A/N Hello people! Thank you all for your patience (although, this update didn't take as long as the previous one!) We are almost at the end of the story, it is time for the finale! Thanks to Lauren for several ideas and the brainstorming, thanks Trudi for beta'ing it twice and all your feedback, Carrie, Nikki, Erica, and all the others :) I really appreciate all your help!
Chapter 9
As fast as the horses could go, Adam, Cogsworth and the guards rode back from the asylum to the village. Adam's mind was racing as fast as the horses. It couldn't be too late! It was simply not possible! Belle couldn't be married to that Gaston! She wouldn't do that to him! She had said that she loved him, that was why he was human again! And if she loved him, she couldn't marry someone else! And definitely not that damned hunter! He must have tricked her into this.
But how…? Belle was too smart to be tricked. Belle was able to see more in the Beast than his fur, his fangs. She was able to see that there beyond the exterior. If she could do that, then she should easily be able to see right through a man like that Gaston!
What had that man done to his love?
For a moment Adam closed his eyes and tried not to think of all the bad things that could be going on in Montville at the moment, but it was impossible! The only glimpse of hope was the thought that Belle's father had been truly ill and delirious due to the fever – surely Belle wouldn't get married without her father present. But if Belle really WAS going to marry that man today, what was left for him then? How could he continue without the woman who had freed him?
"Your Highness," Cogsworth panted as he tried to catch up with Adam. He was having a hard time staying on his horse, and almost fell out of the saddle. "Your Highness, if I may…"
"What?" Adam snapped.
He knew his majordomo had never been a skilled horseman, but that was not important now. He had to get to the village as quickly as he could! Where was that Enchantress when he needed her? Didn't she have some way to magically transport him to Montville right now? He was losing precious time!
"Sire, Belle could be married by now!" he heard Cogsworth shout.
"Don't remind me!" Adam yelled over his shoulder. "I lost her once, I am not going to lose her again!"
She had to obey him now. That was her solemn oath, stated in her wedding vows. She had promised to serve and obey him. That's how it was dictated by state and church. She was his!
Gaston was all smiles as he walked back from the church to his house. He and Belle would be the perfect couple and the perfect example to everyone else in the village. Of course, he was already the symbol of the perfect man in the village, but with Belle he would portray the perfect life.
It was all for the best. A woman needed a man to be complete. A man could live on his own, but a woman needed a man to survive. And especially a woman like Belle. She was far too independent. Her father had given her too much freedom and all those books and stories had given her dangerous ideas. With his guidance she would give up everything she had once known.
"Welcome to my house, Madame Gaston de Soleil," Gaston said as he kissed Belle. He carried her over the threshold and put her back to her feet. "You will like the place."
"It's enormous," Belle said, nodding.
She looked pleased with the house. How could she not be? Gaston patted her on her head. "And not just the house," he whispered in her ear. "You will be impressed later."
"With what? The garden?"
He threw his head in his neck and let out a booming laugh. "Good joke, Belle," he said, smirking. If she was thinking about the garden she would be in for a big surprise! "The garden!" he snickered.
He opened the door to the living room and walked in. The entire village had already gathered here and in the garden. Belle looked shy as she followed him. His wife wasn't used to being the center of attention. She would learn fast enough. Starting tomorrow, respected wives like the mayor's and vicar's wife would show her the tricks.
One of the triplets gave him a mug of beer. "Thanks, Veronique," he said with a wink, to make sure she wouldn't be too sad about losing the chance to marry him herself. The poor girl.
He turned to the crowd and gave them his famous smile. He took a swig of beer. This tastes good, he thought, pleased. He would have a lot more of these tonight! He raised his mug and started his speech. "Friends, it was a long hunt, but I can finally say: she's mine!" he said as he placed his arm around Belle's waist.
He looked at his wife and could barely control himself. He swallowed the last bit of beer and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before pulling Belle closer to him. He kissed her intensely on her mouth. He could feel his bride was surprised, but he could also feel her enjoyment. Exactly how he wanted her to react. Good to know that she was not submissive, when he kissed her. It would actually be better if she wrapped her leg around his; that way she would be even closer to him. But he could teach her later what she should do. No time for details now. They displayed the perfect happy couple now. The entire village was watching and no doubt jealous of him. As they should be.
"We are going to stay for half an hour," he whispered to her. "And then I am going to show you something really impressive."
"People are watching!" Belle said as she tried to catch her breath. It was flattering that Gaston desired her so much, but there was something in Gaston's kisses that worried her. No. She shouldn't go thinking about whatever it was. This was her wedding day, the happiest day of her life, she shouldn't go looking for problems. But the nagging thought wouldn't leave her: It felt possessive.
"Let them watch," he said with a smile. He kept kissing her and went from her lips to her jaw to her neck. "You enjoy this."
I do? Belle thought. She hadn't really thought about whether or not she enjoyed it. But Gaston probably knew what he was talking about. If he said that she enjoyed this, she probably did. Gaston's hand moved over her back. Lower and lower. I have to enjoy this. This is my husband kissing me. Touching me. I have to enjoy this!
Belle closed her eyes and tried to think of something else. She tried to remember something she really loved, to see if the feeling was the same. What was the moment she was the most happy? That was easy: her memories of true happiness were when she was lying in the grass on a sunny day with a good book. That was the moment when she felt all warm inside. When nothing on the world could bother her. When she was in her own world. A world filled with books… My books! Her books were still at her father's house!
Her eyes flew open and she tried to look around, but as Gaston was still kissing her, that wasn't easy. He had now moved back to her mouth and he was holding her chin with his fingers, making it impossible for her to see anything else besides him.
From the corner of her eye she didn't see a single bookcase in the living room. The walls were filled with paintings of her husband, antlers and other trophies. It was richly decorated and it felt like Gaston's house. But not even one book! She did see a cupboard in the corner of the room, which was so small it probably only held some porcelain. What was she supposed to do all day?
The other night Gaston had told her that he didn't like her to ask questions. And she knew that he didn't really like her reading. She looked back at her husband. Would he object? She couldn't go through her married life without asking questions and she could definitely not go through life without books. She bit her lower lip and hesitated. Now that he was in such a good mood, this was the moment to ask him.
She tried to free herself from his embrace. Luckily he let go of her this time. "Gaston, can I ask you for a favor?" she asked with a smile.
"Anything for my bride."
Oh thank God! He is not angry, Belle thought, relieved. Now all she had to do was ask the question. She swallowed and opened her mouth to speak, only at that moment he went with his fingers through her hair. It felt really nice, but it didn't look like he was paying attention to what she said. He planted another kiss on her lips. And another one.
"Tomorrow I'd like to go to my house…" she started. It was distracting when Gaston kept kissing her like this. Was he even listening? "I mean my father's house, and pick up some of my books."
Immediately, Gaston let go off her and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What kind of books?" he asked suspiciously.
Belle felt less secure. But she had to go on. Her books were important to her. She had to have them with her. "Well, it's just… I want, I mean I would like… Not all of them, just some of my favorite books, I have collected so many-"
He shook his head. "No," he said as he held her by her shoulders and looked at her sincerely. "No more reading for you."
"But Gaston," she tried. This was important. Her books meant a lot to her and now that she was married that hadn't changed. She had to make him understand.. She straightened her shoulders and looked at him. "My books are important to me," she said sternly.
Suddenly all the people around her fell silent.
Gaston's expression changed within a second. He grabbed her arm forcibly and led her away from the group of people. He led her to a hallway. "Never contradict me," he said through gritted teeth. "Especially not in public. Is that clear?"
For a moment Belle forgot how dependent she was on Gaston's goodwill. She pulled back her arm and rubbed the place where Gaston had gripped her. "Don't treat me like a child," she snapped back at him. "I am your wife!"
"Exactly and as my wife, your duty is to obey me!" Gaston hissed. "And I say, you're not bringing in any of those books!" He pronounced it as if he meant something terribly disgusting.
"Those books?" Belle repeated, insulted. How was this possible? She had been reading as long as she could remember., at any time and at any place. Gaston must have known that. And he had fallen in love with her. This was who she was: a girl who loved to read. Maybe she had to explain it a bit more. He had to understand this.
Before she could open her mouth, Gaston sat down on the stairs and pulled her onto his lap. "Belle, you have more important things on your mind. You are a wife now. You are going to be a mother," he said, sounding very sincere.
She wanted to protest. Even as a wife and mother she could still read. She wanted to read stories to her children! Was he always like this? Even during their engagement? She didn't remember.
"Besides," he continued as he put her hair behind her ear. He smiled at her, but it was a cold smile. His eyes were narrowed. "Those fairy tales made you lose touch with reality. We can't let that happen again. You don't want to go back to the Maison, now do you?"
Her mouth fell open and she gasped softly. Was that possible, that if she started reading again he would send her back out of fear she would get a nervous breakdown again? His own wife? "No," she whispered. He was right; she was his wife now and she had to obey him. He could send her away without any problem. He had done it when she was not even married to him.
"I'm serious, Belle. No more silly stories," he said as he put her back on her feet. "The only thing you will read from now on are cookbooks."
Belle looked up at him. She was completely taken aback with the suggestion. No more books. How could she live without books? She couldn't imagine her life without her stories! Fairy tales, plays, poems, myths, legends! And she had to give up everything? It was not fair.
"Cookbooks?" she said in astonishment after a moment.
"Belle, don't look at me like that," he said, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "I'm not doing this to tease you, I know what is best for you."
He says this because he loves me, she explained to herself. He doesn't want to bring me back to the Maison. I have to make this work!She sighed. Maybe it is indeed best for me… Somehow she found that hard to believe.
"I thank you for your concern," she said, trying to smooth things over. She had to prove that she would try her best to be a good wife to him. Later, maybe she could find a way to get him to compromise on this. "Where do I find the cookbooks?" she asked, smiling.
"You'll find them in the kitchen. I think," he answered. He opened the door to the living room and beckoned one of the girls to come over. "Michelle!"
One of the triplets looked up from handing out drinks. She put down her tray and came immediately.
"Take Belle to the kitchen and show her the cookbooks. You know what I like," he said with a smile. He let go of Belle and left her standing in the hall. "Veronique! More beer!" he yelled.
"Coming, Gaston!" Veronique purred as she walked by Belle.
He mingled among the guests. He took another mug and laughed with some of his friends. They were slapping him on the back, congratulating him.
Belle looked at her husband. Was this their first fight? Over her books? Could she live without books? And what about smiling at Michelle? She felt she was missing something here. Gaston must have always known that she liked books; that was part of who she was. And he had fallen in love with who she was. At least that's what she thought. He couldn't expect her to change such a big part of her life. Could he?
Her head was so full of questions, it took a few seconds before she realized that Michelle was pulling at her sleeve.
"Belle?" Michelle asked. "The kitchen is this way."
As Belle followed Michelle to the kitchen, she heard Veronique's high-pitched giggle behind her. She looked over her shoulder, but turned away immediately when she saw that Gaston had put his arm around Veronique's waist. He was whispering something into her ear. The girl giggled again. Very loudly.
Do you really think he's just ordering more beer? a voice in the back of Belle's head nagged. She decided to ignore the voice in her head. Not today, not on her wedding day. Whatever Gaston was whispering to Veronique, she was now his wife. That was more important than Veronique's giggle. It probably meant nothing. At least that was what she hoped.
She stepped into the kitchen and tried to focus on her new purpose in life: being a wife to Gaston. And a good start would indeed be looking into what he liked to eat. The way to a man's heart was through his stomach, as the saying went. Her eyes widened when she looked around the kitchen. Oh my… The kitchen was so much larger than she had expected! At least twice as large as the kitchen in her father's house. It was large enough to cook for an entire orphanage! The stove alone was almost as wide as the entire wall!
But finally there on the table was the first book she saw in the house. A cookbook of course. She flipped through the pages. Recipe after recipe, all with venison. She closed the book and looked at the title: The Deer Hunter's Cookbook. Oh dear… this was not very promising, she wasn't very good at cooking venison. It always turned out tasting like leather.
"Gaston loves stew, venison or beef," Michelle said as she took out a few cookbooks from a
shelf. "Never offer him any kind of fowl or poultry, unless he shot it himself."
Belle sat down at the table and looked at the cookbooks. Was this really all she could read from now on? How many table spoons of salt to use? How many carrots and onions? It didn't sound too appealing!
Hmmm… A little thought sneaked into her head. "Does Gaston ever come here?" she asked.
"No of course not, this is a woman's territory. Gaston never comes here," Michelle assured Belle with a laugh. "Where is it?" she murmured to herself as she looked through several books. "There is a recipe with venison I've made for Gaston many times, he loves it. If you can master this, he'll be yours forever!"
If Gaston never came here, it should be possible to keep her books in here. Maybe even in the bindings of a different book, like this cookbook? She flipped through the pages again, it was thick enough. If she memorized the recipes or write them down on a new piece of paper, she could hide something in it. He would never know…
Do I really want to risk it? she thought, distressed. Gaston had just basically told her that if he caught her reading, he would send her back to the Maison. She heard Gaston's laughter coming from the living room. If he ever set foot in here and found even one book, he would be angry with her. She should not even tempt him.
Not even one thin book? the voice in her head suggested. 'Classic fairytales' would fit perfectly between those pots and pans on the bottom shelf. Gaston will never see it. You have to do something while you boil potatoes. Why not read a story you love?
"No!" Belle said out loud. She was not going to lie to her husband or hide things from him. Gaston had offered her a home, everything a girl dreamed off. She had to do everything possible to keep it.
"Did you say something?" Michelle asked as she looked up from the books.
"No, I didn't," Belle answered. "Please, continue. What does Gaston like for breakfast?"
"Oh, in the morning make him eggs, lots of eggs!" Michelle laughed as she pointed at one of the many recipes. "I usually bring… I mean brought eggs from our own chickens, but maybe it's better to get a henhouse. That man can easily eat four dozen eggs!" she left the books on the table and opened a cupboard and took two cups out. "I don't know about you, but I could use something to drink." Michelle opened another cupboard and took out a bottle of water.
As Belle watched Michelle, the thoughts about her books went to the background. Something more important was going on here. She realized that Michelle knew her way around this kitchen. It was clear that the girl had been here many times. That actually alarmed her more than Gaston's arm around Veronique's waist or that giggle. Michelle knew exactly where everything was placed. She knew what Gaston liked to eat for dinner. For breakfast. Michelle looked so at ease in this kitchen. Her kitchen!
"Michelle… how do you know all this?" she asked hesitantly. Did she really want to hear the answer to that question? She wasn't blind; she could easily think of an explanation for Michelle's behavior. She had to know the truth.
"What Gaston likes? He usually comes to the tavern to eat." Michelle avoided looking at Belle. She kept her eyes on her cup of water.
"Yes, I understand that, but you do know your way very well around this kitchen," Belle tried to clarify her question. She wanted to hear it from the girl. "You look like you are in your own kitchen."
"When Gaston is ill, I come here to cook," Michelle answered.
That was clearly a lie. And did she imagine it, or was Michelle blushing? This was not going well. " I didn't know Gaston ever got ill. I was under the impression my husband was as strong as on ox."
"Oh, he is!"
Belle had to be more blunt. Only if she knew for sure what was going on here could she do something about it. She couldn't change her husband's behavior, but she could try to do something about the girl's. "Let me rephrase it then: Do you plan to cook in this kitchen more often?"
"Of course not! This kitchen is yours now!" Michelle replied without hesitating. "I wouldn't dare…"
"Good," Belle muttered. Not only her books could mean a threat to her marriage, but also this and other girls.
"How do you like the kitchen?" Gaston asked as they walked back into the living room.
"Well, it's very large," Belle said as she joined his side.
Gaston started to grin, "Yes, with a large family, you'll need a large kitchen!" The men standing around her husband all laughed. "Go upstairs. There is a surprise for you in the first room on your right," he said with a smirk.
"I love surprises."
"I'm just full of surprises," Gaston whispered. "And I have another big surprise planned for later tonight."
"I can't wait," Belle said uneasy. Somehow she wasn't really keen on finding out what Gaston meant.
"Neither can I…" he added as he gazed into her eyes. He patted her on her behind. "Now upstairs with you!" he laughed.
Belle went up the stairs and opened the first door on the right, like Gaston had told her. She stopped in the doorway, making Michelle bump into her. Oh my…
With trepidation, Belle walked into the room . She looked around and let out a sigh. It was a bedroom, but not the master bedroom. Here there were not one, not two, but three cribs,, each with a little stuffed animal inside it. The room also held an open chest full of toys. All three beds were made, ready for a baby or toddler to get into bed.
"Oh my…" was all she managed to get out.
"Belle? What's wrong?" Michelle asked, confused.
"How can he expect me-" she blurted out, more to herself than to Michelle."And does he mean three at once? Or three right after each other?"
"Gaston is just enthusiastic," Michelle tried to reassure her. "He always wanted to have a large family."
Seven sons. Strapping boys, like him. His words echoed in her head. Three at once? Getting triplets? Does he really think I can give him three children at once? She was now used to the idea that she would be a mother within a year. But to see it in front of her like this… She had to get out of here.
She went through a side door, finding herself in the master bedroom. There was a huge... no not huge, a gigantic four poster bed in the center of the room. Like the rest of the house, everything was made from dark wood: the bed, the cupboards, a vanity. It all looked so luxurious. There were two full- length mirrors and a vanity.
Belle sat down on the bed. She had to let everything she had seen sink in. She was married now and Gaston was very eager to fill the house with children. And apparently within the shortest possible time. Could she do this? Then a thought occurred to her: once she was with child, she would be safe. Gaston would never send the mother of his children to an asylum.
She had to be what Gaston wanted her to be if she wanted to stay out of the Maison. She noticed the red dress Gaston had bought her hanging over the back of a chair.
Adam, Cogsworth and the guards finally arrived in the village. It was alarmingly quiet. There was not a single soul out on the streets.
"Where is everybody…?" Adam asked as they rode through the village. "What's going on here?"
"It's a ghost town," Cogsworth muttered. "Maybe it's some disease… Something contagious."
Then suddenly they saw the only form of life. In front of a house on the market square there was a horse and cart. The cart was fully loaded with suitcases. Someone was about to leave this place. Adam clenched the reins and spurred his horse. If that Gaston fellow and Belle come out of that house, he is a dead man!
To his surprise, it wasn't Gaston nor Belle coming out of the house.
"Monsieur Dijon? Where are you going?" Adam asked.
"What do you want?" Monsieur Dijon said aggressively before turning around. When he did, he dropped his keys and bowed immediately. "I'm so sorry!" he apologized. "I didn't know she was already back in town!"
"Where is she?"
"You're too late. Belle is married, to that-" The man was too upset to talk. "And I'm leaving too."
"Where is she?" Adam insisted, raising his voice.
Monsieur Dijon pointed to a large house on the other side of the square. "That big house over there, that's where Madame Gaston de Soleil now lives."
Belle looked at herself in the mirror. The red dress was completely different than what she was used to wearing. Couldn't she wear her regular blue dress? As she smiled at her reflection, she tried to imitate Veronique's giggle. It felt uncomfortable. If this was what her husband wanted, he should get it. Anything to keep him happy. I have to keep him happy, she thought determined. I don't want to go back!
She giggled once more, her tone of voice a little higher. She turned back to Michelle. "How did that sound?"
"It doesn't sound like you," Michelle shrugged. "And that dress…"
"Gaston told me yesterday that it looks good on me," Belle said insecurely as she studied her appearance. It didn't look like her. She looked more like one of the triplets, aside from the fact that she had brown hair. It felt wrong. Was this really what she needed to do to make Gaston happy and keep herself out of the asylum? Turn herself into something completely different? Shouldn't her husband love her for who she was? Her mind was spinning. "He said he liked how I look in it," she said, trying to convince herself.
Michelle stood next to her and looked at her. "Yes, this is what Gaston likes," she said.
Belle took another look at Michelle and then at herself. They could easily pass as sisters now. The triplets were what Gaston liked. She had to do everything she could to keep his attention and keep herself safe.
"Your Highness, please stay calm!" Cogsworth warned as Adam dismounted his horse, ready to storm in.
Adam waved away Cogsworth's words. This was not the time to hesitate, it was time for action! "I need to speak to Belle! I need to hear it from her own lips!"
"Control yourself!" Cogsworth said as he ran after the prince, stopping him before he could open the door. "Behave like the prince you are. Show those peasants that you are far above them. Your word is law!"
"All I want to see Belle!" Adam said angrily.
"Leave the guards outside. Let me introduce you," Cogsworth went on.
"This is not the time for correct protocol!"
Cogsworth didn't answer. He stood up straight and straightened his shoulders, making Adam do the same. "Trust me, your Highness. You have to show you are in control of the situation."
If there is one thing I'm not… "All right, but if I don't see Belle within two minutes, I call for the guards. And I'll search the house myself!"
Cogsworth opened the door and went in first. He stepped into a crowded room, coughed and then said loudly: "Mesdames et Messieurs, His Royal Highness Prince Adam, Prince of France!"
All eyes turned to the door. The talking and the cheering stopped immediately.
Gaston hadn't really noticed that someone had come in uninvited, nor had he heard what was said. He did turn to the door, and saw the one person coming in who he didn't want to see for the rest of his life. He rolled his eyes "Oh no, not you again," he moaned. "What do you want?"
"I want Belle!" Adam stated simply. Controlling himself was the hardest thing he had ever done. He actually wanted to force the man to bring Belle here now.
Gaston was happy that Belle was upstairs and not here. He stepped forward and grinned. "You are talking about my wife. We were married this morning." Then his grin faded, and suddenly he yelled: "And now: GET OUT!"
Adam also stepped forward, now standing face to face with the man he hated so much. "You can't tell a prince what to do," he smirked.
"What prince?" Gaston laughed hysterically. "No one has seen the prince in years! Who knows, he's probably already dead!"
Adam grabbed the man by his collar. "I am the heir to the throne of France and I order you to show me Belle!"
With little trouble Gaston freed himself from the grasp. "I am not giving my wife to some noble."
"I want her now!" Adam yelled. "Or I'll have you beheaded!"
The two men were standing opposite each other, both breathing heavily, both ready to attack. Gaston felt strong. He was married to Belle, in front of God and everybody here! Not even some noble could do anything about that! Belle was his!
Adam was about to get the guards in and arrest everyone here. He would turn the place upside down! He would find Belle today and hear from her if she wanted to stay married to this man or not. He would see immediately if she was here against her will or not! Belle was his!
All of a sudden Lefou stumbled into the room. Already he had had more beer than his little body could handle. "Hey everyone, there are guards and horses outside, and the saddles have the…" He hiccupped, interrupting himself. "The royal arms."
Immediately the people started to whisper. Guards… the royal arms… Was it indeed possible that this man was the prince? What did the prince want with Belle?
"Shut up!" Gaston shouted in frustration. He felt he had lost the trust of the people in the room. They didn't believe him! He saw several slightly bowing, and a few women dropped into a curtsey. "STAND UP! He's not a prince and he can't have Belle!" he yelled. "Belle is my wife!"
"Belle is mine!" Adam shouted back. "Do you honestly think she'd want you when she could have someone like me?"
That was the last straw for Gaston. He was the best thing a girl like Belle could ever get. And no one was allowed to say otherwise! He grabbed a knife from the table and held it against the throat of the man. "Belle is my wife. In every way," he panted. " And there is nothing you can do about it!"
Adam choked.
"GUARDS!" Cogsworth shouted. "Seize him!"
"What's going on downstairs?" Belle looked at Michelle. She heard several screams, but couldn't make out what was happening. She opened the door to the hallway and looked down the stairs. She saw Gaston holding a knife against the throat of someone she didn't know. Everything that happened after it went so fast, she could hardly keep track.
Several armed soldiers stormed into the house and grabbed Gaston's arms, forcing him to drop the knife. The guests fled in panic from the house, the women were screaming, some children were crying. Right after that, the guards forced Gaston to the floor, keeping his head down. Belle didn't know what was going on, but she couldn't stand here and do nothing!
She ran down the stairs and stood between Gaston and the guards. "Monsieur, I'm so sorry!" she tried to explain to the stranger. She only noticed now that he was a nobleman. She curtseyed quickly and talked as fast as she could. She had to help! "Please forgive my husband! It's our wedding day! He didn't mean to offend or threaten you! We've been through a stressful time - I have been ill and I had to go away for a while to get better and now I am finally back to get married and I am so sorry he did this to you! He didn't mean it!" She took a deep breath. "Let him go!"
"Belle…" Adam gasped. What had happened to Belle. Shelookslikea…He couldn't even finish the thought. "What are you wearing?"
"My husband picked out this dress for me," Belle answered, confused. What had her dress to do with anything? She looked at Gaston who was still on his knees. With tears in her eyes she asked: "Please, let my husband go."
My husband, Adam closed his eyes for a second. It couldn't be. She couldn't really mean that she was actually married to that man. He watched her as she dropped to her knees and spoke softly to the one whom she considered her husband! With that low cut dress and her hair up like that… she didn't even look like his Belle anymore. The girl who yelled at him when she took care of his wounds. The girl who looked at him without fear. The girl who broke the spell. He could hear her sob. Everything was lost. She had a husband and it was not him.
"Please monsieur, let him go," she begged. "He will apologize for his behavior!"
"Belle, you are humiliating me!" Gaston said angrily. He couldn't get up and the guards weren't even the biggest problem. Belle was trying to rescue him from this situation. Like he needed to be rescued! And he didn't like that she was in the same room as this man. This man, who pretended to be a prince to claim what was not his. Belle was Gaston's! And she had to do what he said!
Adam gestured to the guards to let go of the man. He had hoped that Belle would recognize him the moment she saw him - that she would see that with or without fangs and fur, he was still the same. But how could she? She had never seen him like this.
Gaston stood up from the floor, brushing off the dust from his knees. Immediately Belle came to his side and hugged him. He put his arm around her, keeping her face away from that man and his guards. Even if this man was a prince, he could not have her.
There was one last thing Adam could try. She had to know. "Belle, it's me. Adam."
Belle's mouth fell open. She recognized that voice, but it couldn't be true! "Adam," she whispered as she let go of Gaston and turned to the stranger. No, it could not be! Adam didn't exist! Her breath sped up and she started to feel dizzy. Her head started to hurt. No, Adam doesn't exist! The Beast, the castle! It's not real. It must be a test…
She turned back to Gaston. "Please, don't send me back to the Maison! I have told you I have changed! Adam doesn't exist!" She grabbed the front of Gaston's jacket and started to cry. "Don't send me back, I'm your wife, you can't send your wife to the Maison."
Gaston had no idea what Belle was talking about or who Adam was, but it was good that she referred to herself as his wife. He had nothing to worry about. "Belle, I want you to go upstairs," he said as he patted her on her head. "You are tired, you'd better lie down. I'll settle this." He smiled at her. Oh yes, he would settle this. That man would leave now and he would then go upstairs and do what he had been waiting for all day.
"You are not sending me away?" she said with tears in her eyes. She was holding onto Gaston's arm.
"Of course not, we are married now. Go lie down on our bed. I'll be right with you."
"Belle!" Adam shouted. "Don't listen to him, he locked you up! He doesn't love you! No man in his right mind would ever lock up the one he loves! "
Belle looked from Gaston to Adam. She was confused. If this was Adam… Then what had happened? What was going on here? Why did Gaston send her to the Maison?
In her eyes, Adam saw a glimpse of the girl who came to his castle. He smiled at her and reached out his hand to her. All she had to do was take his hand and then they could get out of here.
Gaston watched as Belle let go of his hand. He could see that she wanted to walk over to that man! That couldn't happen! Gaston pulled her back immediately. "Do as I say, Belle! You are my wife and you have to do as I say!" he yelled at her. Suddenly he got an idea. He kissed her vigorously on her mouth, making sure that fake-prince knew that Belle was his wife!
He's kissing her! Aggressively Adam pushed the man out of the way and grabbed Belle by her shoulders. "I am so sorry, for all I have done to you," he said, his throat getting dry. He had to say it now. He had to say everything he had never been able to say. "I never should have let you go to your father alone. I should have gone with you to protect you. Giving you the mirror as a memory wasn't enough. I love you, Belle."
"It can't be," Belle whispered.
"It's really me," Adam assured her, nodding. "I was under a spell, but your love set me free. This is who I really am." He took her hand and gently kissed it. "I'm so sorry it took me so long to get here."
Belle narrowed her eyes and reached out to the man's face. For a moment she hesitated before she touched a lock of his hair. Could it be really him? He sounded like Adam, but it was impossible. When she pushed the hair away from his face, she had a clearer look at his eyes. His eyes looked the same. They were as blue as the Beast's… they looked like Adam's… No, Adam was a figment of her imagination.
"But I made you up," she said in confusion. "Because I was lonely. And scared."
"So was I, but when I met you, everything changed. I changed." Adam smiled. "I assure you, I am real and I am here to take you home."
"Home?"
He nodded. "I already have given you the library," he said. "I want to give you so much more: the castle, the gardens...But most of all, I want to give you my heart."
"Oh Adam," Belle placed her hand over her mouth and sighed. "It is you!"
No. No! NO! This could not be! He had planned everything so incredibly carefully. The Maison, her father, Belle… He had done everything to make Belle his. It was the longest hunt of his life! He had won the fight! She was married to him! Willingly! She didn't give him those disdainful looks anymore! She looked at him with awe and adoration! She was standing here in the dress he had bought for her... and now there was this man who was ruining everything?
He had won! Belle was his wife now! She had given in! And no one, not even a prince could take her away from him!
Belle is mine!
He saw the knife on the floor. There was only one thing he could do… If he couldn't have Belle… "THEN NOBODY CAN!"
