sanctuary from all the chaos. Mal looked up to find the soft brown eyes of the queen lighted on her.
"Have you looked out the windows yet," Belle gave her a cheeky smile. Mal walked over to a window that opened to a garden maze. Brilliant greens, yellows, peaches, and whites all blended together. Delightful fragrances floated towards Mal as if wrapping her in a hug. Belle let out a giggle. "It is my own private garden. If I truly want to disappear I go into the garden. I had Fairy Godmother put an enchantment over it so that if I am in the garden no one can find me. There are times when one just needs to be left alone."
"That is a wonderful idea, Queen Belle."
"Oh posh! Knock off that "Queen" stuff. When you are in this room, I am simply Belle and you are simply Mal." Mal thought that Belle may have forgotten herself for in the next moment the older woman had picked up Mal hand and pulled her back into the room as if there wasn't a rather large age gap between them and they were long lost friends with so much to talk about.
Belle sat Mal on the couch and took up the position beside her. Suddenly the queen looked concerned and this did not bode well for Mal. "Mal," She began, "How are you... feeling about your life here in Auradon?"
Mal pursed her lips, "Well if you are asking me to compare it to the island, it has its 'pros' as well as its 'cons.'"
"I am so sorry for the way that you were treated at family day. It's just... well..."
"It's okay," Mal interrupted. She pushed down the hurt that welled up as she remembered that day.
"NO!" Belle jumped to her feet. "It is not!" The queen started pacing in front of the young fairy. "I should've stood by Ben's side, but I was just so shocked by Leah's outburst that I didn't know what to do. I am so ashamed of the way my husband and I just left you and Ben to fight for yourselves." Belle looked at Mal with tears in her eyes, "Mal, I know the awful things of your youth, I know the role that I had in them... and I am so sorry that I've only furthered them in your time here at Auradon."
"Please stop," Mal tried.
"Please let me finish." Belle took a breath waiting for Mal to protest, but when she didn't the queen continued slowly. "I was there that day. The day that the Auradon Circle made the decision to cut off resources. Please understand that They were scared. Some of my dearest friends were victims of evil doing. But there were three of us that stood up for your parents, but we were immediately shut down."
"You fought... for the villains?'
"I wish I could say that. But no. Once we were shut down we passively allowed the Circle to make the decision without us." Belle's eyes were filled with angry disappointed tears. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for my cowardliness."
Mal stood to face the queen. She flashed her most compassionate smile, and dared to do something that shocked even herself. Mal watched, as if from a far, as her arms circled around the taller woman's waist. Belle stood still in surprise but even though Mal couldn't seem to say the words Belle knew the significance.
Mal let go and stepped back, "Is this why you asked me over? To apologize."
"Yes, but not the only reason. I really want to get to know you. I did the same thing with Audrey when she first started dating Ben. I will tell you I was not impressed."
"I wasn't the first time I encountered her either." Mal giggled, "She seemed that she to make sure that we understood that they were royalty. Like we villains would forget."
They two talked for hours, Belle had no scruples about telling Mal baby Ben stories, and Mal told her stories of her childhood. Hours passed they talked about anything and everything under the Sun. When Belle finally noticed the time she sighed.
"Dinner is almost ready. Why don't you join us tonight, Mal?"
The young fairy smiled, "Thank you, but are you sure your Husband would like that?"
"Oh that big bully is going to have to get used to you, because if Ben has his way you'll be around a lot more. Besides, I want you there so he can just live with it."
Mal smiled and curtsied to the beautiful queen, "In that case, I'd be honored, Belle."
Author's Note: I am a serious reader like Belle, so I gave that little trait to Mal. This is something that I feel is just the best way to link these two besides the evident love for Ben.