It seemed fitting that Mrs. Potts was the first to officially know.
They had finally emerged from the ballroom, their hands clasped together tightly between them, unmovable smiles on their faces.
The woman who acted like a loving mother to both of them just so happened to be coming down the corridor having just put Chip to bed.
She paused to greet them with a warm smile and then with one long glance at the master of the house and his lady just seemed to know.
"Oh." She whispered, bringing her hands to her mouth, her eyes suddenly brimming with happy tears as the pair of them stared back at her in astonishment.
"Oh it has finally happened, hasn't it?" Mrs. Potts said in glee and then rushed forward towards them.
Belle let out a small laugh and her eyes widened as Mrs. Potts hugged her. She threw a glance over her shoulder to Adam who was grinning wildly but gave a clueless shrug.
Mrs. Potts then released her and turned towards Adam. Her eyes welled with fresh tears as she took in the sight of the beaming young man that stood before her.
A man who had once been so tormented and lived in misery now shone with radiant joy.
"Dear boy…" Without any hesitation, she reached towards him and Adam swooped down to welcome her embrace.
He was a little stiff in her arms, still unaccustomed to being so affectionate with the staff, who more and more these days were so much more like family.
Mrs. Potts squeezed him gently, holding onto him for a few lingering moments before she slowly pulled away only then to gently cradle his face in her hands.
His wide, surprised blue eyes met hers but he didn't pull away.
She gave him a loving smile. "I am so very happy for you."
Her voice was thick with honest emotion and his features relaxed into a small smile.
Then he cleared his throat and finally pulled out of her touch, instead reaching to take her hand in his.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it as she then turned to Belle. "The both of you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Potts." Adam said kindly and Belle beamed with a smile.
"However did you guess?" She wondered.
Mrs Potts laughed jovially. "Oh dearie, I was one a young bride myself not so long ago. I remember the feeling well and I know the look. You both have been so radiantly happy the past several weeks but tonight you are glowing!"
A soft blush coated Belles cheeks and her smile widened as she glanced at Adam, whose smile was just as wide.
"We all knew it was only a matter of time." Mrs Potts told them sweetly. "We have been on the watch for this very look so it was not very difficult to guess at all."
Belle smirked knowingly at Adam and he slowly shook his head with a smirk of his own.
"Oh this is wonderful!" Mrs Potts gushed, watching their exchange and Belle laughed happily, turning back to her.
Belle gravitated back to Adam's side to once again secure his hand in hers and beaming smiles returned to their faces as they gazed at one another.
"Oh but look at me interrupting." Mrs. Potts shook her head and took a polite step away. "You two probably wish to be alone."
Belle shook her head as they both looked to her.
"Don't be silly, of course you aren't interrupting."
"We were just taking a stroll through the castle." Adam confirmed.
Mrs. Potts waved her hands. "As a recently engaged couple." She said pointedly.
"I assure you Mrs. Potts, had we desired to be alone we would have been elsewhere." Adam told her, a smile returning to his lips at the thought of the time they had just spent in each other's arms in the ballroom.
Mrs. Potts nodded, a small warm smile on her lips. "All the same...I shall leave you two be."
She let out a small squeak of delight. "A royal wedding!" She said clapping her hands together in front of her chest. "Oh how exciting!" She turned and only got a few steps down the hall before Adam called to her.
She paused and turned back around expectantly. "Yes, dear?"
"Do you know perhaps if the others are still awake?"
Belle glanced up at him curiously as Mrs. Potts nodded slowly in thought. "I believe they are yes."
"Splendid." Adam smiled. "If you wouldn't mind would you gather everyone you can find in the sitting room?" He glanced quickly down to Belle with a smile. "I should like to make a formal announcement."
Belle raised her brow with a smile.
Mrs. Potts smiled brightly. "Oh, at once sir!"
With a happy flourish she turned and bustled away down the hall.
"You wish to tell them now?" Belle asked.
Adam nodded with a small smile. "Now that someone knows I know the news will not last in silence through the night. I would prefer to tell them ourselves than have it spread through rumor. They are our friends, they deserve to hear it from our lips alone."
Belle nodded with a smile. "Yes. I agree." She let out a small laugh. "Oh to see the looks on their faces!"
Adam chuckled quietly and released her hand to slip his arm around her middle. "I do believe you were right...they have all been planning our engagement longer than we have."
Her smile widened. "I think it's sweet." She glanced down the hall where Mrs. Potts had disappeared. "I do love that she was the first to know."
Adam hummed in agreement. "Yes. Although...she was the first to know that you had accepted, she was not the first to know that it would undoubtedly happen tonight."
Belle blinked up at him in wonder. "Oh? Who was the first?"
Adam looked down at her with a warm smile. "Your father in fact."
Her eyes widened. "My father?" She breathed.
He nodded. "Yes I...met with him in the gardens earlier this afternoon and asked for his blessing." Her eyes widened further and glossed over with emotion.
"We both agreed that the decision would be yours and yours alone but I knew gaining his approval would mean much to you. He was more than happy to give it to us. Your father is a remarkable man, Belle, truly."
Belle let out a slow breath and a smile crossed her lips. "So are you." She breathed in awe. "The fact that you considered my feelings in everything…"
"It was your deep love for your father that led us to meet." He said. "I certainly could not proceed with my plans without at least having asked him. Even if he had said no I probably would have done some very shameful groveling until he changed his mind."
She brought her hand to his face, smiling lovingly. "Do you hear yourself, Adam? How can you ever think you are still such a cold hearted man if you not only consider my feelings but my father's?"
He smiled, lifted his hand to hers and then brought it down to kiss the back of her hand softly. "It is my love for you that keeps me so humble."
They shared a sweet, loving smile and then leaned in for a short kiss.
Belle bit her lip softly, keeping her eyes on his for a few lingering moments and then glanced down the hall towards the guest wing.
"I think I should perhaps go to him and tell him the good news."
Adam nodded with a small smile. "I thought perhaps you would."
She glanced back at him with a smile. "It will only be a few minutes. Should I meet you in the sitting room with the others?"
Adam pondered this for a moment and then a sudden thought occurred to him. "No when you have finished with your father come and meet me in the west wing."
Her brow lifted inquisitively. "The West Wing? You do recall you have asked Mrs. Potts to gather everyone and they will be waiting for us?"
He chuckled deeply. "Yes, I recall. It will only take a few moments but it is important."
Her eyes narrowed curiously and he simply grinned at her and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "The West Wing." He repeated and then squeezed her hands before turning to head in that direction.
She hummed thoughtfully as she watched him go. He paused at the end of the corridor, turning to smile at her once more before disappearing around the corner.
A smile blossomed across her lips and then she turned and headed in the direction of the guest suites.
She buzzed with sheer giddiness as she made her way through the familiar halls.
It was a place that had become home so quickly and she grinned knowing it would now be forever.
She had once promised to stay there forever to save her father, now she chose forever for an entirely different and exhilarating reason.
She had never imagined herself to be the Lady of a house and certainly not one so grand. She always wanted more than to just stay in her small cottage but only for adventures sake. The last month had been three grandest adventure of her life thus far and she knew now her possibilities for the future were near endless. She would have a husband, one who did not wish to smother her and make her a simple house wife but who encouraged and shared her adventurous spirit.
She could not help the small bubble of excited laughter that escaped her lips as she turned down the corridor towards the guest wing.
Her excitement gave way to nerves as she came to stand in front of her father's door. She wasn't sure why she was nervous, Adam had already told her her father approved of their engagement, bless him.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that her life really would be changing forever now that she was engaged. It would not be just her and her father. She had Adam and a new life, a new home, one that her father made clear he did not wish to become an official part of. Villeneuve was not so far a journey, especially on horseback and she had spent the last month living without him in the castle but her heart ached a little at not being so close to him anymore.
With a deep breath, she pushed down her nerves and returned the smile to her face before she knocked on the door.
The noise on the large doors seemed to echo loudly in the quiet halls. "Papa?" She called through the doors, hoping she didn't wake him.
She heard a shuffling come from the other side and then the door was pulled open.
She wasn't entirely sure why but her eyes filled with tears the moment she laid eyes on him.
Maurice frowned in concern at his misty-eyed daughter. "Belle? Is everything alright?"
He gently reached out for her and she lightly grabbed a hold of his arm and a radiant smile crossed her lips. "Oh yes, Papa everything is wonderful!"
Maurice's face softened in realization, really taking in her expression. "Oh...he has asked you, hasn't he?"
Belle nodded quickly and a tear rolled down her cheek. She let out a quick breath as he lifted his hand to gently wipe it away, giving her a small smile.
"And I take it that you have accepted?"
Belle nodded again, her smile widening but finding it hard to speak past the sudden swell of emotion that clogged her throat.
Maurice took both her hands in his and gave a gentle squeeze, looking into her eyes.
"I knew you would."
Belle let out a small laugh and swallowed thickly. Then she quickly moved, throwing her arms around his neck.
Maurices arms surrounded her and gently held her to him. "Oh my darling, Belle." He murmured affectionately into her hair.
Belle smiled, closing her eyes tightly as she clung to her father.
"This is happy news." Maurice said as they pulled out of their embrace and he held her gently by the shoulders and Belle nodded in agreement.
She sniffled quietly with a smile. "Adam told me that he came to speak with you."
Maurice nodded as he ushered them both into the room. "Yes - he is quite the respectable young man. I told him that I was surprised he even came to me at all - I supposed I had already assumed you were already engaged."
Belle's eyes widened. "Papa," She gasped quietly, "I would never have done so without telling you."
Maurice smiled slightly. "Well that is a comfort." He chuckled, patting her hands lightly and she gave him a look.
"Nonetheless...he was...he is a prince. Princes are well known to take whichever woman they so desire."
Belle frowned deeply recalling Adam's worry about his past behaviors. "Adam would never force me to marry him."
Maurice squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I know that. Or rather I should say, I know that now." He let out a quiet sigh. "I am your father, Belle and you know I love you so and my, well, our first meeting with him left not so quite the good impression. After the curse was broken and I learned the beast had been a man...his reputation as such a man did not much ease my worries. I could see that you loved him, however and though I may not have known the man he is, I trusted that you did. By coming to me and seeking my approval on a marriage that his title and your love would grant him, he proved to me what sort of a man he truly is."
Belle rolled her eyes with a lazy smile. "His title means little to me. If he acted anything like the man he used to be I wouldn't go near him and I certainly would not marry him, prince or no."
Maurice smiled and chuckled. "I know that and that is precisely why I gave my blessing." He lifted his hand to her cheek. "He makes you so wonderfully happy, what more could a father ask for his daughter?"
Belle smiled, leaning into his touch a light blush coating her cheeks.
"Thank you, Papa."
They shared another smile, his hand lingering on her cheek for a moment longer before it fell back to his side.
Then he glanced curiously over her shoulder to the open door and empty corridor. "Where is your husband to be?"
A radiant smile broke across her lips. "Oh he had something to take care of I believe and I think he knew I wanted to spend a moment alone with you. We shall be meeting in the sitting room shortly to inform the household...you are welcome to join us, of course."
He smiled softly and once again took her hands in his. "I would love nothing more."
She gave his hands a squeeze. "Then I shall see you there?" she raised her brow inquisitively. "I should probably go and find Adam before the staff becomes too restless waiting for us."
Maurice nodded. "Yes, I shall see you there."
Belle smiled and squeezed his hands once more before releasing them and moving back towards the door. "Do you know the way?" She asked, pausing in the doorway.
"Oh." Maurice blinked, his brow furrowing. "Hm...yes...I think...I believe I will be able to find my way."
Belle laughed quietly. "Alright. See you soon, then."
Maurice waved her off with a smile. "Off you go, then, find your prince."
She laughed again as she shook her head affectionately.
After she left her father's room she headed for the west wing to meet Adam.
She paused only for a moment at the base of the stairs, smiling up at the now very familiar wing.
Her curiosity had gotten the better of her the first time she took to those stairs and had led to one of the only times she was ever truly afraid of Adam as the beast.
She knew she had crossed a line, disobeying his orders, but at the time, as his prisoner, she didn't truly much care about his orders.
The rose had been simply enchanting and now her stomach twisted a little knowing exactly what she could have done by damaging the rose. She almost didn't blame him for being so angry - that rose held his fate...his very life. His and all the others in the castle.
The wing back then had been dark and gloomy with broken furniture and scratched up walls and paintings, no doubt the work of his temper.
She knew she was no longer unwelcome, in fact after the curse was broken, Adam made certain to stress the fact that the entire castle was her home with no restrictions and she had since been to the formerly forbidden wing several times.
She stood in front of the grand doors, her hands paused on the door handles. It was a completely different atmosphere - it was bright, warm and inviting, much like Adam himself.
So with a small smile she pushed the doors open and walked in. Her breath caught as she took in the sight of the large main room. It was all stunning and so very fit for a prince.
Then her eyes fell upon her prince standing near the far corner leading out to the balcony, where the enchanted rose had once sat, where he had once died and where finally his curse had been broken.
His back faced her as he stood, tall and regal, his hands clasped behind his back, looking out at the night sky.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of him and a smile crossed her lips as she slowly made her way towards him.
Once she was near enough, her brow furrowed as she spotted a small decorative metal box sitting on the pedestal where the rose used to be. She dismissed it for the time being and continued on to stand beside Adam.
Once she was at his side, he turned his head to look down at her with a small, warm smile.
"I trust everything was well with your father."
She smiled and nodded. "He is very happy for us."
He released his hands from behind his back and took one of her hands in his as he turned in to face her.
"What are we doing up here, Adam?" She wondered after a few moments of silence. "I am certain by now Mrs. Potts has assembled everyone and they are patiently awaiting our arrival."
Adam chuckled softly. "Quite right. We shall not be much longer. I just wanted to give you something." He squeezed her hand once more before releasing it and crossing in front of her.
She watched curiously as he reached for the small box on the pedestal and lifted it into his hand. He ran a gentle caress over the markings, a small smile on his lips. "I had meant to take it with me earlier this evening but became distracted by my own nerves." He briefly glanced up at her and she smiled, eyes alight with intrigue.
He cleared his throat and turned to face her before opening the box slowly.
She gasped, her eyes widening as her eyes fell upon the most beautiful ring nestled in dark velvet.
Adam watched her reaction carefully then smiled softly, pleased at the look of awe in her eyes.
"It belonged to my mother." He told her, his voice soft and low.
"It's beautiful." She whispered, taking a closer step in to further admire the ring. She slowly lifted her hand, her fingers hesitating above the ring but never daring to touch it. It indeed looked like a ring suited for royalty and one that had been passed down from generation to generation yet extremely well taken care of.
"I would like for you to have it."
Her wide eyes snapped up to meet his and her hand dropped to her side. "Oh, Adam….I couldn't possibly...it's so beautiful and if it belonged to your mother it must be precious."
He only smiled at her and carefully took the ring out and held it between two fingers, presenting it to her. "It is incredibly precious to me but if you weren't already aware...you are also incredibly precious to me."
Her eyes darted between his and the ring and she slowly shook her head. "Adam I...you know that I work often with my hands I would hate for it to be damaged or lost…"
"You do not have to wear it every day." He said. "But I would like for it to be in your possession. You are going to be my wife…" His voice choked a little on the word in awe and she couldn't help but smile up at him. "This ring was given to my mother on her wedding day and I know she would have wanted you to have it now."
For probably the first time since she knew Adam was a prince she felt a little twisting of doubt in her gut. Not for her love for him - she would never doubt that - but of her worthiness of him, of the world she was going to marry into. It was often so easy to forget or at least push aside the fact that Adam was a prince because she had known him, loved him, before she knew he was one.
The woman who wore that ring was worthy of it - by title and by character. Adam and his staff always spoke so fondly of her and her portrait hanging on the wall just across the room showed her kind eyes.
She never much cared for or even desired the fancier things - she was content with her simple life with her father and her books. But a girl of her status couldn't even dare to dream of even looking at a ring so beautiful, so valuable.
She wondered, as kind-hearted as the late princess appeared to be, would she really be so accepting of her son marrying so far beneath him?
"What is it?" Adam asked, seeing her frown.
She let out a small little sigh. "It's nothing…"
With his free hand he reached out and gently touched her arm, encouraging her to look at him. "Belle, you know you can tell me anything without judgement."
A small smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. "Yes, of course I know that. Forgive me, it's only...the ring is beautiful, Adam. Worthy of your mother's hand no doubt but...perhaps not so worthy of mine." Her eyes darted away from his to look past him out at the dark sky.
"Whatever would make you say that?" Adam sounded baffled and her smile widened just a little more.
She glanced back at him with a knowing look. "I am not royalty. Nowhere near it. I am simply a peasant girl who wandered into your castle…"
His brow furrowed seriously and his hand slid down her arm to take hers. "You are not simply anything, Belle." His face softened as he seemed to realize. "You wonder how my mother would react to you if she were alive."
Her smile faded back into a frown in confirmation and he let out a soft sigh, stepping in closer to her. "Oh, Belle…I will not lie to you. My father would certainly not approve." His jaw tightened and his eyes hardened at the mention of his father but only for a second before his expression softened again. "My mother, however, she might have been a little wary…" He lifted his hand to cup the side of her head, his fingers threading through her hair. "It certainly is not every day a prince marries someone of a lower class but I know she would have seen your heart and adored you, just as I do. She would have seen how incredibly happy you make me." His thumb brushed across her cheek in a gentle caress and he smiled as she leaned into his touch. "I believe she would approve of us for that reason alone."
He leaned in and their eyes fluttered close as their foreheads touched. "My love," He whispered and his warm breath against her lips sent shivers down her spine, "Do not ever think you aren't worthy of me, of this life. It is I who is not worthy of you, yet you have somehow chosen to stay with me, to love me, just as I have chosen you. The fairest princess in the world could not persuade me away from you."
A smile spread across her lips and the tension left her body. She lifted her hand to rest against his chest.
His hand moved to take hers and he leaned back to meet her eyes.
"Please," His hand curled around hers and lifted it off his chest and the held it in front of them as he once again presented the ring. "Accept the ring, it is yours, as am I...forever."
Her eyes lingered on his for a moment longer and then drifted down to the ring.
It really was beautiful and her heart leapt a little, out of both excitement and anxiety.
The ring was a symbol of their engagement, of their love and was something so incredibly precious to Adam and not just because of its monetary value. In fact, his mother's ring she knew must have been priceless to him.
She smiled as she she flattened out her hand, tilting it in towards him and glancing back up to him.
A smile brightened his face and he tenderly slipped the ring onto her finger.
She let out a breath as she looked back down. The moonlight drifting in behind Adam sparkled off the center jewel.
"I will wear it with love and care for it with the deepest affection." She vowed, smiling up at him.
"I have no doubt of it." He said and then brought her hand to his lips in a tender kiss, his eyes never leaving hers.
They shared a loving smile and Adam then slid his hand to secure it around hers and their joined hands fell to their sides.
"Now," He cleared his throat gently, "I believe we have an audience to attend to."
Belle smiled softly, squeezing his hand and placing her other against his arm as they both turned to head back down to meet their friends.
A/N: There will be one more chapter after this that should be up soon!