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Wonderment

As I was sipping my punch I noted all the students in the University had really made an effort to wear their best, and for that matter remember to pack their best to bring with them to campus. But maybe they had hired help for that, I begrudgingly realized.

"Belle, this hall looks very well decorated does it not?" Ariel asked. I couldn't help but agree. The hall had ten grand chandeliers cascading the ceiling. There was one giant one in the center that was bigger than the rest. There were accents of gold everywhere. The tables each had a candle center piece with gold candle holders. The chairs had gold ribbons tied behinds its backs and the curtains adoring the windows that aligned the sides of the hall were of gold-colored fabric.

When we entered we came down on one of two long Tuscan styled staircases mincing our steps to prevent any embarrassing trips. As we glided in, I felt like I actually fit in, thanks to the dress Ariel lent me. I felt that maybe just maybe I was actually, passing to be an aristocrat.

When I first noticed Adam, well it was hard not to notice him. I caught his gaze looking at me. In mid sip I peeked through my eyelashes, eyeing around at what he could be looking at. When I came to the result that was indeed me he was looking at, I could feel my heart beat faster. His eyes were such a deep blue and complemented the long auburn hair he had tied back. His eyes were so piercing. He was walking with such dignity and stature as he glided toward Ariel and me.

"Good evening ladies," he started as he refilled his glass. "Princess." I assumed he was of course addressing Ariel.

Ariel curtsied at the gentleman, "Your Grace," she said simply.

"From Cyprus are you not?" he asked her.

"Indeed! And you are Adam, the Duke's son, are you not?" Ariel spoke. He quickly nodded.

"We've done a lot of business with your country. I've helped my dad launch a couple of fisheries around Cyprus. I went two years ago with him. We had the pleasure of dining with you father King Triton in his palace," he replied.

All of a sudden I was quickly reminded that I did not fit in. I was not actually passing to be aristocratic at all. I felt my cheeks warm up, they must have been really red. I glanced up to look at Adam for I was in between a conversation of two nobles, and as he caught my glance I quickly looked down and sipped my drink. I recalled a slight smirk from him noting my quick reaction and bashfulness.

"You looked like your mother in the portrait he showed, of him and his wife, that's why I recognized you actually."

Ariel sadly looked down, but remained smiling. "Yes. She died when I was young. I miss her."

"As did mine, as do I," replied Adam as he sipped his drink. "So what aristocratic family are you from? Word is you are from Southern France. Are you from the de Lourdes house?" he asked turning to me.

I was still stuck about Adam and Ariel stating the loss of their mother. I too had lost my mom long. I quickly restored my attention however and managed to smile, "no, not that south I'm afraid. I think I am going to go take a walk and see what else is around." I felt a little surprised that he knew of me, it such a sort span of time.

"I can come with you Belle," Ariel kindly gestured.

"No no, you both have an interesting conversation going on," I motioned dismissively, "please carry on, I just want to soak this all in as I look around."

Ariel smiled as she returned her focus on to Adam. I glanced back wishing so badly to be a part of their world, and conversation, but who am I kidding? If they wanted to talk about morning routines, of milking the goats, picking the eggs, and reading by one lit candle I guess then I could take part.

I whisked away to the feel of a cool breeze. Feeling the direction of the wind I was led to a balcony. The outside starlit sky looked beautiful. I stepped outside, took a deep breath closed my eyes, and prayed this sight wasn't a dream. I opened my eyes to find blissful reassurance. I was still here. I was actually at University, and I was not going to stop striving for my dreams.

I began to lean on the ledge of the balcony, glancing up at the moon.

"So where from Southern France are you then?" boomed an unfamiliar voice.

I turned around to find the same dark-haired gentleman that I had a brief conversation with, remembering how he had tried to ask for a dance and drink earlier. Could it be he that told Adam of my origin?

"Oh," I gasped, "I didn't see you were there."

The man took a gulp of his drink from a noticeably larger glass he held in his hand now than the one I had seen earlier. What was his name again? Ah, yes Gaston. He came off so arrogant. He looked on waiting for my response.

"Not that South, but your father's business is well-known around my village. We have two LeGume taverns in ours. My father enjoy's going there with his pals," I stated, as I looked on to the starry night.

Gaston grunted, and let out a short snide of a laugh, that irritated me. I turned returning a look of the same disdain he had just shown me.

"You're from Gascony like me," he smirked, and gulped more of his drink, without looking at me.

I was caught. He knew of my hometown instantly, which meant he knew the only wealthy family anywhere around Gascony at this time was his.

"There are only two taverns in one district of France and that's Gascony," he chided as he threw back his drink, and set it down on the ledge of the balcony. As he came approaching me I instinctively stepped back.

"Which means if I'm the only noble in all of Gascony and you are from there…you must not be of any paramount lineage," he stated as he crouched down to my level. I could see the muscle outlines protruding through his shirt as he showed me a ghastly smile. Even more apparent, the alcohol laced breath of his.

"If you are truly from Gascony like you say you are, why have I not seen you around in school, or around the village for that matter," I asked challenging him.

"Belle," he started as I thought in shock how he had quickly remembered it, "my dad owns a lot of land and money which means I don't go to those little schools like you do," he blurted laughingly.

"Excuse me, for your life of privilege," I repelled, "it was only a logical inquiry."

Gaston gave me a puzzled look, "you're really smart. I can tell, the way you carry yourself and by the way you talk. It actually does sound quite noble."

What an arrogant ass. Just because I'm from a small village doesn't mean that I should be assumed to be of small mind! I gave him another look of disdain but I didn't want to pleasure his statement with another witty rebuttal, so I looked on to the sky once again, hoping he would get the hint that I was ignoring him.

He leaned in closer, resting his back on the ledge of the balcony, arms folded across his chest.

"You know not everyone that comes to this University is royal, noble, or aristocratic for that matter."

"I know you go here don't you," I managed to say with a smirk.

Gaston laughed, "You have a sharp tongue. I actually find that intriguing."

Oh just my luck I thought.

"Seriously Belle, there are many low-class, poor saps like yourself that come here to dine and study with people like us."

People like us? The more Gaston talked the harder it became for me to bite my tongue and say outlandish things in retaliation. He might be rich, but his character and demeanor were in no way equal to his status.

"But what I feel sorry for is the great amount of debt one may receive over time for coming here. How your parents will press on with the payment of tuition, books, dormitory housing- it must be a lot on you."

"I got a scholarship. It helps a bit," I replied remorsefully.

"A bit? How much of a bit are we talking about?" he asked.

"None of your business!" I exclaimed repulsed at how he was prying in to my life.

I kicked off my heels and desired to return back to Ariel. Though that conversation may be out of my league, it was one I would've enjoyed far more of, than the one occurring right now.

"Belle wait," Gaston said. I turned and noticed that he hadn't moved an inch from the ledge at all.

"What I want to offer is this: I have a tavern not too far from the University. If you would like to work there, I'd hire you in a heartbeat. You'd make very, and I mean very decent pay, one you could help your parents with. I might have come off a bit brash, but in truth I know how it is to live a poor life and I know how it is to live a rich one, and I'm happy to be living of the latter. So I thought you might appreciate the gesture and advice."

It sure was not a kind or appropriate gesture! Become a barmaid? Who me? What a lowly job. Not to mention the men that may come in. I couldn't bear to think of it. The pay was however enticing, at least so it seems from Gaston. I decided to just put it away in my mind. My father would be very unhappy to hear that his only daughter, only child for that matter, took up to waiting on tables of drunk men to help out. But Gaston did get me thinking, perhaps there would be a more proper way.

"Thank you for the offer, but my family and I can manage," I said firmly.

"Suit yourself," shrugged Gaston as he turned his back to me looking into the stars.

I felt like crying as I entered the hall. My eyes welled up I couldn't get out of my mind how me attending University might be too much for my father to handle financially. The scholarship would not be enough to my dismay, and the realization of this sent my body in panic to the core. I would have to help out some way. I would want to as well. After all, it was the right thing to do, the only thing to do! Otherwise what kind of daughter would I be for not even considering? My father said everything would be alright and he would find a way to fund for University, but who was I kidding? Who did he think I was kidding!

As I turned into panic mode and I realized I needed to rest and really think things through. Classes would be starting in 3 days-time and I had lots to plan and prepare for, than I thought I would.

I began to head up one of the long Tuscan stairs, when I felt a hand gently hooking to my Elbow.

"Belle, leaving so soon?"

It was Adam to my shock. He had a beautiful golden-haired woman on his other, arm smiling on to us confusingly. Perhaps wondering who I was and why Adam knew me. Alas, the only man I found to be attractive as well as dignified seemed to have his heart already occupied.

"Yes," I smiled, "I'm afraid I am feeling a little tiered from the travel to here. Have fun it was nice to meet you. If you see Ariel, tell her I've gone already."

"I will Belle. Do feel better," he kindly encouraged.

"Come on handsome you owe me a dance," pressed on his date.

I took that as a cue to be on my way. I couldn't look back down to see Adam though I really wanted to. I was too embarrassed to be noted by anyone. What was I thinking coming here? I felt it was a grave mistake.

I just edited this chapter in terms of grammar and spelling. It was appalling and I couldn't go on putting the next chapter up without fixing this one. True the other chapters had some mistakes as well, but this one took the cake on the amount of DOOSIES it had! I will probably do the same with the previous chapters eventually, but I've been getting messages to hurry up and update the story, so I rather comply with those wishes first.:)

FYI-I will never change the plot of previous chapters just the grammar and spelling.

So what do you think so far? R&R!