Cruel Beauty: Chapter 1
Mmmm, Ok new story, storyline I fell in love with. I tweaked Belle and Adam's character a bit. Like this story and review the reviews help.
The morning was ripe and the air was crisp and cold when I awoke. I stretched and peeked out of my small window and looked across the large land in my wake. The horses neighed as they woke up, restless, the chickens made noise as they awoke, hungry, and the pigs started squealing and making noise in there pen, angry. I could tell I would be working until lunch time. I got up and stretched my legs and made my way to my wardrobe and to the bathroom. After getting ready for the day I went downstairs and to the stocks to care for the animals, mindful my papa was sound asleep on the beat up couch, exhausted from working.
It took me four hours since sun-up to get all of my chores in order, but my day still wasn't over. I went back into the house to change my clothing into something warmer, my papa long since gone for the day. I changed into a lavender winter dress and my brown coat and matching hat to match my brown hair. I made my way into the village, already aware of the infinite whispers of the townsfolk.
You could never walk into this small town and not hear your name in someone else's mouth. Secrets were never kept, a conversation never kept between two people, and someone else's life never was kept between that person only. Everyone knew everyone else's business, but with every secret, scandal, and rumor, a lie was laced into it, so nothing could be true.
But most of the rumors were about me now, because I was different. I read and I could write, something women were looked down upon for doing. But I didn't care, I didn't care about what they said about me. I spotted the local bookstore and entered, the smell of fresh books and ink greeted me along with the floor length shelves stocking tons of books of my liking. The old man who runs the shop must have been in the back on account of the desk being deserted.
I helped myself to four books and patiently waited for the keeper to come out. He came out, smiled at me, and I paid for my books and left. I noticed some fellows instantly sprucing themselves up upon my exiting the shop, most likely to try and impress me. A waste of time.
On my way back home I try my hardest to block out the daily bustle of this town. I keep my books bundled up in the brown satchel I carry around and keep my head low as not to attract any more attention than I normally do.
Just as I was just about across the bridge of the city line. I hear my name being called by the one person I'd rather not even have come near me…..Gaston.
"Belle!" He calls out, I can hear his very heavy footsteps approach me and I inwardly cringe, dreading what he has to say to me this time.
Even then I muster up a small smile and turn around, trying to hide my disgust. He towers over me, and smiles with his pearly white teeth showing. I can see him flex a little as if to impress me somehow, but it only sends unpleasant shivers up my spine.
"Hello Gaston" I manage to find my words. I continue to walk towards the bridge, Gaston follows me.
"I couldn't help but have seen you weren't home the first time, so I went looking for you." He says to me, I felt his strong arm wrap around me stopping me from going home. My need to run away growing stronger and stronger, I contain myself and manage to withstand lashing out on him.
"Why where you even looking for me?" I couldn't contain myself and my response came out venomous. But Gaston didn't seem fazed. I took his heavy arm off of me and he turns, facing me. And grins again, this time with lust. I cringe once more.
"Why to ask you about the proposal of course!" He happily booms. I inwardly roll my eyes.
"And you know my answer, no." I say to him. His grin lowers into a scowl and his face slightly turns red. I stand my ground.
"No? Belle you know I don't take no for an answer." He slightly growls at me, stepping closer, I don't show fear.
"Well I said no and I mean it Gaston, I'm not looking for marriage. Let alone marriage to a bastard like you" I say to him with venom in my voice, but my words only piss him off further. I don't care.
"How dare you?" He hisses "How dare you deny a marriage to me?! I can provide for you, you need not worry all your life! But yet you still say no." he booms at me.
I feel for the pistol in my satchel. Sick of playing games. I was glad my papa had taken to buying me one, just in case.
But I contain my desire to just shoot him and slide past him before he could catch me where I stood. I begin to run as fast as I could, I could hear him in tow, but his footsteps drew farther and farther away from me. Gaston was never a fast person, mind and body.
I enter my house and slam the door shut. By the silence of the house my papa was still gone for the day. I kick my flats off and make my way to the worn down couch and plop myself down, already drained for the day.
No matter how much I tried to avoid him, no matter how many days I stayed home. I couldn't escape the constant picking of Gaston, or the envious eyes of his women. He only wanted me, but I never wanted him. But the only reason he wanted me as his wife was because of my beauty, nothing else.
My papa once considered marrying me off to him when we first moved to this small town, but he was quick to withdraw that decision once he had seen how Gaston truly was. An insensitive, sleazy pig who couldn't separate brains from bronze. What's more? Gaston never cherished my intelligence or praised my love for reading, not like anyone else does either. But instead he labeled me what I am known as now, the odd one.
I sighed and casted those thoughts away, and I took out one of the books I had gotten today, Cinderella. I've read this book three times, but the cute romance kept my interest for this book going.
Halfway into the book, my papa enters, kicking his muddy boots to the side and sighing. He looked up with tired eyes and spotted me, his whole face lighting up instantly. I smile back whole heartedly and get up, hugging him as he comes toward me.
"Good morning Belle!" He hugs me tightly
"Good Morning Papa! I was it today?" I ask, he lights up and sits down, I follow.
"Well the local bakers at the nearby village loved my invention. They loved the idea of having an automatic bread slicer and butter machine! Just imagine a baker's face when they rely on a machine to slice and butter their bread!" He explains to me with so much joy it lights my mood up.
"That's wonderful papa!" I kiss his cheek lovingly, proud of him. He chuckles and gets up
"I can't believe this. My inventions are more successful in other villages than here!" He smiles and his face changes, like he remembers something.
He goes into his jacket and pulls out an envelope and gives it to me. I rip it open and a golden white envelope stares back at me.
"I forgot to mention, apparently my political roll in France's monarchy was surely not forgotten. I received a letter from Versailles and I was given an invitation to a ball that's next week! Since I have no reason to go I figured you would like to!" He beamed at me and I stare at the invitation in awe.
Before I was born, my papa was involved with the French monarchy, all because of my mother who was a duchess. The monarchy relied on my papa to handle how money would be spent and such. But after I was born and my mama died my papa wanted to step down, the reason, he still won't tell me.
I ponder for a moment and agree to go finally. But I instantly regret as I remember I have no dress to go. My papa sees the worry on my face, and responds.
"Ma Belle, don't worry about a dress. Look" He took out a large pouch of money "Since all of our dues for the month are paid, take some of this and go buy a dress." He smiles at me.
I shake my head. "No papa I can't. Regardless we might have to pay for something down the line. I'd rather just not go." I try to decline, but the disappointed look on my papa's face makes me want to change my mind.
"Belle, if anything like that pops up its going to be ok. There's more money stashed away. Just please take some of this, go and get a beautiful gown. I want you to be able to go somewhere and enjoy yourself for once." He pleads with me, and finally I give in and open my satchel for him to drop the money in.
I go to fetch my horse, Phillipe is sick, so I fetch Rosemary instead. My papa stops me before I can head out into town.
"Belle, please go to the next town for a dress. I know what the townsfolk here say about you. And I know that these hateful women won't sell you a dress for sure." He tells me. I nod and take off into the next town over.
It's well past noon by the time I get to the next time. Compared to mines it's more updated and grand, bustling but radiant. Upon being spotted, Instead of strange stares and whispers I get kind hello's and the sounds of children playing and music filling the streets welcome me. I can see why my papa prefers to come here more often.
I get off of my horse by a local bakery. Completely lost. I spot a middle aged woman and ask for the nearest dress shop. She directs me down the street and I make my way there.
Upon entering the small shop I look in awe. There were displays of beautiful dresses, from long to short, simple to elegant, glittery to plain. I was in shock.
I fiddle with a few of the dresses on display until I hear a lively voice greet me.
"Bonjour Madam! Welcome to La' Fatique! How may I assist you today?" A short middle aged woman comes to me, measuring tape in hand. She was the simplest woman I have seen so far, she kept no makeup and had her hair in a low ponytail with a simple townsfolk dress.
"Hi ummmm, I'm going to a ball next week and I need a ball gown." I request
She examines me for a moment, thinking deeply. And beams, measuring my waist and height with no time
"Well Madam! I am of service. In fact, I've just made a brand new dress which has yet to be released or worn by any maiden yet." She studies my face, like she was looking into my soul. She nods to herself and goes to the back, eventually emerging with a covered up package.
"Madam, your build is perfect for this dress." She says "I've made this dress to take a step in fashion. The same old same old gets boring yes? Ribbons and uncomfortable cages to bring out the dress and such? Gets boring to look at." She says to me and goes to put the dress on a mannequin. She steps aside and I am taken aback. It's yellow with the skirt coming out elegantly and layers. The shoulder straps made to come down the shoulders and the neckline heart shaped.
For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of it.
"I want it" I whisper, she seems to hear me.
"Something told me you would dear. You will be the Belle of the ball! No one's man will be safe." She joked.
"How much for it?" I ask
The woman thinks. "With the shoes and gloves included, 350." She replies.
I take out the money my papa gave me and paid. I left with my things and made my way home quickly. Being sure not to attract attention once again, I take the back way to my home.
Thinking about the reality of me going to a luxurious ball in Versailles, surrounded by grand dukes and kings and queens of all ethnicity excites me. I've always wanted to explore beyond my little village, to be able to look into the eyes of someone of a different world. I wanted to escape the same old village, I wanted more.
One week later
A few days later my papa had awoken me in the wee hours of the morning.
The carriage ready, my bags packed, my papa insisted I start my travel to the palace, saying that I would be there the day before the festivities.
"You have an aunt who stays in our old house in Versailles ma Belle, go to her and stay there until the ball. I don't want you trying to seek bedding in the palace." He says to me, helping me into the carriage. I kiss his cheek.
"I won't papa." I assure him. "I'll miss you." I say to him genuinely, and he shuts the door.
The carriage takes off and I relax into the cushioned seats, watching the barren trees and he flurries go by with speed. I wrap myself up tighter and rest my head against the door. Wondering how much Versailles has changed since I've moved. I remember reading in my window on spring days and actually being able to go outside without always being judged about my intelligence. Or at least I didn't know.
I eventually fall asleep late in the night. Soon after I awake with a jolt, the carriage had come to a violent stop, and I could hear wolves howling in the background, followed by a man's screams. I shudder violently, afraid to look outside to see what happened. But I take a deep breath, brace myself, and open the door and hop onto the ground.
I look around me, the tall gray trees enveloping over each other, the moon peeking through. The ground heavily polluted in snow, traces of blood staining its pure whiteness. I feel terrified, as I keep looking around and the darkness seems to creep from behind the huge trees. I still hear the howls of wolves and draw up enough courage to look around the carriage. I gasp at the horror I find.
The driver, was laid onto the ground in a mess of snow and blood. His neck torn out and his eyes shot open, the horses were long gone. I cover my mouth as not to scream. I run back into the carriage, tears cascading down my eyes violently. My mind racing, I think about my next move.
I had no idea where I was so going back home was a no, and trying to steer this carriage on my own was out of the question. Defeated, I take my two bags and try to proceed on foot. My tears kept coming and the air felt colder and colder, I still didn't know why I was crying over someone I didn't even know.
"Dammit" I curse under my breath.
As I continue to walk to god knows where, the snow picks up speed and eventually turns into a blizzard, I couldn't see in front of me eventually, but I kept going.
Thirty minutes in, I grew tired, but I kept going. The blizzard grew terrible but I kept on, still going, I caught my ankle in a branch and fell. I was so tired, I knew there was no hope for me. My tears came again, and I beat the ground in defeat. Putting my head down in the snow, I decided to succumb to my fate.
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"If the master knows what you've done, he'd have your head on a silver plate"
"Well I couldn't just leave the poor girl to die in the blizzard"
"I know but-"
"I'll explain it to him. If anything besides Mrs. Potts he controls his temper with me."
"Yeah yeah yeah. Just don't say anything if he throws her out the next day."
"With the condition she is in I'm sure the master wouldn't. Besides, with her beauty how can he say no?"
"The master Is ruthless, so I don't know how he will react when he sees the girl."
"Whatever you pompus fool. She will stay, you just watch."
That is the last thing I hear before I pass out again…
To Be Continued….