AN: I'm not sure why I made Babette so catty in this, but I do think the tension between her and Belle makes it more interesting. Also, I'm taking a lot of creative liberty here with the history between the werewolves and the vampires. I know it's not historically accurate but I do know that marriages did happen between French and Spanish royals, so I thought I'd create marriages between Spanish and French nobles in this story.
Chapter 10
The next day Gabrielle came knocking on Belle's door bright and early, so they could start the day together.
Belle dressed before the servants could come and cater to her. She changed into a dark green dress, made of simple cotton and a flowered stomacher. She secured her hair in a long, simple braid, which Belle thought was practical for the day.
Already her mood had changed. She felt cheered from her new friendship with Gabrielle and from the beautiful winter day outside. As she sat at her vanity, she looked at the window, where the curtains had been pulled back to reveal a sunny cold day. There was snow on the ground and frost on the roof but above the sky was a bright, cloudless blue.
The day spoke of hope and good things to come. She felt anything was possible.
She came out of her room and met Gabrielle outside, where she eagerly waited for Belle.
Gabrielle's face brightened as Belle emerged. "There you are!" she exclaimed. "We have so much to do today, Belle. Decorations and food, and music and gowns!" Gabrielle shook her head. "Oh my…I shall go crazy!"
A familiar laugh erupted into the hall. "Ha! You shall go crazy? You already are crazy, my dear sister!" Andre teased with a grin, walking toward them with Brandon.
Gabrielle gave him a pointed look. "Don't forget that we're cut from the same cloth, dear brother..." she stated succinctly, a smile forming on her mouth. "So that makes you crazy as well, if not more so."
Brandon smirked.
Andre stopped when he reached them both, his gaze moving from Belle to Gabrielle. "I see you've met my overbearing sister, Belle…." he started. "Hopefully she hasn't caused you too much trouble."
Gabrielle passed him an annoyed look.
"No," Belle said, laughing. "She's very fun. I'm feeling better already!"
Andre brightened. "Oh, well that's great!" He turned back to his sister. "I guess my sister is doing something right after all!"
Gabrielle hit him while Belle and Brandon chuckled.
From the corner of her eye, Belle saw movement from across the hall balcony. She turned, just in time to see the Beast, observing them from the other side of the floor. When their eyes met, he started. He took one last glance at them and swiftly walked away, black cape following in his midst.
Belle watched him go, intrigued as always by the mystery that surrounded him.
Gabrielle and her brother had started chattering away about something but Belle had tuned out.
"Well, we have a party to plan…" Gabrielle informed them. She turned to Belle. "We had best get started, Belle. We have a lot of work to do."
"I'm looking forward to seeing how this party turns out…" Andre remarked with a smile. His remark had a bit of a challenge to it. Even Brandon smirked at them and crossed his arms.
"It will be amazing." Gabrielle declared.
"Yes, it will be amazing," Belle chimed in, joining in on the competitive spirit of the conversation. Gabrielle smiled over at her. "My town has been known to throw a party or two. And we know how to hold them." she countered pointedly.
The two men exchanged looks and held up their hands. "Oh!" "Oh really?" they exclaimed.
"We certainly have our competition here, Andre, don't we?" Brandon said.
"Oh we certainly do, Brandon…" he replied. This was followed by loud, hysterical laughter from the two.
Both women stood there, mouths open at their rude display. They stood there, shocked for a few moments before Gabrielle waved her hand. "Come on Belle, let's go. Let's leave these buffoons!"
Belle gave them one last look before following Gabrielle. "Yes." she agreed, walking toward the stairs with Gabrielle.
"You'll never throw one like Anton!" Andre shouted down the hall, causing Gabrielle to look over her shoulder with exasperation. "We throw the best ones in all of France! You can't beat us!"
"Just ignore him," Gabrielle mumbled as they rounded the corner. "He can get really obnoxious when he feels threatened."
Belle laughed. "Yes he can," she agreed. "Do you really think he's worried?" she asked after a moment as they descended the stairs.
Gabrielle smiled at her. "Of course!" she answered. "He knows that we may just throw the best party this castle has ever seen."
"Who's Anton?" Belle asked curiously.
This caused Gabrielle to blink in surprise. She turned to Belle with a startled, uneasy look and then looked away. "Oh…" she trailed off, laughing nervously. "He's…he's just a person that we used to know….He's…he's…no longer here." She turned and looked at Belle with a firm look, as if to say 'I'm not going to discuss this any further.'
Belle let it go and didn't comment on it further. She had learned that everyone in this castle was hiding something. And they weren't going to tell her what it was any time soon.
She was still a stranger after all.
Gabrielle practically skipped down the steps to the massive foyer, where she turned to look at Belle. "We're going to go find Angelique—she's the castle decorator. She knows all the best ingredients for a party."
As luck had it, they ran into Angelique just as she was coming through the front doors. "Oh, there you are Angelique!" Gabrielle exclaimed at the petite, blonde-haired woman coming through the doors. Angelique shut the door behind her and stared at Gabrielle.
"Ah, Gabrielle…Hello, what is it I can do for you today?" she asked pleasantly.
Gabrielle clasped her hands together and walked toward the castle decorator with sparkling eyes. "Belle and I are throwing a party tonight! And we need your help."
The blonde woman raised her eyebrows skeptically. "Tonight?" she repeated.
Gabrielle nodded. "Yes, tonight."
Angelique looked at her as if she were crazy. "How am I supposed to do all of that work for tonight?!" she exclaimed.
"I know it's very late notice, but Belle would really appreciate it"- she turned around to face Belle, who stood there with wide eyes. Angelique observed Belle for a moment, her anger and stress re-directed at her. Gabrielle turned back to Angelique. "And this castle needs a bit of cheering up, don't you think?" Gabrielle remarked persuasively.
Angelique looked at her a second before sighing. "Fine…" she said, rather reluctantly.
Gabrielle clapped her hands. "Oh, thank you Angie, that's marvelous!" she exclaimed.
Angelique nodded. "As long as both of you help me with it." she added sternly.
Gabrielle nodded. Angelique moved forward and stopped when she saw Belle. Up close Belle could see that she had rather short blonde hair, unusual for a woman of her time. She also had big, heavy-lidded eyes in a rather round face.
"I don't believe we've been introduced. You're Belle, the one everyone's been talking about," she said. She paused and peered closer at Belle. "It seems this place has taken its toll on you too."
Belle was taken aback at her remark. "T-taken its toll? What do you mean?" she stuttered.
"It's your face…" she remarked. "You look very tired, and drawn."
"Well what do you expect, Angelique?" Gabrielle protested. "When you live here, in a state of constant fear, it will take its toll on you eventually. This is why we need a party."
"Gabrielle told me you you're very good at throwing parties." Belle said.
Angelique gave a short laugh. "Of course, I'm the castle decorator. I can do anything." she replied pompously.
"Then you can make a marvelous party for us tonight." Gabrielle put in smartly, smiling with her arms crossed.
Angelique gave her a sharp look. "Come." she instructed as she turned and led the way.
"I thought it'd be best to hold the party in the music room, since we are not inviting that many people." Angelique told them as they stood in the massive, empty music room.
"Yes, that seems like a good idea." Gabrielle replied.
"Now," Angelique began. "We must go over the necessities for a party…"
Gabrielle sighed and rolled her eyes like a child. She reminded Belle a lot of Annette—she couldn't have been more than sixteen.
"A party must have decorations, music, food"- Angelique ticked them off her fingers one by one. "And most importantly: a theme."
"A theme…" Gabrielle murmured.
Belle looked at the windows. "Well, it's winter. So maybe we can go by the season."
"A winter wonderland!" Gabrielle added, turning to her with bright eyes. Belle grinned and nodded.
"Wonderful," Angelique commented. "Mhm…I think we should have some dark colours, considering that it is still winter and not spring yet. Perhaps some rich burgundies and ruby reds, maybe some glass too. It will look like ice."
"Oh it sounds wonderful so far, Angelique." Gabrielle put in.
"Leave it all to me," Angelique told her. "I want you to take care of the music Gabrielle, and Belle"- she turned pointedly to her. "I want you to talk to the kitchen staff, and oversee the food."
"This will be so much fun!" Gabrielle gushed, turning to her.
"I know, I'm looking forward to a party!" Belle replied with a smile. "And to dressing up."
"I do that with my sisters you know," Belle added as they moved toward the doors. "We help pick out each other's dresses whenever there's a dance or festival in town."
"Oh, do you come from a small village?" Gabrielle asked.
"A town actually." Belle said as they stepped out into the hall.
"Rustic life, how lovely..." Gabrielle remarked.
Belle laughed. "How boring."
"Really?" Gabrielle said. "I would die for a quiet life in the country, away from all this mess."
"Anyway, enough of this talk. I'm off to find the maestro!" Gabrielle said, hurrying up the stairs. "I'll see you afterward, Belle!" She squealed as she stopped on the landing, jumping. "I can't wait!" she added, before sprinting up the stairs.
Belle giggled and then turned to walk toward the kitchen. There she found the chefs, maids and Babette. A feeling of unease came over Belle but she pushed it aside, reminding herself that one woman's dislike for her didn't matter.
"Ah, Belle!" the head chef said brightly. He was a short, round man with a lovely smile. "What brings you here?"
Belle smiled and walked into the middle of the kitchen. It was warm and comforting; smells and warmth wafting around her.
"I came to tell you that Gabrielle and I are planning a party for tonight. Angelique is helping us too—she told me to oversee the food." Belle explained. For a moment everyone in the kitchen looked at her with a stunned expression and for a moment Belle wondered if she did something wrong.
"Tonight?" the head chef repeated in disbelief. "It's such late notice!"
Belle winced. "I'm sorry. We hadn't considered that."
The head chef waved a hand. "It's all right. I'm just glad I know now."
One of the older maids clapped her hands. "All right ladies, let's get working. We have a party to cook for."
"I can help!" Belle offered. "It's the least I can do."
The maid smiled at her. "That would help. Thank you. I'll set you to work on the soup."
Belle put on an apron and got to work on chopping up the garlic and onions for the tourin soup; a French garlic soup. Belle's eyes watered from the onions but her senses delighted in the scent of garlic. As she chopped up garlic and onions, and put them in separate bowls, Babette sauntered up to her.
"How sweet of you to help…" she remarked, standing on the other side of the countertop across from her.
Belle glanced up. "Well I like to help. I do it at home all the time."
Babette shrugged. "I help too…Everybody's talking about you: the beautiful small-town girl that just appeared out of nowhere."
Belle didn't answer her or look up; she didn't feel she had to respond. She kept chopping away and Babette just kept talking.
"Even my Lumiere has taken an interest in you," she added with a hint of bitterness. "I'm used to being the only beautiful woman in this castle."
Belle finally looked up. "I don't know why you're so concerned about Lumiere. I have no interest in him."
"That doesn't matter," Babette said sharply. "He thinks you're beautiful," she added, pouting and crossing her arms. "Probably more beautiful than me…"
Belle sighed and resumed her work.
"What surprises me even more is the Master's interest in you." she admitted, causing Belle's head to snap up.
"What?" Belle said, shocked.
"The Master likes you. He talks of you as well. And he doesn't like anybody." Babette explained. One of the maids shushed her and gave her a warning look. Babette rolled her eyes.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I'm far more interested in your Master than Lumiere…" Belle admitted, blushing. She hated to admit it but it was the only way to get Babette off her case.
A sly, manipulative look came over Babette's face. "Really?" she asked, smiling deviously.
Belle looked down at the food, a blush still staining her cheeks. "Yes, I find him intriguing..." she explained.
"Well that's good news…" Babette remarked, stepping away from the counter.
"What do you mean?" Belle asked, furrowing her brow.
Babette gave her a furtive look from the corner of her eye. "Good news for me. Lumiere is all mine." she declared, and then walked away, out of the kitchen.
Belle watched her go and shook her head.
Belle and Gabrielle met up again later that day. Gabrielle had informed the Beast that they were going to have a party that night, and to Belle's surprise he had relented. When they were in Gabrielle's room picking out gowns, Belle said to her: "He wasn't angry?"
Gabrielle laughed. "God no. He loves me like a sister and is a lot nicer around me. I think it's because I'm Andre's sister"- she surmised, pursing her lips in thought. "He knows that if he gives me trouble, he'll have to deal with Andre. And plus, I'm a younger, sweeter version of him."
"Oh…" Belle murmured, slightly surprised. "I don't know why he gets so angry with me all of the time…"
Gabrielle giggled. "He probably doesn't know what to do with himself around you. You're the only beautiful, honest woman around his age that he knows around here."
"I'm his age?" Belle asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well…he's twenty-three. How old are you?"
"Eighteen." Belle answered.
"You're not that much older than me. I'm sixteen," Gabrielle remarked, holding a dress against her body. "You know, I thought you were a lot older…You act so mature and ladylike for your age."
"Oh, I wasn't aware…" Belle admitted. She picked up a deep maroon-coloured dress: it was heavy velvet, soft to the touch, elegant and perfect for a winter party. "Can I borrow this one?" she asked, draping it over her arms.
Gabrielle peeked over. "Of course! That one will look wonderful on you, Belle!"
"What one are you wearing?" Belle asked.
Gabrielle smiled secretively. "I'm not telling. I like to surprise people."
"Well I can't wait to see what you wear…" Belle remarked, smiling.
The party was held in the music room. Although smaller and less grand than the ballroom, the music room was cozier and more personal. When Belle arrived, there were dark red banners, dark green tablecloths, silver centerpieces in the shape of roses, and silver candles and roses in vases placed all around the room. The musical ensemble was playing a lovely, peaceful tune on the violins and flutes, and a fire was blazing in the fireplace on the farthest wall.
Some of the men were already there and seated by the fireplace, glasses of red wine in their hands. Jean-Claude, who stood casually by the fireplace, was the first to look up and see her.
"Ah Belle, so nice to see you. You look beautiful." he remarked.
Belle blushed and smiled as everyone turned to look at her. Her dress was simple: red velvet with gold lining along the waist and sides. The red velvet dress was opened slightly at the skirt to reveal the red flowered underskirt. And the sleeves of the dress sat off her shoulders, revealing smooth creamy skin. Now that it was winter her tan had faded into a pale wintry shade.
"Thank you," she said, smoothing the front of her dress out nervously. She really wished Gabrielle had come down with her, but her friend had insisted Belle wait for her.
Andre peered over at her. "Where's my sister? Did she really make you come down here alone?"
Belle laughed. "She's upstairs getting ready. She said she'll be down soon though."
"She wants to be the last one down here so that everyone will see her. She loves being the center of attention…like you, Andre." Brandon remarked, pointing at him.
Andre smiled confidently. "No one's the bigger attention-grabber than me. She just wants to win."
"Well, she certainly wins in looks," Jean-Claude piped up. "She's much prettier than you."
This caused the men to burst out laughing.
Andre protested, shaking his head and waving his hand. "No, no my friend. I am prettier."
The men joked about this for a while until more guests started filling the music room. Some of the servants came as well, dressed nicely for the occasion. They would be included in the all the festivities for all their hard work.
Mrs. Potts was there, and watched as Chip and the other children played on the floor. Lumiere was there talking jovially with a glass of wine in one hand and his arm around Babette's waist, while Cogsworth paced around the room, nervously checking that everything was in place.
At one point, the Beast had come into the music room but Belle hadn't noticed. It was only when she turned around that she saw him sitting with Andre and the others, a glass of wine in his hand. She glanced toward the other door of the music room, the one closest to the main hall, and realized he must have come in through there.
A few moments later Gabrielle made her entrance. Brandon was right about her being the center of attention; every eye turned to stare at her, except for the Beast, who had his back turned toward her. Belle had to admit that Gabrielle was a striking girl: her dark hair was swept up in a chignon and loose curls framed her face. Her golden skin looked lovely against the dark green dress she wore. The dress itself was striking as well: trimmed along the edges with gold thread, a gold underskirt and gold lace bell sleeves. A gold charm bracelet graced her wrist.
Gabrielle received many comments as she moved through the room. "You look beautiful, Gabby!" one of the servants exclaimed.
"I love the dress; it looks wonderful."
Gabrielle smiled brightly. "Thank you everyone." She approached Belle and her eyes widened as she surveyed her.
"You look absolutely wonderful Belle!" she exclaimed. "Wow, the off-the-shoulder sleeves are quite daring…" she remarked slyly.
"You don't think it's too much, do you?" Belle asked worriedly. Gabrielle giggled and waved her hand.
"No! It's fine," she assured. Then she leaned in toward her. "Are you trying to get someone's attention?" she teased with a smile.
Belle blinked and then laughed, shaking her head. "No, no! I'm not."
Gabrielle smiled and grabbed her hand as the band started to play a lively tune. "Come, let's dance and have fun."
The two girls danced among the other guests, twirling and spinning, the light catching them in their dance. Many in the room observed them, captivated by their youthful and hopeful spirit. They laughed and danced with the other guests, enjoying the moment for what it was.
The men sitting by the fire were too mature in age and experience, too riddled with burdens of the past to be so carefree and happy. They remembered a time, not long ago, when they were the same way and only wished to be that way again. But too much had changed.
At one point, Gabrielle left Belle to casually walk by Brandon and steal his glass right out of his hand. Belle expected Brandon to snatch it back and get angry but he did neither. Instead he watched her take a sip of his drink while she peered at him over the rim.
Andre watched her, shaking his head. "You're too bold, Gabrielle…" he muttered.
She ignored him and a grin appeared on her face as she stared at Brandon, wine glass in hand. Then she walked away from Brandon, giggling, looking coquettishly over her shoulder at him. She proceeded to take his wine glass and fill it with more wine. As she did so, Brandon approached her. Bits of their conversation floated over to Belle.
Brandon stood so close to Gabrielle that their shoulders brushed. He looked down at the wine she was pouring. "Why don't we share that?" he suggested.
Gabrielle looked up at him with a smile and bright eyes. "Fine."
He took the wine glass from her hand and took a sip, looking steadily into her eyes as he did so. Gabrielle took the glass back and did the same thing. Something secret passed between them in that moment that Belle couldn't exactly explain but that she somehow understood.
Someone bumped into Belle and shook her out of her reverie. "Sorry…" the servant said.
Belle shook her head. "It's all right. It's my fault. I'm standing in the way." She had been standing in the middle where everyone was dancing. She moved out of the way and to her surprise, saw that the couch area near the fireplace was now empty. The men had gotten up to socialize, drink some more and dance.
She heard Andre behind her talking to Brandon and his sister. "What's going on here?" she heard him ask suspiciously.
"We're sharing this." Brandon answered calmly. Belle took a seat closest to the fireplace and watched the exchange.
"Why would you need to share wine from a wine glass?" he asked, confused.
"We don't want your sister getting drunk, do we Andre?" Brandon replied. "I'm watching her intake."
Gabrielle let out an angry groan and stormed away. Both men looked at her as she left, puzzled. Brandon shrugged after a moment and drank the rest of the wine.
Belle smiled and shook her head, turning her attention back to the fireplace. Belle stared into the calming flames, letting the warmth heat her skin and the vivid color fill her mind. She turned when she heard someone approaching and saw that it was the Beast. He was wearing pants, a white dress shirt and a blue cape.
"Hello Belle." he said hesitantly.
She forced a smile. "Hello…" she responded. He sat down next to her and she stiffened.
The Beast sighed. "Would you like any wine?"
She looked over at him and the wine glass he offered. Belle considered it for a moment. "Yes, please." She would have a little wine tonight. She took a careful sip and he reached forward towards the table to grab his own glass.
He took a drink before talking. "I…I wanted to say that I'm very sorry…" the Beast began, turning to look at her. Belle looked down at her wine glass. "I shouldn't have gotten angry like that, and I should stop taking my anger out on you. I need to be"-
"But why do you do it?" Belle asked, upset. "Why are you so angry in the first place?"
The Beast sighed and looked away. "It's my past…" he explained, turning to her with his blue eyes. "I feel trapped and bitter here…" he admitted, watching the guests chatter and laugh.
Belle reached forward and placed her hand over his fur-covered one. He looked from their hands to her face, startled by the action. "But you don't have to let your past bother you…" she began gently. "Right now all you have to worry about is the present. And I'm sure everyone feels trapped here in some way." she pointed out, shrugging and looking around the room.
The Beast looked at her with pained eyes. "But I see a reminder of my past every day…" he told her.
Belle held his gaze for a moment. "Then accept your past, and yourself." she added. A light of understanding flashed across his eyes and it was as if she had just revealed something important to him.
"That's very good advice..." he murmured, picking up his wine and taking another drink.
"It seems the most reasonable to me…" she answered, taking another sip of wine.
"I have to be nicer to you, and everyone else…" the Beast admitted.
"Just don't get mad so easily…Sometimes people are only trying to help," Belle reminded him. She paused for a moment and thought of her own actions. They hadn't exactly been helpful. She winced. "And I'm sorry about sneaking into the West Wing and… your room…" she added uncomfortably.
The Beast turned to look at her, surprised. She met his gaze briefly. "I shouldn't have done that. It was wrong of me to invade your privacy like that, so I understand why you were angry…" she said, looking away.
"It's all right, Belle…" he assured. "I just had a lot of…personal belongings in there."
Belle nodded and looked down at her lap. "I have some questions for you though, if you don't mind."
The Beast let out a long, slow breath, as if preparing himself for something. She wondered if he would help her.
"All right," he relented. "What do you want to know?" His expression was wary and his eyes held a trace of worry.
"Well," Belle began. "I saw something strange that night the vampires were here…"
The Beast frowned. "What do you mean—strange?" he asked, sounding concerned.
Belle sighed. "When I was running away from Frédéric and Alexandro I hid into an alcove in the hall. I was sure Frédéric would find me and kill me"- she confessed, closing her eyes and shaking her head. She frowned, her eyes still closed as she remembered the incident. "And then I saw the most beautiful woman I've ever seen standing meters away from me in the hallway…" she explained, opening her eyes. She gazed at the Beast, a stunned look in her eyes. "She had curly black hair and wore the most elegant robe- it was purple and had a shimmer to it…"
Belle stopped when she saw the Beast's expression. His jaw fell and he looked fearful, she could see it in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
It took him a moment to speak. "Belle. Why didn't you tell me this before?" he spoke with a sense of urgency.
"I meant to but I never got a chance with all the chaos and worry around here. I'm sorry."
"Did she say anything to you?" he asked firmly.
"No, not directly. She spoke to me through my mind, I heard it in my mind."
The Beast closed his eyes and sighed. "Perfect. She can communicate to you through your mind…" He opened his eyes again and looked at her steadily. "What did she say?"
"She said 'Come forward.' I was stuck in the alcove because Frédéric had cornered me. She told me to come forward to see that she had locked me in the alcove. She saved me, Adam! She made sure Frédéric didn't catch me!"
The Beast absorbed this for a minute. "So that witch does have a heart…" he muttered, stroking his chin.
"Witch? She's a witch?" Belle asked fearfully and quite loudly. A few of the household members turned to look at her.
"Shh!" the Beast shushed her. He looked towards the window. "Perhaps we should go somewhere else and talk about this. Come, I'll take you to the garden."
Just as the Beast and Belle were moving toward the doors, Gabrielle appeared in front of them, eyes bright. "Where are you two going?" A giggle escaped and she covered her mouth.
"Outside for a bit," the Beast answered. "Belle needs some air. We'll be back soon."
"Oh." Gabrielle said more solemnly this time, nodding her head. She stood there for a moment before joining the party once again. They walked past her and into the hall leading to the foyer. The Beast stopped near the front doors and opened a large closet, which Belle hadn't noticed before. Inside was a collection of cloaks, all similar, all dark. He moved the row of cloaks aside to grab a heavy, fur-lined velvet cloak.
He pulled it out and Belle could see that it was an elegant cloak, made for a lady. It was midnight blue and had soft white fur with grey specks along the top. He unclasped the sapphire broach at the top and held it open for her.
"Here, you need a warm cloak for outside."
Belle turned around and let him place the heavy, warm cloak over her shoulders. She fastened the broach at the top and turned to face him again. He surveyed her in the cloak.
"It suits you very well." he remarked.
Belle looked down at the cloak. "Thank you."
Before stepping outside, they both exchanged their evening dress shoes for winter boots, and slipped on leather gloves. The chill of winter had set in: the ground was covered in a dense amount of snow, the air was filled with falling snowflakes and icicles had formed on the castle edges like frozen daggers.
Outside the air was sharp. A gust of wind tickled Belle's face and she shivered, despite her cloak. She stopped a moment outside the castle entrance to admire the tiny white snowflakes against the black night sky and the tall, spindly trees. She followed the Beast to the garden, stepping in line beside him as the snow crunched underneath their feet. They passed by the tall pines in the field, which swayed in the wind. Belle shivered again, not from the cold this time, but from the beauty of the night. There was certainly something magical and mysterious about it.
They walked down the stone staircase, through the tree-lined path and underneath the archway, which was still covered in pink blossoms, until they came to the garden. Belle was astounded to see that the garden was in perfect condition, despite the cold and snow. She knew it was magic that preserved the garden but it still shocked her to see it like this.
Not a single blade of grass or bloom was touched by snow. It stood in stark contrast to the wintry grey castle beside it. The Beast and Belle walked down the small steps to the left of the staircase and began strolling at a relaxed pace along the garden path. The small heels of her boots tapped against the stone pathway as a steady rhythm.
The Beast sighed and looked up at the night sky as they walked. "That woman that you saw…she was no mere mortal, Belle. She was a sorceress." he explained quietly.
Belle gasped and looked at him. "A sorceress?" She absorbed this and then asked, "Did she curse you?"
The Beast inhaled sharply and stiffened as she asked this. "Yes." he answered sullenly, his voice and mind faraway. They continued walking, the night quiet around them, the pink and white roses delicate in their beauty.
"If she's a sorceress why did she help me? Why did she not put a curse on me but one on you?" Belle asked, confused.
"I'm going to tell you a story Belle," the Beast answered. "The story of this castle."
Belle stopped in her tracks. "You mean the story of how everyone became cursed?"
The Beast stopped and fixed her with his blue eyes. "Yes." He continued to walk along the path and Belle followed.
The Beast was looking up at the sky again, absent-minded. "It was a night much like this one but warmer…It was a summer night. The prince who lived in this castle before me—Prince Anton—was holding a ball that night…"
Flashback: 6 years ago
It was a night just like any other, except that there was a ball being held at the castle. Lights illuminated the entryway everywhere, much brighter and cheerier than the castle in its present state.
Guards stood at attention at the front, monitoring who came in and who came out. From inside the brightly lit castle came laughter. In the ballroom, aristocrats and royals were happily gathered: talking, dancing, laughing, drinking.
A general aura of fun, mystery and excitement hung over the ballroom. All the guests were dressed in beautiful costumes and masques. It was a masquerade and there were fireworks outside.
"A fine party this is my Prince!" Andre exclaimed from across the room, raising the attention of many of the courtiers.
The Prince, dark-haired and handsome, smiled and nodded at him. Andre raised his glass and took a generous gulp. He was holding his masque in his hand, too concerned with his drink to put it back on.
From across the room, Adrien observed Andre with amusement. Unlike the other guests he was not dressed in a costume but instead in a casual white dress shirt, riding pants and boots. He was in discussion with a few military men and nobles, talking about the current political situation.
Brandon, while also concerned with war and politics, was occupied with staring at the various women in the room, and was making witty remarks to the men next to him.
"I hope those Spaniards keep away from our castle tonight and let us enjoy our fun." Brandon said to Edouard, taking a sip of champagne.
Edouard nodded. "I hope so too. The Prince held this party in hopes that it would help him forget all of this nonsense between us and the Spanish nobles."
The Spanish noble families had settled on land that their ancestors had had possession over almost two centuries ago. This was because many of the Spanish nobles had married into French families. There had been amiable alliances between them before; but lies, greed and betrayal came between them. Presently there was debate over which family the land belonged to because Anton's family had taken over five hundred years ago. But the Spanish nobles also had French ancestors whose family had owned the land before Anton's family. This was a result of intermarriage with the French. The Spanish nobles did not try to reclaim the castle but the land still carried sentimental importance for them.
Edouard chuckled. "Maybe he should have invited them."
Brandon made a face. "The Prince would do no such thing. He has too much pride, and I respect him for that."
"I actually quite agree with Edouard, Brandon," David piped up. He had walked in on their conversation, listening closely to it. "All men deserve to be treated fairly and equally. Who knows what might have happened if the Prince had invited them?"
David was known all over France as a great philosopher and writer.
Brandon sneered. "I don't agree with your philosophical talk. All men are not born equal, so therefore they are not equal. I don't think those nobles are on the same level as us. They are quick to anger and accusation."
"We aren't any better, Brandon." David countered and then walked away before he could respond.
Brandon crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Listen to him and his nonsense. I don't agree. We are better, Edouard."
"In what way?" Edouard asked.
Brandon, for once, was at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, in the forest nearby, Jean-Claude and another man were busy gathering wood for the night's fire. It was early evening, still light enough to see.
Jean-Claude looked up at the dark blue sky- he wished he would have come out earlier. He had a bad sense of foreboding… He didn't know why though.
"So Adrienne wanted to come out and help too, did she?" the man with him asked with a laugh.
Jean-Claude smiled and nodded his head. "She hates being inside and doing the work her mother does. She's well-suited for farm life."
"She's like you, you know." his friend said with a smile.
Jean-Claude laughed as he picked up a piece of wood. "Marie tells me that all the time."
Marie was his wife and Adrienne was his daughter of five.
"Well, I think that's all the wood we need for now." his companion, Edgar said.
They started to walk back towards town and as they were a group of men on horses appeared.
One of them was a dark-haired man, wearing a cape of fine velvet.
"Why are you trespassing on our lands?" he asked angrily. Jean-Claude noted the foreign accent.
Jean-Claude was shocked. "Your lands? These lands belong to nobody."
"They belong to me and my family." the man argued.
"Sir, we were just gathering some wood for our fires tonight." Edgar explained.
"Drop the wood and get off our lands." the nobleman ordered.
"This is the Prince's lands! Not yours!" Jean-Claude finally lost it, yelling at the man angrily.
The man observed him coolly. "The Prince thinks these are his lands. But they are just as much ours. We obtained this land years ago in an agreement. You French still cannot keep your promises. Even your own Prince can't."
The men with him laughed.
"Now drop the wood. We won't have you stealing from us." the man said again.
"Run, Jean! We need this wood, let's go!" Edgar said, going into a sprint.
Jean-Claude- on impulse -followed.
They ran through the forest and onto the road, with the noblemen following behind them, and yelling at them to stop.
End of Flashback
"Haha! There you two are!" Belle and the Beast turned to see Andre stumbling towards them, chortling loudly. He could barely contain his laughter and his face was bright red.
He had interrupted the Beast in the middle of his tale. Belle was irritated to say the least because she had been enjoying the story and wanted to find out what had really happened.
Andre stopped a few meters away from them. "You're missing all the fun. What are you doing out here?"
"Talking," the Beast said pointedly, passing him an annoyed look. "In private, as you can see. What brings you out here and why don't you have a coat on? It's freezing, you fool."
Andre waved a hand. "Oh, I don't notice it…Besides, all that I've drank is keeping me warm!"
The Beast sighed and shook his head, exasperated. "Can you give us a moment, please Andre?"
Andre looked at the Beast for a moment and then at Belle. A sly smile graced his mouth and then he nodded, almost knowingly. "Ah…I understand. Alright then." He gave his friend a secretive look and then walked away. "Don't stay out here too long, children!" he teased.
The Beast waited for him to round the corner before speaking.
"It's getting cold out here," he remarked, rubbing his hands together. He let out a breath and it came out as a white puff of air. "I should leave the next part of the story for tomorrow, but for now you have some knowledge of this place and its history."
Belle nodded with a smile. "Yes, I do. And I do appreciate that, Adam. I know it must be hard for you…for everybody…" she trailed off.
"Well you've been a good change around here…" the Beast replied, causing her to stare up at him. Their eyes locked for a moment; blue with hazel. His eyes wandered toward her hair and an amused smile appeared on his face.
"You have a petal in your hair…" he told her as he reached out to remove it. He was so gentle that Belle barely felt him remove the petal. He pulled his hand back to reveal the delicate pink blossom and Belle smiled when she saw it. He let the wind carry it away. It skipped across the ground and disappeared into the darkness.
"I love that archway…" she told him.
"Apparently it loves you too." he quipped. Belle laughed quietly. They walked around the garden, turning back around to head back to the castle. But just before they did, the Beast reached down and plucked one of the red roses from a bush Belle had not seen before.
He handed it to her. "This is for you… Watch out for the thorns."
Belle smiled wider this time. "Thank you. How thoughtful." she commented. She reached out to accept the rose. As she did, their fingers brushed for the briefest of moments. Belle's hand tingled a little from the contact, and she wondered if he felt anything too.
He slowly moved his hand away, as if he were thinking about something.
"Let's go back to the castle." the Beast suggested, avoiding her gaze.
When they were inside the castle again, the party was nearly over and Belle had decided to head to bed. Before retiring, Belle stopped by the foot of the main stairwell. She put the rose to her nose to inhale its scent and looked at the Beast. "I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of your story." she told him with a smile.
His eyes widened with surprise, and a slow, hesitant smile suddenly appeared on his face as well. They were like two new friends, awkward and unsure in the beginning of their blooming friendship. She smiled at him one last time before hurrying up the stairs, her dress and the night trailing behind her.
AN: Thanks for reading!