King Maurice sat in his thrown room, planning his revenge on king Robert. Robert gave his daughter happiness when he was supposed to give her misery, he stole his hand, he still had some control over his army. Robert did not deserve to have such a wonderful life. He didn't just want to kill him, he wanted to rip out his heart, and crush it. He needed to get to Belle.

The double doors swung open in haste and Maurice stood, agitated by this lack of respect. "What the hell is the meaning of this?" Two of his knights were leading in a man that he did not recognize from his village. He was a big man, with wide shoulders and a broad chest. His hair was black and his eyes were darkened with hatred.

"You have a visitor, sir." One of his knights pushed the man forward and onto his knees.

"So you think it best to barge in here without warning? What makes you think I have a desire to speak with this man. He's clearly not from here." Maurice sneered down at the man kneeling before him. "What could be so important that you had to meet with me?"

The man looked him, a smirk on his face, "Because I have something that can help you." Maurice looked at him curiously. He then motioned for the knights to leave him. Once the doors were closed, Maurice stepped away from his thrown and down to where the man knelt.

"What is it you have?" The man stood to meet the king's stare.

"You seek revenge on King Robert of Scotland. His little princess, killed my son. I would rather die than have her as my queen, and I don't plan on dying anytime soon. I have a plan that will get us both what we desire, but I'll need your assistance." Maurice looked a bit skeptical.

"What is your name?" asked Maurice.

"Bert Marsh, sir. Will you help me?" Maurice turned and walked back to his thrown.

"What exactly is your plan Mr. Marsh?" Bert smiled maliciously, an evil gleam in his eye. "You better not disappoint me."

Robert was sprawled out on the bed, face down. He reached out to his right for Belle, but all he felt was an empty space. He tried to sit up, to look around the room for her but something was weighing him down. "Don't worry I haven't disappeared again." the voice purred in his ear.

"Belle, darling what are you doing?" Her hands ran up and down his back, adding pressure to particularly tense areas.

She let out a little giggle. "I, am trying to get you to relax. The ball is tonight and I don't want you to be this... tense." His Belle had turned into a little vixen. She was so innocent when she first came to him. Even the first few times they had made love, she was still beyond pure. But she had completely transformed.

"You know, there are other ways to get me to relax. Other, more pleasurable ways." Belle laughed at him and leaned over, pressing her bare chest to his back so she could place kisses along his neck. Robert moaned as she pressed against him. "You're torturing me love."

"I don't think you realize, just how relaxed I want you Robert." She leaned back and continued her massage. He groaned into the pillow as her hands searched his body for any tight muscles. It felt like she had been going at her cruel teasing for hours when she finally rolled off of him and laid down next to him. He immediately rolled on top of her and trapped her in his arms. She squealed in delight.

"So, what are you going to do to me?" He growled at her and attacked her mouth with his own.

Pulling away from her mouth, he trailed heated kisses up to her ear and whispered, "I'm going to lock you in this room until I've had my fill of you. We might end up missing the ball." She moaned appreciatively in response as he traced the shell of her ear with his tongue.

Robert wasn't kidding, they almost did miss the ball. They were both so lost in each other that they hadn't even noticed the time. Robert was lucky that he at least had enough sense not to mark Belle anywhere that would be visible when she had her dress on, even though the thought excited him, he imagined that Belle would be less than pleased with him.

He was busy greeting people in the foyer when Belle emerged from her bedroom. She made her way to the stairs and with every step down, a little more of her self consciousness came back. Everyone in the room was staring at her. She wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing, until she saw Robert. He was smiling brightly at her, ignoring the flood of guests pouring into the castle in favor of rushing to meet her at the bottom of the staircase.

She hooked her arm through his and he guided her through the swarm of people and to the foyer so she could join him in greeting their guests. Everyone from the village was attending, there were also dukes and duchesses from neighboring kingdoms in attendance. As soon as everyone had arrived, the food was brought out and the feast had begun.

Belle and Robert sat at the head table, naturally. Everyone laughed and drank and was genuinely merry. They enjoyed the food and each other's company. When the music began and the party migrated to the ballroom, Belle suddenly remembered a very important problem. She hadn't properly danced since she was seven. When she did dance she was by herself in her room. What if someone besides Robert wanted to dance with her and she made a total fool of herself?

Robert pulled her out on to the dance floor and placed his hand modestly on her back, and took her hand in his other. "Robert, I haven't really danced since I was a little girl. I don't know if I can do this." Robert pulled her closer, running his hand along the bare skin of her back, making her shiver in delight.

"My beautiful Belle, why do you always underestimate yourself? Hmm." He began moving, gliding them across the dance floor. Belle followed him, glancing down at her feet every now and again, to make sure she wasn't about to trip over herself. "You're doing fine love. Just enjoy yourself." She smiled up at him and kept doing so for the remainder of the dance.

After about six or seven dances, Belle decided to take a short break and grab a glass of champagne. Verna was doing the same and the two fell into easy conversation. "The party is fabulous. One of the best this kingdom has had in a long while." Belle smiled at her.

"Thank you, but it was all Robert's doing. He wouldn't let me lift a finger." Belle finished her glass and grabbed another.

As Belle sipped her second glass, Verna chatted on about how her and Bert were doing. "He's been very cold. He even refused to attend tonight, he said he felt under the weather, but he wasn't running a fever. I think the only reason he enjoyed my company was because I'd given him a son. He barely speaks to me anymore." Belle placed her glass on the table and grabbed Verna's hands.

"Don't think like that. Surely he wouldn't have married you in the first place if he didn't love you. Perhaps he's still in mourning, and then you have me to blame." Verna gasped.

"I thought we had discussed this. We don't blame you for his death. I won't hear that you're still blaming yourself." Belle looked down at their joined hands and nodded. "And as for love, not everyone is as lucky as you and Robert. Bert and I had friendship, nothing more. It's a rare thing to find someone who can truly love you." She looked over Belle's shoulder to see Robert walking their way, no doubt hoping for another dance with the girl. "Speaking of true loves." Verna nodded to Robert and Belle turned to smile at him. He stayed a respectable distance away, to give them plenty of privacy to finish their conversation.

"You better go, he looks a little anxious to have you in his arms again." Belle blushed and let out a small laugh. She made her move to leave the woman, when Verna placed a hand on her arm. "I almost forgot, Bert wished me to invite you over for dinner a few evenings from now. I think he feels as though he hasn't shown you that he truly doesn't blame you for our loss. Please tell me you'll consider."

Belle smiled at the woman. "There's nothing to consider." Verna smiled back at her and sent her on her way back to her love. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Verna's smile grew. She was truly happy that Belle had found happiness, she was rather fond of the girl.

"So, you've fooled your wife into inviting Belle to your home for a meal. My two finest knights will be hidden, and at the proper moment, they grab her and bring her back to me. What will you do about your wife?" Bert thought for a moment.

"She has become rather fond of the little murderess. I suppose I could simply detain her and after your men have been given a proper lead, I will go to the king and claim that Belle never arrived at our home. He'll automatically assume that you are responsible and head straight for your kingdom. I assume you will hide her well?" Maurice gave him an evil grin.

"Oh yes. Robert could tear my entire castle apart and never find her. Don't worry, the things I have planned for Belle, well, let's just say your thirst for revenge will be overly sated." The men shook hands, and Bert was escorted out of the castle.

Maurice looked over at his knights, "Now here's the real plan." The knights leaned in as Maurice gave them their orders. "Mr. Marsh was foolish to trust me." He waved off his knights. "Go. Prepare for your task." The knights let themselves out of the thrown room. Maurice lifted his handless arm up. Where his hand once was, there was now a golden hook, sharpened to a fine point, ready for Belle's homecoming.