"I suppose there's no point in trying to change your mind?" Adam asked from his place on the castle steps. He watched his beloved walk calmly down the stairs towards Phillipe, who was tied to a post. Belle gave a small, teasing smirk and turned back at her lover fondly. A sympathetic frown had creased her brow. She smiled at him, but it was a rather sad smile. "As much as I would love your company…. I think I should do this alone." She said as she walked back and embedded herself in the Prince's loving embrace. "I won't be gone long. I promise."

He didn't have to like it, but the young Prince had accepted his beloved's decision. "I know." He placed a small kiss on her forehead and then placed his hands on her shoulders, pushing her away ever so slightly. Just enough so that she could look up and into his eyes. "Safe journey, Belle. I'll be waiting." He looked at her as he had the day he changed back into a man. With those humble and deep blue eyes staring into the deep caverns of her soul. Belle's heart sung with joy. She wouldn't be quite whole without her Prince at her side. But to her, it was important that she take the long road to Paris alone. As much as she adored Adam, his castle and all of the people who worked there, it wasn't enough.

She still felt the world calling out to her. So many places she had not yet explored. So many people she had never met. It was time for another journey. Another adventure in the great wide somewhere.

"I love you." She gave Adam one last kiss, pressing her lips to his own. That would be enough words for now. If she spoke anymore…she might never leave.

She unhitched Phillipe from his post and climbed onto his back. The noble horse had never failed her, or her father. Belle could think of no better companion.

The reason for Belle's second journey to Paris was a rather simple one. She wanted to see the city of her childhood with brand new eyes. Before, she had been naïve. She had believed in a Paris that did not exist. One that only lived in a childish and fanciful mind. Yes, it was smaller than she had imagined. But what she had imagined was a fantasy. She was wiser now. And with that newfound wisdom, she would explore the city with a new frame of mind. One which would accept the dull cobblestone streets as they were. Even if it wasn't all that she had hoped it would be, it would still be hers to discover nonetheless. The world of her childhood dreams would soon be hers to savour. And this time, without the heavy shroud of grief to cloud her mind. It would be different this time. She was sure of it.

The journey had been rather long but thankfully peaceful. Belle had been keen enough to bring enough provisions for both herself and Phillipe. To take even one step out onto the road without an preparedness would have been terribly uncharacteristic of her.

One long week on horseback had proven to be a strenuous challenge. Belle struggled to imagine how her father had managed to take her to Villeneuve as a baby along with all of their belongings in tow. She had always thought Maurice to be a strong man, both in heart and in body. Though perhaps he was stronger still than even she could imagine.

"Just over the next hill, Phillipe." Had become a routine mantra for Belle. But finally, after reaching the peak of many hills, there it was at last. She could see the great city in the distance through the early morning fog. "We made it…" She smiled with a gentle exhale of relief and gave Phillipe a pat on his neck.

It was far more beautiful in the light of day. Belle knew soon the morning mist would lift and she would see the city for the first time, without judgement and fanciful, childish expectations.

The Paris of her childhood. She was ready to see all of it again.

The guards at the gate briefly inspected her bags. When they found only books and food, they gestured for her to carry on. Though Belle knew she would have no trouble moving through the city, the thought of being robbed did cross her mind for the first time. She dismounted Phillipe and walked over to a nearby post and water trough.

"Good boy, Phillipe." She exclaimed, giving him many pats on his tired back.

She took his reins and fastened them to the post by the trough. She knew she would not be allowed to take Phillipe any further into the city. As she understood, only soldiers were allowed to do so. She gave the horse one last worried glance before making her way further into the streets and markets. She packed lightly, bringing only what she needed.

The markets assaulted Belle with sounds and scents. The smell of freshly baked bread, fruits and vegetables of all kinds enticed her forward to the stalls. Merchants shouted, persuading unknowing customers to come forward. Belle was taken aback at how many people there were around her. There must been a hundred, no! At least a thousand more people just in this square alone than in her entire village back home. And Belle had never seen so many different looking people either. They came in every shade of skin, every type of attire and spoke in so many different languages, Belle lost count altogether. The poor, the rich and everyone in-between were mingling and running quickly about all around her. Belle smiled warmly and greeted everyone she came close to. Some even greeted her in return, with a "Bonjour" and a nod of their heads. Though most were too busy to spare even a glance in her direction.

Eventually, Belle could resist the smells no longer and allowed herself to buy some bread and some summer berries. Belle's mouth watered slightly upon purchasing some ripe strawberries from a vendor. She tried not to eat too many of them as she continued to browse at all of the shop keep's wares.

As Belle was nearing the edge of the square, she heard the sounds of lutes and drums being played nearby. As she got closer, she could see the music was coming from a small troupe of beggars. All dark skinned and even darker haired. Without even a second thought, Belle reached into one of her pouches and threw a few francs into the hat at her feet. One of the beggars met eyes with Belle. He said nothing, but his thankful, radiant smile spoke volumes. Belle returned the smile back.

Belle held her basket of purchases with two hands in front of her with a content smile. She sighed softly as a pleasant breeze began to blow through her brown locks of hair. The long journey had been worth the toil. Paris was more wonderful and vibrant than she could have ever imagined. The view she had gained from her Father's attic had shown her only a mere fraction of what the city had to offer. It seems she had vastly misjudged it's worth.

Just as Belle had become so consumed in her thoughts, a loud, thunderous sound began to toll from above. It startled her so much, she almost dropped her basket onto the street. Once the shock had passed, Belle realized what she was hearing were only bells. Cathedral bells…

The sound guided Belle's gaze upwards; up, and up and up until at least her eyes set upon two magnificent bell towers crowning a massive, stone Cathedral. Belle let out a small gasp upon recognizing the building for what it was. Her father's descriptions of Notre Dame had done it no justice at all. It was far more beautiful and majestic than Belle could have ever conceived. Standing before it in all of it's stone glory, Belle felt as though the eyes of God himself were gazing upon her. It was no wonder that pilgrims and priests from all over the world travelled miles on foot just to see this sacred, holy place. It was truly a sight to behold; Belle felt her knees weaken at the sound of the bells once more. Never had she heard a sound more divine. It took the very breath out of her lungs and left her nearly gasping for air.

Of course, the sound compelled Belle to walk closer to it. She suddenly felt a strong urge to stand below the saints and angels carved of stone and be regarded in their gazes. Belle and her father had never been strictly vigilant Christians, but she certainly had faith in a power greater than man. And if that power did exist, then there was no doubt in her mind that it rested here; in the holiest place in France.

Belle gave a quick, observant glance around her. There were hardly any people occupying the square in front of the cathedral at this time. And furthermore, there were no guards posted at the doors as far as she could tell. She saw no harm in taking a look inside. If her village church was any indication of how other places of worship operated, she would be allowed to go in and out as she pleased.

Belle walked quickly up the steps and opened one of the front doors. It creaked loudly as she pulled on the handle. She slipped inside, closing it behind her. Belle's jaw dropped a couple of inches as she turned around. The inside was just as beautiful. Gorgeous, tiled floors lined the large corridors. Stained glass windows adorned every wall, casting rainbows of colour down upon the stone at her feet. It was marvelous.

Mid-day mass was still being sung when Belle entered. The beautiful voices of the choir echoed throughout the large stone interior. And as Belle walked, her steps on the stone echoed as well. Belle quickly supposed that she could certainly admire the cathedral from another place. She wished not to interrupt the choir and their ethereal tones. She had not come to Paris to become an annoyance.

Belle slipped away up a nearby spiral staircase that carried her upwards into a long, narrow chamber. The stairs seemed endless and Belle's legs quickly ached at the climb. But the view was entirely worth it. Belle stepped out through an open door and found herself standing on a large balcony. It was the bridge that connected the two bell towers together. Belle gasped at the view below. The sight was incomparable to anything else she had ever seen in her life. Only Adam's library had ever ignited such joy in her before.

The breeze felt so pure and clean up there. Belle breathed in the crisp air and sighed; a large smile planted itself on her lips. She could barely contain herself from giggling happily. If only her father could see this. The river Seine sparkled and shined in the afternoon sunlight. Belle could see the city stretch off for miles, as though it were endless. The longer she stared at it all, the harder it became to tear her gaze away.

Belle knew it would only be a matter of time before she would have to leave Paris and begin the long journey back home. But if she could slow the clock for just a moment, it would be now. However, Belle wasn't a child anymore. She was a grown woman. And a grown woman couldn't afford to be selfish.

This would have to be enough.

Slowly, Belle pained herself to turn away from the view and back towards the tower door where she had come from. Back inside the tower, things had become eerily quiet. And not even the rustling of the high winds could be heard.

But before she could break the silence with her own footsteps, Belle heard the unmistakable sound of a floorboard creak a few feet above her head. She turned to look up but nothing was there.

But Belle was no fool. Although her beauty was a fair façade, she was so much more than her appearance. Belle had encountered this feeling before. The very distinct and irreplaceable feeling of being watched.

Someone was with her in the tower.