"I'm fine Papa." Belle didn't look up from her book but she knew Lord Maurice was watching her from his seat by the fire, worry in his face.

It had been five months since the incident at the ball, and Belle had almost pushed her ordeal to the back of her mind, but she was still watched with a careful eye from her father.

Maurice shifted in his chair, "Of course you are, I know that." Belle couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. Tossing aside her book she skipped over to where her father was and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. "I'm fine Papa. I was fine yesterday, I am fine today, and I will be fine tomorrow and the next. Trust me, please." Maurice patted her arm and went back to gazing into the fire. Belle held her grip and watched as the orange flames licked around the fireplace, the heat blazing on her skin. Closing her eyes she could still feel the creatures presence, still see the grey skin and dark claws.

Someone at the door of the library cleared their throat causing both Maurice and Belle to look over.

"Sir," their butler Francis started "Mr. Chartrice is here, wishing to speak to you. He is in the study now, should I tell him you will be down?"

Maurice stood quickly and headed toward the door

"Yes yes, I will be right there."

Nodding the butler left the room.

Belle followed her father out of the library. Mr. Chartrice, the manager of Lord Maurice's estate was pacing the study when Belle and her Father entered, wringing his hands together stressfully. The tall blonde man quickly turned when Maurice entered the room and stalked over to shake his hand.

"Chartrice, I wasn't expecting you," Maurice started, Mr. Chartrice cutting him off

"Something terrible has happened sir, I- I need to speak with you alone, please." Mr. Chartrice glanced over at Belle with wide eyes. Maurice motioned for his daughter to leave the room, Belle reluctantly gave her father and Mr. Chartrice a small curtsy before leaving, closing the door behind her.

XxXxX

Belle found her father after left in his study, head in his hands.

"Papa? What's wrong?" She asked in alarm and kneeling before her father. She rubbed his arm and moved his hand away from his face in order to see him more clearly. His skin was white as his hair, hands were sweaty and Belle suddenly felt her stomach flutter with nerves. Lord Maurice was always controlled, always somber and seeing him in an attitude that was none of those things left Belle suddenly lost.

"It's gone…" he said in a quiet, trembling whisper as if fearing the mice would hear him. "All of it, gone."

Belle shook her head in confusion grasping her father's hand and squeezing it to bring him back from where he had dispaeared to as he continued to chant under his breath its gone its gone its gone. "What is? Papa what's gone?"

Maurice stood, letting go of Belle's hand and clumsily moving over to the liquor cabinet, taking out a crystal decanter filled with a dark, sour liquid, pouring a small glass, then raising the decanter up to his mouth and taking a long swig. Belle stood still and watching her father as he winced at the burning of the drink.

"The estate, all our money, gone. We have nothing…" Maurice took another long swig.

Belle looked at her hands in stunned silence, then back at her father. How could this be?

"What happened papa?" she whispered, her heart beating fast and loud.

Maurice only waved his daughter away, not wanting to say anymore and replaced a large hand back onto his face. Belle sat there mutely for a moment, not sure of what to do or what to say. She searched her mind for the right words or sounds of comfort but came up with nothing.

"What does this mean for us Papa?" Belle squared her shoulders, deciding to be brave for the family.

Maurice collapsed into the nearest chair and stared at the carpet, saying nothing. Finally he raised his eyes at his daughter and watched with red eyes then sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know my little rose, my Belle. I suppose we have to sell everything we can, sell the manor, our lands, our things…" Maurice waved a hand around then sagged in his seat.

Belle nodded slowly, her mind racing. Sell the Manor and their things. She willed back tears and tried not to think about what would happen to all their servants, everyone who depended on their family for support. Looking at her distressed Father Belle calmly stood and walked to his side, grabbing his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze and willing him to not see the worry that no doubt flooded her face at that moment. Maurice sobbed and brought her hand to his mouth and he kissed it left it there against his lips as he continued to stare off into nothing.

"It will be alright Papa. Don't worry, we will manage." Belle was surprised at the strength in her voice at that moment and took that strength to clear her thoughts. "I shall make inquiries right this minute, let me and Rosalind handle things." Belle thought of her elder sister, this was not going to bode well with her, what with her not yet engaged and only just getting to know Duke Antoine who owned lands just south of their current home. Josette was married last month to Edward so she would be looked after and Belle made a note to ask for help from her new in-laws, of course Father would not approve but at the moment the family was desperate and needed all the help from family they could gather.

Belle hoped that this change of situation would not affect Rosalind's prospects, knowing her fears of never finding a suitable husband (she was after all 22 already), which were raised ever since Belle's predicament at the Ball, leaving everyone in the kingdom to gossip about that strange girl who cried monster.

Maurice kissed his youngest daughters hand again gratefully, and smiled at her with relief.

"You are my greatest treasure Belle; I don't know what I would do without my little beauty."

Belle grasped her father and hugged him tight around his neck, knowing that things weren't going to be that awful, not when they had each other. Belle smiled conspiratorially at her father with hopes of lifting his mood,

"Perhaps a life at a cottage is just what this family needs hmm?"

XxXxX

"A cottage? In the country!" cried Rosalind, dropping her spoon on the table with a clatter. The family had settled at the dining room table for afternoon tea, the maid serving the family tried not to show the alarm in her eyes as she swiftly picked up the empty plate where cucumber sandwiches once sat. Belle looked at Maurice with wide eyes, she knew that the hardest person to convince was to be Rosalind, and for a moment she was unsure if the two of them were up to the task.

"Yes Rosie. I told you, we can no longer sustain the same lifestyle we have grown accustomed to." Maurice wouldn't look his middle child in the eye but rather chose to stare at the table by her hands where the silver spoon was discarded.

Rosalind looked from her father to her little sister and back in disbelief, slouching in her chair and giving a despairing sigh.

"How could we lose everything? Everything Papa? But… what about me? What will become of me? Of us?"

Belle held her breath and glanced at her father. His trembling hand was rubbing his forehead as he tried to find the right words to calm his daughter, but Belle could tell the same worries were flashing through his mind as well.

"We will find something to do; perhaps you could find work somewhere…"

Rosalind scoffed at the idea. This was not what she had planned this season to be. She planned on parties and suitors and finding a rich husband however suddenly all her dreams and schemes were washing away. She glared at Belle, who appeared cool as a cucumber and Rosalind suspected that her sister maybe even a bit pleased. Of course Belle would find the silver lining, Belle the dreamer.

Rosalind stood up swiftly, tossing her napkin on the table dramatically and storming out the room, waving away the maid that was blocking her exit.

Belle reached for her water class and placed it to her mouth. "Well," She began her eyes dancing a little, "that went very well, I think." And she took a sip of her water as Maurice heaved a great sigh.

XxXxX

Rosalind took a final look at the grand Manor house she grew up in and gave a rather dramatic sigh before climbing into the carriage, her purple velvet cloak heaving along with her as she melted into the seat of the simplest carriage the family had. Selling the Manor had been easier to do than they had anticipated; a new family would now be the proud owners of the massive estate which had been in the possession of the French family for almost four generations.

The indoor staff stood in a row along the front entrance, graciously accepting the small gifts that Belle had made and wrapped for each and every one, a few maids wiping stray tears from their eyes and they curtsied to their old mistress. Belle paused at the head housekeeper and gave the old woman a big hug and kiss on her cheek.

"Mrs. Miller, thank you for being so helpful with finding a place for us. I'm sure your new masters will take very very good care of everyone." Belle beamed at the older woman as she wiped tears from her eyes and squeezed Belles hand in hers.

"I'm sure all your luck will change Miss Belle. Just you wait, don't give up hope now." Her Hazel eyes twinkled with a tinge of sadness, a soft smile on her face. She smoothed down Belles dark hair before letting go. Belle wiped tears from her eyes as she waved the rest of the servants' for a final goodbye and climbed into the carriage behind her father.

The house got smaller and smaller as the black carriage drove down the lane, the gardeners working the front gardens taking off their hats and waving as they passed through the gate. Belle wondered if she would ever see her childhood home again. She took a mental picture of how the large oak trees swayed with the gentle breeze, the swans swimming in the beautiful man made ponds near the gates of the manor. Belle stuck her head out the window and watched the sun through the leaves of the massive oaks that surrounded their old property, summer breeze cooling her cheeks.

Rosalind sniffled into her handkerchief breaking Belles revere and with a sigh she pulled back into the carriage. Her Father had his arm around his daughter and gave Belle a little smile as they jostled along the uneven dirt road. Unlike Rosalind, Belle was not too sad to leave the manor home behind and their many things. The only thing that saddened her was the fact that she would be leaving her books behind but fortunately she was able to keep a few of her favorites. Belle patted the bundle in her lap, treasuring every last one she had.

It took two days to reach the small cottage which sat at the very edge of the Kingdom, the nearest town being half a day's away. There were only three bedrooms, one for her father, one for the two servants, and his wife Bess, whom they were able to bring with them, and one for Rosalind and Belle to share together.

Rosalind was the first to inspect the small house, exclaiming loudly how awfully small the bedrooms were.

"How are we both going to fit in this room, this is undignified! It's impossible." Belle untied her cloak and laid it across a wooden chair in the kitchen as she listened to her sister cry out from the upper floors. The main floor had two rooms, a sitting area which was painted a plain cream colour, the brick of the fireplace the same shade of white with blackening at the top, it was furnished with a small sofa and two meek armchairs, with a simple window that let in a soft light. Across from the sitting room was kitchen which also served as a dining area. Then there was the larder behind the stairs and a small closet for storage across from that. Upstairs were the two family bedrooms, the largest belonging to their father, and the entire attic was reserved for Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Belle found the place very charming, and made sure to say so to her father, who looked as if he had not slept for days as he aimlessly wandered in, not really looking at the place. Belle sat him down in the most comfortable chair in the living area, motioning for Bess to get water from the pump so they can wash up. Belle removed her father's shoes and rubbed his feet to comfort him earning her a small sad smile from the large man.

"Everything will be wonderful Papa, you'll see. We all have each other. And who knows, perhaps our luck will change." Maurice only nodded.

"Think of it as an adventure!" she said brightly as she began placing stacks of wood in the fireplace to get heat into the cold house. Maurice watched in awe as she coaxed the flame into submission, and then as she rose to help Bess with the water.

This will work; Belle was determined to make this work.

XxXxX

Rosalind sprawled out onto the couch with a massive and dramatic sigh, placing a cool hand to her forehead, as though she were a fainting damsel in distress. "I'm so bored!"

Belle smirked from her place by the fire, her darning forgotten by her feet as she turned the page to the final chapter of her book. Just a month in and each day was the same. Rosalind would wake up; scrunch her nose at the simple tea and porridge set out for breakfast. She would walk from the sitting room to the kitchen back to the sitting room, sigh and sprawl out on the sofa complaining about her dull and miserable life.

"This place is so… small and… ugh!" Rosalind dropped her arms heavily to her sides.

"Well you could help with the cleaning, maybe work in the gardens?" Belle mused turning another page.

Rosalind rolled her eyes at her sister, sitting contently by the fire. The simple life was treating Belle very well, easily slipping into the position of happy little country girl.

Her dark tresses were pulled back from her face and tied with a blue ribbon which matched her simple blue dress. An apron was tied around her waste, her usually white skin had a glow about it from time spent outside, her cheeks rosy from the fire. Hard work had toned the muscles in Belles arms and legs, making her less the skinny little girl and more the strong young woman. Belle had been completely content spending time within the cottage and working around the house alongside Bess and Mr. Jones, in fact she relished in the work and the solitude of the small house, never having to worry about parties and small talk and her father worrying about her finding a husband.

Belle had even decided to start her own small garden out in the back. She had brought with her pots of flowers and vegetable bushes from their old Manor home, determined to learn how to tend a garden. Belle spent many days outside, Bess teaching her how to weed and use the gardening tools they had at their disposal. Belle loved the feel of the earth on her bare hands and the fresh air and the sunlight. She cherished her time outdoors tending her little garden. The rosebush was the first thing she had planted as it had been from the same plant her Mother had planted back at the Manor. Belle placed the bush against the outer wall with a smile and imagining that soon it would creep up the wall of the tiny cottage and cover it with beautiful pink blossoms, Belle couldn't wait until spring arrived now.

Maurice and Rosalind on the other hand were not handling the simple living with the same grace as Belle. Maurice had lost weight since the move, and he was constantly going into town trying to find ways to make his wealth back. Belle was concerned for her father's health, he was not the same man he once was, but rather was a broken shell and it saddened Belle to see him so far gone.

Belle finished the last page of her book and sighed happily closing the cover. Looking out the window she spotted her father rushing up the walk. A wide grin splayed across Belles face as she placed her book down on the armrest, standing up and stretching then making her way, past the despondent Rosalind and to the door. Belle quickly undid her apron and hung it up on the hook by the door smiling at her father as she helped him out of his overcoat, his eyes not meeting hers as he rushed into the kitchen to splash water on his face. Belle frowned at his wearied gestures and folded his coat over the chair at the kitchen table, motioning Bess to make the tea.

"Good day or bad day Papa, which was it?" Belle leaned on the basin, left hand fisted onto her hip. Maurice glanced up at Belle and gave a weak smile before splashing more cold water on his face. Belle raised her eyebrows at him and waited. Something was up and she wanted to know what.

Maurice accepted the teacup that Bess handed him and took a sip of the hot beverage before placing it on the kitchen table and heading toward the stairs. Belle frowned and watched him silently amble up the stairs back to his room. For a while Belle drummed her fingers on the wash basin, focussing on the stairs, wondering what Maurice was hiding from her.

"Tea miss Belle?" Belle shook herself out of her thoughts and smiled at Bess as she graciously accepted the drink. Taking a sip Belle thought about her father and his strange behaviour the past few days. He was hiding something, she was sure of it, but it wasn't like her father to keep things from her, especially important things. Maybe it wasn't important? Belle took another sip of tea, swirling the bitter drink around in her mouth before swallowing, her hand still drumming the basin.

"Would you stop that incessant tapping Belle! For God's sake!" Rosalind cried from her place on the sofa, her dainty wrist now covering her eyes.

Belle raised her eyebrows at the very un-lady like outcry from her eldest sister. Yes the simple life did not fare well with the two. Belle decided to keep an eye on her Father, if he was hiding something, she would soon find out.

XxXxX

The creaking stairs made Belle turn from her spot at her bedroom window that night. The moon was full, beams of light streaming into the bedroom and casting eerie shadows across the sleeping face of her sister, her hair in kiss curls around her face and the moon highlighting the reddish tinge to her otherwise fair hair.

Belle moved from the window and tip toed over to the bedroom door, gently opening the door just enough to peer into the darkened hall. Maurice was inching slowly down the stairs, a small lamp in his hand to light his way and his travelling cloak slung hastily over his shoulders. Belle bit her lip, her breathing getting heavier as she contemplated what to do.

Finally coming to a conclusion, she ducked back into the room and quickly changed into her blue dress, pulling her cloak off the hook and clasping it around her neck. She glanced over at Rosalind who had turned onto her side as Belle placed both her shoes on her feet. She forgoed pulling her hair out of her face, there wasn't enough time. Dipping out of the room and silently as she could shutting the bedroom door, Belle headed down the stairs, ignoring the tiny creaks that escaped from her descent. She went out the back door and looked across the field and soon found her father's figure moving away from the house passed the back garden and down the small hill, his lamp pinpointing his position. Belle followed a safe distance behind her father, every so often glancing back toward the house to gage how far they had gone. The air was chilly that night, and the clouds were covering what little light the moon would give, Belle would have to initiate her sleuth skills to be sure not to trip and make noise.

Belle watched as her father entered the woods, his light flickering nervously in the breeze. Belle furrowed her brow and followed him further into the dark woods. Belle moved branches away from her face and gingerly stepped around the foliage, making sure to not snap any twigs or make excessive noise. A wolf howled somewhere in the distance, but Belle never once let her eyes stray from her Fathers light. They passed a quiet Brooke and moved downwards toward an opening in the trees. Finally Maurice stopped at a clearing, a crumbling wall encircled the place, ruins of a cottage perhaps, it was too dark for Belle to see.

Maurice placed his light on the stone of the wall and glanced back toward where Belle was and Belle sucked in her breath and ducked behind a large tree, closing her eyes and praying that she hadn't been caught. Slowly looking over her right shoulder Belle watched as her father paced the clearing, mumbling to himself. She couldn't hear anything as she was too far away so Belle decided she had to get closer. Gingerly she placed one foot in front of the other, making sure her steps were soft and yet swift. Inching toward the old man Belle could finally hear well enough to make out the one word Maurice was whispering over and over again

Rumpelstiltskin…