Chapter III – The First Desire
As the night fell in the castle, Belle got ready to go to bed. Sleepless, she dragged a chair and placed it by her window, contemplating the landscape outside. The moon was almost full, though there wasn't a star in the black night sky. It had been raining all day, except for that glorious morning.
Belle opened the window a crack. A very cool breeze entered the room. It was so cold that Belle rapidly closed the window. Then she stared through the window at the far-away mountains. My village, she thought, thinking of all the little houses that hid behind the mountains. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.
"Belle, daughter?"
"Papa!" said Belle excitedly. "Please, come in!"
She got up from the chair and ran towards her father. Maurice was a short man with white hair. Although he was getting older by the day, Maurice kept his spirit alive and was always very cheerful. That's why Belle admired him so much.
She hugged him tightly, and they both sat down on her bed. Meanwhile, it had begun to rain once again.
"How was the trip? How's the village?" asked Belle eagerly.
"The trip was a bit tiring, and the village is fine!" Maurice chuckled. "I heard that you and the prince have come to an understanding! I am so happy for you, Belle!"
Belle blushed "Thank you, papa. It was nothing really.I was just a little confused. But Vincent helped me see past all that."
For a moment there was a silence between them, but then Belle recalled the thought that had been haunting her before Maurice had entered.
"Papa… do you miss the village?" she asked.
"Well, I must confess I don't miss it at all! Right now I have everything I need to be happy, especially because you're here by my side. Anyway, the servants are very friendly and have helped me adapt. I see no point in going back. Why would I miss a place where people think I'm crazy and want to throw me in an insane asylum?" said Maurice. But seeing that Belle remained very silent, he decided to change the course of the conversation. "And apart from all that, I would like to see my grandchildren grow up!"
"Grandchildren?" questioned Belle, quite surprised.
"Yes, of course!" he laughed. "I'm not getting any younger, Belle!"
"But don't you think it's a bit early to be thinking about that? Apart from that, Vincent hasn't even asked me to—"
Belle was once again interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Belle?" whispered Vincent as he came in. "Oh, I'm sorry! I thought you were alone. Good evening, monsieur! Forgive me for interrupting…"
"Good evening, your highness. And don't worry about a thing! I was leaving anyway," said Maurice as he winked at Belle.
"In that case I just wanted to wish my princess goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow, Maurice. And thank you!" he said.
Maurice answered with a smile and then left the room. As soon as she heard the door close, Belle threw herself into the arms of her beloved.
"What are you doing awake at this hour?" asked the prince. "You should be sleeping!"
"Well if you were expecting me to be sleeping, what are you doing here anyway?" she giggled.
Vincent smiled. "I just came to check on you, that's all. I can't fall asleep until I'm certain that you are sleeping quietly in your bed."
Belle released herself from Vincent's arms and sat in the chair in front of the window. It was still raining intensively.
"You may sleep peacefully, my love. I'm just going to sit here and look out at the night and think for awhile, and hope I get sleepy soon."
"Is everything all right, Belle?" asked Vincent, noticing the tremor in her voice.
"Yes, of course!" she replied with a small smile. "But I hate not seeing any stars in the sky."
Kneeling towards Belle, Vincent took her hand graciously. "And do you know why they aren't in the sky, Belle? Because someone took them all away and placed them in your eyes."
Vincent bent over and surprised Belle with a passionate kiss. Then he took a step back and waited for some kind of answer. Getting up from her chair, Belle approached the window and placed her hand against it.
"I would like to see my village again, even if just for a few hours. All this feels like a dream and I would just like to go back in time for a while. I hope you understand..."
Vincent was silent for a while. "I'll go with you," he finally answered.
"What? But… you haven't been outside the castle grounds for years! The world out there is cruel and will easily discriminate you for who you are. I don't want you to get hurt, Vincent."
"Belle, I'm not a hideous beast anymore. I'm a prince for crying out loud! People won't hurt me - they'll probably bow before me!" he said with a chuckle.
"Perhaps you're right. Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. But are you really sure you want to come with me? I'll take Philippe and be back by lunchtime, there's nothing for you to worry about."
"Please, Belle. I insist! Besides, I've lost you once and I don't want to lose you a—"
"Are you suggesting I'm going to run away?" said Belle suspiciously.
"No! Of course not! That's not what I meant, Belle. I just want to be by your side, no matter what. It's not you I don't trust, it's the world out there that scares me. And if it comforts you, I'll go in disguise, at least until the village is officially notified of my return."
"If it's that important to you, then I'll be very happy to have you by my side when I return to the village."
Belle wrapped her arms around Vincent's neck and hugged him tightly. The prince, hearing the cold wind outside in contrast with Belle's warm room, placed his hands around her waist and delicately kissed her bare neck. He loved the smell of her fine hair and the taste of her fair skin. He felt the need to blink his eyes more than once and make sure he wasn't dreaming. He found it almost impossible to hold such beauty in his arms. She belonged to him, and Belle could be certain she had him wrapped around her finger.
Vincent moved away stray locks of hair that hung on Belle's face. She rested one hand on his firm chest and caressed his face with the other.
"Thank you," she said smoothly.
Vincent smiled. "You know I would do anything for you."
Approaching his body to hers, Vincent kissed his beloved's lips. Belle deepened the kiss. Not only did she love the taste of his lips but also the sensation of his tongue playing with hers.
Vincent delicately led Belle towards the bed, never parting from her lips. Then he slowly laid her down on the white, silky sheets. Belle gripped him tighter and felt his body move in harmony with hers. Vincent slid his hand down her back and rested it on her thigh. Letting himself go with that emotional moment, the prince slowly placed his hand under Belle's dress, feeling the warmth of her body.
Trying to add more passion to the kiss the couple shared, Vincent suddenly felt something push him away. He opened his eyes and watched as Belle sat up. He snapped back into reality and realized that he had gone too far. He didn't, in any way, mean to disrespect the woman of his life.
"You'd better go to bed - it's getting late!" said Belle. "The earlier we leave tomorrow, the earlier we'll be back!"
She couldn't help smiling when she saw the prince's disappointed face.
Vincent got up from the bed, bent over and kissed his beloved's forehead.
"All right," he whispered. "Sleep in peace, my love."
Vincent walked towards the door and opened it. He turned around to contemplate Belle's beauty one last time.
"I love you, Belle," said Vincent before finally closing the door.
Belle paused to hear the raindrops hitting her window.
"I love you too," she replied, although the prince had already left the room.
Finally! Thank you time. I keep forgetting to add the A/N, but it's time I start thanking some people...
Trudirose: What would I do without you? I hope everyone knows that this story would have been a disgrace if it weren't for you! I owe you more than half the work that's posted on here, and I hope someday I can get back to you (just DON'T ask me to correct your stories LOL). Thanks for all the support once again!
Lumbabsfan: TWIT! I FINALLY MADE IT! Yetit's a pity our men don't get much attention in this one. Be patient, I'll get there ;) I big thank you to you too!
Beautygirl: You REALLY think I'd give it adifferent ending. Wait for the next chapters... Someone new is in town, ready toshake Belle's world (feel themystery already, huh? ;))
Nuintincowen: Thanks! That really meant a bunch to me! I hope the next chapters don't disappoint you too much )
shortstef: Thanks! Feels great to be here, lol! Oh, and one more word:... FISH P hahaha
To everyone else that reviewed, thanks a lot (from the heart!). And please don't stop!
God Bless,
Nikki
