"Belle?"

She looked up from her book, guessing what was to come from his behavior pattern.

"What is it?" she asked, politely all the same.

"I, uh, got you something," The Prince smiled eagerly, placing a pretty blue gift box with white ribbons on the desk, in front of her.

She put her book down gently, and, glancing once more at him, tugged the lid off to reveal a new book. Gasping softly, she lifted it up, softly brushing her hand over the leather-bound cover.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it," she beamed up at him. "Thank you so much."

He smiled back, proud of himself.

Belle walked idly around the castle halls, not feeling like reading for once in her life. It wasn't that the idea of reading was putting her off, it's just that she couldn't concentrate no matter how much she tried. She was anxious.

The first time the Prince had bought her a book as a present, she had been thrilled and ecstatic. But he kept buying her books, so much that she barely had time to actually spend with him, and she was starting to wonder why.

Was he just being nice, in his own way, or was he trying to keep her occupied?

She blew her the stray strands of brown hair out of her face and plopped herself down on the couch, disheartened and frustrated.

A tennis ball rolled to her feet, distracting her momentarily, followed by Chip.

"Good morning, Belle," he said, without much thought, but did a double take when he realized she wasn't reading. "You're not reading today."

She picked up the ball and handed it to him with a small smile. "I thought I'd take a break once in a while. Is that bad?"

"No, a break is good," Chip grinned. "Would you like to play with me and Sultan?"

She shook her head. "No, thank you, Chip."

They were interrupted by the Prince, who walked by with Lumiere and Cogsworth, discussing something that seemed important.

"Get Mrs. Potts to do that," he was saying. "I'll leave everything else to the two of you."

They hadn't realized that she was in earshot, and she signaled for Chip to keep silent as well, to find out what they were up to. He stared at the closed door with big, anxious eyes, but stayed quiet.

"It will be splendid," Cogsworth chuckled to himself.

"I will keep Mademoiselle busy, as planned," Lumiere said, gleefully.

"Belle must not know about this." Their voices trailed off, but she had heard that clearly.

They were hiding something from her. What was it?

She tried to talk to Adam a few times after that, but before she could ask him what he was hiding from her, he either escaped or changed the subject. Whenever she attempted to follow him, Lumiere appeared and kept her occupied. Even Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth wouldn't tell her anything. They didn't avoid her, but there was something they were all hiding from her. Books should've been her solace, but she was reminded that Adam was trying to keep her busy and unaware of the happenings of the castle.

The only solution her logic kept bringing her to was that he was getting tired of her, and wanted to do things without her interfering.

A week went by without her speaking to anyone but Chip and Lumiere, and occasionally Mrs. Potts. She couldn't read either, and found herself day after day with nothing to do but walk around the castle, gradually getting more disheartened each day.

At the end of the week, she decided she wasn't going to take this anymore. If he didn't love her anymore, she would make him admit it to her face.

She pulled her door open only to find Mrs. Potts about to come in.

"Oh, hello dear," she said, coming in and closing the door behind her.

"I need to go speak to Adam," Belle explained, trying to go around her.

"What you need, is to change into this," she replied, handing a gown to her that was yellow, but different from her original one.

"But- a gown? Why?"

"No time for questions, dear, change quick so that I can do your hair."

"But, Mrs. Potts."

"Quickly now."

Belle sighed and complied. She'll get to see Adam later.

Just as Mrs. Potts finished doing her hair up in a delicate bun, there was a knock on the door. Belle glanced at the woman's reflection in the mirror, unsure.

"Go on," she urged her with a smile.

Belle opened the door to see Adam standing there, dressed smartly. He was smiling, and bowed to her in a gentlemanly manner.

"What's going on?"

He held out a hand, and she found herself taking it without question.

She debated on how to bring up the subject as he led her down the stairs. She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't notice the jovial music and the chattering of people at first. When she did, she saw the bright lights of the chandeliers and the glamour of the townspeople, all dressed in their finest as they danced around the ballroom.

She looked up at the Prince, who was looking quite proud of himself again. "What's going on?" she asked once more.

"Surprise!" he beamed at her. "I'm holding a ball for you."

"But… But why?"

"I, um, thought you might… get bored one day, being trapped in this castle."

He thought she might get tired of him? All this time, she was misunderstanding him? He still really, really and truly loved her?

"I thought you were getting tired of me!" she blurted in surprise.

He blinked, confused. "Me? Why?"

"But… But what about all the books you bought me?"

"That was also because I thought you would leave the castle if you had no more books to read."

"What about all the sneaking around?"

"To plan this surprise, of course."

She was so overjoyed she threw her arms around him. "I never even got to see you! I was so worried!"

He laughed, and she almost cried because she hadn't heard it in so long. "Belle, you're the first girl I've ever loved. Of course I'll always love you."

She pulled back and stared into his eyes. "Really?"

"Really," he swore. "By the way"- he pulled out a small box from his pocket. "Merry Christmas."

"Christmas?" she repeated, baffled. "Oh no, I completely forgot about your present!"

He smiled. "It's okay, there's only one thing I can ask of you."

"And what's that?"

He knelt down on one knee and held out the box, which was now opened and revealed a golden band. "Marry me."

Belle covered her mouth with both hands, speechless. "I- I… Yes, of course!"

Adam slipped the ring on her finger and spun her off the floor effortlessly before kissing her once on the lips.

Meanwhile the staff are like, when do we go in to wish them congratulations? Oh wow, I finally finished, phew. I hope it's not too long. I know it's not the best, I rushed it because I'm way overdue. Anyway, in case I don't upload a new chapter by Christmas, this is my Christmas special for you, so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone! ^^

Thanks so, so much for your reviews, and your views.