Secrets

The Proposal

Wow. It's been a while, people. Sorry for the monstrous delay. I hope you enjoy this small but exciting one - I certainly did. :)

The library was quiet and the small window allowed a beam of light to enter in the room. The smell of old books and dust invaded Belle's nostrils in a pleasant way, causing the girl to smile. She couldn't help but to feel a bit nostalgic; to remember the days Rumple would watch her reading and eventually join her.

Those days were the glorious days, she figured.

Now, however, Belle was not in her free-time moments in which she would gladly pick up an adventurous book to read. Right now, she was working on her research about Arendelle's family and hoped to find a way to create a portal to said land.

She opened and turned the pages of the old book on her hands with caution. According to Regina, Maleficent's collection wasn't friendly to strangers. The fairy's line of magic was known to be damaging and Belle learned sometimes written words can cause more destruction than swords and arrows.

Still holding the book, she walked towards the circular wooden table in the center of the library and placed it down, taking a seat to herself. Belle's eyes sparkled in curiosity as she examined the first pages, fascinated with what she had just found.

It wasn't a regular book. It wasn't about magic, or at least it was not meant to be. It was a diary, Maleficent's diary.

The girl frowned slightly as she reached the middle of the fifth page. There were personal things in there; things she wouldn't want anyone to read if the author was herself. It didn't feel right to intrude, but at the same time she was curious to know the secrets hidden in those pages.

Belle stared at the book for minutes and moved to rest her back on the comfy chair. Sighing, she looked around, traveling her eyes trough the great collection of Maleficent's castle. It made her wonder what could make someone register so many things about potions and curses. At that moment, her eyes leaned on the open diary in front of her. Belle bit her lower lip nervously and took a deep breath.

"Well, I suppose there's no harm to look." She murmured, surrendering herself to curiosity.

--|¥|--

"Come on, you have to tell us." Anna giggled, still looking at Ingrid.

"I told you, there's not much to tell!" Her aunt responded cheerfully, shaking her head negatively.

"That can't be true, Aunt Ingrid." Elsa reasoned, lifting playful eyebrows.

"Oh, fine. You two are impossible." Ingrid breathed out, earning chuckles from the two sisters. "Well, I lived in Arendelle with our family and one day my mother thought it would be good for her children to learn about responsibilities." She added calmly. "That's how me, your mother and your other aunt came to Enchanted Forest." She concluded.

"What did grandma told you to do? It seems exciting!" Anna commented, smiling.

Ingrid's smile hardened slightly. "Well, it was certainly challenging." She responded in a controlled voice.

A knock on the door interrupted the trio's conversation. Elsa moved to stand and invited the person to open it and enter in the room. Emma's face appeared behind the doorframe with a small smile.

"I hope I'm not intruding." The Savior said.

"Nonsense, come on in!" Anna exclaimed, beaming excitedly.

"What is it?" Elsa questioned.

"It's just that we're planning on going soon, but first we'd like to settle thing straight. There's going to be a reunion after lunch and we expect you to be there." Emma answered calmly.