Falling Rose Petals

Epilogue

Happily Ever After

Marinette laughed as Adrien spun her around in the air, staring into the very same emerald eyes that once belonged to a beast. When he put her back down, Marinette grabbed his hand, and with the other she gripped the skirt of her dress, and she and Adrien both danced around the castle's grand ballroom.

The servants watched the new King and Queen happily, not only because they were human again, but also because Adrien was able to find love after all these years. His heart was no longer filled with loneliness, but with love that would continue to grow stronger with each passing day.

Nino, the castle's maestro, turned away from his band to smile at the couple. He instructed them all to play the same song they played during Adrien and Marinette's first dance, while Alya sang softly in the background.

Certain as the sun…

For ten years, Nino had wished for this day to come. Having taken care of Adrien for so long, Nino knew everything about the boy. He knew about his loneliness, his inner beauty. He didn't deserve to be neglected by his father, nor did he deserve to be cursed. Adrien had always been so kind and good, it was unfair for him to suffer.

And then there was Marinette, an outcast in every village she had lived in. She didn't deserve such treatment from the villagers because her heart was as good as Adrien's. When she arrived at the castle, she chased away the loneliness in Adrien's heart, something that no one was able to do these past ten years.

They found comfort within each other, having been in similar situations, and love had blossomed between them. Neither of them was lonely anymore.

"I knew she'd break the spell," Nino smiled.

Rising in the east…

Plagg and Tikki watched from the sidelines, the former pretending to gag from all the romance, making the latter laugh. The little black-haired boy then turned away from the redhead and smiled at the new King and his Queen.

"Finally," Plagg whispered, catching Tikki's attention. She looked up at him and when she saw the genuine smile on his face, she turned to watch the couple dance with a smile as well. This was the first time Plagg didn't say anything stupid or insulting or sassy, the first time he had ever stayed silent. Tikki decided not to say a word, and the two children watched Adrien and Marinette dance in a comfortable silence.

Tale as old as time…

Tears of happiness welled up in Alya's eyes, but she fought her hardest to stop them from rolling down her face. She couldn't be happier with how things turned out, and she sang with all her heart as the couple continued to dance. For a split second, she saw Adrien's beastly form again, but she shook her head, smiling as she thought, "He never was a beast."

Song as old as rhyme…

Tom wiped his tears away with his white handkerchief as he watched his daughter and her husband danced around the ballroom. All negative feelings he had for Adrien vanished, for the former beast wasn't as cruel as the baker had initially thought.

Apologies followed every explanation, and Tom forgave Adrien whole-heartedly. He then in turn thanked the Prince because Marinette was finally happy having found both a best friend and a husband in him, and that was the only thing Tom had been waiting for.

Beauty and the Beast.

"So, this is how you really look," Marinette said. Golden blond hair, emerald green eyes, pale complexion. Tall, handsome, and as beautiful on the outside as he was on the inside.

Adrien nodded. "I'm one fine Purrince Charming, aren't I?"

"Oh, shut up."

Adrien laughed, twirling her around.

Tale as old as time…

"I love you, Marinette," Adrien said softly when her hand found his once again.

Marinette smiled. "I love you too, Adrien."

Song as old as rhyme…

As the song neared its end, Adrien and Marinette stopped in the middle of the ballroom, and all those present stared happily at the loving stares the couple exchanged with each other.

Neither of them said a word, but they could all hear the love in the silence.

Beauty and the Beast.

Adrien and Marinette inched closer to each other until their lips met, and the entire ballroom filled with cheers and applause.

And they all lived happily ever after.

extra

Hidden in the far corner of the room, the Enchantress watched the couple with an unreadable expression on her face. She observed Adrien's face, and seeing the happiness in his eyes, the blackness in her heart diminished just a tiny bit. Her lips curved upward into a rare smile as she spoke.

"You're not alone anymore, Adrien."

A/N: the end.

Beauty and the Beast will forever be one of my favorite Disney classics, and I hope you all enjoyed my Miraculous Ladybug re-telling of it. I loved writing this fanfic, and I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to read and follow this story until its completion, and for reviewing and adding this story to your favorites. I love you all. :)

Thank you.

~ Kaorei