Chapter 1

BELLE'S heart was heavy with shattered dreams and lost desires. The cruel twist of fate had taken her father away, leaving her trapped in a castle with a master who held her freedom hostage in exchange for her father's life.

As she gazed out of the window into what she assumed would be her new bedroom, tears streamed down her cheeks as she witnessed her frail father being forcibly separated from her, and taken away in a sinister black carriage.

Amidst the despair, there was a flicker of hope still burning within Belle. As an inventor's daughter, she clung to the possibility of escaping this predicament one day.

She knew her life had taken an unexpected turn, surrendering her freedom to the Beast, the castle's enigmatic owner cursed by a hideous Changeling spell.

Despite secretly questioning if any humanity remained within him, she held onto the hope that an opportune moment would present itself, allowing her to break free from the castle's confines.

For what felt like an eternity, Belle knelt by her bedroom window, fervently praying for the return of the dreaded black carriage and her father's safe escape from this place. Her heart yearned for them to flee together, leaving behind the monstrous Beast who ruled the castle and his cursed, enchanted servants.

The reasons for the Beast's horrific fate remained a mystery, but Belle decided she didn't want to delve into the details. It was enough to know that he was responsible for her current plight.

As the hours dragged on, no one else approached her except for a few servants who paused outside her locked door, their voices muffled as they inquired about her well-being and hunger.

Despite her churning stomach, Belle adamantly refused to dine with the castle's master. Her heart swelled with hatred and disgust towards the Beast and his complacent servants, who had done little, if anything, to intervene when their master ordered her father's cruel expulsion.

Belle struggled with her conflicting emotions, nurturing her feelings of resentment while simultaneously attempting to keep them at bay. She knew she had to navigate this treacherous situation with caution, clinging to her hope for a chance to escape this wretched castle and its cursed inhabitants.

Belle's heart skipped a beat, lodging itself in her throat when she heard the creaking of the door to her new chamber. As the door swung open, her eyes widened in surprise as she beheld the unexpected visitor.

The familiar scent of the autumn forest, the combination of pine fir and boiled leather, wafted into the room. Her gaze caught a flash of red and black, and hope surged within her.

Turning to face the new arrival, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was Gaston. He stood there, placing a heavily laden supper tray on a small wooden night table just outside her room.

How he had managed to find her was a mystery—perhaps he had followed her when she left the village on Phillippe after her father's disappearance—but she felt grateful for his presence nevertheless.

Gaston's eyes lingered on Belle, his mouth pinching with a mixture of disdain and desire. Slowly, his gaze traveled downward, scrutinizing her simple yet comely figure adorned in a plain blue dress and muddied brown suede boots. These boots, a cherished gift from her late father, held a special place in her heart, and she could hardly bear the thought of them becoming the subject of Gaston's unwelcome attention.

A chill ran down her spine as she came to a distressing realization: Gaston was ogling her, as he had done countless times before back in their village. Her face flushed beet red as she quickly averted her gaze, attempting to pretend she didn't notice. But the intensity of Gaston's stare felt like it could burn a hole straight through her heart.

She knew she was considered beautiful enough, a sentiment echoed by others in their village. Unlike many girls who struggled with malnourishment, Belle possessed a healthy figure with long dark brown hair and brown eyes, said to resemble her late mother's features. Unfortunately, her mother had passed away during childbirth, leaving Belle with little more than a name and a legacy of her beauty.

While she had grown accustomed to unwanted attention from men back home, the fact that Gaston was silently appraising her now, within the walls of the Beast's castle, sent shivers down her spine. Greater dangers were lurking within these enchanted walls, and Gaston's predatory stare only added to her unease.

Despite her discomfort, Belle mustered her courage and reminded herself that she was much more than an object of desire. She was a strong and independent young woman, determined to find her way and define her destiny.

With the weight of Gaston's gaze still lingering, she steeled herself to face the challenges ahead, refusing to let anyone diminish her worth or make her feel powerless.

"How did you find me, Gaston?" Belle's voice quivered softly, her eyes filled with disbelief as she faced the handsome hunter and former soldier. As their gazes locked, she couldn't help but feel a slight discomfort, a sensation that had always accompanied her interactions with him.

Gaston's colorless grey eyes had an inexplicable effect on her, though she couldn't quite comprehend the reasons.

A smile spread across Gaston's face in response to her question, but to Belle, it seemed twisted, hinting at a life filled with pain. Despite that, she sensed a strange tug at her heartstrings, which confused her even more. Her encounters with Gaston had always been brief, yet they were enough to make her feel uneasy whenever he was around. There was something about him that made her cringe, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Perhaps it was his insistence that she marry him, or maybe it was the way he believed he could "fix" her, expecting her to settle down once she became the wife of a supposedly good man like himself.

The crazed look in his eyes, the aura he exuded, and the unease he effortlessly stirred within her—it could have been a combination of all these factors. Whatever the reason, Belle found herself unsettled in his presence, unable to shake off the feeling that something was deeply amiss with Gaston.

"I followed you, snuck in through the crypts. It wasn't easy," Gaston stated bluntly, his voice carrying a cold tone, yet a faint twinge of pride seemed to underlie his words.

Belle raised her thinly plucked eyebrows in alarm, bracing herself for what she expected to come next—a rescue attempt from Gaston with the condition that she marry him. However, his next words took her by surprise.

He revealed that he had seen Phillippe return without her father Maurice, and witnessing her setting off alone, he couldn't bear to leave her. Gaston explained that he heard Maurice's loud cries from a black carriage he passed while entering through a servants' entrance.

Belle's heart wrestled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, she longed to be reunited with her father, and if that meant accepting Gaston's help, she was willing to make that sacrifice. She took a deep breath, mustering the strength to hold back tears, not wanting to appear vulnerable in front of Gaston. Her decision was clear, even if deep down, she knew she might come to regret it. Despite his possessive gaze, viewing her as nothing more than a prized possession, a trophy wife to be flaunted in their village, she nodded resolutely. She knew she couldn't fully trust Gaston but for the chance to see her father again, even if only for a brief moment, she would go with him.

Her mind was made up, and she would tread this path with caution, determined to safeguard herself along the way.

With her decision made, Belle took a steadying breath, suppressing the inner turmoil that threatened to overwhelm her. She locked her gaze onto Gaston, trying to mask any doubt or vulnerability that lingered within her.

Though her heart told her that Gaston's intentions were far from pure, the possibility of being reunited with her father outweighed her reservations for now.

"Fate has brought us together, Belle," Gaston muttered after a moment, his voice carrying an unmistakable sense of entitlement that made Belle clench her fists at her side and grit her teeth, yet she kept silent, knowing anything she said out of anger would likely provoke him and there was a very real possibility that he would leave her here to rot in the Beast's castle and return to the village without her, the prize he had hoped to obtain. "I knew you needed rescuing, and so I came for you, ready to be your savior. I expect in return for this kindness of getting you away from this place and taking you with me back to the village, back to your father, you will marry me."

Belle felt her jaw tighten, trying to maintain her composure.

"Gaston, I…I appreciate your concern for my well-being, but I never asked for your help and neither did my father, and I certainly never implied to you at any point just now I needed saving," she huffed indignantly. "I can take care of myself."

Belle's words had barely left her lips when she felt a rush of embarrassment color her cheeks. As she observed Gaston's sharp and angular features, she couldn't help but notice the flicker of anger crossing his face, causing him to frown.

Glancing around the room for a moment, Gaston fixed his gaze back on Belle, his tone rough as he spoke. "You think you have everything under control, Belle? Locking doors and bars on your window is your idea of taking care of yourself?"

Before Belle could respond, Gaston continued, dismissing her right to speak, intent on convincing her to see things his way.

He pressed on, "You're being naïve, Belle. The world out there can be cruel and dangerous. You need someone strong to protect you, to guide you. Someone like me. I can offer you a life of comfort and security. Don't you see?"

Belle's blush deepened, but she held her ground. She refused to let his words sway her, knowing that his intentions were not driven by genuine concern but by a desire to assert his dominance over her. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and met Gaston's gaze with determination.

"I appreciate your concern, Gaston, but I am capable of taking care of myself. I don't need someone to dictate my life or protect me. I value my independence and the freedom to make my own choices."

Gaston's anger simmered beneath the surface, but he tried to maintain a facade of composure. "You may think you're strong, Belle, but the world is much harsher than you realize. You can't always rely on yourself."

If she wanted to prove to him that she wasn't at all stupid like the rest of the villagers back home believed her to be, then she'd better embrace his offer. A smug grin tugged at the corners of Gaston's mouth.

"Even you cannot pretend that you don't see what I'm doing for you. I followed you here and am willing to save you from this accursed castle and the monstrous Beast that would use you, humiliate you until there's nothing of you left, and soon enough, you will be back in the comforts of your own home with Maurice at your side once more. A grand gesture, don't you think?" he asked as he chuckled with mocking, a thing he did so naturally, and the sound of it stuffed the chills down Belle's throat.

It was a moment before she spoke up.

Belle's resolve faltered for a moment, yet she forced herself to meet Gaston's gaze.

"I…I don't deny that the world can be harsh, Gaston, but I can't compromise on who I am to fit your idea of what's best for me. If you came here thinking you could rescue me in hopes of securing my hand in marriage, then I'm afraid you will be leaving disappointed."

Gaston's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "Belle, do you even hear yourself? You are being foolish. I can offer you so much more than this…Beast could," he growled, making a face. "Think of your father, Belle. He would want what's best for you. He only wants your happiness and for you to stay here at the whims and mercy of a hideous disgusting Beast, cursed man or not, is no life for you." Gaston's attempts to convince Belle seemed to falter, but he wasn't ready to give up. He stared at Belle intensely, as if trying to break through her resolve.

Belle shot Gaston a disapproving look. "Gaston, what you're doing doesn't obligate me to anything, least of all marrying you. I am grateful that you want to bring me home, of course, I am, but I will not be trading my freedom or my hand in marriage for your kindness."

His smug smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a flash of annoyance. "Belle, my dear, you always were one to play hard to get. But once you see how good the two of us could be together, you will change your mind, I promise you. A woman like you needs a man like me, strong, dependable, and capable of providing everything you desire."

Belle's patience was rapidly wearing thin, and her heart pounded loudly in her throat as she thought she heard the muffled sound of voices outside the East Wing of the castle. Someone was coming to check on her, and if the Beast's servants or even the monster himself were to discover her alone in her room with Gaston, an intruder to them, it would put the both of them in danger. She knew they did not have much time.

"You're mistaken, Gaston. My heart can't be won through insistence or force. I'm not about to be swayed by your grandiose gestures or empty promises. Those are just words," she protested, swallowing hard past a lump in her throat and folding her arms across her chest as she turned her profile to the side, unable to look him in the eyes.

Gaston's expression darkened and his voice became more forceful as he cast a nervous glance toward the door, for the first time since he had forced his way into her new room showing signs of nervousness.

It was obvious he too heard the voices.

"You will see, Belle. Once you are back with Maurice and your father sees how devoted I am to you, he will understand that our marriage is the best option for everyone. You and your father will be well provided for and want for nothing. You will come around eventually."

"I'm leaving, Belle. Have it your way then, stay here and rot in this prison if that's your wish," Gaston rasped, his frustration evident in his voice. As he made to turn away, Belle felt a sudden rush of dread, and the opulent room around her felt like a suffocating tomb. A wave of icy cold washed over her, and her mouth grew even drier as she imagined the cold, lonely nights ahead with no familiar company in the vast castle.

"Wait!" Belle blurted out, surprising herself with the urgency in her voice. Gaston halted his departure, waiting silently for her next words. She turned her head slightly, allowing him to see only the side of her face as her eyes remained cast downward.

"I'll go with you," she stated, her voice trembling with both fear and determination.

Gaston was taken aback. "...What?"

"I will go with you," she repeated, this time meeting his gaze. She could see the disbelief in his eyes, and she knew he suspected her of deception.

Belle understood his caution, and she continued, "I mean it, Gaston. If you can help me escape this place, I'll come with you."

He seemed wary but intrigued. "How would we do it, Belle? We'd never get past the gates..."

"Who's going to stop me, Belle?" Gaston responded, his voice edged with anger. Before Belle could fully comprehend what was happening, she felt a knife pressed against her throat. Gaston had moved so swiftly that he was like a blur standing in front of her. The blade slowly lowered, and he continued, "When I have this? Or this?" He motioned to the weapons he carried—a bow and arrow slung over his back and a sword at his side. His eyes locked onto hers intensely. "I could keep you safe. If this Beast dares to follow us, I'll make sure it never harms you again."

Belle hesitated, torn between her desire to escape and the sense of empathy she felt for the Beast.

Though she had acted cold and apathetic toward him, she couldn't wish harm or death upon any creature, no matter how fearsome they appeared. She recalled those hauntingly deep blue eyes, the last remnants of the human that once resided within him. She hadn't seen them up close yet, but their sadness had left an impression on her.

She wondered what tragedy had befallen the Beast to leave him in such a sorrowful state.

Her decision hung in the balance, torn between her longing for freedom and her burgeoning compassion for the Beast. As she looked into Gaston's eyes, she knew that whatever path she chose, her life would be forever altered.

The conviction in Gaston's words left Belle stunned, her hands gently wringing together in nervousness. The voices outside the hall were growing louder, and the urgency of the situation pressed upon her. She couldn't help but express her concern, whispering, "If you are caught by the Beast, Gaston, he is sure to harm you. Maybe even kill you or keep you locked in his dungeons as he did Papa."

"I'm dead if I stay, Belle, and so are you," Gaston rasped, his desperation evident. Though unsure of his true intentions, Belle felt a sense of desperation and recognized that this might be her only chance to escape.

She mustered the courage to plead with him, "Gaston, take me home."

He nodded, his expression grim like a graveyard.

Stepping back, he tore a torn and tattered thick woolen navy blue cape that belonged to one of the servants and draped it around Belle's shoulders, pulling up the hood to conceal her features.

"Be silent, then, Belle, and do as I tell you," Gaston instructed sternly, his demeanor now more serious than she had ever seen before.

Belle nodded silently, struggling to keep pace with Gaston's long strides as he led her outside her chamber, whisking her away from the Beast's castle that had become her prison.

As they moved through the darkened hallways, her chest felt heavy with a flicker of dimmed hope. Inwardly, she feared the worst, unsure of what awaited them beyond the castle's walls.

Yet, her desire for freedom pushed her forward, and she clung to the hope that somehow, in this uncertain journey with Gaston, she might find a way to reunite with her father.