PAULETTE sat at the grand, ornate table in the castle's dining hall, her heart racing, her mind still haunted by the vivid and chilling memory of her near-death encounter with the hungry wolves that had managed to stalk her in the dark forest. It seemed as though hours had passed instead of mere minutes when last a kind-hearted servant of the Prince's who identified herself as Mrs. Potts, a lovely older woman with her graying hair swept up into a hair bonnet, had placed a steaming bowl of onion soup before her, urging her to eat.
But her trembling hands couldn't bring the spoon to her lips, and instead, she found herself casting curious, lingering gazes toward the dark-haired and handsome soldier, a guard named Brutus, who had come to her rescue, defending her and killing the fierce wolves.
He had since moved to stand respectfully outside the dining room door, vigilant in his duty to protect the liege he'd sworn an oath to.
Paulette longed for more time to linger near Brutus, to thank him for his brave actions.
His strong presence and quiet strength drew her in, but the formality of the situation kept them apart. She couldn't help but admire the handsome soldier from a distance, his tall, strong image etching itself into her heart already.
Her eyes widened in shock at how quickly a man other than Gaston was leaving such an impression on her. Her thoughts of the Prince's guard, however, were soon interrupted by the Prince, who now sat across from her at the table.
His tone was harsh, but beneath the sternness, Paulette thought she sensed a glimmer of genuine concern in the Prince's striking blue eyes. She let her eyes rake over the Prince's sharp and angular features, able to see the depths of his feelings for Maurice's daughter, whether or not Belle could see it for herself remained to be seen.
As the Prince's hand hovered dangerously close to Belle's, just shy of holding it, Paulette's vulnerability swelled within her as she remembered her purpose for coming here, and she sat up straighter in her chair as the Prince of the realm spoke to her.
"What were you doing in the woods, mademoiselle? It's dangerous for a young lady to be in the forest on her own, as you know. You were lucky we heard your screams. You were fortunate not to have been killed by the beasts." The Prince's voice cut through her inner turmoil, as the Prince demanded an answer.
Shaken, Paulette struggled to find her voice. Tears welled up in her eyes as she managed to whisper hoarsely, "Belle, you…you were right about Gaston."
Paulette, her voice trembling with sorrow, continued her story, her tears flowing freely, even as Belle, who had been sitting next to the Prince of the realm in silence, her eyes glistening with anticipation, looked up and nearly burst into tears herself at Paulette's revelation, fearing the worst. Belle's slender frame quivered as Paulette continued.
"Your father, Belle, he…he asked me to find you. I…I'm so sorry, but your home burned down, all of it. Maurice thought it was Gaston who started the fire and when he accused him of it, Gaston had the town's doctor, Monsieur D'Arque, take him away," Paulette whispered, shamefaced.
The news was a crushing blow to Belle as she suddenly could no longer contain the tears she had been keeping at bay, and burst into tears at Paulette's revelation. She bolted to her feet and nearly overturned the chair she had been sitting in and she turned on her heels and attempted to flee the dining hall, desperate to leave the castle and confront the tragedy that awaited her.
But Brutus, sensing Belle's intentions, sprang into action, catching her swiftly and holding her firmly by the waist, his powerful arms comforting her as her sobs echoed through the chamber.
The Prince could only watch with a mixture of empathy and guilt, realizing the depth of pain that had unfolded due to the actions of this madman, Gaston.
He felt something dark and ugly festering within himself as he began to wish that Brutus had done more than just break the military captain's nose the morning he had defended Belle's father after escorting the man safely back to his village.
Tears continued to stream down Belle's face as she struggled against Brutus's strong grip, the weight of the terrible news and her own emotions pressing down on her. She had been prepared for bad news, but this revelation was beyond her worst fears. The thought of her home burned to the ground and her father falsely taken away by Gaston's orders was too much for her to bear. Belle's sobs resonated throughout the castle's grand dining hall, filling it with a palpable sense of grief and despair. The Prince watched with a heavy heart, regretting that he couldn't have done more to protect Belle and her father from Gaston's malevolence.
It was a difficult moment for him, as he recognized the consequences of his inaction by not insisting Belle's father be brought to the castle sooner, and the suffering that had been inflicted on Belle and her family because of it.
Finally, Belle's cries began to subside, and she turned to face the Prince, her eyes red and swollen, the tip of her nose now red too, but her voice was determined.
"I must find Papa," she declared, her voice wavering but resolute. "I cannot let Gaston's cruelty go unchecked, this is madness! He will pay for what he has done, and my father must be saved, Your Highness, please let me go!" Before the Prince could respond, Belle flicked her gaze from the Prince to Paulette, she sniffled and gently pushed herself away from Brutus's vice grip, her gaze still filled with anguish. She whispered, "Thank you, Paulette, for risking your life for my father to tell me this. That was very brave of you. I'm only sorry you were nearly hurt," Belle said softly, her eyes still brimming with unshed tears. "I'm glad you're safe."
With Belle still trembling as she gripped the back of a chair nearby to steady herself, Paulette managed to summon her strength enough to rise from her chair and approached Belle with a trembling hand and a voice heavy with remorse.
"No, Belle. You don't apologize for anything. I'm so sorry, Belle," she whispered. "For all of it. You were right about Gaston all this time, and I didn't listen."
Fresh tears streaked down Belle's cheeks as she turned her tearful gaze towards Paulette, her eyes filled with a mixture of heartache and longing for a new friend who had once been an adversary.
"Paulette, you couldn't have known what Gaston was capable of. I don't blame you," Belle choked out, her voice fragile.
Paulette felt the weight of her past actions and that of her sisters, and the pain they had caused Belle.
She nodded in agreement, her voice shaking as she continued, "I know, but I should've listened to you, Belle. I should have stuck up for you and put an end to my sisters' teasing. I should have seen Gaston for the brute he is. I should've been your friend. And I'm so, so sorry for everything we've put you through."
Belle's quiet sobs began to subside as she allowed herself to be consoled by Paulette's heartfelt apology.
"It's not your fault, Paulette," she managed to say after a moment, her voice steadier. "You're here now, and that's what matters."
As Belle's tears began to dry, Paulette wrapped her arms around her, offering the comfort she had long denied the inventor's daughter. The bond between the two young women deepened, almost like that of sisters, and in that moment, Paulette knew that their blossoming friendship had the potential to heal old wounds and forge a new, unbreakable connection.
The Prince watched the emotional exchange, silently acknowledging the strength of their friendship and the redemption that had begun to bloom in the hearts of the castle's inhabitants. The truth had been revealed, and now the path forward was uncertain, though he knew he could not let this matter stand.
As Belle began to regain her composure, she gently pushed herself away from Paulette's embrace, her gaze still filled with anguish. She whispered, "I can't stay here, Paulette. I have to go back. I have to find my father. I can't let Gaston get away with this anymore."
Paulette nodded in understanding, but before she could offer any words of support or even go with her back to the village, not wanting Belle to go into the forest alone when she had nearly been a snack for the vicious and hungry wolves that prowled the forest, the Prince's demeanor shifted dramatically. His features contorted with anger, and his voice grew almost cold and menacing.
"You can't go back, Belle," he hissed, his blue eyes blazing with a cold fire that sent shivers down Paulette's spine as she stared.
Paulette, taken aback and frightened by this sudden transformation of the man's countenance, couldn't manage to find her voice. She watched in shock as the Prince's demeanor turned almost beastly.
His fists clenched, and he accused Belle with an intensity that almost bordered on violence. "If you return, you're walking right into a trap, Belle, surely you know this. You seem an intelligent enough woman to know that this is what the man wants. Gaston will have you for himself if you go. You think I would let you do that?"
The sudden change in the Prince's behavior left both Belle and Paulette stunned.
The depth of his emotions and the desperate need to protect Belle from the threat of Gaston had ignited a fierce, primal response within him. The air in the room grew heavy with tension, and Paulette could only hope that Belle would heed the Prince's warning and stay in the safety of the castle, at least until they could devise a plan to confront the looming danger.
Belle's resolve wavered under the Prince's fierce warning and stern look, and her eyes nervously darted between him and Paulette, torn between her need to find her father and the urgency of the situation. She could see the sincerity in the Prince's eyes, and she knew he cared for her deeply. But her father's well-being was also at stake, and she couldn't bear the thought of Papa suffering at Gaston's hands, and because of her.
Taking a step back, Belle finally found her voice, her words a mix of determination and fear. "I can't abandon my father, Your Highness, and I can't let Gaston get away with what he's done. I have to go back, sir, at least to check on him, please."
Paulette, still shaken by the Prince's outburst, remained silent for a moment.
Then, with a newfound sense of determination, she spoke up, her voice trembling at the thought of venturing back into the dark woods again, but resolute.
She could not allow her new friend to go back alone. Not when she now knew the extent of Gaston's cruelty and what the man was truly capable of doing.
"I'll go with you, Belle. We'll find your father and confront Gaston, but we must be cautious. The Prince is right. It's dangerous out there," Paulette proclaimed with a shake of her head.
Brutus, who had been standing at his post by the door, silently watching the exchange unfold, still agitated, could no longer hold his tongue and snapped at Paulette, the guard's deep growls serving as a stark reminder of the perilous encounter in the forest.
"Remember, my lady," he rumbled, "it was me who saved you earlier from those wolves. They would have torn you apart had I not intervened. Now you talk of facing the man who burned down Belle's home? Do you hear yourself? Do you realize how foolish you sound? What do you think you and Belle are going to do when you confront that monster, just walk up and ask nicely for her father to be released and expect him to say yes at the promise of an empty smile?"
Paulette locked eyes with Brutus, showing no signs of being fazed by the guard's smoldering temper. Her determination to aid her new friend remained unshaken.
"I understand, monsieur," she spoke firmly, her voice tinged with gratitude, "and I won't forget what you did for me in the woods. You could have chosen to leave me to fend for myself, yet you risked your life to save me, and I'm deeply thankful for that, more than you can imagine. But Belle and I cannot allow Gaston's madness to persist. We must find a way to rescue Maurice, and we'll do it with or without your help if the two of you won't come with us!"
Her words carried a resolute tone, underscoring her commitment to their mission and her unwavering determination to see it through, regardless of the challenges or obstacles they might encounter.
The Prince, despite Paulette's passionate plea, remained resolute in his decision, emphasizing the danger that lay ahead. His brow furrowed as he declared, "It's too dangerous for the two of you to go. I am the ruler of this realm, and my word carries weight. I will go and speak with Gaston, Belle; he would be a fool to ignore my command."
But Belle, equally determined, met the Prince's gaze with unwavering resolve as she felt her body shudder with angst the longer they remained here in the safety of the castle, while her poor father withered away and rotted in a dark, dank cell in Monsieur D'Arque's insane asylum.
"Your Highness, we appreciate your concern, but you must understand. Gaston's madness knows no bounds, and he won't be swayed by words alone. I'm afraid for my father's life, and time is of the essence. We need to leave now, all of us," Belle pleaded in a trembling voice.
Paulette chimed in, her voice filled with urgency as she flitted her nervous gaze between the Prince and the handsome guard. "Belle is right. We can't afford to wait, monsieur. I've seen for myself what Gaston is capable of, and we must get Maurice out of the asylum, it's no place for someone like him. With your power and Belle's intelligence, surely, we have the best chance of success. Please, reconsider."
But the Prince's resolve remained unshaken, and he spoke with a solemn tone. "I understand your concern, and I share it, but I cannot allow the people I am responsible for to suffer if I hold the power to do something to rectify it. Brutus and I will go to the village, gather information, and try to reason with Gaston. We will speak to this Monsieur D'Arque if we must. Rest assured, Belle, I will do everything in my power to ensure your father's safety."
Belle's heart sank and her eyes welled with fresh tears as she listened to the Prince's words. She felt a strong, overwhelming urge to take matters into her own hands.
She took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, please, I beg you, I can't just sit here while my father suffers. Let us come with you to the village. Together, we can face this threat head-on. Oh, please, reconsider, sir…"
The Prince's patience wore thin as Belle and Paulette continued to press their case. His expression turned sullen as a shadow flitted across his features, his voice grew stern, and a touch of anger tinged his words. "I've made my decision, Belle, and I won't be swayed. The two of you are to stay here in the safety of the castle. Gaston's madness is dangerous from what I know of him, and I won't risk your lives."
Belle, still determined, felt her heartache as she pleaded, "Your Highness, please understand. Gaston is a threat not just to my father but to this entire realm. We can't just sit here while he wreaks havoc!"
Paulette, her voice quivering and filled with desperation, "Gaston is a ruthless brute, sir, and we can't let him harm Belle's father or any of your other subjects. Please, let us come with you, please reconsider!"
The Prince's temper flared, and his voice became even more commanding. "That's final, mademoiselle! I will not allow either of you to go. If I have to, I will have Brutus lock you in Belle's chamber to keep you safe. I will not jeopardize either of your lives, and you will stay here in the castle where it's safe and secure and you'll be looked after. Brutus and I must go to the village and handle this matter ourselves."
Belle's shoulders slumped in defeat, tears welling in her eyes. With a bitter sigh, she turned on her heels and stormed off without a word to the Prince, Brutus, or Paulette, her heart heavy with the weight of the situation. Her frustration and sadness were too much to bear. Her departure left Paulette alone with Brutus and the Prince, unable to call after her new friend, realizing that the two of them had no choice but to abide by the Prince's command.
As Belle stormed off, Paulette's frustration and anxiety reached a breaking point, still on edge from her harrowing encounter with the wolves in the forest. She turned to the Prince, her blonde hair tousled it was coming loose from its long ponytail and her green eyes flashing with rage. Her voice trembled with anxiety as she confronted him.
"Your Highness, with all due respect, this is madness! You may care for Belle, I can see it, but you will not belittle her," Paulette angrily defended Belle. "Your decision to go to the village even with a guard is nothing short of foolish! Gaston is a menace and he's holding Belle's father hostage in that awful asylum. We can't just sit here and do nothing! Belle and I aren't your puppets to be locked away on your whims!" Paulette's gaze hardened as the blonde glared at the Prince, her voice sharp with resentment as she rested her hands on her supple hips, "You may be the Prince, but you're showing a lack of courage and compassion. Belle and I won't stay here while you dawdle in indecision! We'll do whatever's necessary to save Maurice, with or without you, and do you think your word is enough to keep us here?" she hissed.
Brutus exchanged a worried look with the Prince but remained silent, caught amid the heated exchange. Paulette's insults hung in the air, her anger evident, as she challenged the Prince's judgment, daring him to reconsider his stance.
The Prince's face contorted with a mixture of anger and frustration at Paulette's words. He raised his hand to silence her, his voice stern, and Paulette's concern for Belle and Maurice was so great, that she could only comply. "That's enough! I understand your concern, my lady, but I won't tolerate your disrespect. I am the ruler, and I make the decisions to protect the lands that I am responsible for, and the people who live on these lands." With the decision to head to the village with Brutus, the Prince was firm in his resolve. He turned to his guard and gave a stern command, "Brutus, my friend, please escort Paulette to Belle's chambers and make sure that they stay there. Make sure they cannot leave it. They are not to leave the castle grounds under any circumstances until I return. Ensure Lumiere will keep eye on them, please. If we leave the castle now, we could be back here before the sun sets," the Prince murmured, an odd look coming over his sharp and handsome features that Paulette did not know what to make of as the two men shared a silent look of understanding as Brutus nodded his understanding.
Brutus nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Paulette, gesturing to her to follow him. Paulette exchanged one last look of frustration with the Prince and huffed in indignation, her anger simmering beneath the surface. Reluctantly, she complied with the guard's guidance, and Brutus and Paulette left the dining hall and began to make their way down the corridors to the East Wing where Belle's chambers were located.
As Brutus stoically and silently led the way down the darkened corridors of the castle, Paulette couldn't contain her frustration any longer.
She turned to Brutus and clung to the man's arm, her eyes pleading with the soldier to understand. "Please, monsieur, you have to understand, we're just trying to do what's right. Maurice is in grave danger, and we can't bear to just stay here, locked away in Belle's room, while he suffers this!"
Her vice grip on his arm tightened, and she could feel him tense even through his armor, though Paulette did not let his discomfort and obvious nervousness deter her.
Her voice softened as she continued, "Belle and I aren't reckless, sir, but we're determined to help. You've seen what Gaston is capable of, I saw you the morning you brought Maurice back from the village. I was watching from the tavern window, you broke his nose."
Brutus involuntarily tensed as the blonde spoke, a disconcerting sensation tugging at his chest, sending warmth coursing through his body beneath the armor.
His emotions swirled in a complex mix. The young woman's grip on his arm had intensified, and her unwavering resolve to assist Belle and her father was unmistakable.
He felt her sympathy and her concern, and it made him realize the depth of her commitment to her friend and those in the village she cared for. His discomfort and nervousness were apparent, but he found himself unable to pull away or resist Paulette's genuine care.
Brutus looked away for a moment to collect himself and when he seemed to, he looked back at Paulette, recognizing he owed the young woman an answer.
Brutus let out a frustrated sigh, his embarrassment giving way to a more somber mood. He looked down at the floor for a moment before meeting Paulette's eyes. "I…I did what I thought was right that day. The bastard had gone too far, and someone needed to stop him. But it's not just about one incident, mademoiselle, it's about the safety of Belle. Adam cares for your friend, and if the two of you come with us, it won't bode well. I appreciate your determination, and I can't deny that your heart is clearly in the right place. But we cannot let you come."
Brutus studied the young blonde's expression intently with quiet intensity as he watched as her shoulders slumped in defeat and she numbly nodded, perhaps recognizing that it was pointless to continue arguing with neither he nor the Prince would budge on the Prince's demand. As Brutus considered Paulette's plea that she and Belle be allowed to help and her determination to stand up to Gaston, he couldn't help but study her closely.
Paulette, with her long pale blonde hair that cascaded down to just below her waist in a neat ponytail, and her striking green eyes, possessed a natural beauty that was hard to ignore.
Her green dress, though torn at the hem from her encounter with the wolves in the forest, clung to her curvy figure, accentuating her ample cleavage.
The attire might have been worn and in dire need of replacing, but somehow, it added to Paulette's charm. It wasn't just Paulette's determination and spirit that was capturing Brutus's attention now; her physical beauty was impossible to overlook.
He couldn't deny that he found her attractive, her face alone was enough to attract an entire army of men to her side, and it added an unexpected dimension to their interaction. Yet, he also recognized the urgency of the situation and the gravity of the mission that lay ahead of him and the Prince, making it crucial to maintain a focused and professional demeanor.
As they approached Belle's chamber in the East Wing, Brutus gently opened the door and gave Paulette a light shove, just enough to force the blonde to cross the threshold that separated the chamber from the rest of the corridor. He turned to Paulette as Paulette turned on her heels to face and spoke solemnly.
"I understand your concern, and I wish I could help you, but my orders are clear. Adam and I are like brothers, and I cannot disobey a direct order from my liege, and more importantly, my friend. I must ensure your safety as Prince Adam commands. The Prince and I must go alone, and we'll find a way to make this situation work once we return from the village, you've my word," Brutus told Paulette solemnly, the guard's expression suddenly turning as grim as a graveyard.
Paulette moved to stand next to Belle, who was sitting on the edge of her bed, her tears slowly subsiding. She wiped her eyes and sniffled, her frustration palpable. She felt trapped, both by the Prince's curse and now by the man's decision to go to the village without her.
She finally looked up at Brutus, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Brutus, I'm sorry for getting upset, but you must understand. I'm afraid for the Prince, for you, and Papa. What Gaston has done to my father is madness, and I'm not sure for the two of you to go alone is a good idea…"
Paulette interrupted her gently as she reached out and placed a comforting hand on Belle's shoulder. "Belle, we must trust Brutus. He's right. We'll find a way to make this work, and we'll both be here when they return."
Belle nodded, her eyes still teary but with a glimmer of hope. She knew that she had to trust in her friends, even when it felt like the world was conspiring against them.
With a deep breath, she whispered, "I know. Please, just be careful out there. And hurry back."
Brutus nodded curtly, the handsome soldier's determined expression unwavering. "Belle, you've my word that we'll bring your father back. I will do everything in my power to protect them both, no matter what it takes, and in the meantime, the two of you will be safest here. I'm sorry that this is the way it is, but it is what the Prince wishes. We'll be back as soon as we can. Until then, stay safe and keep hope alive. Gaston will not have the last word, you've my word."
With those words, Brutus turned and walked toward the door, unlocking it. As he stepped out of Belle's chamber, he was resolved to carry out his duty, protect Prince Adam, and find a way to free Belle's father. As he walked away, Brutus couldn't ignore the burning intensity of Paulette's gaze, which seemed to penetrate his very soul. He knew that she was concerned, and he couldn't help but feel the immense burden of the task ahead. Yet, he was resolved to do whatever it took to fulfill his promise to Belle and bring her father and the Prince back safely.
Belle watched as Brutus departed, her heart heavy with worry for her father and the Prince.
As the door closed behind him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and fear welling up inside her. She threw herself onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow, screaming into the fabric to release the pent-up emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
Paulette, who had been standing by, rushed to Belle's side.
She gently placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and spoke softly, "Belle, I understand your fears, but we must believe in Brutus and the Prince. They're strong and capable, and they've promised to bring your father back safely."
Belle lifted her tear-streaked face from the pillow, her eyes filled with anxiety. "I know, Paulette, but it's just so hard not to worry. I can't bear the thought of losing them both."
Paulette continued to soothe Belle, her voice comforting. "I know it's difficult, but we must have faith. And while they're away, we'll stay strong and keep hope alive, just as Brutus said. Gaston will not have the last word. We will see your father and the Prince return."
Belle nodded, taking a deep, shuddering breath. She wiped away her tears and whispered a heartfelt prayer for the Prince's safe return, hoping that somehow, he could hear her.
"I know. Please, just be careful out there. And hurry back."