Beast Within The Beauty: A Beauty and the Beast fanfiction

No One Charms Men Like Joëlle

'I had walked into the Tavern, Chip follows close behind, he turns to see me entering, he smiles. I stop almost breathless as I quickly get lost in his green eyes.. He wasn't like anyone I had seen before..'

"Belle? You've gotten even more beautiful in the past decade.." Gaston said

"You think I'm--? Sorry to disappoint you, sir, but I'm not the woman you think I am.." I said

"How could I be mistaken, you look so much like someone I once loved.." Gaston said

"Did you just call me 'Belle'? How do you know my mother?" I asked

"Mother? You're Belle's daughter?" Gaston asked

"Yes, I'm Joëlle, this is my god brother, Chip." I said

"Joëlle.. Pleasure to meet you, I am Gaston, the village hero.." He said

"Gaston, as in fell off the roof of my father's castle to his death?" I asked

"I survived the fall, and found my way back to the village." Gaston said

"How could someone survive a drop that high?" I asked

"It's a mystery as to how I survived, but I never imagined I'd find love again.." Gaston said

"I'm sorry. I sometimes feel like a prisoner within the walls of my own home." I said

'We stared into each other's eyes, my heart was beating rapidly, It felt like all time was standing still, I knew that if I got to know Gaston, I could reform and rebuild him turn him from an arrogant conceited man into a refined gentleman..'

"I have to go, I'll see if I can come back tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, Gaston." I said, leading Chip back to my grandfather's house, after taking a glance over my shoulder to see him limping

"Joëlle.. now she is the one I'll marry.." Gaston said

"Joëlle, how did you and Chip enjoy your time in town?" Maurice asked

"It was fine. Thank you. I'm going to get some sleep. Goodnight." I said, carrying a sleeping Chip into the bedroom

"Goodnight, Joëlle." Maurice said

'The next morning I was going out into the garden where I saw my grandfather cutting the thorny stems..'

"Good morning." I said

"Joëlle, could you hand me that bag there?" Maurice asked

"There you go. I'm enjoying my time outside the castle, I love it, but I sometimes feel more like a prisoner than a crown princess." I said

'I looked over the fence, I see Gaston limping as he looked my way I smile warmly and lightly.. I look down at his leg, and then at him..'

"What happened to your ankle? Are you alright?" I asked

"I'm fine.. just a sprain from the fall." Gaston said

"Do you need me to walk you to your Tavern?" I asked

"If you insist.." Gaston said

"Be careful with him, Joëlle." Maurice said

"I'll be careful, Grandpa.." I said opening the gate, placing my arm in his, and my other behind his back for leverage

"I could take you on a tour of the town, I don't have to be back at the Tavern right away, Joëlle." Gaston said

"Are you sure that won't be too much stress on your ankle?" I asked

"You needn't worry about me, I've had worse injuries than this." Gaston said

"Just as long as you're alright, then I would love to see the rest of the town.." I said

"Do you enjoy living in a palace, Joëlle?" Gaston asked

"Yes.. but sometimes I just feel like I'm a prisoner.. This is my first time outside the castle, and you're the first person I've met outside those stone walls.." I said

"Would you give up the crown if you had the chance?" Gaston asked

"Sometimes I want more than the royal lifestyle, and dream about living the life of an ordinary girl.. So to answer your question, I would if I were truly unhappy.." I said

'We had gone back to the Tavern after sunset, I had attended to Gaston's ankle, and I had gotten lost in his green eyes once again, and on the walk home, I had started thinking about what Gaston had asked me earlier, about being happy in the castle and if I could, give up my spot in line for the throne.. I don't know what it was about Gaston that kept him on my mind.. But I knew in my heart that I couldn't imagine my life, in the castle, or the village without him...'

~End of Chapter 2~