Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 37 - Belle and Edward, Part 1
Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of this franchise. I just own the story.
Also, I apologize if Belle becoming emotionally upset after learning that Adam's copy of Romeo & Juliet is now a pile of ashes seems OOC, but that would just seem obvious to me, and as one who also loves books (especially during the time when almost everyone loved to read), I would be a mess, too, if someone damaged a book that I treasured so much, especially if it was a rather expensive one.
[Previously]
Not long after the shooter had left the castle, Nathaniel started to cough a few times, and began praying for help.
"Oh, God... please... help..."
Suddenly, he found himself closing his eyes, and the last thing that he remembered seeing was a bright light.
"Adam... Belle..."
[Currently] Midnight
Once again, Belle was unable to go to sleep, and right now, she was currently sitting on top of her bed, thinking about everything that had happened in the past 24 hours.
She was no longer wearing her wedding ring, had been slapped and insulted, and to top it all off, her favorite book in the entire world had been destroyed.
How can a person be that cruel, and not show any sign of remorse?
Normally, any other girl would simply try and do whatever she could to make her father-in-law happy, but Belle was a different story.
There has to be some sort ofgoodness or beauty that I can bring out of him. Why else would a person like-
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a growling noise that was coming from her stomach, and she let out a sigh.
Well, I guess I won't be able to go to sleep until I eat some sort of snack... hmmm, I wonder what, though...
So, after putting on some bedroom slippers, Belle quietly walked out of the room, and began to make her way to the kitchen.
Unfortunately, going there meant that she had to go outside, and take the long stone walkway that would bring her to the other side of the castle.
Why is it so much darker in this place than how it usually is? If only I had-
To her surprise, Belle stopped herself right next to an already-lit candelabra, and a smile appeared on her face.
Thank you, Lumiere.
When she reached the outdoor walkway, Belle couldn't help but shiver a little bit because of how cold and low the temperature was.
I knew I should have worn something to keep myself warm.
However, right before she could head back into the castle, a familiar voice said, "What are you doing out here?"
Belle turned around, and found herself looking at Adam's father, who stepped out from behind one of the pillars, and for a second, she could have sworn that he'd been holding a flask.
"I was..." She started to say, but then, a certain memory appeared in her mind, and instead, she said, "If you do anything inappropriate to me, your Highness, I swear that-"
Edward rolled his eyes, and scoffed at what Belle was suggesting. "Oh, madame, you have been reading too many risqué books. Do I look like that sort of person?"
"You'd be surprised whom I have met," said Belle. "But since you and I are now talking, I would very much like to know why exactly you despise me so much?"
"I have already told you, madame, that I do not hate you," reminded Adam's father. "I just do not think you are good enough for my son."
"Well, I think it is a little too late for your decision to matter, at this point," retorted Belle, who was starting to become less afraid. "He asked for my hand, I accepted, and we got married. There is nothing-"
A scowl appeared on Edward's face as he began walking towards Belle. "Did my son not mention the agreement that I created? If he wants to be married to someone, I have to give my approval, and so far, you are not doing a very good job."
"Why can't you see that your son is happy with me?" questioned Belle. "Why is his happiness not enough for you?"
Edward groaned in frustration, and he shook his head while starting to leave. "I am done talking to about this."
Belle was not finished, however, and with courage, she asked, "What about Adam's mother? I know very well what her decision would have been regarding me."
For a moment, Adam's father silently stood in the middle of the walkway, and Belle was wondering if she was getting somewhere, but then, Edward went back over to her, and Belle found herself placing the candelabra in front of herself, as a way of self-defense, since the two of them were almost face-to-face.
"Never bring up my wife to me ever again, you worthless farm girl, or I will make you regret the moment you said 'I love you' to my son. Are we clear?"
Unfortunately, Belle did not get the response that he was expecting to hear from her.
"You disrespect me or my father ever again, and I will make sure you regret stepping back into the castle. Have I made myself clear?"
Once she said those words to Adam's father, what happened next was something that she had never thought would happen.
"How dare you talk like that to me."
His eyes now glowing with pure rage, Edward knocked the candelabra out of Belle's hands, and before she could say anything, the elderly man placed his hand around her throat, then slowly started to tilt her body over the edge of the side of the walkway.
"Do you have any idea who I am, and what I can do to you?"
Whatever sense of courage that Belle had earlier was now gone, and instead, she felt nothing but fear.
Adam! Papa! Someone, please help me!
Once half of Belle's body was dangling over the wall, Edward kept her there for a few minutes until he brought her back in, and now, they were face-to-face with each other.
To Belle's surprise, Edward's eyes had a color that was very similar to Adam's own, except she saw hatred and rage instead of love and compassion.
"You are not to say a word about this to my son or anyone else about what happened... unless you want something terrible to happen to your precious library. Do you understand me?"
Belle quickly nodded her head.
"Good... looks like the farm girl has a sense of intelligence, after all."
Then, in a swift fashion, Edward released her from his grip, and went back into the castle, but not before pulling his flask back out from his coat pocket.
As for Belle, who was now laying against the side of the wall, she had never recalled crying as hard as she was right now since the Beast had died in her arms.
Even when it seemed like she had finished crying, the pain that came from her neck, as well as her heart, reminded her of something equally terrible, and Belle started crying all over again.
How does a moment last forever?
How does our happiness endure?
The only thing that Belle could think of to make herself feel better was singing a lullaby that she remembered her father always told her before going to bed.
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Eventually, she was able to get back to her feet.
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, persists, and perseveres
And makes us whole
Then, picking up the surprisingly still-lit candelabra, Belle began the return to her bedroom.
Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
That's how a moment lasts forever:
When our song lives on
Once she had returned to her room, Belle looked out of the window, and silently prayed to herself for someone to fix this unfortunate situation in her life because, for what felt like the first in a very long time, she had no idea what to do.
Maybe Agathe could place him under a curse.
"I am afraid that this is out of my hands, Belle."
The young woman turned around, and found herself looking at the beautiful Enchantress, who had a facial look of pain and sorrow. "I cannot interfere in any way whatsoever."
"W-why not?" questioned Belle. "He deserves to be placed under a curse!"
"So did Gaston, but you saw what happened to him instead," reminded Agathe. "I promise you, however, that this will not end in tragedy for you, Adam, your father, and everyone else you have come to love in this castle... especially your newest addition."
Before Belle could respond to Agathe's statement, the young woman immediately felt tired, and was quickly starting to fall asleep.
"From now on, Belle, you are placed under a protection spell until this whole thing is resolved... but everything else is out of my hands."
Letting out a yawn, Belle closed her eyes, and muttered, "Thank... you... Agathe..."
"And don't give up, sweetheart. You will be able to find a way."
Belle nodded her head, and then, the last thing that she remembered before going to sleep was recieving a kiss to her forehead.
The next morning
"Well, it took quite some time for me to get it right, madame, but I was finally able to create this beautiful masterpiece!"
Madame Garderobe was currently in Belle's bedroom, and for some reason she could not understand, Belle felt a lot better than how she was before going to sleep.
"Thank you, Madame... it's perfect."
The dress that was layed out on the bed in front of her was similar to the casual blue-colored dress that Belle always wore, except this new outfit had touches of inspiration from her yellow ballroom dress and the white celebration dress.
In other words, it was enough to pass for a dress that was usually worn by a princess, but it also had a certain style that fit Belle perfectly.
"Maestro told me about what happened yesterday in the ballroom," said Garderobe. "I'm sorry for any pain that may have caused you."
"Thank you, Madame, but you don't have to be sorry," replied Belle, a smile appearing on her face. "Besides, I feel like things are going to be different today."
"Oh?" said Garderobe, looking surprised. "How so, my dear?"
"Because I'm not giving up on enjoying my new life here," replied Belle. "And I know exactly what to do regarding the way that Adam's father sees me."
If she was able to bring the beauty out of a beast, and help someone like Raphael realize that he was in charge of his own destiny, then she could certainly find a way to bring out the goodness that remained inside of Edward.
All she had to do was figure out the right way to find it.