Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast.

Chapter 1: A New Face, a New Name

It had only been hours since the enchantress's spell had been broken. Belle was still in awe of the new beauty of the castle and the new face, a human face, of the beast she had fallen in love with. Minutes after her beast had transformed back into a human, a prince no less, and kissed her, breaking the spell, he had been whisked away by Cogsworth and Lumière.

Not long after that, Belle was whisked away by the lady's maid, once a wardrobe, and Mrs. Potts. They brought her to her room where they heated a bath and cleaned her up before dressing her in the beautiful gold satin gown she wore the last time she was at the castle. The lady's maid, who Belle now knew as Joanne, did her hair and her makeup. Joanne talked constantly never letting Belle get a word in edgewise, but she didn't mind. Belle was still at a loss for words over the whole situation.

Now, having been cleaned, dressed, and well fed by a beautiful spread cooked by the kitchen staff, Belle was dancing with her beast, a handsome prince he was now, with soft red hair and the same warm and caring blue eyes. Her prince leaned down at a break in the music to kiss her lovingly; Belle couldn't help but wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer. She had fallen in love with this man's soul, not his appearance. They danced in the middle of the ballroom surrounded by the staff, ecstatic to have their human bodies back, and Belle's father.

When the music stopped, Belle and the prince bowed to each other as the crowd clapped. Others joined them on the dance floor as a fast piece of music was played. The prince led Belle out onto the balcony where they could have some privacy. Even as they reached the railing, the prince kept Belle's hand in his, as if he were afraid she would disappear if he let go.

"Did you have enough to eat?" he asked her.

"Oh, yes, I did. Thank you," she gave him a small smile.

"Is something the matter?"

"No," Belle answered quickly and looked over the balcony at the gardens.

He prince placed his fingers under her chin and gently lifter her face so she would look at him. Hurt was written all over his face and Belle couldn't help but feel terrible.

"Please," he said. "You can tell me anything."

"I'm still getting used to your new face," she answered.

He stroked her cheek and asked quietly, "Do you miss the beast?"

"Yes, no," she changed quickly. "I don't know."

Belle groaned and looked away from him. He led her to the stone bench and kept her hand in his as they sat.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I fell in love with your soul not your appearance," she apologized.

"I love you, Belle," he said.

"I love you, too," she paused realizing she shouldn't call him Beast anymore, but didn't know what she should call him.

"Adam," he told her gently.

"What?" she asked.

"My name is Adam," he smiled at her.

"Why did you never tell me before?"

"I had been cursed and transformed into a beast, and so I discarded my name believing that Beast was the only name I was worthy of," he explained.

Belle stroked his cheek and kissed him lightly, "It may take me a while, but I will come around and become used to your new appearance and name."

"I hope it won't be long, my love," he smiled.

"Maybe if I say your name every time we speak, I will become more comfortable with it, Adam."

The prince chuckled, "I like the way you say my name."

"Adam," she whispered as she leaned in for a kiss.

Adam slipped his hand behind her head to hold her there gently as he deepened their kiss. This beautiful, kind-hearted woman was the only one who could have broken the spell and she had done just that. He didn't know how he would ever repay her.

Their kiss was broken when they heard someone clear their throat. Prince Adam turned to see Cogsworth standing in the doorway.

"Yes?" he asked waiting for his advisor to speak.

"I am sorry, Mademoiselle, but I must steal the master away for a moment," he bowed.

"I'll be back in a moment," Adam said slipping a strand of Belle's hair behind her ear.

Belle watched her prince, her love, step away and could wait for him to return. She got lost in her daydream when her father sat down next to her.

"I am happy for you, Belle," he took her hand in his and patted it.

"Oh, thank you, Papa," she smiled. "I only imagined all this in my wildest dreams."

"I love you, my dear, and you have always been a princess in my eyes," Maurice kissed his daughter's cheek.

"Papa, stop, you're going to make me cry," Belle said.

"It's true and your kindness and beauty changed a man's heart," Maurice said before his face became sad. "I am going to miss you."

"Why? You're going to live here of course," Adam said returning. "And I promise I won't put you in the dungeon."

"You really mean it?" Belle's face lit up.

"Absolutely," Adam smiled. He bent low to look Maurice in the eyes, "I am sorry for the way I acted and treated you when we first met."

"I forgive you now," Maurice said taking Adam's hand between both of his. "Now, that I see how happy you make my daughter."

"Thank you," the prince said grateful for the man's forgiveness.

"I will leave you two alone now," Maurice said standing from the bench. He tuned to give Belle a kiss on her cheek and walked back into the ballroom.

"I am grateful for your father's forgiveness," Adam said as he sat.

"Papa has never been one to hold a grudge," Belle smiled.

Adam took a strip of Belle's hair between his fingers and twirled it. He smiled and looked into her eyes.

"There is something I must speak with you about," he said.

"Is something wrong?" Belle asked worried.

"No, not at all," Adam dropped her hair. "Cogsworth has informed me that other kingdoms have gotten word that I have, shall we say, reappeared. Because I was transformed into the beast before I came of age, I will need to have my coronation as soon as possible to keep my kingdom."

"And how soon will that be?"

"April twentieth," Adam told her.

"But that's next month! Is there enough time for you to prepare?" Belle asked.

Adam chuckled, "Always so concerned. Yes there is enough time but I'm afraid we will not be seeing much of each other for a while. Cogsworth will be keeping me busy with studies for the next month in preparation for the coronation."

"I see," Belle said. "I will miss not being able to spend time with you."

"This may hinder your ability to become comfortable with my new appearance," Adam said sadly.

Belle placed her hand on his cheek, "I love you, and that will not change."

"I am glad to hear it," Adam kissed her palm. "We should head inside. People will wonder where we've gone off to."

Adam escorted Belle back into the ballroom where they continued to celebrate the renewal of the castle and all its inhabitants.