The article detailed how the diminutive lord had been searching for over a month, yet no suitable candidates had stepped forward. Locals from Duloc were quoted saying they avoided him because "he was even smaller than a dwarf and twice as unpleasant."

Lucian couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh. "Poor guy."

He flipped to the next page. Another headline stood out in bold letters

"Northern Villages of Tianxia Empire, Destroyed and Captured by the Hunnic Tribes"

Reports confirm that the barbarian Huns, led by the ruthless warlord Shan Yu, have breached the Great Wall. All villages and settlements north of the White River have been burned or seized. Survivors speak of total devastation. The Imperial Army is mobilizing, but the enemy continues to push deeper into the Empire.

Lucian’s expression darkened. He scanned a few more local articles, but nothing else stood out. He folded the paper and handed it back to Ruby.

"Thanks," he said.

"No problem, Mister Lucian!" Ruby replied cheerfully, skipping ahead.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a small but cozy library. The scent of old parchment and polished wood filled the air. Warm sunlight streamed through the windows, giving the place a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere.

"Ah, Ruby!" an elderly voice called out. An old man with glasses perched on his nose and a thick book under his arm approached them. "Here for another book?"

"Nuh-uh!" Ruby shook her head. "I’m showing Mister Lucian around today!"

The librarian’s gaze shifted to Lucian, lingering briefly on his striking silver hair. "Ah, I see. You must be new in town. Looking for anything in particular?"

"History books," Lucian replied. "And any local legends or rumors you might have."

The old man smiled warmly. "The history section is on the right side. Feel free to browse as long as you like."

"Thank you."

While Mor’du curiously picked up a book with a Viking illustration on the cover, Lucian wandered the aisles, fingers trailing along the spines. One title in particular caught his eye: The Exiled Princess

"Well, isn’t that fitting," he muttered, pulling the book from the shelf. The author’s name read: Fairy Godmother. The writing style was old-fashioned, but something about it drew him in.

A soft voice suddenly whispered near his ear. "The Exiled Princess? That book has no happy ending."

Lucian nearly dropped the book. He spun around and came face-to-face with a young woman he hadn’t noticed before.

She had long brown hair tied back with a simple ribbon, warm hazel eyes, and an air of quiet confidence.

[Ding! You have encountered a Special Character: Belle Beaumont]

[You have received: Special Blind Box.]

___

Half an hour earlier...

In the quiet village of Riverside, a cozy house with a sloped roof stood nestled among vibrant flower gardens.

From the front door emerged a young woman with brown hair tied back, clutching a book to her chest. She hummed softly as she walked.

"Little town... it’s a quiet village... Every day like the one before..."

The clock tower struck six. As if on cue, the townsfolk began their morning routines.

"Bonjour! Bonjour! Good day!"

Belle smiled, continuing her stroll through the familiar streets. "There goes the baker with his tray, like always... The same old bread and rolls to sell..."

The baker waved. "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—"

"Sounds boring," the baker shrugged.

Belle only smiled and continued on.

Across the square, Gaston leaned against a wall with LeFou beside him.

"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—"

"Jene 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 Belle."

"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!" Mr. Robert greeted her. "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?"

"Not since yesterday," he chuckled.

"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.

She hurried toward the back and found her sitting at a small table with a cup of tea.

"Sister Belle!" Ruby squealed, jumping up and hugging her tightly.

"Oh, Ruby! I missed you!" Belle laughed, returning the hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I’m guiding Mister Lucian today!" Ruby said proudly, pointing toward the corner.

Belle followed her gaze and saw a tall man with striking silver hair, absorbed in The Exiled Princess.

Curious, she stepped closer and read the title aloud. "The Exiled Princess? That book has no happy ending."

Lucian flinched, startled, and turned to look at her.

For a moment, the two simply stared at each other.