Disclaimer: TRIGGER WARNING. alright, just so everyone is aware, there is a very dark scene at the end of this chapter (I have marked the place) that deals with depictions of non/con and attempted rape. I tried not to make it too graphic, but just be aware. I will place a disclaimer at the beginnings of chapters that may have other scenes of similar violence. I hope you enjoy!
Her breath could be seen in the air as she silently ran through the thick of the woods. Panting, she pushed the branches of nearby trees out of her path, quickly side stepping any jagged rocks or tree roots as she sprinted toward her goal. The nighttime creatures made their noise as she forced her way through more of the bushes and oak trees that blocked her path. Just the owls sounding, the crunching of branches under her foot and her heavy breathing filled the night.
Finally coming to a clearing, Belle made a sudden stop in her tracks, looking onward to her destination. The clouds pulled back to reveal a bright full moon through the opening of the trees and illuminated her father's Manor, allowing Belle to finally see a clear path back home. Ducking back to follow the tree line, Belle kept an eye out for any guards that may be keeping watch over the grounds of the manor.
Escaping into the kitchen gardens Belle silently slipped through the glass doors leading to the solarium on the side of her father's home. Straining her ears for any sound of servants that may still be awake, Belle silently moved toward the doors leading from the Solarium into the servants' quarters. Quietly Belle shut the door behind her and looked around. The servants' hall was dark, but down the hall to her right she could see a flicker of light and hear soft voices laughing. Biting her lip and keeping her eyes on the light, Belle headed the opposite way toward the darkness of the hall, inching along with her left hand tracing along the wall while quickly following the curve of the hall leading toward the doorway to the back stairwell.
A sound of a door opening made Belle's eyes go wide, a small gasp escaping her lips and she quickly ducked into an empty room just before the stairwell. Belle stealthily held the door closed, though not all the way so she could still see into the hallway. Hearing whispers, Belle quickly backed away from the door, fearing she will be caught and she willed her heart to pound just a bit quieter as she waited for the all clear.
With a faint smile, Belle closed her eyes to better remember the events of her night; the soft glow of the orange fire on his face, his green eyes sparkling while he smiled slightly, bending near to place a shy kiss on her cheek. Yes she was in love and it was exactly as she had imagined it. Sighing Belle leaned back against the door, almost closing it shut. It happened all so quickly, how fast she fell in love with Adam, but she wasn't surprised, it was just as her books had said, and she felt like she could burst with joy. But telling her father that she fell for the son of the local baker was not going to be an easy task, considering his high ranking as Lord of the Marshlands.
Finally sensing that the coast was clear, Belle slipped back out into the darkened hall, bouncing up the back stairs, two at a time until she reached the second floor. Belle quickly scanned the area before running down the red carpeted hallway that lead to the family quarters of the Manor, skidding around the corner and holding onto the dark wood banister to steady herself before she clumsily crashed into something and giving away her position.
Belle raced toward her room, swinging open her bedroom door and just as quickly shutting the door behind her. She leaned against the door and let out a long sigh of relief, yet another successful night of sleuthing.
"And where have you been my dearest daughter?"
Belle's eyes shot open and she gasped as she made eye contact with her father sitting comfortably on the chair by her fireplace - she didn't even notice him when she ran into her room. Belle let out a defeated sigh and looked up through her lashes as her father, giving the old man a little smile and hoping to hide the shame and guilt and coerce him into sudden forgiveness, if such thing was needed.
Maurice only smirked at Belle, shaking his head, knowing her game.
"You cannot flutter your eyes at me and expect me to melt. I have become immune; your mother always did the same thing." Lord Maurice stood from his seat, his wide shoulders and tall frame shadowing Belles petite form. A frown formed on his face drawing his eyebrows down, "I was worried Belle, worried sick." His voice was calm, always cool and composed though Belle could always read him like one of her books and the expression on his face told her she should feel guilty.
Biting her lip Belle hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry Papa." She whispered, silently glad Maurice was a gentle soul and not keen to outbursts.
Maurice simply sighed and shook his head at his youngest daughter. With her cheeks rosy from the cold night and her once perfect plait frizzy and unruly, Belle could only imagine what her Father saw. But Maurice finally smiled at his daughter - the spitting image of her late Mother. He was proud of the young woman, how sweet she was, and so unlike her two older sisters in both appearance and personality. His little rose, his Belle. Shaking his head in defeat, Maurice simply Belle within his large arms and with a smile and a laugh Belle kissed her father's cheek.
"It won't happen again I promise. I hate to make you worry, really."
Maurice looked down at Belle with a stern look, "This is the fifth time you've snuck out in the middle of the night," Maurice raised a hand to settle any words that may have attempted to escape Belle's open mouth and her shock at being found out died right there upon her lips.
"You're not as stealthy as you think you are little rose. I am the Master of this house and nothing escapes my knowledge. Now, why Belle? Where do you go off to?" Maurice watched his daughters face carefully as her mouth opened then shut again, as if thinking about what to say to her Father.
"I-I just…" suddenly Belles nerves went out, she couldn't tell him, not tonight. Though she had promised Adam she would she just didn't have the courage to do it, not yet, not now.
"I found this tree, by a lake. It's the best place to read, I like to go there and think sometimes" Belle winced at the terrible lie she told her father. But Maurice, sensing Belle's reluctance to share her comings and goings, didn't push any further and only nodded in mild amusement.
"Perhaps in the morning over breakfast you could, elaborate about your new reading spot. That you go to. In the darkness. To read." Maurice gently planted a kiss on top of his daughters head and headed out the door. "To bed little beauty, no more reading by the moonlight", and smiling he closed the door behind him.
Belle sighed and hung her head in shame. She hated lying to her Father; tomorrow morning would be the day. Belle nodded her head in agreement with her thoughts as she stripped off her muslin dress and slinked on her nightgown. The morning will be the perfect time to finally tell her father about her true love.
XxXxX
All confidence Belle might have felt before dozing off to sleep vanished with the night, and she sat at the breakfast table quietly eating her porridge as her two sisters babbled on and on about what dresses they would wear to the upcoming Ball and what young gentlemen they may meet there. Maurice silently ate his meal as well, smiling fondly at his girls talking animatedly, every so often stealing a glance at his youngest, who appeared to be trying to disappear into her seat.
The eldest, Josette twirled a lock of golden hair around her finger as she thought hard about which of her new dresses she would most prefer to wear.
"The light blue would go with my eyes of course, but then the Ball will occur at night so maybe I should go with the darker blue. Edward does dote upon me; he brought back four different necklaces, all matching the sapphire of my ring." Josette smiled and stretched out her hand, dangling her enormous engagement ring under her middle sister's nose. Rosalind rolled her eyes at the gesture, quietly greening with envy. Rosalind was tall like her father with fair hair and light blue eyes which darkened at her oldest sister with distaste.
"I don't see why you should really care about what you look like anyway sister dear, you're already engaged, no need to primp yourself up like a silly peacock." Rosalind spat smoothing out her pink skirts and ignoring Josette's massive eye roll.
Maurice took this break in the conversation to change the subject from pretty dresses to Belles mystery.
"So Belle, tell me about this tree you found." He smiled cunningly at his youngest. Josette and Rosalind glanced at their sister.
"Tree?" Josette snorted, "is that what you told Father you were doing?"
Rosalind attempted to fight the smile creeping on her face as she dipped her spoon languidly into her bowl of porridge.
Maurice folded his hands on the table looking from his two fair haired eldest daughters, sucking his teeth and smiling. "Ah I see I am the last one to know. Well please Belle; bring me in on your little secret."
Belle glared at her two sisters as they both silently settled into their cold porridge, not daring to make eye contact. Sighing Belle straightened up in her chair, her face reddening in embarrassment. Glancing at her Father she knew now was the time. Belle opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the door opened and in strolled Edward with a wide smile on his face and boxes under his arms, his dark hair shining in the morning light. Josette burst into her loveliest smile and squealed with delight, as Edward placed the packages on the floor at her feet, Rosalind wincing from the high pitch of her sisters voice.
Clamping a hand on his future father in laws shoulder, Edward smiled at each sister and greeted the room.
"I hope everyone had a splendid evening last night before I left, nothing too interesting happened between dinner and now did it?" Edward lounged on the seat across from Belle and next to his future wife who was already onto package number three, Rosalind jealously fingering the Sapphire broach that was hastily placed on the middle of the table.
"Oh Edward, it's just beautiful!" Josette squealed "And you got that hat I so wanted!" immediately Josette jumped out of her seat and ran over to the mirror hanging over the Credenza between the doors leading out to the terrace. Belle slouched back into her chair with a sudden relief which flowed over her at the distraction while Edward was at once engaging his future father in law with talk of his travels to the North Kingdoms.
Belle slipped out of the dining room and headed toward the library, a worried frown spreading across her face. Maybe it wasn't meant to be; maybe it was best she didn't tell her father about Adam. Sighing, Belle crossed her father's library toward her usual window seat, and finding the book she had abandoned the previous day.
She knew her father would find out soon what she had been up to, but she just was not prepared to face him just yet. She closed her eyes, praying for the courage to speak up, before finally diving into the worlds presented within her book, stories of adventure and thrilling escapades. Belle reminisced over her meeting with Adam again, a flush rising in her cheeks, still feeling his warm hand upon hers. She could hear his nervous boyish chuckle and see his sandy hair and green eyes in her mind. She had to tell her father, she just had to.
XxXxX
Time flew by as Belle finished her first book and moved onto the next book, this time about princes and damsels in distress. She smiled as she imagined the thrill she experienced sneaking out of her father's house, to meet with her crush. Belle never had many friends, preferring to stay inside reading, and dreaming of far off places and dashing princes. Adam was a quiet boy, reminding her of her Father. He would never be a Duke like Edward, or even have much money to his name, but she hoped his gentleness would ease her father's mind. She had decided right away that Adam was the one - not that she had really took the effort to meet anyone else what with her nose stuck in books all the time, but she was sure he was the one.
Belle's mind floated aimlessly out the bay window and flew over the gardens of her father's house. She watched the gardeners working and let her imagination drift away over the mist of the day, imagining she was a bird flying free, adventuring to the north and to the south. She sighed dreamily resting her head on the cold perspiring glass and tried to imagine what it would be like to fight with a dragon...
Maurice cleared his throat jostling Belle from her daydream and she looked at him with wide eyes and then smiled faintly, a trace of dimple in her left cheek. He motioned for Belle to join him on the couch that sat facing the oak fireplace. Belle gingerly stepped out of her seat at the window and cuddled next to her father, like she used to do when she was still a small child. Maurice sighed and looked down at his daughter.
"Where do you go at night Belle? Should I be worried, because I am."
Belle sighed and straightened up facing the fire, her Fathers profile in her periphery, she knew she should be looking him in the eye at that moment but all her courage was needed into getting through her confession. Taking a deep breath she launched into the speech she had planned, praying she sounded strong and confident.
"Papa" she started "Papa I met him, I met the one, and I-I'm in love." She stole a glance at her father, holding her breath and tensing her shoulders. Maurice only frowned at his daughter.
"A boy?" he raised his eyebrows "You sneak out, to see a boy? Alone?" suddenly he looked uneasy.
Belle's brow furrowed, this was not going as she had imagined and she began to fidget with her gown. "No, it's not like that…" she started but Maurice tightened his mouth in a tight line silencing her right away.
"Who is he? Where did you meet him?" his voice began to rise to new levels making Belle's heart race, " What sort of gentleman meets with a young girl at night alone without a chaperon?" his face was red now as he began to pace the floor before her. Belle's mouth slacked open trying to find the words but she suddenly felt what little confidence she had dwindle with every heavy step from her Father.
"This is inappropriate Belle. Very inappropriate, do you know what would happen if people found out?" He cried, waving his arms about to emphasize his point.
"Nothing happened Father, I promise, we just talk, and-and hold hands, that's all! There's nothing inappropriate about it." Bell stammered but her father was shaking his head.
"It is unacceptable. Who is he, do I know him?"
Belle's voice was small when she spoke, her eyes studying the rug below her feet.
"Adam, his father is the baker; he lives in the village…"
Maurice stopped dead in his tracks with anger in his eyes and without a word he stalked out of the room. Belle quickly got up off the couch and raced after her father, pleading for him to listen, to understand.
Maurice moved down the stairwell to the servants' quarters, entering just in time as Adam, the baker's son was delivering bread for his father. Upon seeing Maurice's stern look, the young man paled.
"You!" Maurice cried pointing his large finger at the boy and startling the help "You are never to deliver here again, do you hear me." Maurice's face was red; anger was not an emotion he felt on a regular basis.
"Stay away from my daughter!" and with that Adam quickly nodded and ran out of the kitchen, the kitchen staff standing stark still watching their employer huff and puff. Turning on his heel, Maurice found Belle, standing in the entrance way with tears in her eyes and he stood for a moment collecting his heavy breath.
"Papa…" Belle sobbed, but it fell to deaf ears and Maurice quickly brushed passed his daughter, leaving Belle standing humiliated in the Kitchen.
XxXxX
Both Maurice and Belle were silent at the dinner table that night. Josette, Rosalind and now Edward all still talking about the upcoming Ball, this time the focus on who was to be expected, though neither Belle nor Maurice were paying too much attention.
"Do you think Jonathan will be there?" Edward was saying, stabbing at a piece of broccoli and shoving it in his mouth, "What with his Mother being ill, I do hope he will be able to make it, he so looks forward to meeting you Rosie" Edward winked at his future sister in law Rosalind, whose swanlike neck became dotted with crimson flush.
Belle aimlessly moved her food around her plate, her mood despondent. If Maurice noticed he didn't make any comment on it. Instead he wiped his mouth and interjected.
"Edward, I do hope to be seeing your brother Gaston at the ball tomorrow night. Such a strapping young man."
Belle looked up at her father, eyes narrowed, knowing full well where this was going.
"Indeed." Edward smiled heartily and then looking at Belle leaned forward "you know he will never stop speaking of you little Belle. The last time he met you he came home absolutely enthralled. Enthralled I say, he has never been more enchanted with a girl, though the girls are more than enchanted with him." Edward laughed heartily, Jossette dreamily laughing alongside him
Belle stared at her future Brother. Gaston Desrosier was certainly dashing and charming; however he was always so conceited and completely dull. Belle had despised his advances, and rolled her eyes at his shallow attempts at flattery. Her father, as she recalled, only laughed and poked fun at Belle after she complained about Gaston, and saying that his little rose was far too good for that empty headed Dukeling. But now, suddenly Maurice decided that Gaston was strapping and interesting.
Belle's fury built up inside her. She closed her eyes as Edward continued to fill the others in with Gaston's hunting achievements, breathing in and out slowly in an attempt to calm down and try not to cry at the table. She glanced at her Father, hoping to show him how hurt she was, but he didn't acknowledge his daughter, and instead smiled and exclaimed how much he looked forward to meeting with the handsome man at the Ball.
XxXxX
Belle absently brushed her dark hair as she sat at her vanity with her eyes were blotchy and wet from crying, not a good look on her she had to admit. She could feel her heart beak whenever she remembered the horrified look on her father's face when she announced her love, or Adam cowering at her father's presence in the kitchen before running out of her life, probably forever. Oh forever did seem like such a long time...
She knew she would never be alone with Adam again; he would never have the courage to fight for her. She sighed and placed the brush on her vanity, her hair was now shiny and soft.
She glanced at the Yellow gown her maid had hung in her closet for the Ball tomorrow night and frowned. She did not look forward to dancing, did not look forward to talking with boring nobles who always said the same things and always did the same things. She especially did not look forward to seeing Gaston, the mindless bore.
Suddenly her life was back where it was, in the same old rhythm as before. Soon Josette will be married, Rosalind will be engaged, and then it will be Belle who everyone will focus on finding a husband for. Belle sighed dramatically and fell onto her bed, staring up at the creamy canopy that hung over her bed. "When will life happen for me?" Belle whispered to her empty room before begrudgingly drifting off to sleep, dreaming of a dark and mysterious stranger, coming to sweep her to a far off place…
XxXxX
The sun shone brightly into Belle's eyes and she groggily awoke to the sounds of her sisters bickering loudly in the rooms adjoining hers. Rubbing her eyes, Belle stumbled over to her vanity mirror and tried to focus on her image as her hand reached for the brush.
Her eyes were puffy from crying the night before and she sighed once more at the reflection of the golden dress hanging on the closet door. In the light she saw tiny golden flecks bounce off the bodice, ever so slightly, it was a pretty dress and at any other time Belle would have enjoyed dressing up. The door to her room flung open and in swept Belles two sisters still talking loudly and opening Belle's wardrobe all the way to scour for shoes.
"Come right on in, make yourself at home to my closet please" Belle said sarcastically more to herself than anyone else.
"Why are you wearing the blue one, we decided that blue was MY colour" Josette cried, and aimlessly tossed Belles shoes out of the closet one pair at a time, Rosalind folded her arms across herself and rolled her eyes toward Belle in an attempt to drag Belle along with her contempt.
"You have four new dresses Josette, I just have the two, and the best one is my blue dress. You should change what YOU'RE wearing."
Rosalind leaned over Belle's shoulder and gently prodded at the non existent wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, "And since when was blue your colour?"
Josette pulled out the silver heels she had been looking for and stood with triumph on her face, which quickly turned to a frown when she stood and glared at Rosalind.
"Fine Rosalind, I will wear my bright green instead, it will show off the necklace Eddy brought me from the Northern Kingdoms anyway. Belle dear, I'm going to be wearing these, alright?" Josette smiled in Belles direction and didn't wait for a response before dancing over to pick up the Gold dress hanging on the door of the wardrobe.
"It's a bit flashy for you don't you think little Belle?" Josette placed the dress in front of her body and stared at the reflection in the full length mirror before deciding that Gold was not her colour. Belle merely frowned at her sister and went back to tackling her mane with harsh strokes.
Josette shared a knowing smile with Rosalind before jumping on Belles unmade bed. "I take it we won't be calling the bakers son Brother anytime soon?" Josette raised an eyebrow at Belle mockingly, Rosalind only giggled, picking up a pink rose that was sitting in the vase on Belles vanity and twirling it between her tapered fingers. Belle's eyes only watered in response and Josette frowned and sat up in the bed. She gracefully crossed the threshold over to where Belle sat and crouched down beside her sister, planting a warm comforting hand on the girls knee like their Mother used to whenever one of the girls was upset.
"Oh Belle, sweet little Belle. He's not the only boy out there you know" Josette murmered, brushing a lock of Belles dark hair away from her eyes.
Rosalind nodded knowingly "He was far below our station anyway, you can do so much better."
Belle dropped her head in her hands in response with tears in her eyes a sob breaking loose, and Josette furrowed her brow and pinched Rosalind in the arm making her suck in her breath in pain.
Josette suddenly perked up. "Gaston will be at the Ball Belle. You know how he adores you, you lucky girl!"
Belle looked at her sisters and pouted. "I don't want him to dote on me, I'm not interested, and I love Adam!"
Josette sighed and stood up, "You will soon get over it Belle. Believe me. And when you do, Gaston will be there to sweep you off your feet." She smoothed out her skirts and glanced at Rosalind, both girls smirking."One look in his handsome face and you will forget the Bakers sons' name."
Belle begrudgingly walked over to the gold dress which was now flung carelessly on the bed as her sisters skipped about the room, continuing their preparations.
Her sisters meant well, however thinking about Gaston made her dread attending the ball now more than ever.
XxXxX
The carriage dropped the sisters and their father off in front of massive front steps of the Manor home of the Duke of Westerly. Servants bowed as they entered though the massive entrance hall, placing their cloaks in the waiting hands of the footmen.
Soon Edward was at Josette's side, first shaking Lord Maurice's hand then taking Josette's arm and steering her toward the ballroom. Maurice held onto the arm of his second child Rosalind and guided her towards the ballroom with Belle following closely behind. The Grand Marshall nodded his head at Maurice before announcing his arrival.
"The Lord Maurice and his daughters Miss French and Miss Belle French."
The three gently walked down the staircase toward the dancing party below, Rosalind's head held high showcasing her best feature as her light blue dress elegantly draped to the floor. Belle tried her best keep her features neutral as she held onto her father's arm, picking up the hem of her Golden gown so she wouldnt trip.
Across the room, Belle spotted the tall, dark and very handsome Gaston Desrosiers flirting shamelessly with a group of women who had congregated around him. Belle had to refrain from rolling her eyes as the girls laughed in unison at something Gaston said.
Quietly Belle followed her Father as he lead Rosalind around the room, obviously showcasing his next available daughter, her smile beaming as she bowed to this duke and that Lord. Belle looked around at the room with curious eyes. The ballroom was exquisitely decorated in white and light soft pink, the chandelier glistening from the ceiling.
Belle became mesmerized by the colourful splashes of colour as people danced around to the music. She was so caught up in her daydream that she failed to notice that Gaston had made his way toward her and her family.
"Lord Maurice! It's good to see you," Gaston bellowed, clapping Maurice on the shoulder, "and Rosalind such a beauty in blue, blue is your colour" Gaston flashed a set of pearly whites at Rosalind as she demurely bowed her head in appreciation, her neck becoming tinged with red. Maurice smiled warmly at Gaston in response.
Gaston soon turned his attentions onto Belle, grabbing her small hand and wetly kissing her knuckles.
"My lady Belle, I've been thinking about you every day since we met" he winked at her and she tried her best not to grimace with disgust. Without a word Gaston held out his arm, expecting Belle to allow him to lead her to the dance floor. With a stern look from Maurice Belle begrudgingly snaked her arm into Gaston's.
Gaston's chest puffed out like a bird as he grasped Belle around her small waist pulling her closer to him and Belle sighed and followed suit as Gaston whirled her around. Every time they passed a mirror, Belle caught Gaston admiring his own reflection, and there were a lot of mirrors in the ballroom.
no sooner had Belle began to feel relieved that she would not be forced to listen to another dulle tale, Gaston launched into a story about hunting wild boar with Prince James, boasting about how he was the one who caught the biggest and Wildest Boar the South has ever seen. Belle smiled weakly at the story, one she heard last time they had met.
"You know Belle; you're a very lucky lady." Belle's mind jumped back to her dance partner, eyeing him quizzically. "It's not every day I see a woman who is on the same level as me. It's so hard finding someone who understands the challenges of being desired so much, you know?" Gaston smiled at her, proud of his supposed complement. Belle again tried her hardest not to roll her eyes. Gaston is after all Edwards brother; best not upset the future in laws, lest dinners become awkward.
I'm doing this for Josette, think of Josette and Father. Belle thought to herself as she wordlessly twirled around the room with Gaston, ignoring the jealous stares from many a lady that night. Praying that the dance would soon be over Belle tuned out Gaston's babbling and was soon focused on the dark figure that she had just noticed standing off to the side, wordlessly staring into the dazzling array of dancers. His face was obscured by the shadows of the terrace curtains which billowed around him, but Belle could feel a strange sizzle in the air each time she glanced his way, the hairs on her skin rising in alarm.
"… We can spend summers at my country house, my latest kill roasting on the fire, the little ones running around while you massage my feet." Belles mind snapped back to Gaston who was grinning down at her. "I was thinking about 5 or 6." Belle blinked, once again looking to where the dark figure had been standing but was now gone, and then back at Gaston.
"What?"
"Kids, I think we should have about 5 or 6. Maybe 7." Gaston winked.
Belle merely stared at Gaston. She suddenly was in no mood to dance.
"Uh, look Gaston, you're really great. And-and very handsome," Gaston tisked in mock humility
"But I'm sorry, I'm not interested in you that way."
Gaston rolled his eyes and laughed "you are too funny Belle, such a great sense of humor, I think I'm more in love with you than I was before." Gaston smiled widely.
"Incredible," Belle exclaimed under her breath as she broke away from Gaston, thankful that the music finally stopped.
"Gaston, I'm not going to marry you." Belle insisted. Gaston's smile never wavered.
"Oh I get it," He winked at Belle "wait until Rosalind is married, I completely understand, don't want big sis to feel left out eh."
Belle looked at Gaston with distaste before shaking her head and spinning around, heading toward the terrace. Gaston blinked at Belle as she left. "Wait, where are you going?"
~8888888888~
Belle let out a long exhale as she finally reached outside. She leaned her head against the cool stone wall of the Mansion and let the cold night air envelope her, relaxing her as she steadily breathed in and out, the sounds of the bustling party drowning out among her deep inhales.
Belle opened her eyes and stared out across the courtyard, the moon high and bright in the sky. She breathed deeply, collecting her senses and trying to calm her mind. The courtyard was completely silent as Belle moved along the wall, admiring the hedge work and the flowerbeds. The night was too quiet even.
The hair on Belles arm suddenly stood up, a sizzling coming through the air. Stepping towards the hedge maze Belle followed her senses to the entrance. Something was off and Belle felt her curiosity taking a hold of her as she moved through the maze.
Taking a right, Belle felt her ears perk up as she continued alert as ever. A left turn lead her past a statue of a goddess, hiding in the hedge and she could almost feel her empty eyes following her in the night.
Belle came to a dead end suddenly and whipped her head to the right; Belle followed her gut and aimed to near the center of the maze. The night was clear and the stars were bright, Belle was grateful for the light of the moon, though not as bright as a full moon. She felt her eyes were quickly adjusting to the dark as she wandered closer and closer to the center. She heard a rustling behind her, which made her spin around. "Hello?" she called out but with no reply. Belle tilted her head down, keeping her right ear in the air listening for any other movement; she let her left shoulder lead her back toward the center of the maze and Belle's breathing became heavier as she felt more and more like she was not alone. She rounded a corner and jumped triumphantly into the center of the maze expecting something or someone to be there. But to Belles disappointment there was only a few benches and a modest sundial in the center of the clearing. Belle placed her fist on her hips and sauntered over to the sundial, flicking at the stone hand in dismay. Belle gave a final glace back up to the stars before deciding to find her way back out of the maze. Suddenly Belle crashed into a wide chest of a person, letting out a cry and tumbling back, clutched her heart which was pounding heavily in her chest.
Gaston was smiling as Belle straightened herself, scowling at him.
"Gaston, what are you doing, you scared me half to death!" Belle's brow furrowed as she huffed out like an angry dragon, white smoke curling out her nostrils from the crisp air.
"I saw you entering this hedge maze. Didn't want you to get lost little Beauty." Gaston wagged his eyebrows knowingly.
Belle sighed loudly and started for the exit but Gaston stopped her, grabbing her wrist.
"Hey, where are you going? I thought you wanted to be alone?"
"Yes Gaston, exactly." Belle attempted to continue but Gaston held onto his grip laughing as Belle struggled against him
"Gaston let me go!" Belle exasperated.
Gaston merely twirled Belle around finally grabbing her waist and pulling her close and laughed when she wiggled under him trying to get free
"Were just getting to know each other, come on Belle…" Gaston leaned in for a kiss but Belle had faster reflexes and ducked out of the way. Gaston merely laughed at the struggle, thinking it a game
"Oh come on Belle, don't play coy, it doesn't suit you. I know what you want, what you're thinking." He dove at her face again, but Belle, finally releasing one arm from his grasp shoved his face away
"Gaston, I'm not being Coy. I am not interested! Now let me go!" Belle only got angrier as Gaston fought her struggle.
Gaston finally grabbed a hold of the back of her head, holding her steady as he smashed his mouth against hers, kissing her furiously, and ignoring her loud screams of protest, instead taking them as cries of pleasure. His grip got tighter on her waste and head as he hungrily smacked her face, trying to force her mouth open to accept his tongue. Finally he broke the barrier of her lips and thrashed his tongue against the inside of her mouth in a sloppy kiss. Without a thought Belle clamped her teeth down onto Gaston's tongue making him cry out in pain, releasing her from his grasp. Belle stumbled away from Gaston, wiping her mouth with disgust, a horrified look on her face.
Gaston reeled back and stared at her, holding his mouth in pain
"You bit me?" he cried, pulling his upper lip back in a snarl, "Fucking Bitch!" he bellowed lunging at Belle. With eyes wide, Belle quickly moved out of his reach ducking down and heading to the exit as fast as she could. Her heart lept up in her chest as she attempted to find her way out of the maze, turning left then right.
Stealing a glance backwards Belle stumbled on her Golden gown and fell face first into the grass. Looking back, she saw Gaston gaining on her, fire in his eyes. Fear jumped into Belles throat as she scrambled to get up, ripping the gold dress. Onward Belle went, trying to get free of the maze, suddenly though she ran into a dead end, her hands feeling the bush before her desperately, whipping back around her heart sinking as she focused on the Tall man bounding toward her, blood on his lips, eyes wild with anger.
Belle froze in place unsure of what to do, her chest heaving as she tried to collect her thoughts. Gaston stalked closer to her and Belle looked to her left before quickly trying to make an exit down the maze before Gaston gained on her. She tried in vain to continue on but Gaston was faster, grabbing at her billowing dress and making her fall forward on her face, her chin skinning the grass.
Tears stung her eyes as the grownd scraped her arms painfully as Gaston grabbed her by the leg and dragged her toward him. Belle thrashed against his hold screaming and hitting, moving anything and anything in an attempt to break free. Soon her arms were held down in place over her head by one of Gaston's massive hands. His other hand smacked Belle in the face as she tried to scream once more, her throat already sore from running in the cold. Keeping her arms pinned Gaston hissed at Belle to shut up as he roughly grabbed her breasts clumsily and bit her shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain. She didn't understand what was happening, her mind a blank with nothing but her heart pounding hard and fast within her chest. Still she thrashed under him as he slid his filthy hands up her dress, grabbing her thigh indelicately and trying to rip at her stockings as she continued to fight him and scream. One more smack in the face left Belle reeling, and Gaston quickly attempting to undo his breeches, his face red with anger.
Only sobs came from Belle now as she tried to continue to fight, her arms becoming tired, her head now pounding. His weight was heavy on her and she could feel her lungs crushing under the pressure, her wrists were sore, blood could be tasted in her mouth and her tears blinded her as he continued to fumble with his pants and heaving her skirts up more so her thigh was now visible.
Suddenly Belle heard a cry and felt the weight come off of her, and she scrambled away, trying to crawl to safety being suddenly free from Gaston's grasp. Belle stole a look towards Gaston and gasped at the sight.
The dark figure fro the Ball had Gaston raised up over its head, his hand clutching tightly around Gaston's neck. Belle could see dark talon like nails and greyish skin on the mans hands. The figure was smaller than Gaston and yet lifted the brute in the air as if he weighed nothing. The creature tossed Gaston backwards onto the ground, and Gaston sputtered as he tried to breath. He attempted to crawl away in vain but the creature was on him again, forcing Gaston upwards on his knees, his back against the creature, the creature's hands holding Gaston's neck.
Belle let out a small cry and the hooded figure looked toward her as if seeing her for the first time. She could feel its eyes on her, burrowing into her face. Then without removing his gaze from Belle the creature quickly jerked his hands, and Belle heard a horrifying snap, Gaston crumbling to the ground lifeless. The creature slowly turned his body to face Belle, but made no quick movements and merely stared at her. Her chest heaved up and down at a quick pace, the lace of her sleeves torn away leaving her shoulder indecently bare, but she couldnt feel the cold, couldnt feel the shame, just the eyes burning into her face.
Letting out a whimper Belle quickly got to her feet, turned around and started running from the creature out of the maze. Looking quickly back she didn't see the creature, maybe he wasn't following her. Tears fearfully welled up in her eyes as she saw the exit and she stumbled out, fearful sobs escaping her lips. Belle collapsed in a heap on the ground once she made it back to the terrace, the party still loud and moving freely. Belles eyes were wild with fear as she tried looking for her father, finally seeing him near the buffet talking to a fellow lord. Maurice's face went white when he saw his Belle, haggard and in tears, with grass stains on her torn dress and her hair mussed and matted. "Belle?!"
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"There's nothing here My Lord." The Guardsmen came out of the entrance of the maze, walking up to Lord Maurice and his shivering daughter. The Guards had searched the entire maze looking for Sir Gaston and the hooded creature Belle described but found not a trace of disturbance. Maurice glanced over towards Belle who stood wrapped in a blanket, Josette and Rosalind rubbing her shoulders.
"No," Belle began, "there has to be something. They were there! I saw it!" Belle pleaded with her father, grabbing onto his arm, large eyes watering as Maurice simply patted Belles hand.
"Well, you're safe now Belle. Perhaps we should be on our way." Maurice looked over to his other daughters, Rosalind looking humiliated, Josette now hugging her fiancé who was staring off into the hedgemaze with a confused look on his face.
Belle didn't tear her eyes off the entrance of the hedge maze as the party departed the area.
She knew what she saw; the evidence was on her torn dress. But suddenly Belle felt unsure of herself – It was real, what she saw was real, wasnt it? Belle kept her mouth shut as they got into the carriage, her sister Rosalind fuming. Last thing she needs is to be locked away in an asylum- she would remain silent, but her mind would still be racing; racing towards the creature, the dark figure at the ball.
