Chapter 12- The Library

"She's never going to forgive me this time, schatze," Tobias groaned as he rested his head on Kara's leg like a pillow.

Kara sat on the sofa in the main room of her home, and he stretched out over the remaining space. She stroked his long, uninhibited dark auburn hair that danced with flashes of red in the flickering firelight. His tone was full of shame and remorse, and she felt moisture on his cheek that she smoothed away with her thumb as she continued to run her fingers through his hair.

"She will. Belle is just angry right now. Give her time to calm down and she'll understand why you felt it necessary to do what you did. While I agree that it was a violation of her privacy to disclose everything to Beast, I can't help but be grateful you were keeping such a close watch over her. You said yourself that had you not, there were several instances she would have come to great harm if you weren't there to intervene. When you're able to tell her about that, perhaps she'll soften to you again."

Kara's words did little to soothe the tightness in his chest, although he did take some comfort from the way her hands massaged his scalp. He sighed as a few more tears escaped his eyes. Never before had he cried in front of anyone. That he could with her showed how comfortable and reliant he was becoming on his sweet witch. Sometimes he wondered if she had woven some sort of spell over him, so consumed with her were his thoughts.

They agreed that this affair of theirs was a fleeting one, and yet this is where his feet had carried him as he left the castle that evening, having been given the most thorough dressing down of his life, and by someone he cared deeply about. He would have preferred another beating by the Beast. At least broken bones and slashed skin would heal. The knowledge he had betrayed one of his closest friends hurt more than his first transformation into a wolf, and he feared it would ache for a lifetime. He wrapped his arm around Kara's thigh, turning his face into it as another sob rocked his large body.

It amazed Kara, his vulnerability and breadth of emotion. She had never witnessed a man cry before, especially one that was so brawny and powerful. That he clung to her, pouring out his pain and shame unabashedly, filled her with a sense of pride that he trusted her so completely. She should be furious with him herself and had been earlier when she saw how enraged Belle was at discovering his surveillance, but when he showed up at her door looking so broken, she only felt compassion. Nothing would please her more than to be able to kiss his pain away, but she knew he needed to wallow in the consequences of his actions. Too often he allowed his bullheaded thinking to lead the way without fully comprehending its effects on those around him. It was a harsh but necessary lesson he was now learning, and she hoped it would make him a better man when he came out the other side. For now, she would simply offer him refuge and a tender place to work through his anguish.

Excitement and nervousness filled Edmund as Belle pulled him towards the towering castle beyond the little village. It was a breathtaking sight; its tall, light stone walls, with glittering angels at every corner, dark red turrets, and ornately carved entrance inviting visitors to come within. The grounds were lined with green shrubs that had yet to be turned by the cold October air, and flowers still bloomed in large pots every few feet.

He should have been extremely intimidated by this massive structure, but the jubilation of his dear friend as she led him up the front steps without hesitation was infectious. This had been her home for months, so of course she was more than comfortable as she opened the grand doors and greeted the line of footmen who welcomed them inside.

"Mistress Belle, how wonderful to see you again. Welcome home," Pierre said as he escorted her inside and into the front parlor.

Belle bestowed on him a brilliant smile and hugged him, leaving the servant awestruck and blushing. "I am so happy to see you, Pierre! I can't believe I haven't since our return. As you know, I've been unable to spend much time here. I'm hoping today begins a change in that situation. This is my dear friend, Edmund. We're supposed to be meeting Beast in the library," she said as she took a seat on the comfortable settee in front of the fireplace. Warming herself with the heat from the fire, she beckoned Edmund to join her. Pierre gave a bow and promised to send Cogsworth immediately to see if the Master was ready for them.

"I still can't believe you lived here," Edmund said with wonder as he took in the room's elegance. The architecture was exquisite, and furnishing so ornate and well-cared for, despite being of a style from the previous century. Opulent was an understatement in describing the papered walls, carved marble fireplace, breathtaking artwork and sculptures that added a sense of regal finery he had never witnessed before. He took a few steps towards Belle but didn't join her relaxed position on the velvet covered settee, too awestruck to find comfort there. Looking down at her carefree position, he marveled at how incredibly comfortable she was here.

She smiled like a satisfied cat, reclining further into the seat as she kicked off her shoes, and lifted her feet towards the fire. "I forget how impressive it is when you first see it. To me this is just, home. I can't tell you how many evenings I spent right here reading alone, and even more on the rug with Beast, sharing a book."

The day was damp and cold, and Belle had soaked her shoes when she failed to sidestep a large puddle in her haste to return home. She looked down at her dirty stockings, and part of her wanted to run up the steps to the East Wing and change. Having been in her room again last night, everything felt so natural and normal for the first time since she returned from the journey. She desperately wanted that feeling to stay.

"You certainly look like you belong here, especially in that dress," he said, noting she wasn't in one of her normal casual gowns, despite having taught earlier that day at Petite Famille. No, this was a day dress to empress in a beautiful shade of light green with gold floral embroidery on the skirt that made her eyes sparkle. A lace trim adorned the boat-shaped neckline that exposed her collarbone and just the slightest hint of the curve of her breasts, tapering over her slim waist that needed no aid of tightly pulled stays to achieve the desired shape, finally flowing out in cascades of flounces and ending with matching lace trim around the bottom. She clearly had more layers of petticoats than she typically wore to achieve the puffed look, but didn't bother with a pannier.

The dress had forced her to ride sidesaddle that afternoon, something Edmund had never seen her do before. He had found the sight so feminine and becoming that a branch nearly took his head off when he failed to take his eyes off of her and pay attention to the path ahead. He couldn't help but acknowledge she had put the extra effort into her appearance for him. Lounging back as she was, with her exposed stockings to the fire, she looked like a great juxtaposition of elegance and gauche. Even with the elevated appearance, she was unabashedly Belle, and he sighed with admiration for her inability to put on a farce.

She continued drying her feet but looked up at Edmund, searching for his approval. "Do you like it? Ann, my former wardrobe, had it made for me while we were away, along with a few other dresses more suited for a lady of the castle. She assumed I would be residing here when we returned. I haven't had the audacity to wear it before now, since it is far too refined for everyday use in the village. But I thought, perhaps today, being the start of a new chapter, it would be fitting."

"You are strikingly beautiful in it, Belle," he complimented after looking her over once again. Running a hand through his hair, he tried to remember himself, and that she wasn't trying to impress him with this display of grandeur.

He crossed the room in front of her, anxiously pacing the floor. "I am sure your King will be besotted the moment he sees you. Speaking of him, how much longer do you think we'll have to wait?"

Compared to her, he was grossly underdressed in his typical brown suit that was counter to the typical fashion in that the trousers went to the floor. He wished he had asked her yesterday what to wear to this informal meeting, as she had referred to it. Now he not only felt supremely common but also that he was intruding on what should be a private homecoming for Belle.

A devilish smirk spread across her lovely face as she patted the seat next to her. "Edmund, please sit. You have nothing to be nervous about. You are one of my dearest friends, and he's going to like you as much as Kara and I do. And if he doesn't, he won't show it for my sake since he loves me."

Edmund grinned at her assurances and started to sit when the door opened. A rotund gentleman with a sharp mustache entered.

Clearing his throat, the majordomo announced in a very formal tone, "Mistress, sir, I am obliged to inform you the Master is regrettably detained from joining you this afternoon. He sends his sincerest apologies and insists you enjoy the library without him." A wince betrayed his fear of her reaction.

Belle raised a curious brow, knowing that whatever it was had to be of great importance, and if it was, she was prepared to leave Edmund in the library and assist him in any way she could. "What has him so occupied?"

"It is Sir Declan, Mistress. I would not advise interrupting." His face turned grave as he spoke, and Belle nodded her head, dismissing any thought of trying to contribute.

"My poor sweet Beast," she said with sympathetic eyes, slipping her shoes back on as she left the settee. "I can imagine how unpleasant a time he must be having. Give him this for me." Belle placed a kiss on Cogsworth's cheek, causing the stiff gentleman to turn beet red and stammered some sort of reply that made no sense as he staggered out of the room.

She tossed a smile to Edmund, holding out her hand to him. "Looks like it will just be us." The teacher took a few steps towards her, clearly befuddled by the strange exchange between her and the majordomo, but accepted her hand.

Belle practically dragged him down the hall and around the corner to another hall with an arched ceiling that was lined with standing armored statues. Taking in the riveting architecture and enthralling art work in every eyeful, he hardly paid any attention to Belle.

As they passed a set of closed double doors, a billowing roar cascaded from the crack. Edmund jumped out of his skin in terror and slammed against the opposite wall, but not before he dragged Belle with him, pushing her behind him in a protective stance. Beyond the sound of his heart drumming in his ears he heard Belle giggling. He turned around and saw her eyes lit with humor as she desperately tried to stifle the laughter pouring out of her mouth.

"What was that? That wasn't your…" Edmund's eyes widened in astonishment as another growl escaped the room, followed by the raised voice of some other creature.

Belle grabbed his hand again, pulling him down the corridor and around another bend. "We better move along before they hear us."

Once far enough away, Edmund dug his heels in and forced her to turn around to face him. Her eyes were still shining with amusement and, if he wasn't mistaken, ardor.

"Belle, who made that awful sound?" he demanded. Another giggle tumbled forth, and he had his answer. Edmund's gray eyes were sharp, and his body turned stiff as he used his headmaster voice on her. "What do you find so bloody amusing about this?"

She smiled at Edmund trying to reassure him. "I'm sorry, I know how frightening his temper can be the first time you encounter it, even when it's not directed at you." She turned away a little as a blush rose in her cheeks. "It's much worse when it is."

"He's spoken to you like... like—that?" Edmund's own cheeks stained red in indignation. Never in his life had he ever lost his temper in such a way, especially towards a woman, and it turned his stomach to think Belle could love someone who would.

She crossed her arms as her lips pursed defiantly. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I give as well as I get when he and I argue. And other than my first night here, he's never actually frightened me. It has been some time though since I heard him this angry. But trust me, one can't help but become enraged when dealing with Declan. I even slapped that centaur once."

Belle was certain she knew why Declan was here, and if she didn't fully trust her fiancé to deal with him, she would have barged into his study just now and added her own bellowing to the conversation. But she understood that would just make things worse since she was confident he was here to demand she and Edmund have nothing to do with Petite Famille. Earlier that day, he came to retrieve the centaur children from the school and was outraged that the young ones had been exposed to two humans. She'd hoped that he would seethe long enough to allow her planned visit with her Beast to run smoothly, but she was prepared for the foul man to ruin the day.

"You are one remarkable woman, Belle. I can't picture you angry though, much less slapping someone." Edmund's face contorted in such a way that it was obvious he was trying to imagine it. Belle once again felt a giggle build in her chest.

"I am quite capable of turning into a beast myself if the situation warrants it. You could ask Tobias or Declan or Beast—when you finally get to meet him. Kara as well, now that I think of it, have all been on the receiving end of my temper, unfortunately." She blushed ever so slightly at the confession and continued walking down the hall with Edmund trailing behind.

They walked on in silence, and he returned his attention to his surroundings as he pushed aside his feelings and disapproval of her relationship. Regardless of her own propensity to lose her temper, he was vehemently against a man losing his temper with a woman. Logically, he supposed it was easy for him to say since he barely had a temper to speak of.

Finally, Belle stopped in front of a large pair of double doors. Her embarrassment having been replaced by the jubilation that was present earlier, she turned, leaning against the doors with the most exuberant smile he had ever seen. She really did look breathtaking.

"Before we go inside, close your eyes," she squealed in her excitement. Remembering vividly the first time Beast had brought her to this special place, she felt the thrill of it all over again. Edmund looked at her curiously, not wanting to comply, but willing to indulge her. He shut his eyes then he heard the creak of the doors opening.

Gently taking hold of his hands, Belle pulled him forward through the archway. He could hear the echo of her shoes on the marble floor, giving the impression of a very large room. Feeling carpet, or a rug, now beneath his feet, Belle released his hands.

"Don't open them yet, let me finish lighting the room."

Trying to follow her movements as her skirts swished, he felt the comforting heat coming off the fireplace to his side and his brows lifted as the back of his eyelids lit more with each candle she illuminated. One of the servants had clearly been told of their impending visit and in no time the room was flooded with light.

"Can I open them?" he asked with a smirk on his face. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning, although no Christmas morning had prompted his curiosity so violently.

"Alright, you can open them!" she exclaimed in her delight.

Slowly, Edmund opened one eye then the other, allowing them to adjust to the much brighter room. He peered across the open space and saw Belle, her face brighter than the sun. He sucked in his breath at how stunning she was and then his eyes moved to what lay beyond her, and he lost the breath he'd just taken.

The room was massive and looked as if it stretched for miles, with shelves stacked on shelves brimming with books, lining nearly every speck of the walls with the occasional colorful landscape rimmed with golden frames. The books towered three stories high, with golden balconies and delicate stairways so one could easily access those higher volumes. His mouth hung open in amazement and he gradually turned, taking in everything surrounding him. Overstuffed velvet arm chairs and settees were meticulously placed throughout to invite readers to bask in the glory of this heavenly place. Squat little tables were interspersed to allow the larger tomes to be laid out. By the fireplace, a plush rug and a few large cushions were scattered about.

Belle recalled spending many evenings laying on that rug, reclining on the cushions with her Beast beside her, reading to him.

She diverted her attention back to her friend, whose face was the very definition of euphoric. His feet were frozen in place as he made a slow rotation, his eyes widening with each passing turn. Belle giggled and wondered if that was how she'd looked her first time in the library.

Approaching him, Belle took his hand in hers and looked up at him, her eyes gleaming in satisfaction.

"Where would you like to start? I know every shelf in here—organized it myself over the course of a few weeks. Plato, Shakespeare, Galileo... Quite literally any book or subject you could possibly want to read is in this room."

Edmund stared down at her with a blank expression on his chiseled features. He had no idea where to start! It was all too overwhelming. Being in this magnificent place, with this magnificent woman who captured his attention so completely, despite being in a room he couldn't have fathomed in his wildest dreams, was beyond comprehension. She looked quizzically at him, waiting for some sort of answer, and when none was forthcoming, she squeezed his hand and pulled him towards the staircase that flanked the wide fireplace. On the second tier, down two bookcases from where the stairs opened up, Belle flourished her hand at a row of books.

"Everything Plato ever wrote." She started grabbing a few volumes and placed one in his hands, opening the book to the center. He gazed down at the printed words, reading intently at what she had offered and his smile grew even wider. He snapped the book shut as if he was finally waking from his haze, then grabbed her hand back. He raced down the narrow balcony to the other side, stopped, grabbed a few more books, rifling through the pages, and added them to his stack. They flew around, going back and forth along the different levels, and up and down the stairs.

Climbing down a ladder with two more books in hand, Edmund professed, "This is the most magnificent room in the entire world!"

Belle chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"How long do you think we have to be in here?"

"At least until sundown, I'd think."

He smiled, satisfied with the answer, then went off to find a few more books.

Finally, after burdening several of the little tables with a pile of books so high it threatened to topple over, they each chose a new novel to dive into, sitting next to one another on the very comfortable sofa in front of the fireplace.

Beast slammed a fist on his desk, and he glared at the centaur seated on the floor in front of him. "Declan, you are trying my already exacerbated patience. Belle has leave to come to the village in order to instruct the children daily. Her friend is a temporary visitor. He's merely here to assist in establishing the school. Why are you so hellbent on making it a big deal?"

Declan had already stolen a half hour of the King's limited time, and it was clear he was nowhere near finished with his tirade, which only angered Beast further.

Declan's face was hot with his fury, and he made no effort to curb his outward disdain for humans. "It is the vilest of sins for a human to be allowed to provide any form of education to the remarkable and gifted children we have here. I will refuse to authorize any of my clan from stepping foot in that tainted space if he ever returns! Belle, I will make an exception for, because she's the daughter of an Enchantress, but only if it isn't daily. The lass has no place here every day."

This being the third time Declan made a statement such as this, it finally broke the Beast's limited control over his temper, and in response he let loose a warning growl.

When it was countered with, "Sire, I know you are fond of her, but you must see reason!" Beast erupted in one of the most contemptuous roars he had ever produced. Declan, unafraid of the King's displays of anger, retorted with some shouts of his own.

The two verbally sparred for another twenty minutes with neither managing any concessions. Beast felt another headache coming on, and summarily dismissed the impossible man, refusing to engage in any further discussion and threatening to have him forcibly removed if he didn't exit the castle at once.

Declan stomped out of the study, throwing open the doors which slammed against the walls, shaking the paintings that hung there. Fortunately, no one had bothered to put up the one Belle knocked off the wall the night before, so no further damage was done.

Beast slumped into his chair, taking some deep breaths to calm his frayed nerves and regain control over his emotions. He did not want his introduction to Belle's friend to occur when he was in an agitated state. Ringing for Mrs. Potts to request some of her calming chamomile tea, he noticed a small figure just outside the open door.

"Claude, I am sorry if you had to overhear any of that. Declan and I have very different opinions, and neither of us are any good at curbing our tempers. Please come in."

Beast moved to one of the armchairs in front of the desk, since it always seemed to make his small friend nervous when he was behind the large desk. Claude pulled up the chair that had been moved away for Declan and sat across from Beast.

"I… I'm sorry to disturb you, s—sire," the small elf began. Despite their close relationship, Claude always found Beast's massive form intimidating, and after hearing the depth of his full temper unleashed, he was even more wary of approaching the subject he had come to discuss.

"Not at all. I always have time for you, Claude. You know that." Beast tried to shrink in the chair, and make himself less imposing to ease his friend's tension. It didn't seem to do any good.

The elf shifted in his seat a little, trying to draw upon some forgotten well of courage he wasn't sure existed within himself. "Thank you. You are always so kind to me." Concentrating on why he'd braved entering the castle, Claude forced out in a rush, "I was frightened today when I saw that new man in town. Is he to be a common figure?"

"You also have concerns about Edmund, Belle's friend?" Beast sighed. This was becoming a common theme today. Feeling that headache worsen little by little, he rested his head in his hand, leaning an elbow on the arm of the chair.

Claude shook his head in the affirmative, then shrunk a bit deeper into his own chair as Beast explained, "I have been assured by Belle that he is harmless, and actually very kind and compassionate. I was supposed to meet him today in the…" Beast stopped short of revealing to Claude that the object of his fear was actually just around the corner, as he noticed the elf's eyes widen while the familiar gold sparks started to emit from his body.

"Take a few deep breaths, Claude. He's already gone back to Villeneuve, so no need to fret." The lie came out easy, and Beast prayed silently that Belle and her teacher stayed tucked away in the library long enough for him to get Claude back home. His day had just gotten a lot more complicated.

"So you haven't met him yet" Claude's eyes pleaded with his monarch. "Why do humans have to come here at all? Can't Kara or Rosalind cast another forgetful enchantment and all humans can forget this place exists?"

Beast resisted letting out another exasperated sigh. "I have already limited access to humans, when my original intent was for them to reside side-by-side with everyone. It has been two months already and things have been going very smoothly with the humans who do visit often. You even found friendship with a few of them. I assumed when I saw you talking with Maurice a few days ago that your sessions with Annwn were going well and you were making progress. Why then are you still so fearful?"

His blue eyes were full of compassion and empathy for his small friend, and Claude's shoulders eased a bit. "It is a hard thing to shake when you have endured what I have. There are moments of bravery, like what you mentioned with Maurice, and then times like today when I am surprised by an unfamiliar face, and I am brought right back to the torment and abuse I've suffered." His meek body shuddered at the memory, and Beast reached out a reassuring paw, but his companion declined to take it.

"You mustn't give up, nor give into those fears. We are building something magnificent here. But I can see you need more time. Perhaps I have been too hasty in relaxing the restrictions." Bringing his hands back to his lap, a look of resoluteness washed over his face. "I will tighten up the restrictions once again, and I promise we will take this more slowly. I'm sorry for the stress I caused you, my friend."

Beast then stood, signaling to the elf that the meeting was over. Claude gave him a small smile of thanks before departing.

Once Claude was out the doors of the castle, Beast ambled his way towards the library. With each step, his conviction to reinstate the stronger restrictions grew until it felt like his sole purpose in life. He felt a sense of determination as he approached the door of the library, but it was quickly replaced with a flood of nerves.

A lump formed in his throat. He took his paw off the handle and stepped back for a moment to gather his thoughts. He didn't know what he was so worried about, but there was a gravity to this moment he couldn't shake. Swallowing down his fear, he cracked open the door slightly so he could peek inside without being noticed.

What he saw choked him with anger, remorse, jealousy, and heartache. Belle sat sharing the sofa in front of the fireplace with her teacher friend, an oversized book spread over their laps, and their heads nearly touched as they both peered down onto the pages. It was so familiar, reminding him of how they'd spent too many days to count. And was a crushing blow that they hadn't been able to for months. How he longed to switch places with the gentleman. That was his place, beside Belle. No one else's.

He didn't know what he'd expected to see. But it wasn't that. At this closer distance, it was even more evident the handsome face of Belle's friend. Although the medium brown hair was nondescript, he could now see the cool gray of the man's eyes that stole glances at Belle.

Beast staggered back and had to lean against the opposite wall for support. A new and alarming conviction formed roots, embedding itself into his mind. Hard as he tried to fight it, it was impossible to stop the overpowering thought that this other man—this human, who clearly cared so deeply for her—was the one she belonged with. He'd always known and being faced with the truth head on was more than he could take. But as much as he wanted to flee, he couldn't move.

Belle tilted her head. "Did you hear that?"

Edmund looked up at her curiously. "Huh?"

Moving the book to Edmund's lap, Belle stood. "I think I heard someone out in the hall. I'll be right back."

"Alright."

Belle quickly crossed the room, anticipation and joy pushing her movement. She stepped through the door, closing it behind her. When she saw Beast her face lit with delight and relief as she rushed to give him a hug.

He sidestepped her, holding up a paw to stop her. She raised a confused brow as she took a step back to better look into the deep pools of blue that usually told her everything he was feeling. Today though, they seemed so far away and betrayed nothing of what was going on inside his head.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her hands seeking an apron that wasn't there.

Beast said nothing, just took in the sight of her dressed in the ornate gown, her hair falling in soft curls around her face, and he detected the slightest hint of makeup adorning her breathtaking features.

Other than the coronation, Belle had never looked so regal, and another bolt of pain shot into his head as he imagined her with a crown placed atop the curls. She looked like a Queen. His Queen. But the thought was pushed out once again by the new conclusion that she could never be his wife, that she should instead be wed to the man in the library. Shaking his head of all these warring feelings, he took a deep breath and braced himself to do what needed to be done.

"You and him being here is what's wrong. It's too soon for the people," he carelessly stated. The way her face paled, all happiness washed away, made him wince at the indelicate way it had come out.

"But last night, you said…"

Despite the guilt clawing at him, his voice came out sharp and unfeeling. "I know what I said, but I spoke in haste. I have met with several people this morning who are struggling with the rash way in which the restrictions have been easing. I made a mistake and I need to tighten them again. You can't come every day. At best, three times a week is all that will be permitted. And the guards will be informed of this."

His face was a blank slate as he spoke. Belle tried searching his eyes again for some hint of emotion, but found none.

Her voice rose a bit in her indignation and disbelief at what her love was saying. "You're listening to Declan?!"

"It wasn't just Declan, although he did make a compelling argument."

Belle snorted and clenched her fists. This was absurd!

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at him, challenging him to deny that he had been at war with Declan. "But I heard you. That didn't sound like a discussion you were agreeing with."

Beast's face scrunched. "I might not agree with him, and I may counter his points, but that doesn't mean I don't take them into consideration. I am not my father."

She whispered something under her breath, trying to keep her rising temper in check.

"What was that?" he snapped through clenched teeth.

"I said, 'you could have fooled me!' Your father may have treated les charmantes unfairly and callously, but you are doing that to the humans—to me! You're giving me hope that I might finally be able to come home, only to dash them the following day. How much of this do you honestly think I can take?"

She turned away from him so he couldn't see how devastated she felt.

He started to reach out to her and place a hand on her shoulder but withdrew it. Softly, he said, "Belle, that was never my intent. And what home are you referring to?"

She whipped back around, locking eyes with him. "Here, you idiot! This is my home. With you is my home! Being banished from it—from you—has been the most miserable time in my life. But clearly you've been too busy to even notice," she sulked. A pout pursed her lips and her eyes flashed with golden speckles.

His aggravation climbed and the searing pain in his head increased. Words came pouring out of his mouth with no forethought and beyond his control. "This can't be your home anymore. You and your friend need to gather up whatever books you'd like to borrow, and get out."

"What? You can't mean that!" Belle fought back tears and swallowed hard trying to dislodge the lump that had formed in her throat.

His entire demeanor shifted, a cold visage replacing the loving gaze he'd always had for her. "You don't belong here, dearie." Beast gestured towards the door. "You belong with him in Villeneuve, where you can have a complete life.

"We were foolish to think this could ever work. I was foolish and selfish. My people will always come first, and you deserve someone who can put you first, ahead of all else."

The room spun and Belle couldn't concentrate on anything beyond the vice that was crushing her heart. It was even worse than the day he announced she was to have limited access to their kingdom. He was rejecting her. He was breaking his promise. Stunned, and unable to speak, the searing pain in her chest cut off her ability to breathe.

"Goodbye, Belle," he said sadly, and turned to walk away.

No. No, he couldn't do this… She couldn't let him. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she followed him.

"Don't you dare leave! You promised me! You promised you'd never say that again, never suggest I didn't belong with you!" she screeched in desperation. "Because I do belong with you! Nothing and no one could ever replace you, and I refuse to let you go. You're the other half of me. I'm not whole without you. You don't mean any of this… You can't!"

His tone was so cold it sent a shiver down her spine. "I meant every word. The engagement is off. We. Are. Done." Inches away, his voice dropped to a barely controlled growl. "Now get out."

Beast turned and stalked away once again. Belle was in shock, pain like she'd never felt before splitting her heart in two.

"Stop! Please! Come back! We need to talk about this. You can't do this! Beast!" she screamed between choking sobs that she desperately tried to contain.

He ignored her and kept walking. His shoulders slumped while a hand clutched his head.

She continued frantically calling out to him, but could not move her feet to follow. In a final act of desperation, she shouted, "ADAM, STOP!"

He froze in his tracks. Hearing the name he hadn't used in over a decade caught him by complete surprise and he whipped around, leaping to come face-to-face with the one who had used it.

"How do you know that name?!" he screamed into her face, a mixture of rage and betrayal filled him, threatening to completely overtake his senses.

Belle swayed, leaning on the wall beside her, fear making her voice shaky. "I—I found some papers e—earlier today while browsing through the kingdom's history. It… It referenced the young Prince. From the date, I figured out it was talking about you," Belle quietly admitted between breathless sobs, keeping her eyes diverted to the ground.

"Never speak it again! I am The Beast! Or Your Majesty! I will NEVER be that name ever again. Now GET OOOOOUUUUT!"

Belle's hair blew in the breeze of his forceful shout, and she clenched her eyes shut. She heard him run from the hallway and a second later her legs gave out from beneath her. She fell to the floor in a heap, her body shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

I know that was rough... but you've come this far with me! Forewarning though... It gets way worse before it gets better, but I promise a Happily Ever After—eventually. I've got 13 chapters left. Another shout out to CarolNJoy for her editing skills, and WhiteButterfly for her notes and comments! My goal is to post at least three chapters a week until the end. As always, I live for your reviews/comments and love chatting via DM. Thanks for reading thus far!