A/N: So I guess I lied. These little ficlets will be going up every few days then. Hope this one is an improvement.

Belle

The story of my love life must be one of the strangest ever told. And yes, I have been to the back alley of the bookstore on more than one occasion. Sometimes I wonder where men get such risqué ideas for fiction, because the women I have become acquainted with would never dream of performing such unconventional maneuvers. Getting off that tangent, my story differs from the rest because it is ongoing, tangible, and most certainly a true story. It's difficult for most people to grasp the concept of my bizarre life, but I really am a homely girl with a beast and some enchanted furniture for company. It's really a cozy life once you get used to it.

That's not where the story ends, though. There's much more to my roommates than their outer shells, as cliché as it sounds. My love and my friends were all people in the traditional sense once. Their current forms simply act as masks. Yes, it may seem odd to an outsider that a few teacups, a candle,. a wardrobe, a clock, and a featherduster are my family, but it's true. They offer me advice, keep me entertained, and are actively involved in numerous schemes designed to draw my true love to me.

As I alluded to before, the 'beast' is not quite as monstrous as his name implies. His tendency to react to situations impulsively resembles a beast, and he sometimes craves a romp around the castle, but there is a perfectly human heart within him. He doesn't let it show very much, but I have witnessed his underlying human nature a number of times. As time passes in this castle, more and more of the fortress imprisoning his heart erodes. In time, I believe he will fully embrace his existence and learn to love once more. That is my dream, as childish as it sounds.

My behavior around him has a tendency to puzzle the small society that I once belonged to. As a general rule, those of my gender and physical appearance are expected to be incapable of complex thought. Beautiful women before me have been manipulated, traded to any number of rich men as commodities. For a long time, even my own family suspected that I would follow the same path. If they were stunned beyond belief that I rejected the generous offer of one particular handsome man, imagine their surprise if they were to find me socializing with a teacup.

Yes, I admit that I am in possession of certain eccentricities; however I have not quite sufficiently lost touch with reality to warrant a trip to the asylum. When my prince is around, I do all in my power to ease his sorrows. That is the responsibility of a loyal woman, but it's not a chore as most people would suspect. I really and truly love him. I have defied great odds in the name of love for him, and that statement isn't meant to be boastful either.

If I came into contact with the villagers more often, I suppose they would ask me why I chose a hideous monster as a companion, lover, and friend. As my father would be too happy to tell you, I have always had a thirst for challenges. I learned to read when the other girls did not, tamed horses when my father would not, and now I love a beast that others can not. I truly pity my peers. They miss so much life by keeping their hearts attached to the images in front of their eyes.

I realize that much of my story sounds like something I would pick up in the fairytale section of the bookstore. Maybe I could publish this to provide for my family. However, the happily-ever-after perception of my life is far from the truth. I still face the everyday challenges from my life, such as cooking, cleaning, and not losing patience when yet another plan falls to pieces. I also confront the more unusual challenges associated with living with an untamed heart. He cares for me, that has never been in question, but his predicament and temper complicate daily life.

I've been frustrated by his unwillingness to bend many times. I've been frightened of his potentially violent outbursts for as long as we've been together. But these flaws are present in many men, and none of them have fangs and claws. I consider my love's added accessories nothing but excess twigs on a branch. They have some useful functions but are not vital to the continued homeostasis of the entire structure.

In a way, he's a twisted reflection of who I am. We both have unyielding determination, compassion, and an intense sense of justice. He may be a little more prone to rash action, and I may have a tendency to overthink situations, but we really complete each other. Once again, I've been reading one too many romance novels. But it's true, I've seen the balance between us work in argument after argument. I wouldn't have my life any other way, and I think my family would be inclined to agree.

A/N: Okay, end. Belle's a fun character to write. She's quite clever with a sense of humor too, but she's a warm spirit. More concrit and suggestions are welcome.I hope to get part C up sooner.