Chapter Two: The Girl
In the town nearest to the dense forest that surrounded the darkened castle, there lived a family. They were not terribly wealthy, but nor were they unfortunate. The father Maurice was a local shop keeper who brought in a nice profit every year that kept his wife and three daughters happy.
Nearly twenty years ago Maurice had first asked Astrid to marry him. She was a lovely woman with thick blonde hair, green eyes and full lips; a beauty. After four years of marriage, the couple brought into the world a set of triplets who were all girls. Bethany and Beatrice were identical and had inherited their mother's looks. Belle was smaller than the other two and had soft brown hair and deep, thoughtful brown eyes - she was much more like her father, though he was now balding and fat and she was quite the opposite.
Belle's sisters were known through out the town as being beautiful, vivacious, and attention seeking. Belle however, was the complete opposite. They had just celebrated their sixteenth birthday and all but Belle had had several beaux already, and had been kissed numerous times. The quiet sister preferred to read and fantasize about the adventures she could have if only they lived somewhere more interesting. Though she was shy, she felt that she would prefer a large place rather than this small town where gossip travelled quickly, and one did not have much privacy.
Autumn had just finished, and what little leaves that were left on the trees were hanging on by very little. This changing of the seasons meant that it was time for Maurice to make his annual trip to the larger towns to collect new goods for his store. Belle, being very close to her father, had been in a sulky mood all week and hardly put any effort at all into her chores. It wasn't that she did not care for her mother and sisters, but they didn't understand her quiet ways.
"I wish you didn't have to go, Papa," she said sadly.
"I know my dear, but you know it must be done," Maurice replied. He finished saddling his horse Philippe and then turned to face his daughter. "Fear not Belle, time will pass quickly. Perhaps you could spend some of it with that friend of yours...Gaston."
"Oh Papa, he's not really my friend," she said, picturing the afore mentioned fellow in her mind. For some reason or other, Gaston had taken a fancy to her and she didn't understand why. Her sisters were the ones who attracted the attention of most males, and this male in particular happened to be the best looking one in town. He always had several young women hanging off of him, paying him compliments, and fetching various objects for him. Belle understood that a woman should respect a man, but they were practically his slaves and that was not right in her eyes. Personally, she would prefer one of the sensitive young princes from her fairy tales.
"Really? Well, I just assumed he was, seeing as he has been coming round to the cottage more and more of late. He seems like a decent fellow," he added with a wink.
"Papa!" exclaimed Belle, but she knew he was only teasing.
"Well," he said, "I'm about ready to go. I just need to say goodbye to my women! Astrid! Girls!"
Out of the house came the three blondes of the family. "Oh Maurice my darling," said Astrid, "you be careful alright?"
"Of course Astrid," he replied. "Now, what gifts shall I return with for each of you?" Each time Maurice went away, he always promised each of the three girls the gift of their choice, no matter what it was. "Beth?"
"I would like a new silk gown please, Papa," said Bethany. She was the 'fashionista' of the family, and loved to clothe herself in fine garments.
"Of course Beth. And you Bea?" he asked his next daughter.
Beatrice looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "I would very much like a new pearl necklace with a bracelet to match, please."
Maurice smiled. Beatrice always asked for a new piece of jewlery and today was no exception. "And what about you my Belle? What should I bring back to you?"
"The same as always Papa," Belle said, "your safety on the journey there and back."
"Oh Belle darling," replied Maurice, "come now, there must be at least one thing that I can bring back to you."
Belle's eyes looked all around her, as she searched her mind for something, anything, that she might want. Finally, she said, "I would like a single red rose, please Papa."
"A rose?" laugher Astrid. "Belle, it's winter!"
"A rose is the only gift that will make me happy," Belle said, defending her choice. "Will you please try to bring me back a rose Papa?"
"Of course Belle," he said, "if that will make you happy. Now, it's time I got started! I want to get there befor nightfall. Come everyone, give me a kiss and then I shall be on my way." Astrid, Bethany, Beatrice, and Belle each took a turn kissing Maurice goodbye. Then, he climbed up into the saddle of his horse and rode off into the woods.
Sullenly, the females of the family trudged into the cottage to go about their days chores without Maurice. It was just shortly after their noontime meal when a knock sounded at the front door. Bethany, having nothing to do, ran to answer it in the hopes that it was her latest beau, Charlie. She had no such luck though, however, when she flung the door open to reveal Gaston.
"Good afternoon Gaston," she said politely.
"Good afternoon Bethany," replied Gaston. "Is Belle in?"
"Yes she is. If you would like to take a seat, I'll send her in." Bethany smiled at the handsome man, and ran off to get her sister. "Belle!"
"Yes Beth?" Belle was in her room, snuggled up in a plush chair reading a book.
"Gaston is here for you."
Belle groaned. "Must I see him?"
"Belle!" exclaimed Bethany. "I'm shocked at you. Gaston is the best looking fellow in town, the richest, and he is...well, handsome. Why do you resist him? Any other girl would kill to be in your shoes."
"I know that Beth," replied Belle, "but I'm just not interested in him. He's rude and has no respect for women. He's really not my type at all."
"Well too bad, because he's waiting for you downstairs. Go talk to him you twit." Bethany shooed Belle out of the room and sighed. She just could believe that Belle was not interested in Gaston!
"Bonjour Belle," said Gaston, rising from his chair as Belle entered the room.
"Bonjour Gaston," replied Belle. "Are you thirsty at all?"
"No thank you Belle, I just came to talk," replied the man. He was standing fairly near to Belle now and she couldn't help but notice that he was indeed a very good looking man. He had thick black hair that he always tied neatly at the bottom of his head. His clothes were always clean and well made, and he was careful never to get any holes in his shiny black boots. He had dark eyes that were neither kind nor mean; they were simply there. He had high cheekbones that any girl would be jealous of, and a cleft chin that gave him a dignified look. He smelled a bit too much, however, of pipe smoke and animals for he was a hunter.
"What did you want to talk about, Gaston?" asked Belle.
"Well Belle my dear," he replied, "I've been thinking, and I've come to the conclusion that you spend far too much time reading your books than you should. You're a beautiful young woman - and believe me you are very beautiful - who should be spending time doing other things."
"Things such as..."
"Coming round to the tavern once in a while, showing up for some of the dances, and spending time with me. I like you very much Belle," he said.
"I'm flattered Gaston, but I love to read," she replied, lifting up the book in her hand. Gaston snatched it away, opened it, and flipped briefly though the pages with a look of disgust on his face. "What's the matter Gaston?"
"There's no pictures! How can you possibly enjoy a book with no pictures?"
Belle laughed. "Some people like to use their imaginations and create their own pictures, Gaston."
Gaston slammed the book shut and dropped it to the floor. "It doesn't matter," he said, "what matters is that I have a proposition for you."
"What might this proposition be?" Belle asked, fearful of what he would propose.
"Belle, will you marry me?" Gaston asked, getting down on one knee and sliding a ring upon her petite finger.
"Gaston!" Belle gasped.
"I've already asked your father's permission and we can be married by Christmas," said Gaston happily.
Belle frowned and told him, "No Gaston, I will not marry you." She pulled the ring off of her finger and handed it back to him.
Gaston stood up and growled, "You can say that now Belle, but when your father returns he and I shall have a little chat. Mark my words Belle, you will be mine." He glared at her and then stomped out of the house in an angry huff. Belle was not fazed at all by this behaviour, for he was known to have a bit of a temper. She simply picked her book up off the floor and sat down to continue reading it.
