"Hi Belle."
"Um, hi." She blinks at the sudden appearance of her sisters. "Did you need me for something?"
Penny nods. "The prince is interested in dragons."
"We want you to teach us about them." Jaz continues.
"Don't you think that would be boring?"
"But it will make him interested in us." Penny pleads.
"That's not what I meant. I'll teach you if you want, but think about it. Every other girl here is going to be discussing dragons tonight. Why not offer him a different subject of conversation?
Her sisters stare at her. "Like what?"
"How should I know?"
"You two are always talking." Jaz accuses.
"Well, yeah. But he normally initiates the conversations. Besides it's not like we have set subjects." She rests her chin on her hand, thinking. "Let's see. He's interested in magic and science. But neither of you have a background in either of those. How about politics?" Her sisters stare at her blankly from their seats across the table. "Ah, um...right. Subjects you might be interested in as well." She settles back to think. "How about history? I know you both took lessons about the kingdom's history when we were elite class." Jaz gives a tentative maybe and Penny downright refuses. "What about music Penny? You are quite skilled at the piano."
"Would the prince be interested in that?"
"I really don't know. I don't think it actually matters, just as long as the topic is something you're interested in and knowledgeable about and isn't incredibly girly. He doesn't mind discussing things he doesn't understand." Her sisters still eye her warily and she sighs reluctantly. "Alright, sit down." She capitulates. "I'll tell you about dragons."
!
A few hours later finds Belle still attempting to write her aunt. She gives up, and snatching the letter she escapes to Tom's laboratory.
She tries the door, but it's locked. He must be in the middle of an experiment. She considers returning later, so she doesn't interrupt, but the castle unlocks the door. Belle just shrugs and opens it.
"Hey Tom," she calls, knocking on the doorframe to gain his attention, "Mind if I come in?"
"Not at all." He nods at the chair opposite his worktop, eyes never leaving the frothing beaker as he pours in a flask of clear liquid. "Give me a minute to finish this experiment."
"Sure." She settles in to watch him work. Tom's alchemy always fascinates Belle. He is calm, and careful as he deftly mixes substances, each of his movements is calculated, and precise. It's a talent she's attempted in all her chemistry endeavors, but she's never been able to replicate. Her abilities lie more in theory than application. He adds a large purple crystal and the beaker expells a puff of smoke. Tom smiles in satisfaction, before settling in the chair next to her.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
She offers an innocent smile.
"Don't give me that look, I know you and you would not have interrupted when my door was locked unless you wanted to talk."
She huffs, before surrendering. "I have been attempting to write a letter to Aunt Mary all day, but have not quite found how to word what I want to say."
"What do you want to say?"
"I-,"She sighs and rubs her temples. "I have been considering contesting for my roll as duchess."
"Really?" His eyebrows shoot to his hairline.
"Yeah." She sighs again. "My family can't survive much longer on just my salary. Dad's inventions don't actually work often enough to supplement, and last time I spoke with Jaz and Penny about getting jobs but, well you know them. They may fit the ideal for a gentlewoman, but they don't really have the skills necessary for a job. I don't know if they would be able to find one."
"What about all the reasons you don't want to be Duchess?"
She sighs. "I know I hate the society I'd be forced to deal with, but I do enjoy the actual managing of the estate, and Aunt Mary asks me for help on most of it now anyway."
"I thought you set her up with a good steward?"
"I did. Johnson is brilliant, but there are things that cannot be handled entirely by him. Aunt Mary was taught to run a household, but she never had to deal directly with the tenants and land, and her husband is a merchant so he has no real training either. I'm just lucky mother didn't care about the normal order of things and set me as her heir despite being the youngest."
"I tremble at the thought of your sisters managing an estate."
Her lips twitch in a small smile. "I know they are not the most...responsible, but they're not malicious. I'm sure they would be able to find someone to help." She says. Tom arches a quizzical eyebrow and she rolls her eyes. "At the moment, it doesn't really matter as Aunt Mary is running things." She leans forward, resting her cheek on her hand, watching him, and says somberly, "I am seriously considering contesting, and I really want your opinion."
"Well," He smirks, "You would be able to visit more often."
She snorts, settling back in her chair. "Honestly, Tom, what do you think?"
He runs a hand through his hair in thought. "I think you should do it." She nods, and he continues. "You were aways very good at the politics, even if you dislike them. And we both know your aunt doesn't like crowds, so she never comes here."
Belle acquiesces. "I will talk to Aunt Mary about the consequences. What if I contest, but don't officially transfer the Duchess position until after this whole Beast Syndrome thing is settled? That way I can devote all my time to running the estate, instead of being stuck here."
"That sounds like a good plan." He agrees.
She turns to him with a mischievous grin. "Are you going to help me write a diplomatic letter?"
He smirks back. "Nope."
She pouts exaggeratedly.
He smiles back. "Still a no." He considers. "I'll read it before you send it, though."
"Thanks."