"Je t'adore,Isabelle." The dream man said.


"Isabelle! Isabelle!" Mimi shook the princess as gently as possible. "Wake up already. Please!"


Slowly Belle's eyes opened but were not hit by the normal bright light of morning. "It's still night time."


"I know, but the war is over! Your brother has returned!"


Belle sat up quickly. "Brady's back?!" She jumped out of bed. "Where is he?"


"This way. And calm down or your mother will throw a fit." Belle followed as patiently as she could until Mimi stopped in front of a door. "I must warn you mistress, he's-"


But Belle wouldn't listen. She flung open the door and rushed through. But instead of the brother she'd known there stood a hard, cold man. "Brady?" She stopped. The man was dressed in a dark robe, very contrary to the bright colors he used to don.


"Isabelle." He nodded curtly.


She wanted to run forward and hug him but was afraid. She had never feared her brother before but then again, he hadn't called her by her full name since she could remember. He refused to even smile at her. Tears sprang to her eyes and she turned and fled back to the confines of her chamber. She heard a soft knock. "Go away!"


"Isabelle, it's me, Mimi. Let me in."


"You have a key, I cannot stop you." She heard Mimi enter.


"Belle, I tried to warn you. He's changed. He's not the Brady you or I knew. He's seen horrors that we cannot even begin to imagine. You must give him time." She soothingly rubbed Belle's back as she cried herself into a dark, dreamless sleep. When she woke again it was morning and Mimi was still in her room. "I was just about to wake you. Dawn has come and preparations for the ball have already begun. It's time to throw you in for a bath." Belle groaned. "Come on." Belle surrendered and followed her to the baths where four maids-in-waiting bathed her from head to toe and dried her thoroughly. Then came the tedious task of dressing. It was hard enough to get into everyday clothes and ball dresses were even worse. After four hours Belle was finally ready, with her hair done and dress on. "You look beautiful, Belle."


"Thank you Mimi." But Belle was not in the mood to be merry and dance. Not after her shock over Brady the night before. "Are you sure you won't reconsider my asking maman to let you come?"


"No Belle, you know what the answer would be. Now, I will get your mother to come and inspect you." Mimi left and Belle was left to her own thoughts. She hoped the whole situation with Brady was a dream but she knew it wasn't. Thinking of dreams made her remember the dark, mystery man. Who was he?


"Isabelle, you look stunning. That pink is magnificent." The Queen kissed her daughter on either cheek while admiring the pink silk dress she wore.


"Merci, Maman. You look beautiful as well." Her mother wore purple, the official color of royalty.


"The guests have arrived. We will be announced soon." With a final glance at Mimi, Belle allowed her mother to lead her away.