The Princess and the Beast

Chapter Two

Camille's POV

"Camille!" I heard Belle yell and I hurried over to the lavoir to see Belle picking her the laundry from the dirt she was washing. I was enraged, "What is going on here?" The Headmaster turned to me and pointed at Belle, "This young woman is teaching another girl how to read, Your Highness." I scoffed, "And that is the reason you removed Belle's clothing from the lavoir and threw it in the dirt?" A woman exclaims, "Your Highness, I know that in the palace, you are encouraged to read, but in this village, one is bad enough." 

I looked at the woman in disdain and helped Belle, along with Pere Robert, to pick up her clothing, "That is a sorry excuse to be so hateful to a young woman, and using my education as a slap in the face is disgraceful. Belle, I'm writing my father about this treatment. Let me take your clothing back to the home and I will send that letter right away." 

Belle smiled softly at me as some villagers rushed after me to try and change my mind. I shut the door in their faces and grabbed parchment and ink, quickly but effectively writing a letter to my parents. Quickly after I shut the door, Belle came in and waited for Gaston to leave, only to walk out the door again.

Dear Mother and Father,

I have safely made it to Villeneuve with the help of Monsieur Gaston and LeFou. I regret to inform you that Monsieur Gaston is a narcissistic and arrogant man who believes that marriage is about outward beauty. You both have informed me of how your marriage started out, but in a small village, that attribute shouldn't matter. Alas, that is not the reason I am writing to you.

The villagers of Villeneuve are mistreating Mademoiselle Belle as she was teaching a young girl to read, throwing her garments into the dirt and shoving the education that you gave me into her face, saying that it was bad enough for one girl to be able to read. These villagers are small-minded and hateful. Please give me advice on what needs to be done about this, if anything.

Please tell my brothers and sisters I miss them. I love you both and miss you.

Will all the love in my heart, 

Camille Auguste, Princess of France, Daughter of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

I sealed the envelope and went out to the postman who was surrounded by some villagers, "Please make sure this gets to the King and Queen of France." I turned cold, "And if I receive word that it was never delivered or it was destroyed. I will give out consequences for those actions." Everyone around gasps and walks away quickly, worried about what will happen if they interfere with my letter.

I heard a horse crying out frantically and turned around to see Phillipe running to Belle, who was tending in the garden. I hurried over and Belle looked frantic, "Papa is missing. I have to go find him." I nodded, "I'll go with you." Belle shook her head, "No, you can not leave. Please. Your father-" I sternly said, "I promised your father that I would look after you. If someone comes back with my letter and they find that I am missing, they will send out a search party. It will be alright, Belle. You can't do this alone." 

Belle sighed, "Alright." I hurried and grabbed Madeleine, handing the stable boy another gold coin and then Belle and I were off to find her father, hopefully alive. We raced through the forest and into a wintery part of the forest I wasn't familiar with, but it was the way to the castle. We stopped where we found Maurice's wagon and Belle looked at me, "Is there a shelter nearby?" I smiled and looked around, "Yes. I know where it is." I ushered Madeleine down the path, closer to my beloved, with Belle following me closely. 

We both raced through the snow-covered garden and up to the castle. I frowned as everything was different. It was June and it was snowing cold. The castle looked dark and uncared for. This was not what I was expecting when I came back to my beloved. Belle and I tied our horses to a pillar and I ran up the stairs to the door with Belle behind me, "Princess! Please, you don't know what is waiting!" I smiled and pushed faster, whispering, "Hopefully Adam." 

I opened the door quickly and looked around, "Hello!" I could hear someone speaking softly, "Look Cogsworth. Princess Camille!" I smiled as I remembered Cogsworth, but couldn't find the voice. "Yes! It is the Princess. She has returned! With another! I lost my hands, not my eyes." I looked around, trying to find the voices attached to the people I saw years ago. Belle turned towards the voices, "Who said that? Camille, did you hear that?"

I looked around, envisioning the last time I was here and it was warmer and inviting, "I did, but where are they?" We both walk over to the table where a clock and a candelabra are sitting and I look closely at the candelabra, recognizing the face. I heard Maurice cough and Belle gasped, "Papa!" I watched her take the candelabra and run up the stairs quickly as I chased behind her. 

We both got up to the top and raced to the cell where Maurice was being held. "Papa, is that you?!" Belle asked as she held Maurice's hands. Maurice coughed, "Belle? How did you find me?" Maurice's eyes found mine, "Oh no. Oh no. Your father wouldn't like this, Princess." I sighed, "My father should know by now that I will always help anyone. A search party will be held if we are not back. I sent a letter to my parents about your village. Belle, his hands are ice. We need to get you two home." 

Maurice looked panicked, "Belle, you must get Princess Camille out of here. Both of you need to leave at once. This castle is alive! Now go, before he finds you!" I looked confused and Belle asked, "Who?" A growling sounded through the tower and Belle looked towards the sound, pushing me behind her and holding a stick as a weapon, "Who's there?" 

I looked around and saw a large shadow and Belle asked the shadow, "Who are you?" The man growled, "Who are you?" Belle narrowed her eyes, "I've come for my father." The man scoffed, "Your father is a thief." Belle's voice echoed, "Liar!" The man explained, "He stole two roses." Belle looked at the shadow, "I asked for the rose. Punish me, not him" I looked at Belle, "I also asked for one." Belle and Maurice shouted, "No!" Maurice coughed, "Princess, don't. He means forever. Apparently, that's what happens around here when you pick a flower."

Belle looked at the man, astonished, "A life sentence for a rose?" The shadow roared and jumped onto the same level as us and Maurice held my hands tightly, hoping to spare me from anything that came our way. The man walked towards us, but not into the light, "I received eternal damnation for one. I'm merely locking him away. Now, do you still wish to take your father's place?" 

Belle looked at the shadow, "Come into the light." I was intrigued as the man refused and Belle shoved the candelabra into the man's- beast's face. I gasped as I remembered those eyes and whispered, "Adam." The beast as I recognized as Adam snapped his head over to me as he remembered there were three people in the room other than him, whispering back, "Cammie." 

If Belle and Maurice heard us, they didn't pay attention. But all I knew was, what the hell did I miss over the last couple years?