The Beast

[Perplexia]

Belle walked along the banks of the sea looking out as her fathers ship descended. It was always sad to see him go off on one of his voyages, but his fishing provided food, and the items he sold at market always provided the funds he needed to repair his boat.

There never seemed to be enough left over to take a break. Her mother had been gone five years now. It was just her and her two younger brothers Sven and Jacob. They were a handful all on their own. But she had never seen her father happier when he got his boys.

Since her mother passed away she had been doing the cooking and cleaning. She felt often that her youth had been taken away too earlier. Now that she was 19 the boys were old enough to work at the docks. This freed up her days to do the chores and read. Oh how she loved reading tales of Demons and knights. Though often she found herself feeling for the poor creatures that were misunderstood.

Perhaps this made her a bit of a dreamer, perhaps she was meant for a different life all together. If her father had his way about it she would be married off. It would be one less mouth to feed.

On occasion she would be courted, but she was never really fond of her suitors. They were all so typical. She didn't want to marry a fisherman, she didn't want to be a wife and treated like a slave. Belle enjoyed her free time and the ability to read her stories. It was her escape into a different world. A world she would never know. Maybe she should just give in to the pressure that her father and brother and give in to what her life was suppose to be.

Belle sighed and twirled her long red hair around her finger. As she opened her book her face lit up and she began to read another story.

 

[cgraven]

Paul del la Croix was the most handsome young man in the district his family was and old and ancient families that had first come to the region with the Roman Legions and they had stayed in Lorrain ever sense. He was a familiar visitor to the court of Charlemagne and he was a young man very much in love, in love with the youngest daughter of the Count de Guise. She was his vision of virginal purity, the most chaste young beauty in all the Frankish kingdom. For her part Suzanne de Guise professed her undying love for him.

Paul Del la Croix presented himself to the Count de Guise to ask for Suzanne’s hand in marriage. The count threw back his head in laughter.

“She is not for the likes of you boy, she is to be married to the son of our Lord Charlemagne’s son.”

de Guise laughter only grew louder at the bewilder look on Paul Del la Croix’s face.

“Ask her boy!”

de Guise challenge the love sick young man as Suzanne entered the room, a vision of chaste beauty. The young girl smiled into his eyes as she swept back her fiery copper hair.

“Paul I am to be married…….”

The young beauty came up to her star struck lover and caressed his cheek.

“………but that does not mean we can’t be lovers Paul….he’s so old.”

Paul del la Croix could not believe what he was hearing, could not believe how wrong he had been about his love.

“Chienne!!!”
He screamed at Suzanne as he turned on his heel.

”Paul come back now, do not spurn my love.”

Suzanne screamed.

”Then damn you Paul del le Croix if you will not be my lover then you shall not love anyone else.”

That was so many years ago del la Croix could not have known how potent Suzanne de Guise curse was. It had pawned hatred in him a dark infection that twisted and deformed him beyond recognition. With his heart turned to ice Paul del la Croix became a beast. A beast that hunted young virgins.

Del la Croix watched as the ship broke up on the rugged coast of his island he pulled the half drowned man from the surf he looked down into his face his eyes wide with fever from his efforts to escape the surf to draw himself out of the water. This half drown creature gasped but a single word Belle

The beast smiled as he murmured Belle

 

[Perplexia]

The room was dark and musty that Belles father found himself in. His clothes still wet and salty from the sea. His perception of time was off, and had no idea how long he had been here. Placing his hand on the ground he laid he picked up straw and tossed it to the side.

"Hello?" he murmured and no echo or response came only the dripping of water splashing off a stone floor. "Hello" he yelled louder and still no response. Slowly standing he tried to move forward only to find that there was a chain around his ankle which held him in place.

He wondered if he'd ever see his Belle again, or his boys. He wondered how they would make do without him. He had faith that Belle would step up and marry Gaston if she had no other choice to ensure that her brothers were fed and clothed.

"Why am I being held I demand to know" he called out again into the empty dungeon.

**********
On her way back from the bakers she was stopped in the cobblestone street by Gaston. She truly despised this man, and wanted nothing to do with him.

"When will you stop this nonsense Belle and agree to be my wife."
He asked her gripping her arm.
Pulling her arm free she glared at him.

"I will never marry you Gaston, not in this lifetime or the next. Not even if you were the last man on earth. Now move aside" she advised him assertively and pushed past him.

She could hear laughter from his friends at the brush off she'd given. He never took it well. Next came the sound of punches and the laughing seized. Gaston was a brute and would never except defeat. If she had an inkling to marry then she could choose anyone just so he would let it go. But she did not, nor was there likely any chance she would.

 

[cgraven]

"Hello?"

The choked whispered echoed through the cavernous dungeon.

"Hello?"

He called louder only to be met with a deafening silence.

"Why am I being held I demand to know"

“What do you expect in this living hell?”

Came the broken gravelly voice from the dim darkness of the dungeon. It was a voice full of sorrow and disappear.

“What are you called?”

That disembody voice inquired of the half drowned prisoner.

“You know that there is no escape from this living hell on earth.”

A dark forlorn laugh echoed through the dank dungeon.

“Who is Belle my sad fellow?”

The beast sat in the a dark corner of the dungeon as he questioned his prisoner. Better to let him think he was another prisoner for the moment. Beast was anxious to find out about the girl could she be his next guess here at his lonely Chateau, the tasty little morsel to amuse him.

 

[Perplexia]

A gravely voice reached out to him and he struggled to see in the darkness. Maurice shivered in the dampness and spoke again.

"My name is Maurice, I am but a simple fisherman. My family will be worried soon if I don't return home. Please let me go, I have no riches to offer." He stopped for a moment and thought as the voice inquired about Belle.

"How did you hear that name?" He questioned then remembering he called out for her before he passed out. "She is my daughter, the oldest of my three children. Please i must return back to them."

 

[cgraven]

"My name is Maurice, I am but a simple fisherman. My family will be worried soon if I don't return home. Please let me go, I have no riches to offer."

There was certain desperation in the man’s voice as it trailed off, something in its tone, its tenor, which did not ring true. A sly smile bowed Paul del la Croix’s lips as Maurice continued,

"How did you hear that name?"

There was a touch of panic in the man’s voice he could not disguise.

"She is my daughter, the oldest of my three children. Please I must return back to them."

“A simple fisherman Maurice……….”

There was a note of disbelief in that dark disembodied voice

“………..Sense when do simple fishermen sail in a merchant’s vessel……….when do they simple fishermen were the fine clothes of a merchant trader Maurice?”


The dark accusations of that disembodied voice struck fear into Maurice’s heart.

“Maurice you will write to your daughter Belle……… she will have to raise your ransom…….. she’ll will have to meet the boat I send for her…….your freedom Maurice and the lives of your children depend on what you do next.”

Pen, paper and ink were slipped under the prison door’s slot. Paul del la Croix left Maurice with little choice if his family was to survive. He would send a raven as black as a starless night to bring her father’s note to Belle once he was forced by his own love for his family would force him to write. The raven and the boat would deliver Belle to him. Little could Belle know that Gaston was the least of her worries.

 

[Perplexia]

Maurice thought hard about the decision before him. If he didn't return he would die here. If he did what his capture asked of him, he would loose his daughter. Of course at the same time if she finally got married to someone he would loose her that way as well. Knowing Belle that wasn't likely to happen. Which meant in retrospect she would continue to be another mouth to feed. No it was time that she was out on her own. Maurice knew of his daughters loyalty and love for him. She would agree to the terms he wrote for his sake.

Slowly he began to write.

My Dearest Belle,

Misfortune has been cast upon me in my travels. I require your duty of a daughter to secure my safe passage home. You will pack your things and meet the boat that comes for you, and sail to work for the one in which i owe a great debt. Your compliance and discreteness is required.

Please make haste.
Your Father

Maurice slid the note under the cell door with the pen to the shrouded capture. "You will treat her kindly won't you? She is a good girl, and a hard worker. "

*****
Belle received the note from her father by a raven as dark as night. She read it and then read it again. She knew her father was capable of many things, but he farmed her out to work off his debt. However, she could not say no. With much disgruntlement she went about packing her things. Her books her clothes, and any small item that would fit that would remind her of home. Setting out to the dock she met a dark ship that was sent for her.

 

[cgraven]

A small sloop lay along the quayside; a dark silent figure stood on the quarter deck a hood drawn close about his features. He watched as the young beauty made her way down the quay. She was young, younger than he had been lead to believe. He spoke but a single word as she stood there with her few possessions looking so very lost and so very, very scared.

“Belle?”

His features remained masked even as he extended a hand to her. That hand was less than human and more like a paw and yet it was not. It was if nature had played some cruel trick on its owner. The voice that had uttered that single word, Her Name was rough, gravelly, more a growl that was felt in one’s very soul as well as heard.

“Cast off,……….set the jib,…………loose the main sail,…………..”

The commands had come in gruff sporadic commands and the little sloop headed out of Rochelle and out on to the broad bay. Soon the little craft was engulfed in an unnatural fog and Belle’s world was reduced to the deck of the sloop her only company the hooded figure.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle looked at her father as he passed her on the dock to hurry and get on the ship. He glanced at her with sad eyes and no words as he boarded quickly and the ship disappeared.

Her eyes went back to the hooded figure who held out his paw like hand. When he had said her name chills went up her spine. She could vaguely see his castle from the fog in the distance. Her eyes went back to the hooded figure.

Mustering up her bravery she gave a curtsy with a soft smile and bowed her head lightly. "sir" she finally replied her voice like silk as it came from her lips. Placing her hand in his pawl like one, and she followed him to his dreary home. Her eyes taking in the magnitude and deterioration of it.

What a sad place it was that he lived. She could tell that her work as a maid had its challenges, but in the end it would be rewarding to try to reinstall some of his homes former glory.

"I'm quite tired after my journey, if you would be so kind to show me to my quarters and i'll get started first thing in the morning."

 

[cgraven]

There had been a moment when Belle and Maurice’s eyes had met for just a moment before the girl’s father guilty averted his eyes from her gaze as she took the beasts hands and stepped on to the sloop that would bear her away from everything she had ever known and away from all those that she cared for. The little sloop was soon swallowed up by an unnatural fog. In that fog time seemed to stand still, the tendrils of mist seemed to caress Belle entice her like unseen hands exploring the sensual curves of her supple young body. It was then that the unnatural fog began to thin and Bell got her first glimpse at Château Dèsespéré

There was an ominous appearance to the turrets that pierced the gathering gloom that seemed to envelop this lonely windswept island as Belle’s lonely little sloop slid up to the delapetaed dock and the innocent young girl steeped into a world far different from the one she had so recently left. There was a perpetual gloom about the Château Dèsespéré, a slow deterioration, like that of a forlorn soul. The great oaken door that led from the courtyard to the keep proper creaked open, as if by themselves to swallow Belle into the belly of Château Dèsespéré.

"I'm quite tired after my journey, if you would be so kind to show me to my quarters and i'll get started first thing in the morning."

The beast smiled beneath his hood. How sweetly innocent this young girl was. He gave her but a simple command.

“Follow!”

His voice was dark and menacing, and yet there was something else deep within it something that was neither hostile or friendly but more hopeless and forlorn. He led Belle up the long winding staircase to what was obviously the Master’s bed chamber.

“Disrobe Miss I wish to see your body, to see if you are worth the trade I made for you.”

As he spoke Běte drew back his hood to reveal himself for the first time.


“Your Father offered you to me as my concubine for his freedom Belle.”

 

[Perplexia]

Belle looked around the room noticing items that were not hers. This was obviously his chamber. Then came his command to disrobe. Informing her she would be his concubine.

She gasped only slightly as he revealed his beastly form to her. Taking a moment to adjust she looked him in the eyes and said

"I most certainly will not" she replied offended at the mere thought of being used as a toy "and although my father may have agreed, which i am doubtful of, i have not. I have come to simply be a maid." She could tell that he wasn't pleased and although the sight of him in this state was frightful she held her ground.

"Please show me to my room" she requested in a more polite tone.

 

[cgraven]

The copper haired beauty gasped when she saw Bête revealed to her in all his dark reality His crimson mane, the horns and that long scorpion tail.

"I most certainly will not……….."

Belle defiantly stated.

"…………and although my father may have agreed, which i am doubtful of, i have not. I have come to simply be a maid."

“You are what I say you are.”

Bête roared, his deadly scorpion tail flicking back and forth with his growing anger. He could smell Belle’s fear, and yet she held her ground her tawny copper head held high. Once more that old war between what was left of Paul del la Croix and the beast he had become raged within his breast. This slip of a girl reminded him of Suzanne de Guise all innocence, all sweetness, and yet she was a daughter of Eve and he knew she too would betray her. Bête roughly grabbed Belle by the arm,

“If you will not be my concubine Belle then I shall have to arrange other quarters for you.”

Dragged the young girl from his bed chamber down the long winding corridors of Château Dèsespéré, Down to the dungeons where her own father was held, the dungeons were he sold her innocence for his freedom. He slammed the door shut consigning Belle to her new quarters a small damp dungeon room with but a single straw mat for a bed. The only sound Belle could hear was the Drip, drip, and the scurrying of rats in the dark then something else a tortured scream, a scream that might be head from the lips of the damned, a scream to tear at a tender heart for the owner of that scream did indeed seemed damned.

Bête leaned against the cold stone wall his tortured scream echoing in his own ears. Oh how he desired Belle and yet he knew she could never love the beast that he had become and he was not sure if Bête was even capable of love.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle gasped loudly as he gripped her arm and dragged her through the chateau' down to the dungeon, where he tossed her into the cell. She landed with a thump on the straw bed and simply glared at him.

She heard the scream and a shiver ran up her spine. "I can hear you breathing" she announced rather boldly. "If you want to keep me locked up because i will not be your whore that is fine. But i would be of better service cleaning up this place. It has really gone to shambles." she heard no reply and continued. "I realize i'm not a guest and you're big, scary and use to getting your own way. But i don't respond to bullies, I had enough of those at home. Perhaps if you used some manners and acted like a gentleman you'd have more people happy to be here. I have been told i am rather pleasant company. "

His 'I'm god' attitude reminded her of Gaston. If it was possible to hate anyone so much it was that arrogant man.

Belle twiddled her thumb listening to the drops of water and hearing the light breathing. She waited to see if she got a reply.

 

[cgraven]

"I can hear you breathing"

Bête hands curled into fists as he fought the raw rage that all but threatened to consume him.

"If you want to keep me locked up because i will not be your whore that is fine. But i would be of better service cleaning up this place. It has really gone to shambles."

He had not demanded that this stunning young beauty be his Whore but had asked her to share all that was his as his concubine. Bête roared in frustration why could she not understand what he offered.

"I realize i'm not a guest and you're big, scary and use to getting your own way. But i don't respond to bullies, I had enough of those at home. Perhaps if you used some manners and acted like a gentleman you'd have more people happy to be here. I have been told i am rather pleasant company. "

What could he expect, this young beauty rather be a maid, a mere servant than his concubine his companion. Bête turned on his heel, the girl needed to eat after her long journey. He was returning to the dungeon when he caught a glimpse of himself in one of Château Dèsespéré mirrors. What a hideous creature Bête fumed at his own reflection, his temper flared and he hurled Belle’s dinner at his own image. Food and shattered glass marred the marble floor only adding to the feeling that Château Dèsespéré was slowly rotting and falling into ruins.

There was a soft grating as a slot at the bottom of Belle’s cell door slid open. Bête slid a tray of roast meat and vegetables under the door followed by a bowl of rich red wine.

“Eat you will need your strength.”

That little door under the cell door slid close as Bête once more slunk back against the wall of the dungeon and lowered his great head into his gnarled paws. What he had become was what he now was, the day or hope of him becoming Paul del la Croix once more, or even a man where long sense passed.


For four days Belle only contact with the beast was when he came to feed her. It was on the morning of the fifth day that young Belle found her cell door standing open a bucket, mop, and rags standing outside her cell door The beast, her jailor and tormentor was no where to be seen and yet she could feel unseen eyes watching her.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle awoke stretching her limbs on the straw bed. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness noticing that her cell door now stood open. Slowly she rose to her feet and brushed herself off. Picking up the bucket, rags and mop she made her way out of the dungeon up the steps into the chateau.

Her eyes took in the challenge that awaited her. The cobwebs and the dust hid a secret of the beauty of this place. She was determined to unmask it and reveal its elegance. Finding a broom she went to work quickly ridding the cob webs she could reach. Dusting, sweeping, and scrubbing she worked throughout the day revealing one elegant section of the chateau at a time.

Humming softly she took a rest sitting at the base of the giant staircase. She knew he had been watching her. Speaking into the silence her eyes looked over what she had accomplished. "A bit of hard work and care seems to have brought some life back to this home of yours. I'm anxious to see what a few days of effort brings forth."

Belle didn't expect a response. Slowly she rose and took her bucked of dirty water to the door where she emptied it out side and refilled it to start again. She worked through out the evening beating rugs and washing the stone walls. Taking another rest upon a chair she had uncovered she fell asleep.

 

[cgraven]

Bête watched from the dark shadow that clung to the corners of Château Dèsespéré as Belle busied herself sweeping, cleaning, washing and polishing the grand entry hall of the château. If his life was a fairytale then Bête, the beast, with true love could once more become Paul del la Croix the most handsome young man in the district, but Bête life was no fairytale. He was what he was his transformation was not the result of some fiendish curse but by his own hatred a hatred that had not only warped and twisted his tormented soul but his body as well.

While se work Belle hummed softly as she worked. She did not raise her eyes or search the shadows for him and yet as she sat at the foot of that grand stairway she spoke softly as if she knew he was near.

"A bit of hard work and care seems to have brought some life back to this home of yours. I'm anxious to see what a few days of effort brings forth."

She rose and took her bucked of dirty water to the door where she emptied it outside. She was gorgeous as she stood there silhouetted in the bright daylight his heart ached with his need for her. Then the spell of the moment was broken as belle refilled her bucket to start again. The fading day did not slow the industrious young beauty as she into the evening, beating rugs and washing the stone walls. Taking another rest upon a chair she had uncovered she fell asleep.

Bête came to the sleeping beauty, he placed a tray with cold meats and fruits and an earthen jug of wine by her chair. He draped a silken comforter over the sleeping beauty, his paw reached out to brush a stray hair from her angelic face then as he saw that coarse paw, her flawless cheek her drew back his hand as if scalded, he had no right to touch such innocent beauty. Bête turned on his heel and left the sleeping young beauty to rest in peace a tear of regret trickled down his cheek.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle awoke in the early hours curled up in the chair. She stretched and lifted the beautiful quilt off of her placing her feet on the floor. Finding that she was famished she was happy to see the tray of meat, wine and fruit beside her.

Slowly she ate taking in the sparkling great hall. Rising she folded the quit and place it on the chair. Picking up the tray she took it to the giant kitchen and decided this was the next room that needed her attention.

With the same fortitude she went to work scrubbing and cleaning until the room sparkled to its original glory. Once again she felt his presence and she spoke to the air. "Thank you for the blanket and the food, it was very kind of you." Waiting for a few moments with no answer she continued. "I am hoping to have the dining room done next, perhaps we could dine together?"

Picking up her cleaning tools she made her way into the giant dining room. She could see its potential behind the layers of dust and cobwebs. It saddened her that such a great room should be in such a state of disarray. It took her the rest of the day to get the room in a presentable status.

Making her way back into the kitchen she set about the task of making dinner. She decided upon meat pies with sides of vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and fresh bread.

She wasn't sure if he would be joining her, but she set his place at the head of the table and her seat next to him instead of traditionally at the other end. Once all of the food was upon the table she called out into the hollow halls announcing that dinner was ready and on the table.

Taking her seat she waited in the silence.

 

[cgraven]

. "Thank you for the blanket and the food, it was very kind of you."

Bête made no reply but made his way to the west tower. The sun was just creeping over the horizon when he caught sight of himself in on e of the few remaining mirrors in Château Dèsespéré. His forlorn howl echoed through the empty corridors of the château. Such a foolish young beauty she had actual asked that Perhaps they could dine together. That howl of despair slowly became a tortured twisted laugh. Had she not refused to become his concubine, his lover and now she wanted to dine with him. Unbidden thoughts of Suzanne de Guise and her betrayal came rushing back to him, she too was a la belle femme, an innocent, at least that is what he thought. Never again he had sworn, it would be him that used and take his pleasure were he desired and yet what happiness had it brought him down the long corridor of time.

When Bell returned from her labors to clean Château Dèsespéré’s Dinning Salon a ball gown was draped over the chair that Belle hand fallen asleep on. There was what appeared to be a painfully scrawled note.

Dinner at 10………….you may use the room in the east tower………

Was all that was written. The room in the east tower was spotless. It was a chamber that was designed for a woman and her needs, perhaps a bridal chamber, but one that was set more as a shrine to some lost love. A joining the chamber was a bath straight out of the nights of Arabian Dreams.

Bête had intended to prepare the meal, the table to be set and laid as if for a banquet, all manner of roasted meat and delicacies to be set out. There would be two places set, one in the deepest shadows of the room for the bête, the other set in shimmering light for la belle femme. But those plans were not to be for Belle had already prepared the evening meal. The aromas told Bête meat pies with sides of vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and fresh bread were on the menu. He came into the dining room staying cloaked as much as possible his features once more cloaked by a cape and a hood. Belle for her part was seated at the table.

“Very Nice and quite pleasant Belle.”


He did not take his seat but clung to the shadows as if unwilling to give up the comfort of the darkness that cloaked him.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle took his plate and placed a large helping of food upon it and set it back down at the head of the table next to her. She then went about portioning out her food. "I'm glad you're pleased with it. It was my mothers recipe, for the meat pie that is, I hope you enjoy it. My mother was a great cook from what i can remember. She died many years ago in child birth with my youngest brother."

Belle poured the wine in his glass and hers and took a bite of her meal. "I've only been gone about a week but it seems like a life time ago." Taking another bite she looked to the shadows where he hid himself.

"Do you not wish me to be here?" she questioned due to his empty space at the table. "I thought it would be nice if we ate together. If I've over stepped I apologize. I just thought it would be nice to get to know each other a bit. I feel like we started off on the wrong foot. Please come join me for dinner. "

 

[cgraven]

"I'm glad you're pleased with it. It was my mother’s recipe, for the meat pie that is, I hope you enjoy it. My mother was a great cook from what i can remember. She died many years ago in child birth with my youngest brother."

There was a maddening innocent about this young beauty that both challenged and aroused Le Bête. It seemed that she pretended that her situation was really quite normal when in reality it was far from normal.

"I've only been gone about a week but it seems like a life time ago."

The young beauty almost casually commented as she served the wine and placed a goblet by the portion she had served for him.

"Do you not wish me to be here?"

The question took Le Bête by surprise, had he not told her that he wished her for his concubine. He was about to snap a reply when the young girl continued,

"I thought it would be nice if we ate together. If I've over stepped I apologize. I just thought it would be nice to get to know each other a bit. I feel like we started off on the wrong foot. Please come join me for dinner. "

With this Le Bête stepped from the shadows, he still remained cloaked beneath his hood, as unable to completely step from the shadows of his tormented life.

“Want you here mademoiselle did I not ask you to be my concubine?”

Before Belle could answer he waved his great paw to stifle any reply.

“There is no need to say anything for you have made your desire to be nothing more than a servant quite clear ma belle.”

Le Bête drew back the chair at the head of the table and took his seat.

“Shall we eat then?”

He simply stated.

Le Bête picked up the piece of meat pie that Belle had served and brought it to his mouth beneath the shadows of his hood. He ate more like the beast he had become rather than a man. His fist then closed around the goblet as he gulped his wine.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle watched as he ate and thought about the statement he made. "no sir you did not ask, you told me. I can understand that you're use to getting your way, it is your house, and i am here to repay my fathers debt. I may not be high ranking in social status but i still believe myself to be a lady of high moral fiber."

She sighed. "With that said i appreciate your reconsideration of my duties in allowing me to serve you in a dignified manner. I was sincere in my wish to get to know each other better. With just the two of us here, I am sure we could find solace in each others company."

Belle focused back on her plate and took another fork full of pie. It was obvious to her that he was in great pain. He hadn't shown himself to be cruel just stubborn and set in his ways. The sight of him was frightful, and her situation was like nothing she had ever read about.

 

[cgraven]

Toussaint Gaston was used to getting whatever he wanted especially when it came to the women of the village and at present it was Belle the fiery daughter of Maurice. He was not use to being rebuffed by a woman he had set his sights on and Belle had done that not once but time and again. Recently the village was alive with roamers Belle had not been seen in days and Maurice kept murmuring something about Le Bête, a magical island, when he was in his cups at the village tavern and his lost daughter Belle. The more that Maurice poured out his miseries the more Toussaint Gaston became convinced that he was not spinning some wild yarn but was speaking the truth. He made up his mind that one he would find the magical island, claim the treasure that must be there, and as well as claiming sweet innocent Belle. An evil smile bowed his lips at the thoughts of what he would do to Belle once he claimed her.


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"no sir you did not ask, you told me. I can understand that you're use to getting your way, it is your house, and i am here to repay my father’s debt. I may not be high ranking in social status but i still believe myself to be a lady of high moral fiber."

Could this head strong copper hair beauty not understand what he was offering her? Did she not understand the duties of a concubine? That a concubine’s mind was as sensual, as seductive, to her Master as her body.

"With that said i appreciate your reconsideration of my duties in allowing me to serve you in a dignified manner. I was sincere in my wish to get to know each other better. With just the two of us here, I am sure we could find solace in each other’s company."

A wry smile bowed Le Bête’s thick lips as Belle spoke. He was only half listening to her for he knew that he would be Le Bête until the day he died. Oh once there had been a flickering gleam of hope that he could once more become Paul del la Croix there had been a rose under a glass and he had watched as each petal of that rose fell. The Comte de Guise had told him when the last petal fell he would remain the beast for eternity. He looked at the calmly that set next to him, a shuttering sigh escaped his lips.

“Let me tell you a story about a man who loved a woman, a story of Love and betrayal, ma belle. A story of a man named Paul del la Croix…………”

Slowly haltingly Le Bête told the story of Paul del la Croix, Suzanne de Guise, and Monsieur le Comte de Guise.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle sat quietly and listened as he told the story of Paul del la crox , Suzanne de Guise, and her father. The love that Paul had held for Suzanne was the purest and deepest that she could imagine. Her betrayal of his heart and degrading him to be just a lover touched her. He told her of the curse that Suzanne had placed, and the rose that had no more petals.

"That is a tragic story" she said softly when he finished. "It was wrong of her to encourage his affections when she didn't feel the same. It was also wrong of her to offer him the degrading role of being just a lover for her pleasure, and thrust upon him a curse for not doing as she wished." Shaking her head she continued.

"Hate is a powerful darkness that if not handled may manifest its way into even the purest of souls and destroy them from the outside in. Forgiveness would take a powerful strength, but provide the fight against the darkness. Redemption is always possible, if its wanted deep enough." Standing up she began to clear the table. Reaching for his plate her hand brushed against his paw. Instead of pulling away she simply smiled and moved forward clearing away his dishes. "If you're still hungry i have some warm cake that I made"

 

[cgraven]

"That is a tragic story………It was wrong of her to encourage his affections when she didn't feel the same……………. It was also wrong of her to offer him the degrading role of being just a lover for her pleasure, …………and thrust upon him a curse for not doing as she wished."

Belle’s voice was soft and a note of warm, tender care shown in it.

"Hate is a powerful darkness that if not handled may manifest its way into even the purest of souls and destroy them from the outside in. Forgiveness would take a powerful strength, but provide the fight against the darkness.

Le Bête was only half listening to the gorgeous young beauty as she spoke of redemption. He knew that for him that there would be no redemption just the beast that he had become. He was called back to the present when Belle stood as she began to clear the table. When Belle reached for his plate her hand brushed his paw. Yet instead of pulling away she simply smiled and moved forward clearing away his dishes.

"If you're still hungry i have some warm cake that I made"

“ Cake………”

He said as if his mind was someplace else.

“ Very well cake Belle.”

A sullen mood seemed to have settled on Le Bête. He had paced nervously as if he were a caged animal as he waited for Belle to bring him his cake and yet cake was not the tasty morsel he longed for. When she returned he swept the young beauty into his arms and he pressed his lips to hers in a dark hesitant kiss.

 

[Perplexia]

Belle had just set the cake on the table when she was pulled into his arms and his lips found hers. She was in shock and unsure of how to react. Her body was rigid in his embrace. This was the first kiss of a passionate nature she had ever encountered. She could have pushed away but she didn't. Her mouth slowly responded to his as her body relaxed in his arms.

Slowly she broke the kiss. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked into his eyes. "I hope you don't do that to everyone that brings you cake" she teased and slowly left his arms to cut a couple pieces for them.

Belle took her seat again and motioned for him to join her. She hadn't run screaming like he might of expected. But she didn't melt in his arms like a wanton woman either. He was perplexing and she truly wanted to get to know him. But she wouldn't simply melt away her morals to sooth his carnal hunger.

It would take a bit of romancing, patience, humor and effort on his part if wished to win her heart. The rest would follow in due time. But time was all they had. Rushing things certainly would only push back on any steps forward that had been made.