Fractured Fairytale Beauty and the Beast

DRAFT

Have you ever thought about what would've happened if the Beast was never cursed? Would Belle have never met him? Would Gaston have Belle's hand-in-marriage?

"Be—lle!" A bulky man arrogantly bellowed over the little town in the countryside of France. The girl had the stereotypical look of a princess with fair skin and a slender body. She rolled her eyes revealing a tint of hazel. She pushed her book up to her nose and as if she had memorised the whole town, she turned every corner. Trying to get her attention, the man snatched the book out of her hands. "Bah-how can you read this? It has no pictures!" Whilst he complained about the book, he flexed his muscles at Belle. The young woman, who was secretly yearning for adventure, covered her face in annoyance while swatting him away as if he were a fly, "Gaston, go away. I'm too tired to deal with you today."

"Nonsense, you would never, the girls love me." He pumped his chest in front of him, his smirking face looking down at her.

"Well, I'm not part of 'those girls'." She emphasised and positioned her hands to the side of her hips. "Then Mr 'Town Hero', go bother them, not me. If you want to bother someone, go bother my sisters. They would love your company." She turned back-front and a few seconds later, her auburn hair followed, swirling after her.

"Oh come on, Belle-" He desperately called out for her.

"Oh, if you want a 'beauty' you should go to the castle because I sure am not one." She said in exasperation, pointing her finger to the nearest castle.

The castle had been deserted when the king and queen were assassinated in a rigged meeting. Even though the king and queen passed away, the kingdom still had hope. The prince. Growing up, the prince knew he was a handsome young fellow. People would compliment his deep blue eyes and girls would fawn over his chiselled jaw. He got compliments from all people around his kingdom. He never took them seriously. "Hey Adam, love your hair today. Good luck running a kingdom." His friends teased him before running to eat their supper. The death of his parents had affected him. He didn't want the crown. Sure, helping people was 'good', but the dreadful responsibility pressured him further into hating the role. 'I won't be any help. I'll just cause problems. I'm a monster. I shouldn't have survived.' He thought negatively while staring at the picture of the coronation of his parents.

"I should've been there with you mum, dad..." he murmured silently. "I don't want this." He sat down on the couch and let his head fall as a lump formed in his throat.

Belle walked into a little cottage, distant from the main town and called in, "Papa!" In a near workshop of his, a voice yelled out.

"Belle! I'm in the workshop." Once he came out, he coughed out smoke. "I swear that machine is nothing but trouble." He spat.

"You're a smart man, Papa. You'll make it happen." She lightly pecked him on the cheek.

Her father grunted, "I wish your sisters would agree. All they do is fawn over 'Town Hero'. Saying, 'Gaston this, Gaston that.' He imitated, "Honestly, that's all they talk about." He smashed his hammer into the machine. "Well, that should do it," he sighed, letting go of the hammer. "Once this gets first place in the competition, I'll let you have everything Belle. I promise." Her father's eyes gentled.

Belle shook her head in denial, "I don't need anything Papa. I have everything I want. It's peaceful here." As her father tried to respond, a voice came shouting through the eroded wooden door.

"Daddy! When will the rings come? I need them right now! Gaston's here!" Belle's father telepathically excused himself and ran out.

"They're in your closet young lady!" His voice grew smaller and smaller as he went further and further. 'When will I be able to tell him that I want to get out?' Belle supposed.