"My Name is Belle"

Chapter 3

Previously from Chapter 2:

"It was already five in the evening and the celebration was to be in a half hour. Ah, she hated corsets, the ruffles and all the glamour. But if she had to dress up for the sake of the family name and have a great time dancing the night away, then so be it. Angeline curled Belle's silky, black tresses into wavy rivulets, applied a light tint of peach gloss to her lips, and sprayed a light perfume of vanilla to her shoulders. Belle quickly grabbed the dress her father brought her from England and put it on. It was a beautiful dress, olive green with creamy white borders along the bodice and waist, and went certainly well to perfectly contrast against the gold and ruby of her necklace. It was time to go, when her father called up the stairs for her to come down to get into the carriage. They did not want to be fashionably late now... "

The town gala was huge celebration every year around fall. It was practically tradition for everyone, rich or poor to attend. As the Herrigan carriage pulled up to enormous town ballroom, many of the local reporters took down the names of who attended, and who was escorting whom. All this would be used for later gossip on various articles. Floods of press crowded around her carriage as her father came out, and finally let them through once he signaled for the guard to escort them. Giving her his arm, which she in turn clasped, Sir Frederick Herrigan escorted Belle towards the grand entrance.

The decorations were always beautiful, with a different theme every year. This year, the theme was 'Magic in the Moonlight', with crystals and sparkly decor all around. Plus candle-lit terraces and orchestras both in and outside of the ballroom helped set the mood of a 'night of romance.' Looking around, Belle saw many women dressed to the extreme in everything shimmery. It was sort of an eyesore to her and honestly, she'd rather go out with her own theme; which in particular, was to be elegant and natural at the same time, besides her curly hair.

As she walked in with her father, there were many acquaintances that came up to greet them. After introducing themselves and following proper protocol, the two soon found themselves engulfed in idle chatter. Belle's father was especially engaged in such and was having to stand in conversations on topics not pertaining to his interests. Not wanting to spend her whole night like that, she politely excused herself from her father, to find more interesting deals such as looking for her friends. She wandered off and gladly found her friend best friend Nicolette Rochester, wandering around the cheese table sampling this and that. Even though the girl loved to eat, she seemed to never gain a pound. Just like Belle.

Nicolette saw her and quickly hurried over with some mozzarella on a dainty plate. They embraced and gawked over each other's dress. Nicolette, who was the main fashion expert, expressed so much excitement over Belle's dress because it was of the latest style from London. Belle felt no excitement in such and thought if it weren't for her father picking and buying her gowns, her choice of dress would be so called, "out of style." Nicole thought Belle looked so elegant in her olive green strapless gown, decorated with sequins, and also with cream hem along the bodice and waist. Her hair was curled in romantic waves, and her shoulders lay bare except for the gold chain necklace with the ruby roses.

Contrasting to Nicolette's opinion, Belle thought Nicolette was the one who looked the best. She couldn't help feel a little jealous over the blonde's beautiful long hair, blue eyes, and gorgeous smile. Nicole had on a strapless white gown, with flowing sleeves, a heart shaped bodice, and silk hem. Honestly, she felt was not as beautiful as her, even with the latest fashions. But looks between these two were not the main element of their friendship.

Nicolette and Belle met when Belle had moved here from France after her mother passed away. During that mournful part of Belle's young life, it was Nicole who befriended her first in Sandrosia by just simply asking her if she could be her friend. The Rochester family was very welcoming towards the young Belle and her father, and became practically a second family to her. Every year, all holidays and occasions were celebrated together. Also, Lady Mehlena, Nicole's mother, was like a mother to Belle. All in all, these two were just like two peas in a pod since children and have remained so since then…

Belle hadn't seen Nicole all week due to her busy schedule. Father had been gone to England for two months and he was to arrive late morning, usually exhausted from his trip. So, the whole week, she helped prepare the estate a warm welcome her father deserved, and did nothing else but worry and hope he'd get home safe. Her only chance to relax was this morning on her walk to the post office, and hopefully the time spent here at the gala. She was eager to catch up on conversation with her female friend and happily asked about any new things happening around town.

While gossiping about tidbits of things heard here or there, Nicolette started getting all excited about some new citizen who just moved here from England. He was a Lord, a very young Lord in fact, and she had heard that he was probably the most handsome man next to Jameson Bodeleur. Jameson Bodeleur, most of time just addressed as James for short, was Belle's best guy friend since she moved here. She had met Nicole first but in meeting James that helped balance out the friendship. It also turns out that Nicole secretly has crush on James but sadly she knew that he liked Belle.

Of course, Belle didn't know James liked her, so whenever he'd flirt or compliment her, she'd naturally play along to whatever he said and never really scratch what was really beneath the surface. Just like now. Practically everyone thought or knew James had a liking towards the town sweetheart, but Belle herself never really took it seriously. Maybe in the past when they were kids did she have a liking to him too, but that quickly dissipated when she figured out that her best friend Nicole liked him. So to her, James was more of a brother.

Although, in fact, Jameson Bodeleur was deeply in love with Belle Le Dubois Herrigan…

Yes, he would always try to tell her his true feelings but she would always play it off as a joke. But tonight, yes tonight, he was going to make a statement to her. And whether she took in the best or worse way possible, he was going to make sure that she knew he loved her, and hopefully...help her see she loved him too.

Sir Marcus P. Bodeleur and Jameson Bodeleur enter the ballroom.

Jameson Bodeleur finally arrived at the gala with his father Sir Marcus P. Bodeleur. The moment James stepped foot into the room, all of the girls crowded around him either bashfully, or flirtatiously asked him for a dance. Most of the girls always had a dance with him every year but this year, he wasn't going to be as chivalrous. He stifled many of the girl's hopes and dreams of being courted by him, as he politely declined to each while passing through. He had his reasons to decline their offers, because the only girl he was going to dance with tonight was Belle. He knew what he wanted and that was her. In spotting the two chattering away near the refreshments, he strode confidently over towards them...

End of Chapter 3. Next to Chapter 4

(Okay :) How's everybody coping so far? Good...good, I hope? Well, as you can see, the festivities are certainly getting some people motivated to make a statement. And what is this statement James wants to give Belle? Well, read on and find out! But watch it, might be a twist coming up pretty soon!! Onward to Chapter 4!)


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Sincerely,

Lady V.