"Belle! It's so good to see you back again. Of course I was very pleased that you had escaped that cruel imp. Tell me, does he, er, does he plan to return the ogres to us in retaliation for your escape...?...No! That's excellent, your escape that is..." Belle listened politely to the nobles clustering around her all asking the same questions, one after another. How did she escape? What did he do to her? Will Rumplestiltskin plan on brining the ogres back in revenge? Oh, and of course their main concern that she was unharmed. Listlessly she re-assured all in attendance that she was in good health, he had let her go and was certainly not going to re-instate the ogre wars. The intricately decorated masks surrounding her breathed sighs of relief underneath their carefully construed words of concern.
Belle noted that King Maurice, in his infinite wisdom, had invited Gaston in the misguided belief that Belle would reconsider the engagement. Thankfully Gaston persisted in his belief that Belle was tainted and so studiously avoided her; the lure of a potentially increased dowry not enough to tempt him to accept the Dark One's castoffs, thus freeing Belle of the worry of fending off his wandering hands. She also noted that the other eligible nobles were wary of her and keeping their distance beyond their well wishing. She was therefore able to reply in bland dialogue to their mutterings whilst she planned for her future. Why Rumplestiltskin had returned her here, of all places, she could not guess. Perhaps he thought she would be safe here, which she was. But he knew she had wanted adventure which she would not get here. Well, she had the means to create her own. She'd need a reliable horse. The mares currently in her ownership were not made for long distance. They were built for a little light hunting, never going much more than a slow canter. She'd need one of her father's steeds, but she was on good terms with his stablehands so could procure one with ease. She'd need supplies from the kitchen but she was seen there so often now that poking her nose around would arouse no further suspicion. Her clothes were another matter. King Maurice insisted in her wearing what all proper ladies at court wore. Stiflingly tight corsets, heavy petticoats and even heavier and ornately decorated dresses. Clothes most unsuitable for any situation outside of courtly life. Rumplestiltskin had returned her, not the practical clothing that had found its way into her wardrobe.
Once again she failed to notice the stranger hiding in plain sight. His costume equally as gaudy as the other nobles. After escorting his anonymous acquaintance into the ballroom he parted company with her, pledging to seek her out for the first dance of the night, he circled the room. Strutting like a peacock in front of the more attractive young ladies of court and planning some debaucheries with one or more of them at a later date, his attention was never far away from Belle. Jefferson was concerned now that he had a closer look at Belle. She'd always been slender but she had curves to which Rumplestiltskin, when particularly drunk, had attested to worshipping in secret. However in the fortnight or so she'd been back in her father's kingdom she seemed thinner. Indeed he could see where her seamstress had had to take in her clothes. She was obviously bored. Her eyes had lost their sparkle and there seemed little life in her once animated features.
The lady with the blood red lips took in the scene around her. The beauty who had tempted the heart of the Dark One was wandering around the room disconsolately. She almost felt pity for Belle. Almost. But she was determined that no one should have their happy ending. Least of all that Imp. He was the reason, the ultimate reason, that her beloved was dead. Oh, yes, this was at the hands of her mother, but it was Rumplestiltskin who had taught her all she knew. Rumplestiltskin who had sparked that desire for all consuming power. If her happy ending was denied her, then it was denied to everyone. Of course, in the meantime there was no reason she could not seek out the beguiling stranger who had so kindly offered his hand to escort her in. A little fun never hurt anyone, and if not with him why not someone else. The slick twist of the red of her lips and skin like sin; she prowled the room in search of prey.
King Maurice surveyed what he felt to be an achievement. Many fine eligible young men were here to tempt Belle; she was sure to find favour with many of them and then his worries would be over. He had her life planned out as it should be. She was a princess, and thus deserved a life of ease. Not a life as a scullery maid borne out of some misguided desire for adventure. Marriage meant safety. For both of them. Marriage into another kingdom would bring new alliances. There was no guarantee that another Ogre War would not surface and he had seen enough death for a lifetime.
Belle's eyes scanned the room. She could no longer call one person in this room her friend. They were loyal courtiers. Loyal to King Maurice. And she was supposed to pick a suitor from the herd around her. The music swirled around her, and the dancers twisted around her in an increasing orgy of decadence, dizzying in their opulent splendour. Belle took a sip of the punch and sought her escape route. Her father was deep in conversation with Gaston, no doubt offering an increased dowry in exchange for an immediate engagement notice. Her guests were all otherwise occupied in dancing and sampling the fine dining that the castle's cooks provided. The castle guards outside would not bat an eyelid at her; she was a princess and mere servants did not raise their eyes to princesses on state occasions. This was her chance, and she would take it.
Turning to the ornate staircase at the end of the ballroom, she saw him standing there, and her heart skipped a beat.
Author's Note; It's not much of a spoiler. You know its Jefferson lurking in the shadows. But can he help Belle? And does he get that oh so longed for cup of Lapsang Souchong? Find out next week. Same Bat time, same Bat channel...