I recently saw an Italian Mini-Series of Beauty and The Beast known as La Bella E La Bestia from 2014. The Love Story of Bella Dubios and Prince Leon De Ville, the Beast. There are some scenes I thought were needed or how I would have improved on ce...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Leon knew where Bella would be. The Conservatory. She had a generous heart. One of the many things he loved about her. After all he could see she cared for him...the one man that had nearly destroyed and caused her heartache. He knew Bella had forgiven him for his part of the bet. When Bella bravely knelt in front of him, he knew he would: Adore, Honour and Respect her all the days of his life. He was angry and upset she left the first chance she took even when he knew he was the reason behind it. Still, he would excuse her. He loved her so much. The difference was Bella never set out to hurt him. On the other hand, It didn't matter how he made it up to her. He would never be her choice. After all, he had no place in her heart. Bella reconfirmed his doubt the moment she told him what she wished for.
Regardless, he decided it was time to tell her what he felt for her was the absolute truth. In the beginning, he had wanted to win the bet and get her in his bed. The man who made the bet, shoved her to the ground, and scared her didn't exist anymore. She had brought out the kindness which he refused to show the world for years! Before he knew it, he set out in need of Bella's company.
The week before he had accompanied Bella to the forest where she was greeted with so many children from the village. From his trusted steed, he watched as Bella had the children help her search for the best flowers for his Uncle Armand. Leon smiled as he witnessed Bella with the young ones. He could see she loved children and knew in his heart Bella would be an excellent mother.
Bella was tending to the flowers, taking extra care for Armand. She couldn't help inhaling the scent of a rose. Suddenly, the glass door to the Conservatory gave way. Bella heard the sound before anything else as she saw who was walking in. Leon stepped through and Bella had withdraw her hand from the roses, staring at him. Leon smiled and in a courteous voice, "Carry on with what you were doing." He muttered, finding his way into the room.
Bella went to another set of flowers, looking at them carefully. Leon accompanied her around the room as she did so. He smiled, "Old Blush." He pronounced as he tread up to a certain flower. When Bella glanced at him, he couldn't help but look back at her briefly. This graceful, fascinating young woman. He continued to join her as they travel through out the room. Bella separated herself from him momentary. She watched him nonetheless. "Black Lace." He said softly. Moving along he saw the next flower. He spoke the name softly, "Belladonna. Each one is tied to a memory and for that I hated them. But now...my memories hurt less because," He told her.
Bella grew nervous. She didn't want to think of romance or love. Not after his trick. Yes, he made it up to her but she couldn't tell when he was being sincere or if this was another game to him. Bella grasped her seashell necklace tightly. She was hesitant about Leon.
Abruptly, Leon swirled himself to see Bella. He continued trying to express what he felt for her and he wanted her to understand and know some of his past. "I feel hope." He finished turning and stepped closer to her, his voice shaking. He was ready to be rejected once again. When Bella remained quiet he resumed. "The hope of finding the happiness I knew before. Wither my hope will make sense depends on you." Leon found himself looking right into Bella's eyes. "Or if it is to become just a memory. The most painful one of all." Leon kept his gaze on Bella.
Bella couldn't meet Leon's orbs any longer. She lowered her eyes and sauntered along. Trying to put distance between herself and Leon. Couldn't he notice she was confused and didn't want to mentioned any of this? What did he expect? He caused her agony!
Leon knew he mustn't frighten her but how could he leave her to believe everything he felt was a game? He had to face what he did immediately. He swiveled once more. "What must I do for you to believe me?" He asked he voice laced with sorrow, suffering and guilt. He knew he was the reason why she was hesitant. If she let herself feel any attachment to him, he would be down on his knees.
She was tempted to tell him how much he had upset her when she cared for him deeply. She though about it. In the end, she refused to cause him any sadness and grief even after what he put her through.
Bella inspected another set of flowers. Leon had enough. He needed her full attention. He took one solid stroke and gripped her upper arm, forcing her to turn and see him which caused to her fling the flower basket a couple of feet away from her. She worked so hard, collecting them. "Look me in the eyes! Look me in the eyes!" He said tenderly. His own ocean blue orbs searching her coffee coloured eyes intensely.
Bella sighed. "Leon-" She began. Leon couldn't stop now, he had to unburden himself.
Bella did look at him. Leon had to be honest with her. Perhaps he could win her affections and she would understand his loyalty to her. "It's true, you're right. I toyed with you. I pretended, I played a role to hid my true feelings but now," He draw in a shaking breath as he proceeded to be honest. "Now, None of that interests me anymore." He stated delicately. "You're the only thing that matters to me."
Bella tried to ignore his words. With that in mind, it was also the way he approached her. He was respectful and timid. "I have long since forgiven you for the bet. You know that." She told him at last. "But you are suave and your answers are smooth. I don't see how I can believe anything you have to say." She told him softly.
This stunned Leon right through his inner core. "Bella, can't you see I'm different from the man I was before? It is all your influence. I swear to you, I will never cause you to doubt me. I will never cause you pain or harm again."
Bella wanted to believe him. She did. Keeping her eyes on him, trying to recognize if he was finally displaying his true self she was observing without fault. Perhaps it was time for the world to see how she healed his heart and moral sense. "Remove the mask." He requested. "Forever."
Bella stared up to him. She raised her hand, moved his hair away to see it clearly. Bella unfastened the cloth which held the mask in place. When the mask was loose she grasped the mask itself and lowered it from Leon's eye.
Leon made a solemn pledge. He would love Bella until the day he left this world!
Bella looked at him closely. "You're beautiful." She stated. An innocent phrase from virtuous young woman.
Leon would not remove his eyes from hers. "You sooth and fill my soul, I am in ecstasy with you." He declared gently. "And I love you. I love you, Bella." He proclaimed ardently.
When Bella didn't push him away, Leon brought his face closer to hers. Bella closed her eyes, excepting his kiss. He wanted to show her what she meant to him, convey to her he was the man she could love. He lifted a hand, cupping her face. The kiss becoming more genuine.
Bella retreated slightly to catch her breath. "I no long want to hide." Bella looked at him. "I want to show you what I am". Leon inhaled once again, his voice trembling. "And I want everyone to see, to know how much I love you." After such words were spoken, Leon's lips found hers once more. This time, his other hand rested on the crown of her head as Bella wrapped her arms around the nape of his neck.
Bella choose to rely on his word. A change had occurred in him since the night she had Scarlet Fever. When she asked him to cancel her father's debt , he did. To have her happy. To prove she could trust him, his word most of all. Even if it meant he wouldn't see her again. His arms found their way around her back and pulled her close against him. Leon felt anew with Bella.
