As promised, here's part 2 of chapter 8! :D Enjoy!

09:00 – 09:30

On the other side of the bridge, in the mayor's house, Belle was already awake, and had been for a long time. She had seen the sun come up. She had been tossing and turning for what felt like hours. She thought about getting up, but it was probably better if she waited for Madame Chantil to come and help her get ready for her wedding. She had no idea what to do with her hair, and her dress was still downstairs.

Although she had only slept for a few hours, sleeping in a warm bed, made her more relaxed and she finally had time to think about things. This was the best solution. She had to marry Gaston. And she was going to. This was the first day of the rest of her life. It was her wedding day. She would never have to worry about anything ever again. Gaston would take care of her and her father. She tried to feel happy and cheerful about her future, but there was so much pressure! Everything had to be perfect! She had to be perfect. I hope I can live up to his expectations…

"Belle, are you decent?" she heard Madame Chantil say on the other side of the door.

She sat up straight and covered herself with the blankets. "Yes, come in!"

The mayor's wife came in, all smiles. She was holding the wedding dress. "Isn't it beautiful?" she said, pleased. "The seamstress and the triplets have worked all night to make you something stunning!"

"Oh my..." Belle stuttered as she stood up from the bed. She sighed as she caressed the fabric of the skirt. It is so beautiful! This was more than she expected and more than she deserved. "This is too much…"

"A wedding dress is about displaying the wealth of the bride, her social status. As part of her dowry," Madame Chantil explained as she laid down the dress on the bed. She looked up to Belle and smiled. "Of course in your case, dear, there is no dowry. This is all Gaston's doing. Gaston will pay for everything you'll ever need."

Without Belle expecting it, the words and the smiles of the mayor's wife were hurting her pride. True, she wasn't as wealthy as Gaston, but she wasn't poor! She and her father had a good life. They weren't beggars, they had a good home, they had enough to eat!

"I do have a dowry," she said straightening her shoulders, making herself taller. "I mean, I have the beginnings of one!" She looked out the window, seeing her house in the distance. She ignored the feeling of being homesick. There was no time for that now! "In my room there are two trunks. I admit they aren't very full, but I do have some things! Tablecloths, linen and… other stuff!" She started to talk louder and louder. "I wasn't fully prepared yet, but I will be able to take care of him!"

The mayor's wife stood there in silence for a few moments, simply looking at her outburst. Belle sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed and put her head in her hands. "I will be a good wife to him," she said softly. "I will be a good wife to him…"

"My dear, don't be ashamed, this is very normal for a bride on the morning of her wedding," the mayor's wife sat down next to her and put her arm around Belle. "And in your case, with marrying Gaston de Soleil; I can understand you are tense."

"I want to be a good wife," Belle whispered. "I don't want to disappoint Gaston." I have to be a good wife to him… He can still send me back.

"That's a good start," Madame Chantil said as she undid the braid in Belle's hair and picked up the brush from the nightstand. "What do you say in your wedding vows?"

"To serve, love and obey him."

"As long as you keep that in mind, you will do fine," Madame Chantil said as she brushed Belle's hair. "Especially with a man like Gaston, you need to put him first, then your house, later the children, of course, and then yourself."

"Yes, I will."

There was another knock on the door and the mayor himself came in. "Clotilde, is everything alright in here?"

"Of course, dear. It's merely a case of cold feet," she looked at Belle. "But nothing that a cup of tea can't fix. Can you send Yvette with Belle's breakfast?"

"I don't think I can eat," Belle said, "I'm too nervous."

"Then at least have some tea."

Soon Belle was having breakfast as the mayor's wife walked through the room, getting Belle her shoes and some other things. There is something strange about this tea, Belle thought. It tasted similar to the tea she was given in the Maison. No, it can't be the same. Madame Beaumont had always said that it had to do with the water. The water came from a different well. At her own house, she and her father had a private well only they used. Probably when she lived with Gaston the water would taste different as well. I have to get used to a lot of things…

"Let's get you into this dress," the mayor's wife interrupted her thoughts.

A few minutes later when she had the dress on, Belle looked in the mirror and her mouth fell open. She looked like a different woman. Which was good. She was different now. She was a bride and wife-to-be. After this morning she would be Madame Gaston de Soleil.

"You look lovely, Gaston will be so proud when he sees you."

"That's... That's all I can hope for." Belle looked from her reflection at the mayor's wife, who looked as if she wanted to say something. "Madame Chantil? Is something wrong?" she asked as she looked down at the dress to see if there were any stains or tears. No, nothing. The dress looked absolutely perfect. She looked perfect. I hope Gaston likes it. It's not the dress he picked out for me.

"No, there is only one more thing Gaston asked me to talk you about."

Belle looked up and turned to the mayor's wife, who was now looking really nervous. More nervous than Belle felt. "About the ceremony? Isn't it a little late for that?"

" No, about what happens after the ceremony," Madame Chantil murmured as she adjusted the bow on the back of Belle's dress. "About tonight. Your wedding night."

"Oh. About tonight," Belle said, realizing what the mayor's wife meant. She swallowed nervously. She had been so focused on the wedding that she hadn't even thought about what would happen afterwards - what Gaston would certainly expect of his new bride on their wedding night. For a moment she wanted to dismiss the mayor's wife and go to the church. But Gaston wanted her to listen to the mayor's wife. He had asked it. Maybe she had some advice. "All right," Belle said, feeling a bit faint. "What do I need to know?"


09:30

"Gaston is not a bad man, not as long as you do as he says," the bookseller concluded his story. "But he can be dangerous if you deny him what he thinks is his."

"Like Belle," Adam sighed. He knew it. That man meant trouble! How could he have been so stupid not to go into Montville when he was here days ago? He closed his eyes. How could he have been so stupid to let Belle go to her father alone? He should have given her a carriage to look for her father and bring him to the castle! Why did he let her go?

In frustration, he jumped up from the couch. "You should have stopped him," he accusingly pointed at Monsieur Dijon. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"I'm sorry, monsieur, but what could I have done? I have no means, no power," Monsieur Dijon apologized. "All I could do was pray that Belle and Maurice are strong enough to survive the Maison des Lunes."

Strong enough to survive… "I have to go! I have to save Belle!" Adam shouted. "Where is that asylum?"

"Just follow the road. It's about an hour's journey from here."


10:00 – 10:30

I wish Papa could be here…

Belle tried to keep herself together as she walked to the church on the mayor's arm. Please don't let me stumble. Or stutter. Or forget my vows.

When she entered the church, she straightened her shoulders. Look at all the people! There were a lot more people than she had expected. The entire village was there and everyone looked their best. The church was decorated with flowers and if she wasn't so nervous she would have a chance to admire it. All she could do was make a mental note to compliment Gaston for arranging all this in only a day. No, not compliment Gaston…compliment her husband. He's going to be my husband.

She swallowed and tried not to think about everyone watching her, or the fact that everyone stood up when they saw her and the organ began to play. The only important person in here was the man at the other end of the aisle. I can do this! She imagined herself to be the perfect bride and smiled at the people and started walking. She looked at Gaston, who was very handsome in his Sunday outfit, his white pants, yellow vest and the fancy red coat. She really had to consider herself lucky with such a handsome husband. People would envy her, because she was his wife.

With a small nod the mayor put her hand in Gaston's. Gaston smiled, which was good. He was glad that this day had finally arrived. He was proud of her; she could see it in his eyes. Thank God! That's one thing less to worry about!

"Perfect," he said as he removed her veil. He caressed her cheek with his hand, gently touching her lips with his thumb. "Absolutely perfect."

Before Belle could say anything, the priest coughed and started the ceremony : "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join this man and this woman in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined."


10:30

It had cost Adam all his strength to control himself during the ride to the asylum. Besides the words of the bookseller, he had heard stories about places like this- places you wouldn't send your worst enemy to. He didn't want to think what could have happened to Belle in there. All he could do was pray that she would be well.

About an hour later, they arrived at the grim-looking place. The gate was open and they rode in. It was strange: there was no sound, no birds or other animals. Just the wind.

Adam banged on the door and a meek, pale girl opened the door.

"Tell the overseer that his Royal Highness, Prince Adam, has arrived," Cogsworth said pompously.

Nothing happened. It wasn't clear if the girl had understood what Cogsworth had said. She just stood there.

Adam looked at Cogsworth and Lumière. He wondered if he should barge in or not. Of course he was now the prince of this country again and he could barge in anywhere he wanted. Nobody could stop him.

"Maybe she's deaf," Lumière suggested.

At that word, the girl immediately shook her head.

"Mute then," Adam muttered. "Look, I want to talk whoever is in charge."

The girl curtseyed, but she didn't move. She stood there, scared to death. The girl was then pushed aside by an older woman. She opened the door and said: "Marie, go do something useful."

"Are you in charge here?" Adam asked impatiently.

"Yes, my name is Madame Beaumont, how can I help you?"

Cogsworth stepped forward and addressed the woman. "This is Prince Adam and he is looking for one of your inmates, Belle de la Vallière."

Madame Beaumont curtseyed as well, as low as she could. "Your Highness! It's such an honor to have you here!" She said with a broad smile. "Only unfortunately, there is no one here with that name."

"I've been told she is here," Adam insisted. He was getting impatient. This time he wouldn't be sent away. He would stay here as long as necessary to find Belle.

"You've been misinformed," the woman said, still with the same smile. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

It did confuse Adam. The bookseller had been very friendly. He seemed to have Belle's best interest at heart. He wanted Adam to rescue Belle. He couldn't be wrong. Belle had to be here.

"Belle was nice," a soft voice behind them said.

Adam looked over the shoulder of Madame Beaumont and saw a girl in rags standing in a door opening. The girl had wrapped her hands around her as if she were very cold.

"What did you say?" Adam asked as he walked over to her.

Madame Beaumont walked over to the girl, grabbed her firmly by the arm and pushed her back into the room she came from. "Keep your mouth shut, Stella," she hissed. "Stay here! Or we'll have to put you in the tub again!"

I knew it! That girl knows something about Belle! Belle was here! "Let go of her! I want to hear what she has to say!" Adam bellowed at the woman. He turned to the girl and said firmly: "Speak!"

The girl took a few steps back in fear, landing on the couch. When Adam stepped in her direction, the girl flinched and yelled, "Please don't hit me!"

Adam sighed. It was nearly impossible to be patient. He wanted to find Belle and he was so close now! This girl, who might be a crazy inmate, knew something about her! And now she thought he was going to hit her! What was going on here? And if this girl was in such a bad state… how would Belle be doing? No, Belle is strong. She will be all right. She has to be!

Lumière stepped forward and coughed softly. "Your Highness, the girl is frightened. If we want to find Belle, we must be gentle." He sat next to the girl on the couch and said soothingly, "Your name is Stella, right? It is all right, do not be afraid. We are looking for Belle. Do you know her?"

Stella nodded. "She is my friend. I-" She stopped in mid-sentence when she saw Madame Beaumont, who has not looking very friendly at the moment.

Adam and Cogsworth stepped between the girl and Madame Beaumont. "You don't have to be scared. No one will harm you," Adam said, trying to sound as calming as Lumière, which was more difficult than he thought.

"I haven't seen Belle since last night," Stella said. "I think her fiancé took her."

Her fiancé? Adam thought, shocked. What fiancé? There is no fiancé, besides me! But before he could ask another question, a thin man walked into the room.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" the man said.

"May I present to you His Royal Highness, Prince Adam," Cogsworth introduced Adam.

"Your Highness," the man said as he bowed deeply. "My name is Paul d'Arque. I'm the head of this institution. We are honored to have you pay us a visit. And so unexpectedly! When did you return to France?"

"Recently," Adam said. He didn't have time for polite conversation! And he didn't have any explanation for his absence from his country. He turned back to the girl. "Belle's fiancé?"

Stella nodded with a broad smile. She was also getting some color back on her cheeks. "He's big and handsome!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Belle told me all about it. He is so romantic, he proposed to her at sunset!"

Either this girl is really crazy or… "Do you know his name?" Adam said slowly.

"Oh I do! It's Gaston, and he's really handsome and tall, he has these big muscles like he could lift a horse with one hand!"

Adam closed his eyes. Gaston? He had been so close… This can't be happening…

"Don't listen to her, Your Highness," D'Arque said quickly. "Stella has a lively imagination. That's why she's here. Women with a tendency to live in a made-up world have to be re-educated." He opened the door ."If you come this way, I'll show you-"

Adam couldn't control himself anymore. He wrapped his hands around the man's neck and pushed him against the wall., growling, "All I want to know is: WHERE. IS. BELLE?"

"She's not here anymore!" Monsieur d'Arque gasped out. Adam's grip was so tight the man could hardly breathe. Adam could feel his pulse throbbing in his throat. "Only her father is still here. We've been taking care of him during Mademoiselle de la Vallière's recovery."

"Recovery from what?" Adam asked as he let go of the man, who fell to the floor, coughing, his hand on his throat.

"She had a nervous breakdown when her fiancé proposed. Nothing special. It happens all the time to the fairer sex." Monsieur d'Arque stood up, wiping the dust of his pants. He gave Adam a slight smile. "It's good to see that our prince is so interested in the life of a peasant girl from Montville, but I assure you that Mademoiselle de la Vallière has made a very good match. Even her father said so."

Her father… How could she leave her father here? Adam was in doubt. His mind was spinning with everything he had heard today. Belle locked up in an insane asylum. Engaged. Something is very wrong here. More than anything he wanted to go back to the village. He had to find out where that Gaston guy was keeping Belle. On the other hand, Belle was already out of this hell hole and her father was still here. Belle would probably never forgive him if he left her father behind. "Where is her father?" he asked.

"In the hospital wing."

Moments later Adam was standing in the bedroom. It felt like forever since he had last seen Belle's father and had locked him up in the tower. It wasn't his happiest memory. He was feeling more guilt than he had ever thought it possible he could feel.

"How can I help you?" Belle's father asked.

"I am… I am… Adam," he stammered. He was at a loss for words. He wanted to explain to Belle's father what happened. Apologize. He had thought about it a lot after he had released Belle. He wanted to ask her father for forgiveness, for everything that he had done. But now that the moment was there, he didn't know how to start. "This is not the time, monsieur," he finally said.

"Then what can I do for you?"

"I've come to bring you to my castle," Adam improvised. He would deal with apologizing later. He would explain it later. When Belle was with him, she could probably explain it better. And for that, he had to find Belle first.

"Your castle?"

"There is no time to explain this all," Adam continued quickly. "I'm taking you away from this place." If he rescued Belle's father, he had at least paid back this part of all what he had done wrong in his life.

"I'm not well enough to travel," Belle's father said as he put away his book.

Adam frowned. The man was looking better than he had done when he was locked up in the tower in his castle. "You look healthy to me," he said uncertainly.

Her father shrugged. "Yes, I feel good, but the doctor says I have to stay in bed for another week."

"In my castle, I'll let my own personal physician look after you," Adam decided. When he was younger he had a personal physician. He wasn't sure if the man had been in the castle at the time of the spell. "I'm a nobleman, I can take better care of you than they can here."

As Adam and Belle's father walked through the hallways, back to the carriage, they were stopped by the head of the asylum. "I'm taking this man away from this place," Adam said as he walked by him. He was not going to be stopped. He would get Belle's father out of here and then he would go look for Belle in Montville. What could that Gaston do to her?

"I can't allow that!" Monsieur d'Arque protested. "This man is too ill to travel!"

"You have no say in this matter anymore," Adam said confident. "You are relieved from your duties, monsieur!"

"You cannot do that!" Monsieur d'Arque.

Cogsworth coughed behind their backs. "I have to disagree," he argued. "He is your prince, he can do whatever he wants."

"Our prince?" Belle's father asked, confused.

"Yes, I'll explain it later!" Adam said. He turned to Lumière. "Lumière, you take the carriage and bring Belle's father back to the castle."

"Wait…" her father said. "Wait! You know Belle? How does my daughter know a prince?"

Adam sighed. He didn't know what to say. He didn't have time for this! He had to think how to get back to Montville as soon as possible! There were four horses in front of the carriage, but two would be enough. Adam ordered the guards to remove two of them. That way, he could go back to look for Belle. "Get him a doctor, Lumière. A real doctor."

While Lumière and the guard supported Maurice to get to the carriage, Stella had followed them. She clung on to Lumière's other arm. "Take me with you!" she whispered. "I don't want to stay here."

Lumière looked hopelessly from the girl to Adam. "Sire?"

Adam wasn't too keen on bringing a delusional girl with him, but the girl did deserve a reward for bringing him closer to Belle. He couldn't let her stay here. He nodded. "Yes, you can take her with you, Lumière."

"Very well. But where are you going, sire?" Lumiere asked.

"I'm going back to Montville," Adam decided. He had done everything he had to do here. "I'm going to look for Gaston, he must have hidden Belle somewhere."

"Why would he hide Belle?" Belle's father asked as he stepped into the carriage. "He's going to marry her today."

"HE'S WHAT?"


11:30

In Montville's church the ceremony was almost over. Gaston was holding Belle's hands as she was halfway through her vows.

"I will hold my temper and will meekly put my hand 'neath the sole of my husband's foot in token of which duty, if he please, my hand is ready, may it do him ease," she said. Not really paying attention to what she said, as long as she said everything she had memorized.

Pfew, that's over! she thought, relieved. Her heart jumped. She had done it, without making mistakes, without stuttering. Now all that was left was the 'I do' part and then she would be safe. Safe and married to the most powerful man in the village and no one would ever try to harm her ever again. She smiled at Gaston and softly squeezed his hand. She couldn't see what he was thinking. Was he proud of her?

After a few moments of silence she realized something was not right here. The priest should continue with the ceremony. Madame Chantil had told her that the priest would continue with the final part after her vows! Only… he didn't. The priest was looking at her, Gaston seemed to be waiting for something as well, and the rest of the people in the church were also staring at her. This was not good. Oh no, what did I forget? I did say everything right, didn't I? Love, honor and obey, hold my temper and-

"Kneel," the priest whispered softly. "Belle, you are supposed to kneel."

Belle wasn't sure she had heard it correctly. Did he really say that? She had to kneel? Was he serious? Kneel? In front of the entire village? "Excuse me?" she asked out loud.

"It's custom for the bride to kneel before her future lord and master," the priest continued softly.

My lord and master? Belle had thought Gaston was going to be her husband, not her lord and master. I'm not his dog or his horse! She would be his wife. He would take care of her because he loved her. And she would take care of him in return. Kneeling didn't seem right. "Gaston?" She looked up at Gaston, hoping he would tell the priest that it was not necessary. But he didn't say anything, he just looked at her expectantly.

"It's customary," the priest repeated more sternly.

He really wants me to kneel? Belle still hesitated, but she realized that she had to do it. Gaston cared a lot about appearance; he had a reputation to uphold. And now… so had she. She looked around the church and could already see a few people whispering. What if they think I don't want to marry Gaston! What if he thinks I am having second thoughts!

As quickly as she could she curtseyed and stayed down there. She lowered her eyes and prayed everything would be over soon. Why didn't Mme Chantil tell me about the kneeling? The whispering stopped. Please let the priest continue, please let him continue, please let him continue!

Then Gaston took her hands and helped her up. He smiled at her. Oh thank God! I haven't embarrassed him! Somewhere in the back of her mind it did disturb her that Gaston seemed pleased about her kneeling in front of him. But that was probably just because she did what the customs asked her to do.

Gaston wouldn't see himself as her lord and master. He had said he loved her. Yes. That was it. He was happy as well that it was almost over. He probably thought the ceremony was too long and boring. Yes, that must be it.

She then noticed the priest, who was tapping impatiently with his foot.

"When you are done, let's continue," the priest sighed. He closed his Bible and did the rest by heart. "Gaston Armand de Soleil, do you take this woman, Belle Louise de la Vallière, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

Belle felt how her heart was pounding in her throat. Her breath became more shallow. She looked at her shoes, trying not to think what would happen if Gaston changed his mind.

"Of course," Gaston replied.

Thank you, good Lord. I'll never ask for anything else in my life!

"Belle Louise de la Vallière, do you take this man, Gaston Armand de Soleil, to be you wedded husband. Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?"

Belle nodded and smiled at Gaston. "I do. With all my heart."

"I now pronounce you man and wife," the priest said with a small smirk around his lips. "You may now kiss your bride."

"Not my bride," Gaston muttered softly as he leaned in to kiss Belle. "My wife. Belle is finally all mine!"

As Belle closed her eyes and let Gaston kiss her, she smiled when she heard the villagers start to cheer. Now he couldn't send her back to the asylum anymore! She was Gaston's wife. At last!