Belle pushed open the door to her house, setting all her food in the cupboard. "Father?" she called. "Father, I'm home."
She walked into his office, where he sat tinkering. His desk was littered with papers, springs, screws, and other toys. He smiled up at her, and wordlessly put his hand in front of her. In it, she put a spring.
"Correct Belle," he said. "I don't know what I'd do without you." It was true, Belle managed most of the housework, and helped with his projects.
"I'll always be with you, Papa," she said. When she closed the door behind her, he sighed. No, that was not true. He would have to find someone for her— someone who loved and respected her more than he did.
Unfortunately, that would prove to be more difficult than he thought. He sighed, and began to pack for the trip to Paris.
Belle, headed out to town, and and sat by the fountain, absorbed in her book. She had put her laundry machine— of her own invention— beside her and was enjoying the sun.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town there was to be an uproar. Gaston, and LeFou rode towards the village. "Are you sure you love Belle?" LeFou asked.
"I'm sure," said Gaston, mostly ignoring him. His features would be handsome, but if you looked a little closer, his jaw was too square, and there was madness in those eyes. And also, his nose was also a bit large.
"Wouldn't you want something else? Are you sure she'd match someone as athletically inclined as you? Someone else who would suit you better?"
"That's just it! We would be perfect for each other!" LeFou muttered annoyance under his breath, giving up on Gaston.
As they rode into the village, everyone turned to stare and point. Gaston looked down at the them, and spread his arms for applause. The villagers crowded around him, and asked for his stories.
Although he had only been hunting, he smiled, and told them tales of bears, savages, and deer. Amelie, Briggite, and Chloe screamed and gasped throughout.
"What about one of them?" asked LeFou.
"No, look at them." LeFou followed his gaze. They seemed to swoon as he pointed, giving Gaston fake waves and giggles. "Look at how hard they try. Belle doesn't even try and she is amazing!"
Abruptly, he left and the crowd followed him to the pub, where he was again fawned over.
Belle continued reading, until she finished the chapter. Unlike the first one she had read, about a hero, this was about singers. The romance was beautiful, and she loved the misunderstood characters she could crack.
She set her book down, and pushed her clothes into the machine. She roped the donkey, and he pulled the bucket with him. She looked up, and saw a little girl watching her.
"Come over," she called, and the girl sat beside her. "Do you know how to read?"
"No," said the girl sweetly. Belle smiled, and got out her book, and board. Slowly, the girl began to copy the letters, and recite them.
"Very good!" said Belle. The little girl suddenly looked up. "What is it?"
Belle looked up, and it looked as if half the village had gathered. "Would like me to teach you too?" she asked, even though she knew what was coming.
"Something must be done!" said a dirty farmer. The villagers all nodded, and murmured and yelled their assent.
"Witch child!"
"Devil more like!"
"What a strange girl! She thinks she's so big! All she is books!"
"Won't cook! Nor clean! Nor marry!"
A man ran towards, the donkey, and spilled out all of Belle's laundry. The villagers laughed, murmuring to themselves. Oh yes, what a great job they had done.
Sighing, she picked up her laundry, and put in her basket. She'd have to leave now, or it would only get worse. As she walked, she seemed to be getting even more stares than usual.
The village was busy today… and this only happened when. Oh. No. Gaston. Speaking of the devil, he came running towards her.
"Oh my dear Belle," he breathed as he saw her. She was truly beautiful, a good figure, warm eyes, soft hair he longed to hold.
"Gaston," she says. Guarded. Belle tried carefully to hide her, emotion.
"Lovely Belle, will you marry me?" She suppressed a groan. It was the same thing every time -this man would never take a hint.
"No, Gaston," she said, stepping back. "I really shall not." He followed her, and they took steps, she making for home.
"I'm sorry my love. I would have known just the thing in the village! Those people -disrespecting you that way. Would you like me to step in?"
Step in? He loved those people, just as stupid as he was, "No, thank you," she said politely.
"But Belle," he said, taking her hand. She flinched in disgust, and pulled her hand away.
"No buts Gaston. I really must go," she said, gracefully, pulling her hand away, twirling, and opening the door. She then shut it in his face, and leaned against it, happy to have warded off Gaston yet again.
