A strained, heavy silence filled the air. Adam glared at the woman in the long emerald green dress while she gazed back coolly. Belle's eyes continued to flicker between the two, still feeling uncertain. She fidgeted and shifted from foot to foot, the silence making her feel uncomfortable. Unable to handle the deafening quiet, she placed herself between Adam and the Enchantress .

"What do you mean...'it didn't work'? What was supposed to happen?" Belle asked.

Adam and the Enchantress broke eye contact to look at Belle. The Enchantress opened her mouth to answer, but was stopped by Adam's raised hand.

"I should explain," he informed her. The Enchantress sighed and gave him a curt nod. He returned the gesture before looking down at Belle. "As I'm sure you have figured out, our love broke the spell that was placed on me. It's our kiss that breaks what's left of the spell, the one over the castle and our friends-"

"But despite that, your kiss did not work," the Enchantress cut in. She took a step towards the couple, taking a hold of Belle's hands in both of hers. "It's not that your love isn't true - as I said, it very much is. But there appears to be a rather strong force preventing the spell from being lifted."

It took Belle only a moment to determine what the Enchantress meant.

"Gaston." She gasped.

The Enchantress nodded solemnly, her cool hands squeezing Belle's in sympathy.

Adam's eyes widened, then narrowed as he clenched his teeth and curled his fingers into a fist.

"How is that possible?!" he hissed.

The Enchantress looked back at Adam, her expression tight with unknown emotions.

"I'm not entirely sure," she replied. "My guess is that when that beastly man stabbed you, some of the magic that tied you to your friends and castle. The magic transferred to him."

Adam growled and stalked away. Belle couldn't help but smile. While he seems to have more control over his temper, she knew it would always be there.

The Enchantress kept a hold of her hands, but her gaze was focused back on the prince. Adam was pacing back and forth, trying to contain his anger. Belle searched the mysterious woman's face for some clue, some little hint that the Enchantress was not letting on. Somewhere, deep inside her, she knew the other woman wasn't telling the whole truth.

"If what you're saying is true," Belle said quietly. "Then there must be a way to undo Gaston's power over the castle."

The Enchantress snapped her attention back to Belle. She looked genuinely surprised by the young woman's eagerness.

"I suppose so." She consented.

Belle smiled again, happy that they were finally getting somewhere.

"Could there be a counter spell? A magical object like the rose?" the young woman wondered.

The Enchantress was silent. She released Belle's hands and started to pace. Her expression confirmed what Belle already knew: there is something that could help.

Once Adam had calmed down, he rejoined the two women. He wrapped an arm around Belle's shoulders. She turned to look at him and gave him a small smile. He smiled back and gave her a gentle squeeze. They turned their gaze back to the pacing woman.

Suddenly she stopped. Her constant glow dimmed and her face was grave. It was clear that she had an idea - but not one she was comfortable with.

"I think I know what you must do." the Enchantress said.

"What? What is it?" Adam urged.

The Enchantress gave the couple a piercing gaze.

"You must repeat actions of the past." She replied.

Adam lifted an eyebrow. "Meaning...?"

She shook her head, reluctant to answer.

"You have to use the same knife Gaston used to stab you, but instead you must stab him." Belle whispered.

Adam's eyes widened. He gripped Belle's shoulder to keep himself grounded. She placed a hand on his and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Do you mean..." he muttered. "I have to kill him?"

"It's not necessary, but I wouldn't exactly put it past you. Or anyone else for that matter." the Enchantress lifted one shoulder indifferently.

Adam bit his lip, but gave her a single, understanding nod.

The Enchantress looked up to the sky. "I must take my leave now," she announced. "I have many things to do. But I promise, I will return when the time comes. Farewell."

A flash of light, and the female enigma vanished.

"Well, that was...interesting." Belle stated.

Adam laughed, pulling her closer to his side. "That's one way to put it," he replied.

Belle laughed as well. She wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her head into his chest.

"I'm so happy that you're here," she whispered into his shirt.

Adam placed a soft kiss on top of her head and tightened their embrace.

"Me too." He murmured.

The couple held onto each other for a long time.

In the distance, a small figure hid behind one of the many statues that litter the garden. Although LeFou was far enough that he couldn't hear the conversation, he was close enough to see everything.

I have to tell Gaston! he thought, pushing away from the statue and running to the nearest set of doors.


Belle quietly trekked back to the parlor. She was already dreading what was going to be in store for her as soon as she crosses the threshold. There was not a doubt in her mind that Gaston was going to punish her in some way.

Perhaps if I beg and apologize, I might be forgiven, Belle thought with a shake of her head. Especially if I beg. she added.

Far too soon, she reached her bedroom door. Belle took a deep, calming breath, squared her shoulders and knocked on the door. She heard a gruff "enter" and turned the doorknob. Her breath hitched in her chest in anticipation for her inevitable consequence.

She entered the room and shut the door behind her. Slowly, she turned around to face the fuming beast.

Belle kept her back to the door as her husband glared at her. He was seated in a large armchair and his features obscured by the roaring fire.

"Come closer." He commanded.

She hesitated for a moment, but obeyed. She took short, steady steps before she stopped just a few feet before him. Gaston stood up, his shadow lengthening and towered over Belle.

A part of her wanted to cower, to give him the satisfaction of her fear. But another, stronger part forced her to stand her ground and put on a brave face.

Gaston closed the distance between them and wrapped a hand around her throat. She gasped in surprise while her hands instinctively reached up to push him away. Then she remembered her earlier plan and relaxed.

"I'm sorry." She managed to breathe out.

They were quiet again. Belle pleaded with her eyes. She lifted a shaky hand to caress his, still trying to appease him.

Eventually, Gaston's hold on her also relaxed. He moved his hand to rest it on her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I don't know what I was thinking. I promise, I'll never do it again."

His eyes narrowed in suspicion, reading her face to determine if she was telling the truth. Luckily, his expression softened and gave her a small smile. Gaston framed her face and leaned in until his lips were mere inches from hers.

"See that you don't." he whispered before closing the small distance between them.

For the first time in a long time, she kissed him back. Her heart tightened in her chest. It recoiled from the unwanted kiss and then started to beat hard and fast in protest. Her mind in turn argued that it was the only way to gain his trust back. It was the only way to find the knife and finally break the rest of the spell.

But no matter what the reasons were, she didn't feel right about the deception. If there were any other options, Belle knew she would've taken them in a heartbeat. But no matter how many times she thought it over, there were no other conceivable solutions.

Gaston pulled away and led her to a chair. His entire demeanor changed. He looked calm and collected, like he knew something that she didn't. Belle focused on maintaining a neutral facade. She sat down as he started to pace in front of the fire.

"LeFou just told me something...interesting earlier this evening." He said after a long moment of silence.

Belle's heart stopped. "O-oh?" she managed to breathe out.

Gaston looked down at her, a smirk growing on his face. Belle willed herself not to hyperventilate. He bent down until his face was level with hers. They stared at each other for a long time.

"He told me," he whispered. "That he saw you and Adam together in the garden...embracing each other."

Belle's eyes widened in panic. Luckily, she schooled her features before she betrayed herself.

"Were you and Adam in the garden together, Belle? Were you two embracing each other? " Gaston asked. He trailed his fingers across her face, trying to get a reaction out of her.

Despite Gaston's outward appearance, he was not stupid. He knew how to manipulate people into doing what he wanted them to do. It was the one thing that Belle truly feared about him. It was the only reason why she allowed herself to enter into a loveless marriage.

When Belle didn't give a reaction, Gaston narrowed his eyes and his smirk changed into a sneer.

With a sudden burst of bravery, she lifted her chin defiantly, daring him to take action.

Once again they stared each other down. With a grunt, Gaston stood up again. He turned his back to her and glared into the fireplace.

"Adam and I were in the garden together, but we were talking about my father," Belle said finally. She rose from her chair and stood behind Gaston. "Papa is still sick. Adam thinks he won't be back to normal until next spring."

Taking a deep breath, Belle wrapped her arms around his torso and rested her cheek on his back. She rubbed her hands around his belly to distract him. He relaxed in her embrace.

"I'm sorry that he's staying for so long. I know it's difficult to have him around straining on your good will. But he'll be gone soon. I promise." Belle said quietly. She lifted herself onto her toes, kissed the back of his neck, and released him.

She walked towards the door. "I'll be in our room." She announced. She opened and closed the door.


Belle walked down the hall until she reached her door. As soon as she was safely behind it, she released the breath that she was holding. She rested her forehead against the door, closing her eyes as her mind went back through the day. It felt too surreal to have actually happen, yet she knew, without a doubt, that it did.

Behind her, she heard a rustling sound. Belle pushed herself away from the door and turned around. A shadowy figure stood near the wardrobe, which for some reason was open.

Slowly, she walked towards one of the lanterns and lit it. The room burst with light. A hard thump and a muffled "ow!" revealed the identity of the figure.

"Adam? What are you doing here?" Belle asked in a harsh whisper.

Adam drew himself from the wardrobe with a guilty look on his face. He walked towards Belle, resting a hand on her cheek.

"I was looking for the knife." he admitted.

She nodded in understanding. Belle looked back at the door. She grabbed his hand and tugged him behind her.

"You have to go." She said.

"What? Why?" Adam wondered.

"I...I made amends with Gaston. I told him that I would be in here and he's probably on his way right now." She replied. Belle put her hand on his mouth before he could protest. "It was the best thing I could think of to look for the knife. He's already suspicious of us, I don't want to make him anymore."

"So we have to stop seeing each other until one of us finds it." He said, looking both angry and defeated.

Belle looked up at him sadly, and nodded again. Adam grabbed her face and pulled her in for a deep kiss.

"This will be all over soon, I promise." He announced. Belle smiled before pushing him out the door.

She could only hope that everything would change for the better.