The next week proved to get more difficult. The icy barricade I had tried my best to defrost began to grow again. My persistence over the release of the creature did nothing to warm Gaston to me, and his stubbornness angered me further. The isolation of this frustration grew inside me, forcing me to lash out at the people who didn't deserve it.

"Belle, I…I'm worried about you," my father's weak voice filtered through my consciousness.

My eyes snapped quickly to look at him, "Why?" I couldn't help the annoyance that stained my voice.

Although he was getting weaker by the day, he managed to push himself to a sitting position. The struggle to do so, pained me as his breathing came harder and faster, his arms shook with the sheer effort and sweat formed across his forehead. Guilt washed over me in this instant as I knew me inexplicable obsession with the beast was forcing me further away from what was truly important.

"You are letting this decision rule your life," he coughed between breaths, "You cannot change his mind. What does it mean to you? What does it matter?"

"I…I'm so sorry, papa," I felt unwanted tears sting my eyes, "I can't explain it. But I know it is unspeakably cruel to hurt this creature. I just know it."

"I just don't understand it Belle."

A sigh escaped my lips, "I know. Neither do I. I know this shouldn't bother me."

"Have you even seen it close?" he wondered.

"No," I mumbled. I have been too afraid to get to close to him. I couldn't bear knowing him before he was taken into hell.

"Perhaps you should. It may well put your mind at rest."

*****************

My heart was pounding in my chest, beating against my rib cage as I walked through the grounds that afternoon. I had been trying to avoid this but papa was right. My opinions may change; my feelings might lessen as I am around the creature. After all, it is ridiculous to feel this strong bond chaining me to him after seeing him so briefly. Yet I couldn't stop the anxiety reaching up into my throat and restricting my breathing.

I turned the corner, my feet being swallowed by the thick snow that was settling on the ground. Fortunately, my mind was too concerned with what was only a moment away that I couldn't feel the cold biting up my legs, turning them a painful blue. I realized now my lips were turning the same shade, quivering, although I couldn't be sure if it were just the cold or my own fear.

And suddenly, I could see him, huddled deep in the corner of his cell. He was not looking at me, but I could still see the pain that shone in his mesmerizing eyes. And just as quickly as I had noticed the blistering cold, it melted away leaving me with nothing but the creature in front of me. In a few seconds, I was there, my hands curled round the bars, staring at the beast that had haunted my every waking moment since I had first seen him. The sound that escaped my lips alerted the beast, and a deep warning growl escaped through his teeth. Yet it would have frightened anyone else, I did not flinch away. How could I? I knew he posed no threat to me and the pain I could see proved beyond doubt he was terrified of me.

Without thinking, I reached my hand through the bars towards him, "I'm Belle," my voice was much more confident than I felt, "I…I won't harm you."

It felt like an eternity as my hand clutched at thin air. Eventually, I saw a realization cross the creature's mind and he relaxed from his defensive stance, standing tall. I had to hold back a gasp at his sheer size, trying not to scare him again. As my hand started to tremble, he placed his gigantic hand, soft with masses of fur into mine. The feel of it forced me to smile with relief and as I looked up into the beast's eyes, they too were radiating with joy.