The Clockmaker's Daughter

Chapter 5

Belle stood from the floor, wiping her hands on her apron, evaluating the result. The hardwood glowed in the mid afternoon sun after a full day of polishing. She looked up and inspected the rest of the vast, empty room stretching an area far beyond her imagination ever conceived possible for a space. Just how many people could this room hold? Even for an imagination as vivid as Belle’s, it was difficult to fathom. The marble walls shone bright and the gold detailing glittered. Every corner dusted, every surface polished. After an entire week, the grand ballroom was done.

“Good work,” said a voice behind her.

Belle was startled to find the prince standing so close behind her. He looked down and smiled at her.

“Not a moment too soon either,” he said, stepping into the room, assessing her work. 

“Happy Birthday Belle,” he said, turning around to face her.

“Thank you,” Belle said.

“I have a gift for you,” he said, “A token of my appreciation for all the hard work you’ve put forth so far. Do not worry about cleaning for the rest of the day.”

Emilie came up behind Belle with a wide, mischievous smile.

“Emilie will help you get ready,” the prince said as Emilie began to pull Belle away.

“What’s going on?” Belle asked.

“He came up with this surprise a week ago,” Emilie said, “Jacques and I have been making arrangements all week. Come now! We have to get you dressed!”

“Dressed for what?” Belle asked as Emilie pushed her into her room. Lying upon her bed was a beautiful silk gown. It was a light blue, shimmering like the surface of the water’s edge. Delicate lace trimmed the bodice and edges. Belle walked over, picking up the dress, speechless in awe over the extravagant material. She had never held something so fine in her life.

“A party!” Emilie smiled gleefully, undoing Belle’s fastenings. “Not a big one, mind you, just the four of us as always. But seeing it’s your birthday we might as well make the best of it shan’t we? Let’s dress you up nice, seeing your beauty is wasted in these rough frocks.”

“I’m to wear this?” Belle asked incredulously.

“Well it certainly isn’t for me!” Emilie laughed, taking the dress from Belle, helping her into it. “Master asked me to get you a dress for tonight and found you one I did.”

Belle turned so that Emilie could tighten the lacing on the back of the bodice. Before her was the gold mirror, reflecting her image. What a difference! Certainly her skin wasn’t quite as white as those of noble ladies, but the transformation a gown could make in one’s appearance was remarkable. The dress showed the womanly form she never knew she had. The scalloped sleeves rested right on the edge of her shoulders, elongating her slender neck. Belle saw herself in a way she never saw herself before.

“What a sight you are!” Emilie breathed, smiling at Belle in the reflection. “Pretty as a picture! Now, let’s get your hair up.” 

Emilie took out the loose plait from Belle’s hair, brushing through her thick curled tresses. She twisted and plaited them up into a simple style, but one far beyond any that Belle had ever imagined for herself.

“My apologies Belle,” Emilie said, “I’m but a nurse and a cook. I was never a handmaid. I’m afraid this is as good as I can do.”

“It’s lovely,” Belle said quietly, mesmerised by her reflection once she looked in the mirror. “I hardly look like myself!”

There was a light rapping outside their door when Jacques opened. His eyes widened with delight.

“Oh Belle!” he breathed, “You look lovely!”