Chapter 1
Belle was filled with despair. All she ever wanted was a happy life full of adventure. Instead she was married off by her father to the richest suitor that came to call. A boorish oaf named Gaston. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It was hard to believe when you were being forced day in and day out to cater for an abusive drunk. A lady is meant to be seen not heard. She is to look pretty and perfect not a hair out of place. Not once did Gaston utter I love you or even a simple compliment. He wanted her because she was a pretty little thing. He was the most eligible bachelor in the entire realm why shouldn't she be happy to be with him. He was rich and he was handsome. Not that any of this actually mattered to Belle. She always wanted a man with brains not brawn. She wanted to be swept off her feet. She wanted to see the world. As it is she is never allowed to go outside the house. It was only a week after their marriage that Gaston decided he wanted a son. Not a baby mind you he specifically told her that he expected a son from her. So he forced her to bed him every night. Whenever she was too tired he would just take what he wanted for himself. It took a few months but pretty soon Belle was empting her stomach into the nearest basin. Gaston brought in a personal physician to see that she was indeed pregnant. Now that she was he never had anything to do with her. He left her alone all day. He went to pubs and whore houses. When he came home she would hide herself away in her room. He always came knocking but left soon after. To say that she feared for her safety would be an understatement. She persevered through her pregnancy knowing that when her son was born Gaston would be different. Gaston would become a new man. But it was all hope. Hope that was shattered when her daughter, Emilie was born. Tears of joy were replaced with tears of fear. Her husband was away on business and she was left to go through the birth alone. He would be back in one weeks' time. Belle had to find a way out of this he would surely kill her if he found out she had a girl. So she developed a plan. She knew her husband was the most feared business man in the realm. But there was one other that was feared even more than him. A man or really a Beast as so many referred to him, Rumpelstiltskin. She had heard across the realm that he stuck deals with people who needed something. But he always wanted something in return. As she looked into her daughters bright blue eyes Belle realized she would do anything to protect her from her husband. Belle couldn't even begin to think of Gaston as her father. Belle looked inside herself for her courage and had one of her maids call for Rumpelstiltskin. She would get her daughter to safety. Even if she had to die trying.