A/N: Before introducing my first Beauty and the Beast fanfic, there are just a few people I would like to thank. First off, Trudi: thanks a million for re-reading my chapters more times then I have ever done, and pointing out the mistakes! This story is also yours! Faith and Klaske… you girls just rock and there's nothing else left to say! Hope everyone likes this story, because I put a piece of my heart in it! God Bless!

Chapter I

Doubts

A new life. Yes, a new life. Belle tried to convince herself that that was what she had been given. Her life had been turned into a fairytale...a beautiful fairy tale that would surely have a happy ending. Wouldn't it?

The young maiden got up and walked to the window. It was a beautiful morning. So beautiful it was that it almost seemed like that morning too had been affected by the transformation. The transformation? It's been almost a week since he's changed, she thought. Have I changed too?

She thought back to that magical yet confusing spring night. The night their lives changed forever. The night the enchanted objects gained their human form, and that Beast she had learnt to love transformed into a handsome and charming Prince. There was absolutely nothing she could do at the time but stand there, totally perplexed. Until the moment the Prince approached and proved himself to be that regretted monster which had once imprisoned her in the castle.

They were in love, she knew it, and the enchantment of their kiss had convinced her that they were to live happily ever after. His words – which had been the last words he had spoken to her until now – had left her breathless: "You have taught me how to love, and never will my heart feel a greater passion that what I feel for you. I want to grow old next to you, protect you whenever you feel weak or vulnerable. I want to prove to you, everyday, that my love is so strong that one day without seeing you would end this humble life of mine."

One day? But… five days have gone by since that night and we haven't seen each other once, she thought, feeling her eyes moistening.

Belle stood contemplating the scenic landscape outside her bedroom window. A pair of doves sat upon a tree and sang the morning song. Feeling almost lost amongst such harmony, she hardly noticed when someone entered the room.

"Belle?"

It was Mrs. Potts, the most loveable lady who not so long ago had her soul trapped in a enchanted teapot. Curiously, her voice was still sweet and soft. Mrs. Potts had been to Belle the mother she lost when she was only four years old. The housekeeper entered the room discreetly and closed the door behind her.

"My, my! Why the tears?" said the old lady, resting her hand on Belle's shoulder.

For a while there was silence between the two of them. Feeling the tension and reminding herself once more of that night, Belle couldn't help the tears rolling down her cheeks, trying to wipe them dry at the same time with her hand.

"Nothing, it's nothing. It's probably just that the sun is too bright."

"Oh, Belle! You can't fool me, my dear. From all the months I have spent with you, this is certainly not the first time I've seen you cry. It's because of him, isn't it?"

Mrs. Potts paused, hearing Belle's soft hiccups. "My dear child, I raised the master as if he were my own son. He lost both his parents when he was only three years old. And one thing I can guarantee you: never have I seen so much love in his eyes. You have revolutionized his life, and he shall never forget that. These last few days have been tough, mostly because the master has needed to attend to some noble duties. Poor boy, he always thought this was a … bore!" Mrs. Potts giggled and Belle kept drying her tears. The old lady delicately caressed Belle's cheek, and then continued talking. "Not one night goes by without him asking for you. Sometimes it's already very late and you're dreaming away with angels. But many were the times he entered your room while you were asleep, sitting on a chair and contemplating your beauty. Many were the times he too would fall asleep, not being able to fight the long hours."

The housekeeper paused a moment, then headed for the door. "I believe the hard times are over. Now it's time you two put everything behind you and live your love to the fullest. You might want to come down just now for breakfast. There's someone downstairs who's been dying to speak to you for the past few days!" she ended with a smile, finally leaving the room.

It was then Belle remembered the person which was most probably the reason why everything happened in the first place. Papa! He's probably just returned!

Maurice had returned to the village after the transformation night to take care of a few things and pack up some of his inventions.

She quickly put on her pink dress, loosened her hair, loose and ran down the stairs. She wanted to see her father so badly and tell him what she felt, how much she missed ---

"Belle, you're awake!" said Vincent with an enormous smile spreading across his face. He wore a white shirt, perfectly plain, together with black comfortable pants. The prince approached Belle and held her hand gently. He was a completely different man from the Beast she had known. Tall and with a fine stature, his long sandy-coloured hair covered his delicate shoulders. The touch of his hand reminded her once more of that spring night. Belle had felt as though the time would never come when she would finally hear his sweet voice again. At first she had felt as though she were talking to a complete stranger, but then she sensed something in him that made her feel that she was back together with her Beast once again. His eyes. Blue like the deep ocean, his eyes were the window to his soul. Those eyes that so many times had helped her understand whether he was happy or sad. Belle imagined that this elegant man had stolen the Beast's eyes and carved them into his own face, only meaning to confuse her even more.

Belle found herself incapable of reacting. She had expected to see her father, but instead stood in front of the man who brought both joy and confusion to her heart.She didn't know what to feel when she was with him or even thought of him. Could it be the Beast she had deeply fallen in love with? No, she couldn't hide the fact that the prince's presence brought joy to her heart too. But at the same time there was a sort of enlightenment she sought but could not find.

"I've been awake for hours, hardly been able to sleep!" said the prince with excitement. "All because I wanted to be the first to tell you the great news!"

For a moment, irrational thoughts passed through her mind, filling her heart with dread. But then, seeing his excitement, she couldn't help but smile in response.

"It's all over, Belle! I'm through with every noble duty which had been left behind!" said Vincent.

"That's great…" said Belle, trying hard to keep the smile on her face.

Sensing Belle's hesitation, Vincent's smile slowly faded. "I know these last few days have been tough. To me it's been like hell! And believe me when I say it was not due to all that boring work I went through, but because of all these days without feeling your touch and not being able to openly express my love for you. I love you, Belle, and from now on every hour of my life will be dedicated to you so that I can make you feel happy here with me."

Our love? But...how do I feel about you?

Almost reading Belle's thoughts, the prince couldn't help asking the inevitable question, hoping he had already guessed the answer.

"You still love me, don't you?"

Belle couldn't answer. She tried to remember the conversation with Mrs. Potts earlier that morning. But in her conscience, Belle could only think of one person: the Beast.

Feeling Vincent's anxiety, Belle decided the wisest course would be to take some time to think about it all and sort out her feelings. She didn't want to make a rash decision she would regret.

"I'm so happy for you, Vincent! Seriously, maybe from now on we will…

"You haven't answered my question, Belle…"

"I'm sorry Vincent, but I'm just a little confused right now. It's not your fault. And I never, ever want to hurt you. But you must give me a little more time so that I can find my place in this world. So that I can find my place in your world."

Belle gave him a kiss on the cheek to soften the impact of her words, then left the room. Maybe he was just imagining it, but he could swear the room had gotten colder since the instance his beloved had left. It was so cold that he did not realize that Lumière, one of his most faithful servants, had just entered the room.

"Ah! Bonjour, master! Cogsworth has just informed me that you have finally concluded your noble dutie. Congratulations!" he said happily. "I can imagine that the master and mademoiselle are ready to recover all this lost time together! Where is she, anyway? I thought she was coming to meet you…"

"If it is Belle you are looking for, then she is probably in her room packing her bags."

"Bags? My, my! Please forgive me when I say that master and mademoiselle do not waste time, if you know what I mean," Lumière said in between giggles. "And where might you be going?"

"We're not going anywhere, Lumière. Belle is returning to the village."

"But, but… I don't understand! Monsieur Maurice is going to be living in the same castle as mademoiselle. What would make her go back to that dreadful village, together with those… peasants …?"

"She's going back because she doesn't want to be here anymore," replied Vincent, feeling a lump in his throat while he spoke. "She doesn't love me anymore, Lumière. There is no more reason to keep her here... imprisoned."

Lumière approached the prince and slowly whispered, so that one else could hear him but his company.

"I confess that yesterday, while I passed by her bedroom door, I heard mademoiselle crying. She tried not to cry, the poor thing, but even I could realize she was drowning in her own emotions. Although, master, I do not believe it was because she does not love you. I believe she is merely confused. Don't forget she declared her love for the Beast, and now she thinks she has lost him forever. It is up to you, and only you, to reassure her that the Beast did not die, but has only gained his human form." Lumière fell silent for a while and then continued. "I have seen you lose her once, and I don't want to see you so hurt again. Go and talk to her! Right now mademoiselle only seeks for comfort, and only you can give it to her! Trust me," he concluded with a smile. Then he exited the room and left Vincent once again lost in his own thoughts.

Maybe Lumière is right. I have to convince her that I am the same man that loves her more than his own life. But how?