Sorry for the late update. Got stuck between the holidays XD

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Chapter 33 – Days 23 to 27: A Golden Cage

The hero of Armithil gave a good fight. He was strong and talented in the arts of sword fighting. He fought courageously and even defeated three of the guards. But he was outnumbered. In no time, he was subdued by the king's men.

"Princess Belle! Get yourself out of here!" He pleaded as the guards dragged him out of the square. "Forget about me! Just get yourself in safety!" He screamed before a guard had enough of him and hit him unconscious. Belle flinched at the blow and turned around. She too was surrounded by the king's men. How in Earth was she supposed to escape?

"Princess Belle, my Lady. Do not worry. I wish you no harm." King George spoke in a fake kindly tone. "Take her to her chambers." He coldly ordered. "I'll be seeing you later on, at diner."

Belle was taken to her chambers where she spent the long hours of the afternoon alone, wondering in fear what awaited her in the future. Lunch was brought, but she didn't touch it. She was a prisoner in King George's court. All she could think about was to run away, but all ways were well secured. The king was not letting her go that easily. Later, in the evening, maids came to assist her with her bathing and brought a new dress. As soon as Belle saw it, she hated it. It was the color of blood, long and tight to the body, designed to accentuate her womanly curves and was open all the way in the back. This was a dress that screamed out passion and evoked lust and desire. Belle was terrified. More than ever she wanted to run away. She wanted to hide in the dark, she wanted to mingle with the blackness of the night. For the first time in her life, Belle wished she was ugly.

The princess was escorted to the Dining Hall. A long wooden table lay on the middle of it. King George sat on one end of it.

"Ah, beautiful Princess Belle. Please, sit." The king gestured at the chair on the other end of the long table. The princess walked slowly in the ample room, her heels echoing on the marble floor. She didn't like the look the king was giving her.

"You wished to talk with me, my Lord?" Belle politely asked, trying to hide all fears that were tormenting her. King George's grin widened at the title. How he desired to listen her address him with those words in a very different context.

"Yes, I do. First, I want to apologize for the confusion from earlier. Lord Gaston… he was out of his mind. Do not worry about him. He'll be fine. I only sent him to the dungeons so he could cool off a little."

"So, you will free him later on?" The princess asked hopefully.

"Well, it depends on you, actually. You see, after analyzing carefully the few options our reigns have, I came to a conclusion. One Lord Gaston didn't really approve, I'm afraid." He paused staring contented at his prize. Belle swallowed dry. She already knew what he was about to say and she knew exactly what she would answer. "Only a marriage between our kingdoms can create an alliance strong enough to engage in such a war during such difficult times for Leostille." He paused, to see if the princess reacted, but she just stared coldly at him. "Princess Belle. What I am proposing is a marriage between the Lord of Leostille and the Lady of Armithil."

"I am afraid I must decline, my Lord. I am already betrothed to Lord Gaston." She spoke decisively. The king looked somewhat disappointed, but he still wasn't ready to give up.

"Think about it wisely, Princess Belle. Lord Gaston is in the dungeons and the only reason his head is still attached to his neck is out of respect for you. You accept our marriage, and I'll free him. But refuse and it will be his life on your conscience. Not to mention, our union will strengthen both our kingdoms. I will be willing to send all my armies to the Ogres Wars if needed to free your castle and your father."

Belle glared at the king with hate and disgust. Those were strong arguments, but cruel ones too. This was not an option. This was blackmail. Demanding her to trade her freedom to save others. To save Gaston. To save her father. Belle would be a sacrifice for Armithil, if she accepted the marriage. If she refused, she was turning her back on everybody she loved and cared. Her hands were trembling and she felt a knot in her trough. The beauty had to fight the tears back. Forget about me! Just get yourself in safety! Had been Gaston's words. But could see do it? She had to think about Rumpelstiltskin rejecting her because of the society's rules. She had to think about Lady Aurora and her challenges against the powerful men's world. She had to think about her father's words before farewell. Who was right?

"King George." Belle suddenly spoke with a firm voice. "Marriage is out of question. If you are not willing to answer Armithil's call for help otherwise, I see no reason for Armithil and Leostille to remain allies. Obviously you will only aid my kingdom if I give up my freedom."

"Careful, Lady Belle." King George was now becoming really upset. He had not expected this unyielding and decisive answer. He had expected her to vacillate, beg in tears to spare her betrothed, become his in order to save her father. Never had he expected her to stand her ground. "You don't really have a choice. Think well about it. Who else will come to Armithil's help? Marry me and all your worries will end."

"I am the heiress of Armithil and I will decide if there are no other options. I will not marry you!" Belle shouted for the king's surprise. She got up from her chair, looking stunning in her rage. "Our alliance comes to an end right here, right now!" She spoke dangerously. Belle glared only a second at the still surprised king. She turned her back to him and walked quickly and determinately out of Dining Room. But guards barred her way and the doors were closed shut before her.

"Princess Belle. You do understand you are not in the position of refusing any of my requests. You are alone in my castle and your dear shining knight is imprisoned. You are powerless." He spoke coldly from the other end of the table. Belle stood rooted before the closed doors. She thought she would through up at any moment. "Now that we are clear about it, why don't you sit back on your chair and enjoy dinner, while I'll tell you what's going to happen?" The princess, not having any choice, turned around and sat back on her chair. But her meal remained untouched. "In a week time, my son will marry Lady Abigail." King George started. "I've decided to make it a double wedding. But don't you worry my dear. Until then, you will remain in your chambers and have the benefit of privacy. I like to build up the anticipation. But I promise you, in our wedding night, I will put out that little fire inside of you. From that night on, you'll be mine and you'll obey me!"

The following days were hell. Belle had remained cool the whole dinner and had touched nothing of the food, for the king's displeasure. But when she arrived her chambers and was alone in her solitude, she released all her fears and despairs and cried helplessly. For the first time in her life, Belle felt truly alone. She was locked in a golden cage, with all the beauty of luxury, but caring for nothing of it. She would give anything to sleep again on the hard cold floor and under the starry night, but safe and free. Now, each day that passed on, was a day closer to her wedding night. She was frightened and had already a piece of broken glass hidden in her dress, prepared to attack the king if he would attempt to touch her.

But King George had been truthful to his words. He would not lay a finger on her until the wedding, preferring his eagerness to grow within the day, feeding himself with passionate fantasies. He had spared Gaston, just to have the pleasure in letting the knight see his beloved bride marry and become submissive to him. The wedding wasn't even announced. It would only be revealed on the day itself. To surprise all guests and impress them with the beauty of his future wife. King George was not the kind type of king. He was selfish and cruel. He was used to have things in his way.

Prince James and Princess Abigail arrived in a lovely sunny morning. Both hid well their reluctance in getting married. Prince James thinking constantly in his brief encounter with Snow White; Princess Abigail still loving the ghost of Frederick. King George was jubilant with their arrival and did not resist in boasting about Belle. Of course, he twisted the story to his favor, making it sound like Belle had agreed without any resistance. He explained them he was keeping it secret, to surprise the world, much to James and Abigail's surprise. Both found the whole idea strange.

"I would love to meet her!" Princess Abigail said overenthusiastic. In truth, she was desperate to talk with another woman about her unwillingness in marrying James. King George hesitated, which did not pass unnoticed by the couple. "Please, I really need to have a girl's talk after this long and exhausting travel." She whined in her very annoying but convincing way. The king smiled and agreed. What harm could such a "little girl's chat" do?

Belle was surprised to see a young woman enter her chamber, looking truly beautiful in her outfit. She quickly stood up and Abigail did not miss her paleness and rings under her eyes.

"Princess Belle?" The beauty nodded, forcing a smile. "Hi, I'm Princess Abigail, from the Golden City." She kindly said. Belle smiled sadly.

"Oh, right. You are to marry Prince James." Her voice was in the edge of cracking. Abigail felt the pit of her stomach. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

"Belle, what's the matter?" The blond princess asked, resting her hand on the other girl's shoulder. Now that she stood closer, Abigail saw Belle looked exhausted, sick and frail. Her eyes were teary and her whole body was shaking.

"I'm to marry King George in the same day as you." Belle said with a trembling voice. "He is forcing me to marry him!" The first sobs were released. She finally had somebody to open her heart to. It didn't matter if it was a total stranger. It didn't matter if they had just met. Abigail was a woman. And that was all that mattered. "I'm so scared! He's going to rape me!" All her fears were expressed in one single sentence and she burst into desperate and hopeless tears.

Abigail held the girl in her arms. She had come with the intention to talk about her own worries, to find out it was the other princess who was truly troubled. She was shocked to hear the girl was forced into marriage and suddenly all King George's secrecy made sense. Abigail feared for the girl. Even though they were perfect strangers, she was ready to defend and help Belle out of this horrible situation. It was like a universal womanly instinct. An unwritten code that all women, from all different ages, races and social classes knew by birth. And so she consoled Belle and the tormented princess told her the true version of King George's cruel plan.

"Prince James." The former shepherd turned around. He stood just behind Belle's door, knowing his fiancée was inside. He held on his right hand something wrapped on a linen cloth and was waiting for Abigail to leave. "What are you doing here?" Was his future wife's question.

"Ehm…I need to see Princess Belle. I have something I have to give her." He said almost embarrassed. He realized it wasn't probably very appropriate of him to stand outside a woman's room in the noble class world, but he was still getting used to all formalities and protocols.

"I'm glad you are here. Come in. We need to talk." Abigail hurriedly spoke.

Even though she was not excited with the prospect of marrying James, she spent enough time with him the last days to understand he had a good heart. After Belle's revelation, she had come to the decision of asking help to her fiancée, who, surprisingly, was already standing outside Belle's door. James entered confused. But as soon as he stepped in the room, he realized something was wrong. Belle was indeed beautiful, but she was too pale, looking too tired and he could see she had been crying recently. Abigail closed the door behind him.

"Your father, Kind George is forcing the poor girl to marry him. Her betrothed, Lord Gaston is imprisoned in the dungeons. I cannot allow this to happen." Princess Abigail spoke firmly, defending the too weak and defeated princess of Armithil.

"Forced?" James gasped shocked. "Nobody should be forced to marry somebody they don't love." He spoke with great conviction. Abigail stared completely surprised, while Belle smiled for the first time in days, of pure joy and relieve. "I will help you in whatever you need. This I swear." He spoke honestly and bowed to Belle, whose smile widened, revealing her true beauty.

This was quite an exciting and enerving chapter to write. Keep up to the next exciting chapters :)

Have a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2013

Próspero Ano Novo 2012

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