What if Belle Married Someone Else

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Curse
Henry was at a loss for what to do. His son, Prince Adam, was a spoiled brat who behaved meanly and showed no respect for others. Henry himself did not come from a royal lineage; he had married Princess Beth, who was the daughter of King Howard, one of the kings of France. King Howard, like his grandson, was also mean-spirited. He had hoped for a son, but his wife could only give him a daughter, and she was unable to have any more children, leaving the king disappointed.
Henry encountered Princess Beth while they were both attending college, unaware of her royal status. When he eventually discovered that she was a princess, he felt no anger, as he was already deeply in love with her. However, when Henry met King Howard, he was treated like a criminal because the king disapproved of his daughter's relationship with him. Henry wished to marry Princess Beth, but they both understood that King Howard would never approve of their union. As a result, Henry and Princess Beth decided to elope. This infuriated King Howard, who nearly sentenced Henry to death. While the king eventually forgave Princess Beth, he held no forgiveness for Henry.

Henry became a successful lawyer, which angered King Howard, who had hoped for his failure so that Princess Beth would leave him. However, Princess Beth assured her father that she loved Henry and had no intention of divorcing him. The couple had a son named Adam, whom King Howard adored and spoiled. King Howard attempted to turn Prince Adam against Henry, instilling shame in him for not having royal lineage. After King Howard's death, Prince Adam ascended to the throne and was expected to marry and have a son to continue the royal line. Henry hoped that his son would adopt a different perspective once he became king.
Henry and Princess Beth welcomed another child, a daughter named Anne. Princess Anne was renowned as the most beautiful woman in all of France, and she had the ability to attract any man in the kingdom. Like her parents, she was kind-hearted, and everyone adored her. One day, while shopping, Princess Anne noticed a handsome boy staring at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to look," the boy said.
"That's alright. What's your name?" Princess Anne inquired.
"I'm Roland Ross. And you?" he asked.
"I'm Anne Mills," she replied, not wanting Roland to discover her royal status.
Roland returned home with a big smile on his face. He was a diligent worker and came from a middle-class background. When Martin noticed his son's cheerful demeanor, he asked, "It seems like you've had a wonderful day. What's making you so happy?"
Roland responded with excitement, "I met someone!"
Martin replied, "I'm glad for you, son. I hope we get to meet her."
Roland confidently assured his father, "You will."
A few months later, Roland is prepared to propose to Anne. He shares his intentions with his father.
"This is your grandmother's engagement ring, and I want you to have it," Martin said as he handed the ring to his son.
"Dad, I can't accept this. You should give it to one of my sisters," Roland responded.
"Son, I still have your mother's engagement ring and your other grandmother's engagement ring. I'll give those to your sisters," Martin reassured him.
"Thank you," Roland said, embracing his father.

The following day, Roland takes Anne to an upscale restaurant.
"I love you and I hope you'll agree to be my wife," he proposed.
Anne was taken aback and didn't know how to respond.
"I realize I might be moving too fast. I shouldn't have asked you," Roland said, feeling embarrassed.
"Roland, I love you too, but I haven't been completely honest with you. I am Princess Anne, the sister of Prince Adam," she revealed.
"You're the sister of the future king of France!" Roland exclaimed, frustrated. "You have every right to be upset, but I wanted to get to know you better before sharing this," Anne explained.
"I understand you have your reasons for keeping this from me, and I still love you. Your brother will never permit us to marry. I would be fortunate to escape this situation alive. Even if he doesn't kill me, he will disown you. I'm not wealthy, and I have no interest in your brother's money. You're accustomed to a life of luxury, and I can't provide you with the same lifestyle you have in the castle," Roland said.
"I don't care about that. I love you and want to be your wife," Princess Anne responded. "I just hope everything turns out well with your brother," Roland replied.
The following day, Princess Anne and Roland tied the knot. The ceremony was small, with only Roland's family in attendance. Anne felt guilty for not informing her parents about Roland. He also wished that Anne's family could have been there. Roland kept the fact that Anne was a princess a secret from his family, which troubled him, as he disliked hiding things from them. Princess Anne planned to inform her brother at the party he was hosting, believing he would be in a good mood and it would be the perfect opportunity to share with him.
Roland was uncertain whether it was wise to inform Prince Adam about their marriage during the party. Princess Anne reassured him that Prince Adam wouldn't be upset, but Roland believed she was mistaken. He got a tuxedo for the event and eventually revealed to his family that Anne was a princess and the sister of Prince Adam. He explained that they planned to tell Prince Adam about their marriage at the party Prince Adam was hosting. Martin, concerned for his son, knew that Prince Adam could be cruel and feared for Roland's safety. However, Roland urged his father not to worry.
The following evening, Roland and Princess Anne attended a party hosted by Prince Adam. He was throwing the event in search of a wife, as he needed to marry and have a son in order to become king. Roland felt anxious about meeting Prince Adam, having heard that he was unpleasant and not well-liked by many, who also feared him.
Prince Adam noticed a man who appeared anxious and was scanning the room. He approached Mrs. Potter and inquired, "Who is that beggar?!"
to which Mrs. Potter replied, "I do not know, your highness."
Prince Adam was about to tell the man to leave when he noticed Princess Anne conversing with him. He was shocked to see her speaking to a beggar. Prince Adam hurried over to her.
"Why are you talking to this beggar?!" he demanded, furious.
"His name is Roland Ross, and he is my husband!" Princess Anne shot back, equally angry.
"How could you marry without my permission? How dare you wed this beggar!" Prince Adam yelled.
"I love Roland!" Princess Anne retorted.
"You have lost your title and are banished from the castle! I want both you and the beggar to leave immediately!" Prince Adam shouted.
"Your Highness, I beg you not to be upset with Anne. I am a diligent man and I promise to look after your sister!" Roland implored.
"Leave my castle at once! You are not welcome here! I have no sister!" Prince Adam shouted.
Princess Anne was distressed and fled the castle, with Roland following her. Meanwhile, Henry was frustrated with Prince Adam and was about to speak up when an unattractive old woman entered the castle.
"Your Highness, I have nowhere to go and I was hoping to stay in your castle until the rain stops," she begged.
"I won't allow you to stay here. This isn't a hotel!" Prince Adam retorted angrily. "Please, Your Highness, I really need a place to stay!" the woman implored once more.
Prince Adam continues to show no mercy. "I want you to leave my castle, or I'll have the guards throw you out!" he shouted in anger.
The woman began to laugh.
"I thought you were different from your grandfather, but I see I was mistaken. You're just as cruel and heartless as he is!" she chuckled.
Then, she transformed into a stunning woman. Prince Adam suddenly recognized her as the witch, Rose.
"What do you want, you wicked witch?!" he demanded furiously.
"I disapprove of how you've been treating others. I'm going to place a curse on you and your servants, turning you into a hideous monster," Rose said with a smile before vanishing.
Prince Adam gazed into the mirror and realized he had transformed into a monster.
"What has that witch done to me?!" he shouted in fury.
The guests at the party were frightened and quickly fled the castle. In his rage, Prince Adam shut himself in his room. Meanwhile, Rose transformed his servants into furniture and kitchen appliances.
Henry was at a loss on how to help his son. He had heard about a good witch named Sabrina and decided to seek her help.
When Henry reached Sabrina's house, he implored, "My son has been cursed by Rose, who turns him into a monster. Can you help him?"
Sabrina assured him, "Rose has no right to curse your son. It's a crime. The only way to break the curse is if Prince Adam learns to love and earns someone's love in return."
This seemed like a daunting task as Henry knew that Prince Adam didn't know how to love and that it would be hard for anyone to fall in love with a heartless monster.