Chapter IX – Two Loves, One Life

The castle slowly awakened along with the first rays of light. Lumière, Cogsworth and most of the household had already begun preparing breakfast before the royal couple awoke. They weren't expecting the future princess to be wandering throughout the castle at such an early hour.

"Good morning, mademoiselle!" greeted Cogsworth, "I wasn't expecting to see you up so early."

"Well I must confess I didn't sleep very well last night."

"Oh, you poor thing," said Mrs. Potts with gently. "Maybe a nice spot of tea will help you feel better."

"Thank you very much for your concern," replied Belle, "but I think I'll just go outside and get a breath of fresh air. There's no better way to start the day than being close to nature! If Vincent wakes up meanwhile, tell him to come meet me outside. I'll be wandering around the gardens."

"Very well, mademoiselle," replied Cogsworth with a small bow. "Your wish is our command," he added with a chuckle. "However, it's quite cold outside, so make sure you keep warm!"

Belle answered with a smile. It was her first smile of the day.

How she loved to hear the birds sing so early in the morning. It had become a habit ever since the day she had been imprisoned in the castle. These were the gardens that would comfort her whenever she felt alone or trapped.

Belle sat down on the fresh green grass, feeling its ticklish texture against her skin. She had brought a book with her, Chanson de Roland, and quickly made herself comfortable to start reading. Although she began sinking into the magical book and its powerful story, Belle felt as though she were being watched. She quickly looked around, feeling only the cool breeze against her face.

"Vincent?" she called out, quickly jumping to her feet. There was no answer. "Vincent, is that you? This is no time for hide and seek!" she said with a small giggle, despite the fear that slowly overtook her. "I know it's you! Come out!" Still, the silence prevailed. "Come out… please…" she whispered with a tremor in her voice.

"I've been playing hide and seek for too long, Belle. There's no point in hiding anymore."

Belle caught a fright when she heard the dark voice. No, it couldn't be! The person she least expected to see was…

"Luc? What are you doing here?" she cried.

"I'm sorry, Belle. I didn't mean to frighten you, I…"

Luc lost his words for a few moments, trying hard to think what was the best thing to say next. "I haven't stopped thinking about you since yesterday."

"Luc, you can't turn back time! I'm engaged now, and nothing is going to change that."

"Please, Belle! Hear me out! I need you to know what happened during these last three years."

"What?" Belle murmured disbelievingly. "You left without saying anything; you left all we had behind! You have no idea how much I suffered because of you. I was young and naïve, but that didn't give you the right to toy with my feelings."

Not knowing why she was still there, Belle quickly turned around and headed towards the castle. She instantly felt Luc grab her wrist.

"Just listen to what I have to say first, and then you can turn away from me and never look back. But first, listen…"

Belle gave in and Luc let her wrist go. Then he approached her.

"But first, there's something I need to know," said Luc. "Is it true that you and Gaston were… more than friends?"

Belle let out a sarcastic laugh. "I don't know who spread such a rumour, but that person certainly wasn't feeling very well! Gaston was obsessed with having me as his wife, but I never accepted his proposal. Nor did I have any sort of love affair with him."

Luc sighed in relief. "Everybody was talking about it last night in the tavern, but I never believed it was true. But… you just said you were engaged. Who is he?"

"If that's what you came here for, then we might as well end all this. Vincent has nothing to do with –"

"Vincent? Is that his name?"

Belle sighed. "Yes, Luc. Vincent and I are engaged. I left my past behind. Maybe you should do the same."

"But, Belle… I came back because of my past! You were the reason why I left and the reason why I came back. I loved you with all my heart, and I still do! And deep down inside you know you still love me. Why deny it if we can go back and live happily the same way we used to?"

"No, Luc. I don't love you. And you can't expect me to still love you after three years, I don't understand why I was the reason you left. If you really loved me, then you wouldn't have abandoned me."

"But I didn't abandon you, Belle. I…"

Luc suddenly interrupted his speech when he heard someone call for Belle. He recognized the voice from somewhere. Who else could it be?

"It's Vincent," muttered Belle. "You had better go."

"Fine, I'll leave," answered Luc. "But this time you know why. And I promise it won't be another three years before we meet again!"

Luc delicately kissed Belle's hand and quickly abandoned the castle grounds. Belle followed the Prince's voice and, the moment she found him, embraced herself in his arms.

"My love, you're as cold as ice!" the prince complained as he placed his cheek against her forehead. "What happened? What are you doing out here so early?"

"I just… needed some fresh air," Belle replied.

"Let's go inside, quickly! I must get you out of this cold!" said Vincent as he tried to cover Belle with his cape.

The couple ran inside the castle and Vincent ordered some servants to get a warm blanket for Belle. After that, they both sat near the fireplace while Mrs. Potts finished serving them with hot tea. They both waited until the lady left the room.

"You scared me, Belle," said Vincent as he revolved his arms around his bride. Belle closed her eyes and made herself comfortable in his arms. Sensing her fragility, Vincent knew that something wasn't right. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yes," she replied. Belle approached the prince's lips and caressed them with a gentle kiss. Vincent deepened the kiss, the warmth of his body contrasting with her cold cheeks. Moments later, Belle revived herself to once again lean against his chest. "I love you."

Vincent smiled. "But you didn't have to go through the blistering cold to tell me that, Belle! You could have just simply gone to the West Wing. I would have loved to awaken with the sound of your voice."

For a few moments, neither spoke, watching the fireplace illuminate the library.

"Vincent," murmured Belle at last.

"Yes, my love?"

"There is something I need to tell you…"

"Don't be scared, Belle. I'll be here for you no matter what."

Is this a good time to mention Luc? No, Belle didn't want to spoil the moment.

"I don't want to keep postponing our wedding date. I can't wait to be your wife!"

"Oh princess, you have just read my mind! And I'm so happy to know you feel the same. In fact, you're right. We haven't even mentioned a date! How about… next week?"

"If it were up to me, I'd say tomorrow!"

Vincent chuckled. "I don't think Cogsworth would like that idea. He's going to need a few days to organize everything. It must be perfect!"

"I already know it's going to be perfect, as long as you're by my side. I want our wedding ceremony to be simple and natural, not like in the fairytales."

"That's certainly a surprise, Belle! I thought that's what you always wanted – a fairytale wedding."

Belle smiled faintly. "No, not this time. Maybe we could run away and marry on an exotic beach. Or maybe in a forest, decorated with little lights…"

"Or maybe we could get married on a cloud, away from everyone and everything," said Vincent with a snigger.

"Are you listening to a thing I'm saying?" said Belle poking his shoulder. "I'm serious! I'm not really looking forward to royalty and crowds. All I want is you."

"And I'll be all yours. No matter how big the crowd is, Belle. I won't take my eyes off you," he said in a playful tone.

"Quit joking, Vincent! I'm really serious!"

"I know, my love. But Cogsworth would never forgive me if I didn't invite the whole of France! I can't run away from my noble duties, Belle. Apart from that, I can't wait to introduce you as the woman I love, their future queen. Just this once… please," he added.

The prince's eyes reflected the flames of the fireplace, almost looking like a fire was burning in them. Belle knew that not everything could go her way, and maybe he was right. They couldn't hide forever, and a royal wedding was an open door to the world out there.

"What am I talking about?" she asked herself with a giggle. "Of course, Vincent. I promised to stay by your side no matter what, so I'll do it."

Vincent hugged her tighter. "Everything's going to be fine, Belle. I promise I won't let anybody hurt you. Trust me."

"I trust you," Belle murmured softly.

Vincent kissed his beloved's forehead and she closed her eyes to feel his kiss. All her worries seemed to disappear, but deep down inside Belle knew that she hadn't heard the last of Luc.